Bittersweet

Hollyberry strutted along the path, Wildberry lagging behind, carrying a backpack filled to the brim with star jellies, biscuits, and extra clothes. Every step he took was accompanied by the clinking of jars and the clanging of pans hanging off the side. The town appeared in the distance, still seemed vacant, and only a bird was flying away.
“Queen Mother! Slow down! How can I protect you if you’re so far ahead?” Wildberry attempted to speak, words being cut off as he gasped for more air. Hollyberry suddenly stopped moving.
“Shhhhh!!!!! I hear someone,” Hollyberry hissed while holding a finger to Wildberry’s agape mouth.
“Who is it?” Wilberry whispered back, still trying to catch his breath.
“It looks like... Raspberry?!” Hollyberry exclaimed, confusion shining through the scrunch of her glabella, wrinkling between her brows.
“Raspberry! What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be practicing for your next fencing match? I know how competitive you are.” Hollyberry asked, moving in slowly while putting her arm around Raspberry, noticing she didn't have her sword.
“I’m tired of fencing… I’d feel much happier taking a long-needed vacation, also I kept hearing this voice telling me I should relax, so I decided to quit and am headed to the Vanilla resort.” Raspberry explained, shrugging off Hollyberry's questions as well as her arm.
“But fencing always made you so happy? You were the best and most passionate fencer in the history of the Hollyberry kingdom?”
“Yeah... but fencing just doesn’t bring me joy anymore, I actually realized that earlier this morning.”
Just like my granddaughter, and the guards. Hollyberry pondered, thinking back on her conversations earlier.
“I’m going to go now. That resort is calling my name,” Raspberry said, slowly walking away from Hollyberry and Wildberry without saying another word.
Well, that was strange; she wasn't acting like herself. Hollyberry reflected on Raspberry while pacing back and forth.
“Your majesty. That's exactly what the guards were acting like this morning, nonetheless, we need to keep going, to figure out this mess” Wildberry interrupted Hollyberry's thoughts.
“Right, you are Wilberry!” Hollyberry exclaimed, shaking off her thoughts and continuing her march towards Sugar Paradise.
Traveling through the Hollyberry kingdom was almost surreal. Neither of them ever expected to see the kingdom this uninhabited. The further away they got from the kingdom, the fewer people they saw, and the rare the villagers were lounging outside doing nothing instead of chasing their dreams. Finally reaching the outskirts of the kingdom, they decided to take a break and rest before visiting Eternal Sugar and seeing if she knew anything. Praying that this trip wouldn’t be in vain and she could once again see her kingdom full of liveliness and joy, Hollyberry removed her trusty shield from its place on her back, making sure it was in top quality condition in case any threats came up during their journey. Holding the shield in her hands, tracing the heart shaped metal that was passed down to her from her parents, and recalling all of the challenges she already faced and defeated during the founding of her kingdom she grew resolute. She made a promise to herself and her kingdom, she would find out what was causing this no matter what. If she had to defeat every enemy in her path or visit every ruler to find a cure she would. Staring at Wildberry sitting across her, his silver gauntlet so similar to her shield beside him, his head resting against a tree, not a single complaint coming from him despite how sudden and arduous the journey had already been, only made her resolution stronger. This warrior had stayed by her side and defended her kingdom with her ever since they met and she would be damned if she let anything else happen to him or the rest of her kingdom. Eager to fix things, especially with the new promise weighing down her mind and heart, Hollyberry shot up abruptly and began gathering their supplies.
Shaken out of his stupor by the sudden movements Wildberry darted up as well before questioning Hollyberry.
“Queen Mother, I thought we were resting for the night. What happened?”
“Why I couldn’t bear the thought of my dear citizens not chasing their passions for another second. Besides, we don’t know if Sugar Paradise holds the solution to our problem. Best to find out as soon as possible!” Hollyberry responded the determination and hope painting her voice out of place in the dark and dreary atmosphere, especially with the lack of passion and life usually present even on the outskirts of the joyous kingdom.
“If it pleases you, Your Majesty, then let’s continue” Wildberry replied, a glint of something Hollyberry couldn’t place in his eye.