Kai sat on an ancient stone bench underneath a large willow tree. The air was heavily scented with exotic flowers and a light breeze whispered through the trees. He watched a pond a few feet away, which was filled with koi fish. Their orange scales glinted in the morning light. His head dropped into his hands and he sighed deeply. Marriage was not something he wanted to think about right now. Not so soon after his mother's death. He still could not understand why the doctors couldn't save her. They had the most advanced technology on earth, but it hadn't mattered. Now he was engaged to a Lunar princess he didn't even know. Life was cruel. He stood and walked through the thick green sheet of leaves surrounding the bench. He strolled through the garden humming an old lullaby his mother used to sing. " The moon is bright, the wind is quiet, the tree leaves hang over the window. My little baby, go to sleep quickly, Sleep, dreaming sweet dreams. The moon is bright, the wind is quiet, the cradle moving softly. My little one, close your eyes. Sleep, sleep, dreaming sweet dreams." Tears burned in his eyes. He wiped them away quickly. He knew it was necessary marriage. He knew his father felt pain a thousand times worse than his. Everything was moving so quickly, too quickly. The Lunar Royals would be arriving soon, and Kai knew Torin would be looking for him. He would have to wait it out, he could not judge princess Selene on her race or parent, but the future did not seem very bright.