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The rays of the Sun penetrated through the mixed foliage of leafs, grass and dirt. The streets were already flooded with life. The entire of Minimopolis had awoken. For a number of reasons, the First of Seven Kingdoms was now the most densely populated. No wonder, since the inhabitants of the freshly mentioned Kingdom were honored to be saved by a hero, such as Arthur. Everyone put their faith into him. At first sight, such an appraisal might be looking strange, given the circumstance Arthur was not a minimoy of origin and the minimoys held reserves towards humans. But Arthur's contribution for maintaining peace in this little world was great.

And let's not hide it: Prince Betameche and princess Selenia did their part solid to make Arthur popular. Especially Betameche! After all, apart from being hero, Arthur was also his best friend and maybe the only person closely related to the royal family, who paid true attention to his daily performances.

Today marked the start of a very special week. At the end of it, the daughter of Emperor Sifrat XV of Matradoy, the precious and caretaking Princess Selenia, would be reaching her maturity – 1800 minimoy years.

The event was important, because the moment she became an adult, Selenia would acquire the full right to be proclaimed the next ruler of the First Kingdom. Therefore it should not be a surprise everyone was in such a good mood.

But no one was in a better mood than Selenia herself. Apart from the celebration, the next Tenth Moon was approaching and the love of her life, Arthur, would come.

She opened her eyes with the crack of dawn. To be honest, the excitement was way too much for her to have got any normal sleep at all. What remained unknown to her people was that Selenia had in fact spent most of the night outside Minimopolis and even outside the Kingdom. The Kingdom was underground, so she used a secret passage to sneak to the surface.

There, Selenia had admired the stars. And had watched upon the Suchots' house, where her beloved one resided when he was present.

- Oh, my Prince! - Selenia sighed.

She could not shift her look off the portrait that was hanged on the wall in her room. It was a small-sized picture, a fine piece of art, created by Gustav – the royal artist, best of his kind in the entire Kingdom.

The portrait depicted her and Arthur, swinging in a breathtakingly beautiful dance. Arthur with his new attire – the seemingly old-fashioned, but never-becoming-less-stylish combination of black and gold, and his dandelion-like white and spiky hair waving in rhythm with the dancing steps. Selenia - even more charming with the pink night dress, light high-heels and dazzling reddish hair. Their eyes focused at each other, filled with the sparkles of love. Everyone else stepped aside, watching in awe at this magnificent couple. Lanterns spread lights in different colors into the environment, thus beautifying the picture.

- Seleniaaa! – A sudden scream made Selenia jump.

- Betameche! Just wait till I reach you, you little mockery lazybones! – Selenia furiously slammed the door and grabbed the creature in front who, presumably, was her brother.

- How many times do I have to tell you not to disturb me like this!? - Selenia growled, staring ominously. In response, Betameche just grinned and put out his tongue.

- Betameche, I haven't kicked your ass for a long time already, right? - Selenia gritted her teeth.

- Um... no? – Betameche guessed. Next thing he knew - he was shaken so hard that he dropped the leaflet he carried.

- Seleniaaa! I have a message! – He managed to shout. To his relief, the shaking stopped.

- This message had better be worth it, Beta! Otherwise I am not sure whether you'll survive!

- Well, if a message from Arthur is not worth it, sis, then why am I wasting my time here? - Betameche concluded bitterly and turned his back.

Selenia was in shock - What!? Hang it over! What does it say? - Betameche sighed.

- It says he has been taken to a place called 'hospital'. I have no clue what that place is, or what is it designated for, but he won't be able to arrive there anytime soon. – Selenia's eyes widened upon hearing this.

- It will be so boring without Arthur! Any celebration is boring without him! - Betameche continued.

- Enough, Beta! Stop whimpering! - Selenia cut him - we have to find out what happened to Arthur.

- Wait! You're actually going to leave the Kingdom in the middle of the ceremonial week? - By the look Selenia gave him Betameche realized this was exactly the point.

- Why shouldn't I? After all, he is my husband. I can't wait to ask you the same question when you find a girlfriend some day and receive a letter like this one! If you ever find a girlfriend... - Selenia added and poked her nose.

- Selenia, all the rules, customs, the protocol, they don't really mean something to you, do they? - Betameche sighed - you overstep them whenever, wherever and in any way you see fit!

- Let me ask you something... What does it have to do with you anyway?

- Just wanted to mention that's the reason I admire you so much! - Beta grinned again. - Despite this, I still can't understand why you would miss all the fun here. And besides, you know Arthur is head over heels for you! I presume that wherever he was taken to, the moment he is free, he'll rush to Minimopolis.

