It was that time of year again. The King sighed heavily and lifted the golden sun crest over his head, making it glint in the low light of the room. His wife tiptoed over to him gently and straightened it, then looked into his sad eyes. Her large green ones seemed to stare right through her husband's strong appearance. Reaching up, she gently wiped a stray tear away from he beloved's face. It was taking all she had to not cry, too. Taking his hand, she opened the door to the lantern balcony, and what she saw made her heart break for the millionth time in eighteen years. That paper lantern, flickering and bright against the dark sky. Looking at each other with expressions worth a million words, they gently lifted the lantern into the evening sky, watching it go up and up; just like their hope. Farther and farther away from them, reaching past their beliefs. The streets below them began to fill with mellow shades of orange and yellow and flames rising into the sky. It was so warm, and real…and bright. But the King and Queen each knew something.
Just like that lantern's flame, that flicker of hope that their princess would return…
Would never die.