Chapter 116

HAZEL

I sit in my room, staring out the window at the sun setting over our kingdom. The sky is a brilliant mix of oranges, pinks, and purples, and I would have appreciated it under normal circumstances, but there were pressing issues. This illness sweeping through our people is unlike anything we've seen before. The anxiety was deafening, not just for the kingdom but for our child growing inside me.

A soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. It's Ethan and Arnold. They enter, their faces looking a mixture of emotions. I can tell immediately that something is wrong or strange somewhere.

"Hey, you two," I say, trying to sound cheerful despite the weird energy in the room. "How was your day?"

Ethan tries to smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. I wonder what must have happened. "It was good. We played a game in the man cave. We needed the break."

Arnold sits beside me, taking my hand. "Yeah. But we need to talk to you about something important."

My heart sinks. "What is