They continued passing the ball around and talking. The circle naturally rotated as they played. Now, Luna was looking at the entrance to the room.
The king and the other man were no longer in the corridor. They must've left while Luna had her back to it. Probably gone off to the southern and northern gates.
Most of the children's parents had already left the castle and gone off to join the rest of the people at one of those two gates. Luna's mother wasn't one of them. She meant to stay until the very last moment she could.
Seeing her mother in the corner of her eye made Luna feel safe. In fact, she felt rather light at the moment. At least as light as she could feel, considering the circumstances.
Luna felt her bond to the people in her group had grown considerably in the short time they'd known each. She only wished that they would be able to keep getting to know each other, after this was over…
Thinking about that, Luna looked down and received the ball that had been passed to her. Raising her right leg behind her, she accidentally brought it down with more force than she intended. As her foot contacted the ball, it shot forward and flew over the head of the oldest boy.
A loud smack resounded in the room, turning many heads. Luna saw a young man standing near the group. The ball bounced on the floor in front of him.
He wore a white suit of armor. Most of the right of his ivory face was now red as he cupped his cheek with a hand. A golden ring rested on his index finger. It had a dark stone with an engraving that looked like a star. He held the helmet of his armor on his other hand.
Luna's face fell. She recognized this man. He was the king.
Nova opened his mouth as he rubbed his cheek. "Ow…" he muttered.
Stepping forward so she was in front of him, Luna bowed.
"I'm so sorry!" She said, not daring to look up. Who knew what would happen if she did.
He did not seem like an unreasonable man. In fact, Luna had the impression that he was a kind person. But appearances could be deceiving; And he was the most powerful man in the kingdom. Luna trembled as she imagined what he might do to her for this.
Hearing steps trailing towards her, she trembled even more. She raised her gaze without her head following—enough to see his lower half in front of her. Her eyes focused on his sword, and on the hand resting on its pommel. It seemed to twitch slightly.
Oh, gods! He's really angry, isn't he!
"You think a simple apology can fix this?" he asked.
Luna was just about ready to cry when, after a few seconds, the king chuckled and spoke again. "I'm sorry, I was just joking around. Don't worry. I'm not mad."
Luna was at a loss for words. Unsure of whether he had really forgiven her, or if he was just playing around, she remained bowed down.
Hearing a new pair of steps moving towards them, Luna tensed. The steps stopped beside her. She recognized her mother's shoes to her right.
"My name is Charlotte Wilder." Luna saw her mother bow next to her. "I ask that you please forgive my daughter, Your Majesty."
"I already have. Please, stand up, miss Wilder," the king said.
Charlotte and Luna listened, straightening up and looking at him.
"Wilder…" he said. "I recognize that name. Is your husband in the city guard, by chance?"
Charlotte smiled. "Yes, my lord. In fact, he's on the northern wall right now."
Nova smiled back. "I see… Then I'll have to thank him for his service, when the battle is over."
He paused for a moment before looking at Luna, and kneeled down so he was at eye level with her. His armor rang as his knee contacted the floor. "And what is your name?"
Luna hesitated. "L- Luna… Wilder."
Nova patted her shoulder and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Luna. I'm Nova. You can go back to your friends now, if you'd like."
"Ah, yes! Thank you… Your Majesty. And, sorry, again…" Luna said. She bowed again and looked at her mom before grabbing the leather ball and returning to her group.
***
Nova smiled as he watched the little girl run back to her friends. His face still stung a bit from the impact. What were the chances the ball would strike him while walking around? It was a perfect hit, too…
"Are you also joining the battle?" Nova asked Charlotte.
Charlotte switched her gaze from her daughter to him. "Yes. I just wanted to spend time with and look at my daughter, before I had to go," she said, hands clasped modestly in front of her.
"I understand." Nova's gaze scanned the room, seeing the many children sitting and standing about.
He really did understand. After conversing with Garrick in the corridor, Nova sent him to check on the people outside. Most were probably ready for and waiting in the streets. After that, Nova spent a bit of time strolling through the palace.
His home was filled with people—mainly children and elderly. Some of them seemed scared out of their minds. Others found ways to distract themselves, like Luna and her group. Seeing them all gave Nova courage, but it also frightened him. It reminded him of the consequences that failure would bring.
"My lord." Garrick's voice called out from behind.
Nova felt a firm hand lay on his shoulder, instantly soothing him. Garrick's presence always made him feel safer.
Turning to face him, Nova saw Garrick bowing his head slightly at Charlotte. "Miss," he said before looking back at Nova.
"Our soldier's arrows are running thin," Garrick said with a heavy expression. "The people are ready and waiting in front of the gates. We should join them."
With a nod, Nova responded, "Alright. Thank you, Garrick."
Nova turned to Charlotte. "I suggest you speak with your daughter before leaving the palace," he said.
Charlotte looked over at Luna, who was now sitting down on a table with her friends. She sighed. "I'm not really sure what to say."
For some reason, Nova remembered conversations he'd had with his father during his last years.
"It doesn't have to be anything grand. I'm not a father, but if I was in your place, I'd tell her I love her and reassure her that everything will be alright," Nova said.
As she gazed at her daughter, Charlotte's face crumbled. "What if I'm not sure it will?"
Nova hesitated. He hated that his people had to wrestle with such questions. "Say it anyway. If not for your comfort, then for hers."
Charlotte's face softened. "I'm glad someone like you is leading our kingdom. You're a good man."
Nova let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, I'm not sure about that. It's more like I was blessed with excellent role models." He thought of his mother and father. His gaze flickered to Garrick for a moment.
Not long after that, Charlotte and Nova wrapped up their conversation. She went to speak to her daughter one last time before she had to leave. The candles illuminating the mess hall seemed to glow weaker, softer. It was as if the room itself was mourning.
Nova turned to Garrick. "Let's go," he said, putting on the white helmet of his armor while strutting out of the room. "It's time for war."