With a sense of urgency and desperation, Blue barged into her father's quarters, her heart pounding as she sought answers to the dire situation that had engulfed her family and the kingdom. "Father! Father!" she cried out, her voice laced with worry.
Turning to Marcus, the royal physician, she implored, "Talk to me, Marcus. What is wrong with him?" Her eyes were wide with fear as she awaited his response.
Marcus began, his voice heavy with a mix of sorrow and frustration, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I believe it to be the sleeping disease." The gravity of his words hung heavily in the air, and Blue's initial confusion turned to a sinking realization.
"But you said it only affected children!" Blue exclaimed, her voice trembling as she struggled to make sense of the sudden escalation.
Marcus, his gaze downcast, acknowledged his earlier mistake, "I don't know what happened. My theory must have been wrong."
Blue's frustration and fear boiled over as she charged toward Marcus, a fierce determination in her eyes as she demanded answers. "But there is a cure, right? Tell me there is a cure!" Her voice trembled with a mixture of desperation and hope.
With a heavy heart, Marcus's voice quivered as he delivered the devastating truth, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, there is no cure." The weight of his words hung in the air, and the room seemed to close in on them.
As Blue's emotions overwhelmed her, Verick, Aima's son, rushed forward and held her back, enveloping her in a tight embrace. Her sobs echoed through the chambers, a heart-wrenching expression of her helplessness and grief. "No, there must be a cure. He can't be like this. Please, there must be something," Blue cried out, her pleas echoing through the castle halls.
Whispers and murmurs spread like wildfire, carrying the dreadful news that the sleeping disease had now taken hold of the King of KARTEE. The chilling truth rippled through the ten kingdoms, intensifying the sense of fear and uncertainty that had already taken root. As the news traveled, each kingdom grappled with its own concerns and fears of falling victim to the same fate.
In response to the crisis, King Aerobos of Yugli, a close friend and ally of King QUAVA, sent his queen, Alia, and their son, Prince Kar, to offer their support and solidarity to the princess who now found herself thrust into a position of leadership. The bond between the kingdoms grew stronger in the face of adversity, as they sought solace and unity during these trying times.
However, King Aerobos was not alone in his intentions. As word spread of Princess Blue's newfound responsibilities, other kings began to see an opportunity to strengthen their own kingdoms through marriage. With the prospect of the sleeping disease being resolved and the princess emerging as a potential queen, these kings sent their sons to offer their assistance and vie for Blue's hand in marriage.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, alliances were formed and tensions rose. The princess found herself at the center of a complex web of political maneuvering, as various kingdoms sought to secure their future through marriage and unity. The weight of responsibility grew heavier on her shoulders, and she was faced with decisions that could shape the fate of not only her own kingdom, but also the entire realm.
The dawn of a new day ushered in a procession of greetings from the allied kingdoms. Queen Alia and her son Kar, accompanied by Prince Christopher and his elderly nanny, arrived at the castle to offer their support and solidarity to the princess in her time of need. Among the guests were also Princess Rilia and Prince Austin, two unexpected additions that caught Blue off guard.
Princess Rilia's presence surprised Blue, as she hadn't anticipated the arrival of fellow princesses. Curiosity got the best of her, and Blue discovered from the maids that Princess Rilia had developed feelings for the king. It seemed that her father's appeal extended beyond his own kingdom.
