Kuu stands up from his seat in one quick motion, knocking over his cup of juice. Heliodoro whipped his head over in surprise, he was just about to take his last bite of food. Cordelia continued to sip her drink unbothered. Mona eyed her father, embarrassed. The Moon King ran a hand through his hair and quickly left the dining room. As he walked through the hall, his mind was in a desperate battle not to unravel, he muttered his replies out loud as he walked, trying to win an argument only he could hear. Guards passing by watched him in both fear and amusement, finally being able to see the unstable king lose his mind like everyone has been watching for. He stopped walking and crouched in the middle of the never ending hall, his hands slowly covering his head as he wept. A sudden sound of approaching footsteps from behind made the young king tense up. The footsteps stopped just behind him.

  “King Kuu…?” Heliodoro spoke softly, he crouched down so that he was level with the poor Moon King.

  “What is the matter?” Kuu felt a hand as it rested gently on his shoulder, he couldn't speak. Heliodoro wore a worried expression upon seeing Kuus crumpled body, shaking viscously on the floor. He sighed and rose from his position and walked around the body and stood in front of Kuu. The Moon King was hyperventilating.

  “What is it that you need?” Heliodoro crouched down once more and pulled Kuus' hands from his face in order to see and hear him properly.

  “....Vial..”

  “What?”

  “I need-,” He sobbed and gasped. “I need…my medicine vial.”

  Heliodoro nodded and shouted at the nearest guard to go ask Azalea to find it. The guards bowed and ran off down the hall towards the dining room.

  “Can I do anything for you while we wait?” He was desperate to help in any way. But he didn't want to hurt or frighten him. After waiting a few seconds with no answer, Heliodoro started to stand up to go find Queen Azalea himself, hoping she would know what to do. Kuu immediately flew up a hand and grabbed onto Heliodoro’s dark red coat. The Sun King sat back down.

  “You don't want me to leave?”

  Kuu shook his head.

  “Okay, hey…. It's okay, I won't leave,” Heiodoro thought quickly for a way to ease the mans troubles.

  “May I- May I be so bold as to give you a hug?”

  “Yes-” The sorrowed soul finally met eyes with the Sun King. The golden color of Kuus eyes shimmered in the light coming in from the windows. Heliodoro quickly embraced him. Kuu went limp in the King's arms but he didn't hate it. Then his world went dark.

  ☆☆☆

  The Moon King awoke. He was laying down in a room he hadn't seen before. Kuu looked to his right to find his daughter laying beside him, holding his hand fast asleep. A sudden voice made Kuu look to his left, it was Heliodoro. He was sitting in a chair next to the bed, looking right at him.

  “Well good morning my star, did you sleep well?”

  “My…star?” Kuu sat up in bed and looked around. It was a large bedroom, the walls were a dark cherry red, while the floor was covered in gold tile. Across from the bed on the wall, hung a painting of the royal family. Heliodoro stood behind Cordelia who sat in a chair with a toddler on her lap, he assumed it was young Prince Reyansh. Kuu looked down, the blankets covering him were velvet and the same color as the walls, the bedframe was pure gold.

  “Am I- Am I in your room?” Kuu turned to look at the king with a confused expression.

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  “Well I wasn't sure what was happening, and when you fainted I panicked and brought you here.”

  Kuu blushed at the thought of Heliodoro having to carry him. It was embarrassing that he had a panic attack at a kingdom other than his own.

  “Please accept my dearest apologies. I was lost in thought this morning and forgot to take my medicine. You see, if I don't take it my mind takes control of me and makes me paranoid, causing me to have these panic attacks. I am embarrassed you had to witness and take care of me. Again. Please forgive me,” Kuu looked down at his lap in shame.

  “Forgive you? But you haven't done anything wrong,” Heliodoro reached over and gently took hold of Kuus hand.

  “Everything is okay, Queen Azalea brought you your medicine and she helped you take it, right now she is getting you something to eat. So just rest,” Heliodoro lifted the Moon King's hand to his mouth and kissed the top. Kuu blushed more and looked back at him.

  “Why did you call me ‘my star’?” Kuu whispered softly. Heliodoro laughed and rested their hands on the bedside as he gently rubbed Kuus knuckles with his thumb.

  “It's a nickname I came up with? I thought it would suit you. You don't like it?”

