XVI

“There’s no way we can be ready this soon.”

“We have no choice.”

Sauda opens up her closet but turns to look at her dad. Andras sits on her bed, arms crossed and face dark. He holds his hand out to Kang Dae, asking for help. Kang Dae, who leans on the desk, shrugs his shoulders.

“Dada,” Andras sighs. “We just got other Royals to agree to help us. There's no way we can get forces ready to march right this second.”

“The second we told them what was going on—”

“Last night.”

“They should have already started gathering resources and getting it ready to move at the drop of a dime. Do you really think they haven’t had armies prepared in any way? You do.” Sauda turns back to her closet and pushes everything on the hangers to the side. Large colorful clothes boxes line the back wall.

Sauda steps aside and points to them, and Kang Dae retrieves them without having to be asked.