"Now," Shree announces, quieting down the crowd, "Lady Magna and Lady Everette will bestow their blessings upon the Heir."

Kindra and Arctica shuffle forward from their seated group of Highbloods, the tulle gowns of their respective colors of scarlet and gold, and sky blue and silver, trailing behind them. They both glance at each other, grinning and climbing upon the platform, no doubt sharing some inside joke or something.

Shree steps out of their way and lets them stand there to face me. Kindra takes one step forward and speaks: "Princess Alexandra, Heir of Caelestis, born of fire and ash, provider of warmth and light. I, Kindra Magna, hereby bless you with the power that represents Ignitas Highbloods, change and hope."

Yes, it represents change all right, perhaps temper too.

Kindra cups her palms together and I see a sunset gold spark inside it, then she opens her fingers and pushes it towards me. The spark moves forward and caresses me just below the center of my clavicle and bursts into amber flames, drawing collective gasps from the crowd. The flames move around my collar to the nape of my neck, forming a bond and tickling my skin. They finally vanish with a poof, leaving a heavy chain of gold with a clink in their wake, from which hangs a pendant shaped like a water drop.

I hold it up in my palm to find shades of ruby, scarlet, and gold swirling and glittering inside the enclosed glass and metal.

"Whenever this amulet will adorn Your Highness's neck," continues Kindra with a sharp grin, "you will always find the courage to embrace change and not fear it, you will always find the spark of hope even if you are surrounded by darkness. Here, are my blessings for your future Your Highness." She curtsies and steps back, letting Arctica step forward.

"Princess Alexandra, Heir of Caelestis," Arctica begins in her sweet voice, "born of ice and snow, provider of cold and solace. I, Arctica Everette, hereby bless you with the power that represents Crystallis Highbloods, strength and stability."

Arctica, too, cups her palms together to form a small sparkling and spiraling wind full of sleet. The sleet wraps itself around the gold chain on my neck, braiding itself into the links of the chain and turns into silver. The sleet surrounding the amulet enters the enclosed glass and transforms into a big crystalline blue snowflake against the swirling flames.

"Whenever this amulet will adorn Your Highness's neck—" She gives me a warm smile, "—you will always find the unmovable strength to fight for what is right, and will also find yourself to be stable and not straying from the path of priorities. Here, are my blessings for your future Your Highness." She dips her head and steps next to Kindra.

Just say a formal 'thank you', Shree says, and say what you feel about the gifts.

I have to blink a couple of times and rack my brains for the correct words and speak: "I'm grateful for this priceless gift, Lady Everette, and Lady Magna. I know nothing but deep affection for me would have motivated you to give me something so invaluable, and I promise that I will put this gift to good use."

I look to the Queen for approval but instead find Alacritas staring at me with tears swimming in her eyes.

"We are delighted to hear—" Kindra starts.

"—that you like our gift, Your Highness," finishes Arctica, still beaming. They both give rather hasty bows and stalk off the dais.

"I kindly invite Princess Theora, ascendant of Sapieltiana, to bestow the royal sigil." Shree shocks everyone with the sudden declaration.

Theora stands from her throne and approaches me. A tray is brought to her and she lifts something off it which looks like a medal attached to a long silver, silk collar. The medal is golden with a more intricate and vibrant design of the symbol with the tiger and deer protruding from the same neck.

Theora puts the collar over my head and the medal hangs slightly below the amulet Kindra and Arctica gave me. The action is followed by a synchronised applause. The princess squeezes my shoulder, smiling a little before trudging back to her own throne.

"Now," Shree says, "I'd kindly invite Lady Grace Milton, ascendant of Lunascier, to bestow the sceptre."

Grace walks in from Theora's side of the dais, chin high and back straight, looking far more like a princess than I ever would. Krista follows her with a tray on which is kept a foot-long silver rod.

Grace lifts the rod from the tray and turns to me.
We are supposed to keep on holding it together 'til it becomes taller or something like that, Grace tells me. That's what the guy back there said. Well, let's just hold it together, okay?

Okay, I answer, giving the slightest of a nod.
She holds the rod out to me and I grab it just above her grip, our fingers touching.

