PROLOGUE

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    Looking out at the night sky from my window makes me think of them. The Shadows. Every kid in the Land of Brilliance and beyond knows of them. They're the monsters in every cautionary tale. The ones our parents warn us about when we're young, especially mine. After all, my family is one of the four famous Dreamlight families that led an army to defeat them. The great Loryal family. Regal, Powerful, Kind, and one of the few Dreamlight families that can use all the powers the Light offers to us. My dad the Great and Mighty King, My mom the Caring and Wise Queen, then me, the Brave but Weak princess. Weak because unlike her parents, she can't call on the light at all. Yet I'm still strong and brave, stories of how easily I can defeat soldiers in fights even without powers. At least that's what the villagers say about us. 

    All my life I've been taught of the Shadows and what they're capable of. How their powers rival our own. They can snuff out the brightest of Lights and turn it dark. My parents used to love to use the Shadows as a way to make me eat my veggies when I was five but as I grew up the thought of them became more serious and threatening. We've lived in peace 500 years and the Shadows have never come back for revenge so the thought of them coming back makes my heart twist and turn in fear. Brilliance is peaceful and happy for the most part with a couple small crimes committed by villagers here and there. 

    The biggest pain our land experienced was the death of my little sister 10 years ago, on the night of my 8th birthday. I was very young but I remember enough of that night. Her calling out to me and me losing her in the crowd of panicked nobles. I was responsible for her that night because she didn't want to leave my side all night. She was my best friend and my sister then she was gone in an accident of flames and ashes. A chill ran down my spine whilst recalling that night and I shook my head trying to rid myself of the nightmares that have haunted me ever since. The nightmares have gotten worse since my parents told me my coronation will be in 4 months, the day of my 18th birthday and the 10th anniversary of her death. I walk back to my bed and stare up at my ceiling before shutting my eyes and forcing myself to sleep. How could I be responsible for an entire country when I couldn't even be responsible for a 6 year old girl?

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