"astra inclinant, sed non obligant." 
(the stars incline us, they do not bind us.)

Thethia: Temple of Iris

• Queen of Thethia, Nadia •

"King of Thethia, Wynston Evarix. (Queen of Thethia, Nadia Veilstein.) We have arrived to give audience to the prophecy."

"Your Majesties." The Temple Keeper bowed respectfully before guiding them down the sufficiently-lit pillared alley towards the heart of the temple where a perfectly-sculpted figure of Goddess Iris stood on the central altar. Diffused light from an opening of the ceiling above shone on the marbled gold statue, casting a soft white halo which beamed onto the engraved magic circle on the stone ground where she and the King would stand.

Moving down the passage, Nadia wondered if this quiet air tinctured with the scent of incense, candles and musty prayer books had also held the promise of an optimistic future in favour of her children. The rhythmic ring of soft chimes reflected her breath and heartbeat. Synchronising with the King's movement, she lowered herself on both knees in front of the Goddess and clasped her hands together. Her appearance and composure resembled calmness and she managed to hold herself with equanimity even when a riot of different emotions stirred within her. 

In Thethia, prophecies were made for every child born to the Royal. It read the fates of the newborns and a name would be gifted to welcome the new royal member. And despite it being a simple ceremony, it was an important tradition that all loyal subjects serving the Kingdom would anticipate an answer from. They await to hear the future of Thethia and her next-in-line for the throne.  

A Temple Keeper signalled for both of them to close their eyes and they complied. Nadia lowered her head in silence before the prayers sounded. Low hums filled the air as the Temple Keepers sang verses after verses. Nadia clenched her hands tighter together, praying sincerely that the prophecy would mean well for her children. When the song finally ended, she peeled open her eyes to see that the Priest had taken over the ceremony. Undoing the knot, he rolled open the scroll and held it in front of him. In a clear voice, he delivered the prophecy. 

"In the coming spring, the Kingdom of Thethia will be blessed with a powerful soul. Adored by the Goddess herself, the child will bear the mark of blessing and bring prosperity to the Kingdom. For her, she shall be named Elizabeth." The Priest closed the scroll and Nadia was taken by surprise. 

"Wait," she tensed. "What about the other child?" 

"The existence of the other overpowers the balance of the Kingdom. With that, she shall not be known and never be named," The Priest replied simply.

"How dare you!" Nadia pushed herself off the grounds, raising in agitation. 

"My Queen," The King warned in a low voice, before continuing, "We humbly accept the prophecy. May Her Divinity grant blessings and glory upon the Kingdom of Thethia."

"No!" she denied, losing her composure. "I do not accept it! How can I accept this?"

"My Queen!" Wynston reprimanded. He turned his head towards the two maidservants who had followed the Queen and commanded, "Her Majesty is tired, lead her back to her bedchamber."

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A few days later.
Thethia: Royal Palace, Queen's Bedchamber

Since the hearing, Nadia never left her bedchamber. The unease that tugged against her heart was causing her to feel restless and anxious. It was only a few more months before she was due and she noticed how much everything had changed around her. 

Wynston had changed out the guards outside her door, it was no longer the usual routine of guards that she was familiar with. Even the maidservants that attended to her were different. Other than her own aides, everyone else was swapped away. It was as though Wynston had ordered them to keep her in check and she found herself being placed under surveillance by the eyes he had planted in her space.

Pacing back and forth while biting on her nail anxiously, she had been trying to figure out the meaning behind the prophecy. Her instincts were screaming at her that something was definitely off, yet she couldn't fathom who in the entire realm had the guts to alter a divine prophecy because tampering with religious processions and sacraments in Thethia were punishable by death. Perhaps, it would be wrong to say that she didn't know the person orchestrating this whole absurdity because the answer was evidently obvious.

Violently pulling on the door to leave her bedchamber, the guards outside asked, "Where are you heading to, Your Majesty?"

"Are you implying that I'm being placed under arrest?" she questioned him icily. 

"I wouldn't dare. Please pardon my rudeness, Your Majesty," the guard lowered his head and stepped aside to let her pass.

Nadia frowned but decided to let the matter slip, heading out of her bedchamber as she informed her maidservants to make preparations for her to leave the Royal Palace. Judging from all the oddities that had been happening in the Royal Palace, she was sure that her husband had something sinister up his sleeve. Since she was sure that Wynston would not give her the answers she desired and she shall seek guidance from the Goddess herself.

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Upon arrival to the Temple, she ordered for everyone to leave the prayer room and let her be alone. Regardless the inconvenience of her heavy body, she lowered herself to kneel on the ground and sat in silence for a long while, earnestly praying. Nadia prayed for an answer, an answer that could save her poor child.

"Iris, Your Divinity, please hear my prayers and may you have mercy on my poor child who has not been named during the prophecy," Nadia pleaded.

A sudden bright light shone from the marbled gold statue ahead of her and her head shot up in surprise. Raising her hand, she shielded her eyes against the blinding light. A sonorous voice echoed through the vast sacred space.

"Nadia, Nadia. Your earnest prayers were heard. Always remember that man has desires and prophecies are not always true. A child cannot harm the Kingdom, only the one who rules has the power to bring harm."

"Goddess Iris." Nadia lowered her head respectfully before asking, "I want to know if someone meant harm to my child." 

The apparition of a woman appeared before Nadia and her hand touched lightly against her jaw, guiding her gaze to face her. Her gold hair billowed magnificently in the air and facing her glowing white eyes, the Goddess responded, "My blessed child, look with not your eyes but your heart. You will get the answers you desire." 

"Your Divinity, I don't know what will happen to my child, but will you gift her a name?"

"Elianna." That was the last word spoken before all light dissipated and silence resumed in the dimly-lit Temple. 

Slowly raising herself to stand, she placed her hands together and whispered her gratitude before turning around and leaving the prayer room. The Goddess left her with a riddle, but that was also the moment Nadia found her answer. Quickly, she instructed to be returned to the Royal Palace and when she entered her bedchamber again, she spotted her personal attendant, Marie. 

Marie asked with worry in her voice, "Your Majesty, where have you gone to? I left for a moment and couldn't find you when I returned."

"Marie," Nadia walked towards her and pulled on her arm, settling her on the long couch with her. Lowering her voice, she said, "I have a matter to entrust you with."

"Please do tell me about it, Your Majesty," Marie replied firmly.

Nadia continued to keep her volume down, making sure that the conversation was only conveyed to Marie alone, "Do you remember knowing about a sacrificial ritual from an ancient text?"

Marie seemed unsure when she looked towards her when she mentioned, "Your Majesty, no one knew much about it and it was a difficult ritual, it had to be done between children of the same age and—"

Nadia noticed the sudden realisation in Marie and she nodded, gripping her fists tighter together, "Since knowing that I'm bearing twins, he had decided to make a weapon out of his children."

"Your Majesty..."

Nadia reached to hold onto her most trusted aide, her gaze locked on Marie's as she requested, "This ritual can only be fulfilled when my children reach the age of nine. I need you to protect my other child, my Elianna. She must leave the palace."  

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behind the name: 'Elianna' means 'God has answered'.