- Perhaps, or perhaps not! – Selenia stated – What if he was in trouble? What if he needed my help? At any rate, I don't have time for making idle chatter with you! I'll go to inform Father and then I'm gone!

- Right! Right! I just hope you know what you're doing, sis! Hey, wait for me! - Beta pointed and jumped after his sister.

The main alley was overcrowded as usual. Everyone cheered and joked and laughed and chilled and did all sort of activities. An incredible noise came from all directions. Merchants from all over the Kingdom offered their stuff, citizens and peasants pushed against each other to get to the front and see the piles of stock. Above them were the domes, left with open windows and shutters, so that the fresh air could flow into the rooms. Children ran over and hid among the crates, the merchants shouting and chasing them across the stalls.

The princess stepped on the pavement. Complete silence engulfed the street. All minimoys stared in awe at their royal favorite as she passed. Selenia could hear the muttering from behind, but didn't turn around. She wasn't accustomed to gossip, so just bypassed most of the folks, some of which were really snoopy. They asked her numerous questions about her attire, her haircut, her father, even inappropriate questions such as what she wore in bed.

- Princess, when Arthur comes, is he going to be the King of our Kingdom? - The voice came from beneath. It was soft and shy and so charming, Selenia could not help but look down.

Her ears lopped as she saw the sweetest child ever. The kid looked at her with its large, widely opened eyes, lucid like lake water under the Sun. Selenia gasped at the pure innocence these eyes emanated, and a long slumbering dream crawled into her mind.

- I suppose so... - She smiled absently and caressed the kid's spiky hair. It was white and reminded her of someone whom she held dear.

- Selenia, didn't you intend to go and check onto Arthur? - Betameche mumbled from behind, his mouth munching but the next portion of caramelized dragonfly eggs. The main reason why Beta was so chubby was that he constantly gorged himself with food.

- Your Highness, what has happened to Prince Arthur? - All gazes were upon Selenia now. She had to provide an answer, but also had to be careful. Selenia threw a ferocious look at her brother. Betameche stopped chewing and turned stealthily at the crowd.

- Don't worry, Arthur's just fine! - Selenia did her best to sound convincing. She felt she did not believe her own words and surely someone would've noticed that. But she carried on – I'll need to make a short trip to the surface though.

A loud noise could be heard from the crowd now, as the minimoys and other creatures grew concerned. According to the millennial custom, when a person of the royal family neared the age of 1800, they had to perform a ritual. It dated back from the Ancient times and always took place within the royal temple, situated at the centre of Minimopolis. Minimoys attributed great importance to the ritual. The way it was accomplished bore a sign of whether the years ahead would be peaceful or not. The ritual itself included daily prayers during the special week, meetings with the High Priest, self-isolation and at last - Holy Consecration of the royal heir.

But to Selenia, such a ritual was completely useless and obsolete. Just as was the rule, which forbid the newlyweds to kiss or show any other signs of intimacy for a period of 1000 minimoy years after the marriage. And marriage was deemed a fact with the first kiss of the couple. Following the rule, Selenia had married Arthur prior to becoming 1000 years old. But contrary to the rule, she had kissed him dozens, if not a hundred times since then.

Unlike most, Selenia wasn't superstitious. Who the heck had established those rules!? Who would want to wait for 1000 minimoy years (which were equal to 10 human years), before even hugging the love of their life again!? Whatever was prescribed by Destiny would happen, no matter how much you tried to avoid it.

Selenia and Betameche reached the Palace.

- Open the gates! - A guard shouted. The gates were soon open and the two went in. The Palace was perhaps the most distinctive building in the entire city. Built right onto a hill, it provided sight to Minimopolis and the surrounding area. The location was wisely chosen also because the inhabitants had a strategic advantage, should someone decided to assault them.

Yet, after the defeat of Maltazard, no serious foe threatened the First Kingdom. And so, the additional defenses put during Maltazard's deliberate offense were removed. The sentries had remained vigilant, but somehow their senses were softened.

Inside, the Palace had several wings. One was for the royal family, another one was designed for guests. There was a huge dining room with a round table. The kitchen was formidable as well - it was the place where you could see Prosciutto – the royal master chef, preparing his culinary chef d'oeuvres. The balconies offered a spectacular view – the Palace's internal gardens, filled with exotic plants from all over the world, in combination with the nobles' domes, the royal smithy and royal temple. The giant clock tower and the sentries' outpost towers stood above the aforementioned. Because Selenia loved the view of the gardens, her room was situated on that side of the palace. Betameche liked the marketplace more, so he was given a room on the corresponding side.

