I watch Tinka look around the quarry.

She admires the mixes of oranges, yellows, greens and reds just like I did once and many times before.

I was the same age as her when I discovered this place. I swore to myself that I would show Anastasia and Eiran this place. It was a priority to show Ana because she would appreciate the view a lot more. All Eiran would say is "It’s just a quarry." Ana would look at the place like it’s her whole world.

Unfortunately, I never did get to show her this place. Six months after I had discovered it, the war between our two kingdoms was announced.

I never saw her again.

At least her little sister gets to see it now. When Tinka gets back to where she should be, she will describe the view to her older sister in such a way that Ana will feel like she was there.

"So," Tinka looks around. "How did you manage to get me out of the castle no questions asked?"

I shrug and lean against a rock wall with crossed arms as I watch her hop around as if she’s doing parkour. "I’m the prince. You think anyone’s going to question it?"

Tinka pauses her parkour to raise an eyebrow at me. She knows they fear my father more than me, which is fair enough for her to question my confidence.

I exhale. "I bribed anyone who I knew would be questioned for reports."

Tinka nods and goes back to jumping around.

(Based off of War of Crowns)