𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑽𝑶𝑰𝑪𝑬 ~Kix~

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓔𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷

To Caroline it all happened so fast. The blasting from droids rang out and then the sound of a scream filled her ears. It drowned out all other noises and was the only sound to fill her world. In an instant, her father, had been shot straight through the heart by a droid. Her world moved in slow motion, but Caroline had never felt more raw ambition or power flood her mind before that moment. She pushed her way though the panicked crowd, power buzzing at her fingertips and adrenaline flooding her senses. "Papa!" She screamed as she ran to the king who had crumbled to the ground, a hand clutched his side where a blaster had pierced his skin. Caroline quickly knelt at his side and salt tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. "Hello my sweet flower." King William said softly as he looked up at his eldest daughter. "I hope you make me proud." He moved his hand away from his wounded chest and Caroline could see the crimson stain on his royal clothes. His painted red finger tips caressed her cheek. "Papa no... please." Caroline breathed, unable to grasp the reality of the situation. "You will make a lovely queen for the people." He added. "I love you and all my girls. Do take care of them." And with that the light in the king's eyes faded. His hand fell limply from her cheek, smearing his red blood on her pale skin. The king was dead. "I will papa."

In a moment of instinct, Caroline reached for the sword her father always carried, a symbol of his royal status, but also as protection. Her fingers curled around the golden hilt as she raised it. Her sisters had lessons in fencing so swords were no foreign entity to them. But this sword was only ever held by the king or queen of Atla, a mark of status, which now fell to her. The silver blade glistened in the dull lighting of the room. And as if it were a harbinger of the reality around her, the voice of Rex filled her ears. "Caroline!" His voice shouted and the woman turned to him. "You've got to get out of here, it's not safe." He added. Caroline looked from the sword to the captain. "No." She replied. "The king was under attack and thus has no more legal moves." She said, "the opponent thinks they've won. But they forget that the queen is the most powerful piece in the game." "What are you talking about?" "I'm not going to let these machines destroy my home. I must protect my people, surely you understand that."

Rex understood Caroline more in that moment then he ever had before. A need to serve one's people surrounded them, it connected them. But Rex still felt the desire to keep her safe blossom in his heart and tug at his mind. "With all due respect, Caroline, there are plenty of my men here to defend you all and not to mention your own soldiers." He spoke strongly as he leaned over and placed a hand on hers which still firmly grasped her father's sword. "Let me protect you." Rex finally added. Caroline looked up at him, she could feel his soft gaze through the visor of his helmet. Something about him and the way he spoke to her melted her heart. Caroline lowered the sword in her hand. She looked around for her current number one priority, her sisters. From what she could see none of them were in the throne room anymore. A sigh escaped her lips and her shoulders slumped slightly by her side. Amidst the chaos, Caroline tried to calm her nerves and focus on getting to the safety of her room with her sisters. "Alright." She breathed. "I yield." She added softly. "Do you think you can help me get back to my room with my sisters? I'm certain that's where they all are." Rex nodded, more then ready to help the princess in any way he possibly could. "Come with me your highness." He offered her one of his hands as he holstered the blaster that was held by the same hand. "I will take care of you."

"Are you sure you're gonna be alright?" Rex asked once he and Caroline finally reached their destination. The eldest of the princesses sighed. "I have no doubt we will be. It's not our safety I am worried about." Caroline replied as she looked away from the captain. "Then what's bothering you?" Rex asked with both curiosity and caution. Caroline looked up at him. Rex could see something in her honey hued brown eyes. It was something he knew all too well. It was a fear that he had felt many times and he knew some of his best men knew this fear as well. It was a fear of the future, a fear of what was to come. Many nights he had stayed up much later then he should pondering his future. The thoughts of what would become of him and his brothers after the war and after the need for clones was quenched stayed permanently in his thoughts. But he knew that wasn't what was bothering the princess. She had no need to worry about the future of clones. Rex removed his helmet so he could see her better and he could truly take in and behold the sight of her. Her pale skin was dewy in the evening lighting and her once oh so elegant curly had begun to frey and tangle. She was still beautiful, only this beauty was a more rough beauty. Rex adored it. "Rex, my father was killed in that quarrel tonight." Caroline said. "With him gone... I know what happens next but I worry if I am not prepared for it." Rex tilted his head to the side as he looked down at the princess dressed in yellow and gold. "And what's that?" He asked softly. "Rex," Caroline said his name like she were talking to her closest friend. "I will become queen before the weekend ends." Realization washed over the captain. Of course she would become queen. She was the oldest daughter of a king without a wife and had no son. Caroline would become the new ruler of Atla in a matter of days. Rex reached down and took Caroline's hands in his. Her dainty fingers were so tiny compared to his gloved ones. "Caroline you will be the best Queen this nation has seen." He said softly. "Don't flatter me." Caroline replied as she tried to look away. "It's not flattery. It's the truth. The way I have seen you behave over the past few days is enough for me to know that you will. You are kind and you care so much for people. You are gentle but still strong. And not to mention, you are probably the most beautiful Queen this country will ever see." She looked up at him, her eyes widening. "Rex..." She said softly but the soldier leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek before she could say anything else. "Sleep well, my queen."