before the light fades

The only reason why Maya was chosen queen at just 14 years old was due to the unique's elected monarchy system, which allows young individuals to be elected as monarchs. Her election followed a period of dissatisfaction with the previous ruler, and she was a popular candidate who had undergone formal political training. She wouldn't say she was robbed of her innocence at such a young age; it was more like guilt and regret that she never got the chance to live it out when she had the chance, the little time she had. but at least she lived it out in such a short amount of time with a boy, Ryan Revas. He never failed to make her laugh, and she even lost count of the amount of times Ryan told her she was beautiful. maybe she thought they were just young, and he was only saying that to make her feel better, but it was more than that. when she was snatched away from her childhood, from Ryan… she was heartbroken, but they quickly distracted her from the amount of undergoing political training she had to do. 4 years passed. She was now 18 years old. she was not queen anymore but a senator. she became a senator after her term as the elected queen of aetheris ended, as the aetheris law only allows a monarch to serve for two terms. She accepted the role to continue serving her people and to advocate for democracy and peace in the Senate Council of Aetheris. she was pretty damn good at it too. she cared for her people and always put others before her. she even used her voice to free slaves, and was even opposed to war. She was at her headquarters. she was on the balcony, looking out at the whole kingdom. she was standing next to another fellow senator, Karl. she sighed and sighed, until Karl put a hand on her shoulder and she looks at him. "I just don't know what to even say about this. The Chancellor cannot do this. he cannot put us in war even more. what happened to peace?" She says, as she looks back at the kingdom, sighing even more. Karl nods at Maya's words and understands where She's coming from, "I know but more can we do? The Chancellor holds the most power in the senate, we cannot do much but just sit and agree with what he has to say." Maya looks at Karl, as Maya backs away from the balcony a bit, "So you're telling me that I should just stay and watch people die while many lose freedom? I was not elected to be that!", Maya was frustrated at what was going on and she didn't even know how to fully control her own emotions. Karl sighs, as he crosses his arms, "Nobody dares to talk him out of it so we just stay put. I am sorry Maya, I also do not like this idea, but we both know we cannot do anything to stop it even if it means we have to get out of the way to raise our voices." Maya didn't say anything and went back to looking out the balcony as she then heard the door open, and then shut. she turned around and went inside alongside Karl. One of her handmaidens slightly spoke up, "My lady, Jedi Knight Ryan and Master Jedi Hayden are here." Maya stepped forward, as they both bowed down at her. Maya was confused as Karl clears his throat, "The Chancellor insisted you get protection from all the upcoming death threats you been receiving lately." Maya scoffed slightly as she mumbled, "since when did he ever worry about me? he should worry about what's happening with the world." , Maya turned to face Ryan and Hayden as she bowed slightly and she then took a glance at Ryan, "wait Ryan? oh my god, it's really you.." Karl looks between then, glancing, "wait you two know each other? how?" She chuckled, as she couldn't keep her eyes off Ryan and he couldn't keep his eyes off her either. he then smiles a bit, opening his mouth slightly, "we grew up each other. Maya, i still remember you very bluntly but i dream of you everyday.." Hayden glances at Ryan as he chuckles quietly, and turn looks down. Maya turns around as she smiles, "Ryan, you're still the boy i met when we were young." , she turned around around and went to go sit down on the couch, "please do sit." Ryan and Hayden then took a seat on the couch beside each other. Maya then opened her mouth again, "I really do not need protection at all.. i think the chancellor was overreacting a bit, but i do appreciate you two coming-" "No. no matter how many times you push us away, we are not leaving.. especially me. we were told to come down and protect you. you're still the stubborn girl i met all those years ago." Ryan crosses his arms as Hayden looks between them, sensing what was going on and even catching up. "Excuse me? who are you to just cut me off almost near the damn sentence i was about to finish, and you're wrong.. i was never stubborn and never will, so i don't know what you are even talking about." Maya say, as she raises an eyebrow and Ryan couldn't hold his laughter as she also couldn't and they both started laughing. "Your face- I can't... it's so serious." Ryan says, as he kept laughing and he even holds his stomach as he plops down on the couch, almost on the edge. Maya couldn't stop laughing either, "Oh please! that's literally you-" Hayden then clears his throat, "Oh that's enough.. you two are acting like a married old couple." Maya then stops laughing as she then sits up and she also clears her throat, "Oh right.. fine, i wont say no to you two protecting me but i swear i am actually fine.. or will be fine." Hayden smiles a bit, looking at Maya as he crosses his arms, "Sure, My lady but let us do most of the work. We're jedis after all" Maya sighs as she then nods, giving up. "Fine, but I must retire. I gotta go rest, as it is getting late." , Maya then stands up, as Ryan and Hayden also stood up and headed towards the frontdoor, they then bowed at maya and headed out. Ryan turns back to look at Maya, as they both gave a longing face. Maya then shuts the door, as she puts a hand on her heart, it was beating. What was going on? No, they can't. they can't be together, no matter what. Maya then headed over to her bed as she sat down on the edge, staring out at the window, she sighs as she couldn't believe that the boy who was going to protect her and always be there with her was actually the boy who made her childhood a little better even if it were just a short time. she recognized him because there was still some small features that she saw in him, like his smile, his eye shape and color, just everything. she felt better that it was him and not some total stranger, at least she'll have someone and who knows maybe they'll get closer than ever. but then again, they can't.. they can't be together. their love is f*******n and no matter how many times Maya kept telling herself that, it was the truth and they both knew it. but.. she knew that was her soulmate, from the moment they met when they were little, she always knew and so did he. That night, Maya couldn't sleep, he was on her mind, she was longing for him. That eye contact they had earlier when he was leaving, he couldn't stop thinking about it, it was killing her. But, they couldn't be together.. or could they.. ??