For a heartbeat, nothing happens. Then the rod starts to elongate from the top end. Fire sparks and sleet twirl around the lightweight metal together from the thumb of my fisted hand. The twirls reach the top end of the now-long rod and the sparks and sleet curl up next to each other, forming into a globe.
An orb, like Grace's sceptre has, except with interconnected swirls of ice and fire.

Grace releases it and steps back. Despite myself, despite everything that's going on, the fact that it is my sceptre excites me.

Will it to change into a weapon, Alacritas says.

How? I ask.

Just ask it.

Wow, really helpful.
I take a deep breath and try to converse with the sceptre. Er, hi.

Hello, it says.

I almost jolt back — I didn't expect it to actually say something back.
Can you change into a weapon for me?

Say please.

Please?

Hmm. What kind of weapon?

Anything at all.

You need to tell me, I can't imagine on my own. You need to form the image in your mind and show it to me.

I feel like yelling at it, but I doubt it'll help. I quickly imagine the sword Theora was using to fight on the school ground and show it to the sceptre.

That's so simple. The rod vibrates as if it is chuckling.
The orb glows brighter, then the rod in my grip changes into a sword handle. Scarlet and wrapped up with flames. The round hilt is azure with a pattern of a snowflake etched into it. And the sword itself it about three feet long with such sharp double edges that one hard swing will cleave a head from a neck.

The crowd claps as if I'm their source of entertainment and I just performed a trick. I debate displaying a scowl.

Aren't you going to use me? the sceptre asks.

Well, I say. I'm not interested in cutting off heads right now.

You're absolutely boring.

Now, I indeed scowl. Why don't you change into something quieter? I send the image of Devin's ruby ring.

Smartly, the sceptre changes into one without another word. I put it on my ring finger and tell Shree to proceed.

"Now, I kindly invite Lady Echo Cantrell to bestow the crown," says Shree. Excited murmuring and hushing go through the crowd. They're probably hungry and want to get this over with, like me.

Echo rises from Theora's side of the crowd and follows the path of the aisle, the train of her glittering gown trailing after her. The crowd turns to watch her walk, ignoring me wholly — and for good reason. Echo's entire gown is made of tiny, polished mirrors. Thousands of them clinging to each other side to side over her hourglass body, hugging every curve, each surface reflecting every beam of light in the room. Her cinnamon hair is clipped half up with clips made of diamond, and half is down, hanging in loose curls over her shoulder.

As she finally stands before me, I decide every word seems tasteless and useless to compliment her. But I still say: You look breathtaking, Echo.

She grins in answer, hazel eyes crinkling. I know. Had to look good for the honour you gave me by choosing me to bestow the crown.

Nobody else is more deserving.

Echo inclines her head in thanks and turns to the girl with the tray with something covered on it — wait, that's Cassadora. I try not to be jealous of her guts as she pleasantly displays a scowl.

Echo removes the golden silk covering the crown and my breath catches in my throat. The crown is made of gemstones I do not know of, though it is beautiful enough as the entire crowd stops watching Echo and drinks in the sight of the crown like parched travellers.

The sharp cut sapphires and rubies adorning the middle glitter azure, cobalt, and cerulean, scarlet, crimson, and cerise. I take in the intricate details — the curls of flame encircling the base, the thorny icicles standing around the top rim.

Echo picks it up with her slender fingers and turns to me. I lower my head, nearly yelping as I feel sharp edges digging into my scalp. I touch the base of the crown to find it has found a way of staying atop my head — by coiling itself into my hair.

Raise your head, Lex, Echo says. I look up to find her on the verge of laughing.

What? I snap.

Nothing, you looked like you were going to swat the crown away from your head.

I jump at Alacritas's booming voice. "All hail Alexandra, the Heir of Caelestis."
Echo grabs my arm, turning me to face the crowd as they all kneel together.

Are you in the mood to address the crowd? asks Alacritas.

Address? I ask back.

Give a speech, basically. Have you prepared one?

Um — no.

Then tell them all to rise and repeat what I say.