  “I love it,” Kuu Smiled. Maybe Heliodoro did remember. Kuu hoped for the best.

  “Well, Your Majesty Kuu, would you like to join me in my study to talk about the engagement since you're feeling better?” Kuu took the Sun King's hand and stood with some difficulty., but he nodded. Kuu walked with his arm in Heliodoros in order to keep himself from stumbling. Helio didn't mind it, He quite liked the feeling of being depended on. Although he was also concerned. The Moon King looked as if he was sick with something… something just awful. They turned a corner and approached Heliodoros study, a guard opened the door as they reached the entrance. Helio motioned for Kuu to sit in one of the yellow cushioned chairs that sat opposite of the king's throne across the desk. Kuu sat down quickly, desperate to rest. Heliodoro sat in his seat and cleared his throat.

  “Let me just say, I was surprised to hear from you last month. I've been told you're a very hard king to contact,” He laughed as he took a few papers out of a folder and spread them out in front of him.

  “Yes- well- I just don't have the time, I apologize. But I'm proud to say this marriage will be beneficial for both our parties,” Kuu folded his hands in his lap and sat tall as he spoke softly but with pride for his kingdom and daughter. Heliodoro hummed happily.

  “Yes I agree, although I hope to be given 50% of the extraordinary medicines and herbs that the moon provides for your people, and I will in return transport enough sun energy to the moon to keep your power on for 1 year at a time. Each transport will be at the end of each year and will last you until the next transport,” Kuu bit his lip.

  “Times have been tough lately my king, and the moon has been creating smaller and smaller doses of ointment for even my own citizens. I can give you only 30%, the lives of my people are at most important.”

  “I understand, but so are my own, I ask for 40% and that's my last offer. In return I'll give you enough sun energy for only half the year,” Helio stated firmly.

  “I accept your offer, thank you your majesty,” Kuu bowed. “I will make sure my daughter is ready for the marriage, I hope your son will treat her well.”

  “I assure you she is in great hands, there's no need to worry, your daughter and my son will get along well, it's just a bit awkward at first, you understand,” Heliodoro smiles and winks, referring to how when they were engaged to their wives it was most likely an awkward few months. Kuu sighed sadly and looked helio in his glowing pink eyes.

  “All to well your Highness…” He stood up from his seat and put a hand up, stopping Heliodoro as he was about to offer his assistance. The sun king nodded and remained seated, only being able to watch Kuu slowly make his way out of the room. Kuu mumbled a thank you to the guard who opened the door for him, then left to find Azalea.

  ☆☆☆

  After waking up seeing her father missing from the king's bed, Mona made her way out to spend time with prince Reyansh. She now sat on a bench located outside in the castle gardens, which held a variety of flowers packed tightly in the beds and along the many bushes. Marigolds, zinnias, lantanas, blanket flowers, portulacas, verbenas, and coreopsis complimented each other kindly. The Princess held a Zinnia gently in her hand, the light pink color of the petals made her smile warmly. The young Prince of the Sun Kingdom was kneeling down nearby silently attempting to save a sunipede from getting eaten by a small mouse.

  “No little mouse, you know you'll get a stomach ache from eating that,” he shooed the mouse away and picked up the sunipede. He brought it to his face and looked at it closely.

  “What are you looking at?”

  The sudden question made the young prince jump. He turned to see the princess of the moon kingdom standing behind him with one of the palaces Zinnias placed strategically in her white hair.He forgot she was there. He blushed from embarrassment and hesitantly held out his hand and showed her the yellow insect. Mona gently placed her hand next to his and watched as the sunipede crawled its way onto her hand. She giggled as its legs lightly danced around her palm.

  “She's quite beautiful, I’ve read about Sunipedes in some books back at home. Did you know that they emit a yellow glow at night to light their way?” She spoke gently and softly in order not to scare the poor little insect. Reyansh nodded with a small, almost unnoticeable smile. He watched as the Sunipede crawled up her arm.

  “I think she likes you Princess,” He spoke softly, Mona turned and laughed brightly. He only smiled more.

  “I sure hope so, and call me Mona,” She took the Sunipede in her other hand and held it out to Reyansh.

  “As you wish… Mona,” He took the insect from her and put it gently back in the grass.