Among the people working tirelessly to clean up the ruins of Dressrosa were two former high-ranking figures—King Riku, the former king of Dressrosa, and his late daughter Princess Scarlett's husband, Kyros. Both men were now wearing helmets that concealed their identities, blending in with the citizens whose homes had been destroyed. They worked quietly, side by side, like the rest of the kingdom's people, all sharing the same fate.
Accompanying them were two girls—one young and full of energy, the other older and more composed. The younger girl, with bright pink hair, was Princess Rebecca, only 10 years old this year. Despite her age, Rebecca was determined to do her part in helping the kingdom rebuild. She worked tirelessly alongside her family, lifting stones and debris with a focus beyond her years. But the physical labor soon took its toll, and she began to tire. Sweat poured down her small face, and her tiny body struggled to keep up.
But Rebecca, despite the exhaustion, refused to stop. She pushed through, determined to help her father and grandfather repair the broken kingdom.
Violet, Rebecca's aunt, the 23-year-old princess of the 27th Kingdom, and the daughter of King Riku, noticed her late sister daughter. She quickly set down the items she was carrying and rushed over to Rebecca. Kneeling beside her, she gently wiped the sweat from the girl's brow with a clean handkerchief.
"Rebecca, you've done so much already. You're amazing, but you need to rest now," Violet said softly, her tone full of concern. "Let's head to the hospital. We'll do the rest."
Rebecca, however, was stubborn. She pulled away from Violet's hand and looked up at her with determination in her eyes.
"No, I can keep going," Rebecca insisted, her voice firm. "I want to help my father and grandfather fix this country."
The two men, Kyros and King Riku, who had overheard the conversation, stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Rebecca. They saw the tiredness in her face, but they also saw her determination. King Riku, remembering the daughter he had just recently reconnected with, felt a bittersweet ache in his heart.
Kyros, looking at Rebecca with a mixture of relief and sadness, spoke gently.
"Rebecca, take a rest if you're tired. I'll handle things for now."
"But, Dad..." Rebecca protested, her voice laced with concern for her family.
King Riku, who had been silent until now, interjected with a calm but firm voice. "Let's take a break, Kyros, Violet, and little Rebecca. We've all done our part."
He found a flat stone nearby and sat down, sighing deeply as the weight of the situation seemed to settle on him. Kyros, ever the supportive father, sat beside him and took Rebecca into his lap, the little girl resting her head against his chest as exhaustion finally overcame her.
Violet quickly fetched a kettle and poured a glass of water for each of the three people. As King Riku sipped the cool water, he let out a melancholy sigh.
"Alas," King Riku muttered, looking around at the devastation. "Dressrosa's losses this time are too severe. Not just the buildings, but so many young and strong lives have been lost in the struggle. Even if we rebuild, it will take a long time before we return to what we once were."
Hearing the weight in his words, Kyros immediately tried to lift his spirits. "Your Majesty, I believe that under your leadership, Dressrosa will one day return to its former vitality. You've always been the heart of this kingdom."
King Riku smiled bitterly, shaking his head. He placed his cup aside, his eyes distant.
"I'm no longer a king," he said quietly, his voice heavy with regret. "I failed my people. I couldn't protect them. Look at what's happened to our kingdom. We've lost so much... and I couldn't stop it."
Kyros, seeing the pain in King Riku's eyes, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Your Majesty, in my heart, you will always be the king of this country. Whatever you decide to do, I will follow you."
King Riku's heart swelled at Kyros's words. This man had saved him from the depths of despair and guilt. He had been the reason Kyros found redemption, the reason he had a family and a life to cherish. It was thanks to him that Rebecca, their precious daughter, had come into their lives.
Kyros gently stroked Rebecca's head, his eyes softening as he looked at his daughter. The little girl, despite her exhaustion, squinted her eyes in contentment as she felt the comforting touch of her father's hand.
Rebecca looked up at her grandfather with a serious expression. "And me, Grandpa, I'll help too!" she said, her voice full of resolve.
Violet, standing behind her father, couldn't help but smile at the sight of this small, brave family. She walked over to King Riku and began massaging his shoulders, offering him comfort in the only way she knew how.
"Father, we're a family. Don't forget us, no matter what you choose to do," Violet said softly, her words filled with love and reassurance.
King Riku, looking at his daughter, son-in-law, and beloved granddaughter, felt his heart ache beneath his helmet. The memories of happier times, when his family had been whole and untouched by tragedy, flooded his mind. But now, the once-proud kingdom of Dressrosa lay in ruins, and he could only wonder how it had all gone so wrong in such a short time.
As they shared this rare moment of warmth and solace, the residents of Dressrosa, who were also cleaning up the debris nearby, paused and looked in one direction.
Just as King Riku and his family were savoring this fleeting moment of peace, a loud noise suddenly erupted from the air.
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