"Rise." Even though I barely mutter the word, the sound goes across the entire throne room. "I know all of you are eager to see how your new Heir will handle things," I go on with a stronger voice, repeating what the Queen tells me. "I'm eager too, to see what situations will demand of me. I look forward to training with Lady Kindra and Lady Arctica to explore my well of magic, to learn strategies to use in battle, and more. Most of all, I'm eager to learn to know what situations I may have to face in future, to learn to manage the court and the Caelestian Council, and to learn where to bring change if it improves the way of living. And all this, I'll learn from Her Majesty herself." I dip my head in her direction and she smiles. "Tomorrow, I'll sit on this throne not just as a princess, but as a queen-to-be. From tomorrow, I'll begin my journey to become a great leader - and for that, I hope the stars help me."

Everyone nods together, making me wonder if it's a kind of a curtsy or are they agreeing with what Alacritas made me say.

"Now," I continue. "I'd like everyone to proceed to the Ball Room — for the First Dance." My voice quivers ever so slightly, but since people get up and begin walking out the main gates, I don't think anyone noticed.

I turn to Alacritas and murmur, "Am I going to have to dance with this on?" I point at the crown. "It's clawing at my scalp and hair."
She purses her lips as if in an attempt to suppress a laugh.

Though it's Echo who chuckles. "Yes, dear. You have to."

"You look gorgeous, Echo," Alacritas offers in a way of greeting.

"Well, thanks to you!" Echo beams, the edges of her cheekbones reflecting as much as the mirrors.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Al— uh, I mean Her Majesty, gifted me this absolutely beautiful dress last night. I knew she wanted me to wear it today, but I didn't know why." She nods to me. "You chose me to crown you." Then she adds hastily, "Your Highness."

"But I chose you today before I arrived here." I frown in Alacritas's direction.

"I knew who you'd choose." Alacritas pats my right shoulder once, walking straight to the left corridor adjoining the dais. "I'm your mother," she says before leaving the throne room.

Echo and Theora lead us through the maze of inter ways to the Ballroom in Block B. We turn a few corners and climb down a few stairwells to enter from the left corridor of the ballroom's balcony.

The Ball room is as big as the Throne room — maybe bigger, since people need more space to dance. Two stairwells lead down from the sides of the balcony on which there are three miniature thrones, obviously for the Royals. People keep filing in from the huge entrance, some stand at the sides eating types of delicious foods.

I'm about to touch the balcony's rail just when Alacritas stops me. "Lex, don't do that."

"Why not?"

"The people don't know we're here yet."

"Well, can they not see us?" I blurt stupidly.

"No actually, they can't. And if you put your hand on the railing, it'll look like a floating detached hand."

I decide that's not good. "Is there something around the railing that prevents them from seeing us?"

She nods. "An illusion, that makes this place look empty."

"But why?"

"Because we are important people, and the people should wait for us to arrive."
I roll my eyes at that.
"I didn't like that idea at first either, but it's necessary for people to remember who exactly we are and the power we hold."

People often forget who they are and what power people around them hold. "I guess that makes sense." I shrug.

Soft music fills the room and the chatter mixes with it like honey. When the entire ball room buzzes with gossip and excitement and the smell of chocolates, the Queen removes the illusion and walks to the edge of the balcony. One clap of her hand creates pin drop silence. A reminder of who she is, a reminder of who the two girls flanking her are.

"I'm glad to see everyone is enjoying themselves," the Queen says, smiling at the crowd. Though it's not the same warm smile I've always seen, this one is cold and dangerous. "But the gossip can continue later, can't it?"

The crowd quickly forms their ranks, similar to the Highblood ranks in the throne room, just spacier.

"That's perfect," she says cheerfully but changes to her authoritative tone quick enough. "So, now we can begin with the Heir's first dance. Princess Alexandra, if you may..."

Go down the stairwell on your side, she continues through telepathy.

Keep your chin high, Theora adds.

I gather my skirt into hands and step downstairs, trying my best to ignore the crowd staring at me. At the end of the stairs, someone extends a hand to me. Someone wearing a crisp black suit matching his hair and a blue tie. I try not to wince as I keep my hand in Xander's cold fingers, letting him lead my way to the center of the ball room.

Xander turns to me, interlocking my fingers with his and puts his other hand on waist. Every bit of me repulses at the touch, even though my face looks calm — about bored. I let him guide my steps across the pearly ball room floor at first, not having the strength to feel or think or register what is happening.