Selenia reached the door of the throne hall and knocked with the metal ring attached to it. The door opened, a heavy armored guard standing from the inside. Upon recognizing Selenia, he made a deep bow.

- Welcome, Yours Majesty!

- Is my Father here? – Selenia was more impatient than ever.

- Indeed he is, Yours Majesty! What shall I tell Him?

- Tell Him I want to talk to Him!

- My apologies, Yours Majesty, but he's holding a meeting right now... It is a really important meeting and...

- Unfortunately, I don't have spare time. Would you be so kind to inform Him that I

- That you're leaving? – Selenia trembled. The voice was her father's. Emperor Sifrat XV stood in front.

- My dearest daughter, Princess Selenia! I heard about your intention to leave the Kingdom during the celebration week. Would you mind to explain to me why?

- Father! I intend to go Archibald's house and check what happened to Arthur.

- I'm sorry dear, but I'll have to forbid you doing so.

- What!? – Selenia almost fell on the floor. She folded her arms pleadingly – I beg You, Father! Don't make me suffer with such a prohibition!

- Dear... - It was clear Emperor Sifrat struggled internally. He was also concerned about Arthur. But the events during the special week occurred only once in a lifetime. And who know what was to happen if a person didn't honor the custom. As you can see, Sifrat's thinking was quite the opposite than Selenia's when it came to following rules and customs.

- I'm as concerned for Arthur as you are, my dear! – Sifrat spoke softly. – But we should not disregard the special week and the holy ritual. Therefore, my will is clear: You can go, but only after you have reached maturity. Until then...

It was said in a soft manner, but with a decisive tone. Selenia felt crushed. She would now spend an entire week wondering what happened to her beloved one! But how could she oppose her Father's will? Like Betameche and all other minimoys, she held respect towards the Emperor. Selenia had no other choice, but to go to her room. She entered and locked it from the inside.

At nightfall, a shadow dashed down and moved at the palace's gardens.

- Hey! Who's there!?

A guard had spotted it. The shadow quickly disappeared. The sentry moved at the direction he saw it. He inspected the vegetation, but found nothing except a few fireflies.

- Hmmm... Maybe my senses took me in again! – The guard shrugged shoulders and returned to his outpost tower.

Selenia barely held her breath. She heard the sentry and had just in time crawled into the nearby bushes. The girl sighed in relief, as she observed how the guard turned around and took his seat in the tower. Despite being forbidden, she was firmly resolved to leave.

- You're lucky the guards are half-dumb!

Selenia jumped and clenched her mouth tightly in order not to scream. She turned at the direction the voice came from.

- Betameche! – She hissed. Right there he was, grinning as usual. His eyes threw sparkles into the night.

- What in the name of the Forest Goddess are you doing here!?

- Well, you're not the only one concerned about Arthur. I want to come too!

Selenia rolled eyes upon hearing this.

- And mess everything like you always do? I don't need more trouble, Beta!

- C'mon! We're a team! We always were together on any adventure! And besides, I'll die out of boredom here! - The begging tone made Selenia reconsider.

- All right! But promise me you'll behave!

- I'm not 350 anymore, sis! - I'm already at the age you were when you met and married Arthur!

- Yeah, but it appears your temper hasn't changed much. - Now it was Betameche's turn to roll his eyes.

- Since you insisted to test my maturity, Selenia, I feel obliged to ask you how are you going to get to Archibald?

- Simply follow me and you'll find out! – Selenia smirked.

- You forget we're only 2 millimeters tall. – Selenia gasped at this one. Betameche surely took his point. She had completely forgotten the detail. Since minimoys were only 2 mm tall, it would take Selenia and him hours if not the entire night just to reach Archibald's house. And what followed? Selenia had been observing the house and had seen the distance between it and the garden. It was indeed quite far for a minimoy. Selenia's legs failed her and she collapsed in the dirt.

Betameche saw the despair in his sister's eyes.

- Good old Beta, however, has thought it through! Look! - Betameche took out a small bottle, filled with a golden liquid. Selenia shook head in disbelief.

- You took from Archibald's potions!? – She exclaimed. - But how?

- No! - Betameche grinned. – I gathered it from the leftover 'elixir of life' when we visited the beehive!

- Beta – Selenia's eyes seemed a lot friendlier now – You're a genius!

Betameche waved a hand and stuck his chest out proudly – Yes, I know! Now let us move! We don't have much time!

The two sneaked out of the palace and soon reached the passage.

- C'mon, Beta! – After Betameche went in, Selenia brought back the leaves that served as cover for the tunnel and disappeared as well.