Steel clashed, sounding sharp in the morning air. My arms trembled under the weight of Dada's strike, but I pushed harder, refusing to yield.
"Guard higher, Riya." He circled me with easy steps. "Your opponent won't spare you just because you're my daughter."
I adjusted, sweating profusely from my temple. "And you won't spare me because you're my father."
He lunged forward, a wide grin flickering across his beard. The impact startled my bones, but I held my ground firmly.
"You're improving."
"Or maybe," I inhaled deeply, turning around him, "you're just getting old."
He burst into laughter. "Careful, little princess; arrogance kills."
"Yeah, yeah…" I spun quickly, slipped inside his guard, and tapped his chest with my blade. "But arrogance wins too."
He looked down at the blade point, then back up at me. His eyes lit with pride. "You did."
"Yes!" I threw my arms up, my sword shaking in my grip.
"You'll make a strong Luna one day. This pack will be proud of you."
My chest swelled, but I hesitated. "Dada… why does Dark Moon Valley still hate us? Even now, when we have nothing left?"
His smile dimmed. He sheathed his sword slowly, looking toward the mountains beyond the walls. "Because envy doesn't die. When Nightfang was wealthy and our lands thrived, they were envious of us. Even in hardship, they still see us as enemies."
"That isn't fair."
He placed his heavy hand on my shoulder. "Life isn't fair. What matters is that you keep growing strong. The pack's future depends on you, Riya."
Before I could answer, a voice called from the doorway.
"Breakfast is ready!"
Mother stood with her hands on her hips, smiling elegantly in her beautiful floral dress.
"Specially made by me," she added. "If you two keep swinging swords, it'll go cold."
Dada chuckled, wrapping his blade. "We were just finishing."
I wiped sweat from my brow; my heart was still racing. For once, I'd beaten him, and now I felt untouchable. We both followed her inside.
*****
The dining hall smelled of roasted steak and fresh bread as sunlight poured across the long oak table.
"Not at the table like that," Mother snapped, eyeing the dirt and sweat on both of us.
"Mum…" I groaned.
"Both of you, bathroom now."
Dada laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "Boss Luna Siarah…"
We rushed upstairs and returned minutes later, our faces damp.
"Keep Riya's plate there," Mother told the maid. "Hand me the King's meal. I'll serve that myself."
The maid hesitated, holding the plate firmly to herself.
"Now! You may go," Mother added, her tone colder.
The girl bowed quickly and vanished.
I frowned as I sat. "Why chase everyone away if you wanted them here?"
Mother ignored me, carefully plating Father's food very precisely and rigidly.
"Smells delicious," Father murmured, inhaling the aroma.
"Absolutely." A small, boastful smile appeared on her lips.
We began eating, the sounds of knives and forks echoing around the table.
"More steak." I leaned across, piling another piece on my plate.
Father smirked. "Training must've starved you."
"Or maybe Mum finally outdid herself."
Mother's eyes flicked to me, sharp. "Eat before it cools."
Father took another bite. "Perfect."
A cough broke his voice, and we all froze. He pressed a hand to his chest, reaching for his cup.
"Water, Dada…" I shoved it into his hands.
He drank, but the coughing deepened, his face reddening as he continued to jerk.
"Wintle?" Mother's voice wavered.
"Dada!" I jumped out from my chair, catching his shoulders as he doubled over, blood covering his lips and nose.
"Guards!" Mother shouted harshly. "Now!"
He gasped, his eyes wide with panic, then collapsed onto the floorboards.
"No, no!" I grabbed him, shaking. "Dada, stay with me!"
The guards rushed in, lifting his heavy frame onto a stretcher and rushing him into one of the royal cars.
"I'm coming!" I tried to climb after him.
"Stay here, Riya."
"No! He needs me!"
"Riya!" Mother's voice thundered, her face serious.
I froze, stunned by the fire in her eyes. She climbed in and slammed the door shut. But as the convoy sped off, I ran, leaping into my own car. My heart hammered; I was scared for my father with every turn of the wheels.
*****
The hospital corridors blurred as I chased the guards through the antiseptic air until I reached the intensive care unit.
"Riya!" Mother's voice cut through when she saw me. "You followed?"
"I had to! He's my father. I won't just…"
"He'll be fine. Stop panicking."
The doors burst open. The royal doctor stepped out, his face pale and eyes heavy.
"Your Majesties… please. This way."
We followed into his office, standing quietly as silence suffocated the whole room.
He gestured. "Sit."
Mother lowered herself stiffly, but I remained on edge, my heart beating fast like a drum.
Finally, his words dropped. "I'm sorry; we did everything we could. The King… has passed." Instantly, the world tilted.
"No." My voice broke. "No, you're wrong." I lurched forward. "He's strong… he can't just…"
"The toxin was fast," the doctor said quietly. "By the time we intervened, his organs were already shutting down."
Mother's voice cut sharp. "Toxin? You mean poison?"
He lowered his head. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Her face twisted in disbelief. "Impossible. I served his plate myself."
"I'm sorry." His voice cracked. "That is all I can say."
I couldn't help it; I screamed. "How? We ate the same meal! How was he poisoned while we sat right there?"
Mother surged forward, grabbing his collar with rage. "Don't tell me sorry, just go bring back my King!"
Guards slipped inside, gently pulling her back and escorting us out. I stumbled after them, numb and hollow, the hospital walls spinning.
*****
The convoy hummed on the drive back. The world outside blurred into streaks of gray. I pressed my forehead to the cold window, crying silently. It began to rain heavily. Indeed, Dada was gone.
The man who laughed with me in training.
The man who called me princess.
The man who believed I'd be Luna.
Gone.
His voice echoed in my head, memories flashing cruelly vivid.
"You're exceptionally brilliant, my Riya. An A in politics, good job, girl."
At the school gates, clapping louder than anyone.
"Go, Riri! That's my super girl!"
And the time we played dress-up, me dusting powder across his rough cheeks.
"There, Dada. A touch of lipstick, and you're the most beautiful girl in the world."
His laughter had been endless.
And always, when Mother scolded me… "Leave her be, Siarah. Riya can do no wrong in my eyes."
I pressed my palm to my chest, as though I could hold the pieces of myself together. The ache was unbearable.
For the first time, I felt completely, terrifyingly alone.
His last words before breakfast echoed, cruel and heavy.
"The pack's future depends on you."
The convoy rolled on, carrying us back home to face our new reality. Deep down, I hoped this was just a bad dream.