JESS

The kingdom of Zaza, known as the land of Treasures, bore witness to numerous tales that unfolded across the seven neighboring kingdoms, all in pursuit of the kingdom's treasures.

Legend had it that the person who possessed the precious treasure of Zaza would be the ruler of all seven kingdoms and this has made Zaza a target of numerous invasion.

Jess thought the legend was just a myth, invented to keep the subjects recovering from the war on their toes.

She felt that the council of elders convinced the people that the hunt for Zaza's treasure led to the war fifteen years ago. Looking at the casualties Zaza suffered during the war, nobody wanted to experience another war.

She wondered why the aristocratic blue-blooded elite devoted their time to seeking this treasure. They held onto it like some prophecy when they should be bothered about fixing the dynasty's parsimony, not some fables.

When the war broke out, Jess was a teenage girl. She remembered how the whole town was in an uproar, and fear was evident on everyone's faces.

No one knew how to prevent the war from coming to their doorsteps. Rumors about the invaders' advancing speed sent shivers down the spines of those who heard them.

Those who could afford to flee and had families in the country's Far East, down the Hill Valley, fled in the dead of night, not minding the risk of running into the invaders.

She overheard her mom one afternoon telling her dad that their neighbor, Henry, and his family had fled to the Hill Valley, where he had cousins who would shelter them.

"Honey, what are we going to do? Jess heard her mother ask, worry evident in her voice.

Jess could see through the door's keyhole that her father was facing the window in his room, his hands entwined with each other as they rested on his back.

Her father did not answer; he was probably thinking about what he would do to secure the lives of his family. And even if he did not say a word, Jess knew in her heart that he was just as confused as everyone else.

"The king had sent a letter to the chief, instructing all women and children to be escorted to the underground castle, where they would be safe from the invaders. She heard her father's baritone voice

"And what about the men?" Jess could hear her mother's soft voice, worry lancing her words.

"What about them?" came the quick reply from her father, who Jess saw had turned around to face her mother. Her mother had her hands on her waist while tapping her feet on the floor.

Jess was all too familiar with this pose from her mother to know that she was not pleased with her father's reply.

"What of their safety? She asked

"Don't tell me that the king wants the men to fight in this war?" her mother quized.

"They aren't even trained soldiers and should not put their lives on the line while the royal family sits arms crossed in their haven, watching as our men are annihilated by the invaders and as our women and children become bereaved," Jess could hear her mother's soft voice.

"Vera," her father softly called out her mother's name, perhaps trying to calm her down.

Jess knew that her father always called her mother by pet names. But whenever her mother was angry or moody, her father would call her by her real name, which made her mother all mushy for some reason that Jess's young mind could not understand.

"No! Don't even try to defend them."

"Why should the men inexperienced in military combat stay and fight in a war meant for soldiers?" her mother protested. "Where is the king who is supposed to protect us? He fled like the true coward he is and yet expects the men of Zaza to go and die!" her mother said, venom lacing her words.

"I know you're angry at this whole situation, but that is not enough reason to speak ill of the king. His safety is of utmost importance because of the symbol he represents for our people. As long as he is alive, the people of Zaza can have hope to continue fighting the invaders."

"Even though the royal guards had escorted the royal family to a secret hideout for their safety, the royal battalion was left behind to protect the people until help could be sent," her father stated as he put both hands on her mother's shoulders.

"I overheard some soldiers whisper in the market yesterday, saying that the crown prince was leading the army and would be here in less than a week."

"We just have to hold on and pray for the victory of our soldiers and the royal family," Jess heard her father say, proudly defending the royal family. He even seemed proud of the crown prince, whose identity was shrouded in secrecy.

Jess remembered crying her eyes out at the thought that something might happen to her father as the men would stay behind to stay and fight alongside the soldiers.

The sound of her sister's voice brought her back to reality. She took a moment to observe the young lady standing before her, both hands resting on her hips and her lips pursed.

"I've been calling your name, but it seems your mind is elsewhere. Are you in trouble? Wait, don't tell me you got fired from your job? She asked with a raised brow while tapping her feet on the ground, a trait she inherited from their mother.

"Good morning, Mia. I hope you slept well." Jess asked, ignoring Mia's question as she walked towards the kitchen door at the back of the house.

She did not have time for Mia's drama this morning as she had to prepare for work. Bills needed to be paid, and food needed to be restocked. Their dad was trying his best, but considering his advanced age, she couldn't let him shoulder all the burden alone.