Although, I do love to dance. And the feeling is better than numbness — so, I taste and drink in the music. I feel the movements pour out of me, soft like the kiss of the warmth of a fire and steady like frost crawling over a petal.

My mind is in a world so deep that I almost don't notice the Queen's sign for the people to join. That drags me out of the beautiful world I drowned in for a moment and I start to move away from Xander, eager to be rid of his touch. Except the hand on my waist pulls me in, closer than before. I snarl, letting it sound vicious and threatening. And for the first time since that morning, Xander looks afraid of me. The scene is so satisfying, I wish I had a digi screen with me to capture a time-lapse. No matter, I can always draw it. He takes a step back and bows, then he turns and walks away, snaking through the throng of people.

I decide to do the same but two people stop me at the same time. Before their open mouths can utter a sound, I hold my chin high and cut in: "I'm sorry but I need to drink water, I'm thirsty." I say it loud and clear enough for everyone who was looking at me, feeling a tad bit bad as their faces look crestfallen. Not that it was a lie, I am thirsty and I can't dance with five people at the same time anyway.

I dodge the dancing people as I make my way to the food, weaving in and out of spaces, smiling and nodding in response to the people congratulating me on getting crowned — as if I had a choice — and finally finding my way out.

The foods' table glows like the sun to me as I drink in the sight of the gorgeous assortment of chocolates, pastries, snacks, and candies. A nagging voice at the back of my mind stops me and tries to remind me something as I stare at them. I was supposed to do something, though what it was, I can't remember.

"Your Highness," I remember at last as the deep voice addresses me with the title mockingly. Lupus.

I turn to look at him and flinch. He's using a crutch to walk. I open my mouth when he says: "Hold it. Don't talk here."

I frown. "Where do you want to talk, then?"

"Let's go to the stairs." He tips his head to the direction of the one I had climbed down.

"How are you?" I ask, swallowing as we walk a wide berth from the crowd to approach the stairs.

"I'm fine, Lex," he answers. "I've had loads of injuries before, they don't faze me at all now. But I do wish I was in the condition to dance-" then he continues telepathically: so you didn't have to dance with that wretched son of Eva.

I chuckle aloud. "I don't think he'll ever want to talk to me again. And I'm grateful."

"What did you do?"

"Not here," I counter smugly.

He nods, looking amused. "I heard what you did with your hover."

I furrow my brows, not wanting to talk about it. "It seems like everyone knew everything about me—" I look at him pointedly, "—except me."

"We always knew you'd blow at least one thing apart when we told you."

"Theora blew it apart, not me."

"That's not unexpected from her, either."

I scowl. "Don't continue on taking jabs at me, if that's why you need to talk silently."

Lupus laughs aloud as we begin climbing the stairs, slower than usual since he isn't used to crutches. "You haven't told me," he muses, though his tone turns serious, "how are you?"

"Alive," I reply.

He rolls his eyes. "I see that."

"I don't want to talk about it, at least not now." In front of the entire city.

I watch him breathe deeply and nod. "All right, I understand," he says. "I just want to let you know that she loves you."

I don't need to ask who he means by 'she'. "Yes," I reply. "She told me."

"So, you don't hate her?" he asks, looking unconvinced.

"I don't hate her, but I certainly don't love her either." My face remains emotionless, just like my feelings for Alacritas. "She's... okay. I appreciate what she has done for me and Austin, but then again, I didn't have a choice."

"Well, being born as who you are is never a choice really." He shrugs, his words reminding me of what Alacritas said in the council chamber earlier. Sometimes we ourselves are a choice.

"No," I agree.

"I wanted to tell you —" he looks around to check if anyone is within listening distance, "— I heard they found leads to Stella and Prince Nathan."

I gasp, clapping my hand to my mouth. "When?" I ask, my voice muffled.

"About two hours ago, at a forest on the edge of the west coast of the United Federation." His head dips seriously. "The Palace of Onyx — High Lord of Afterdeath's palace — is underground, built by the coast. The rescuers are quite sure they'll be found soon."

A tiny sob chokes out of my throat. They are okay. They must be okay if they are away from him. They are out of Diabolosar's clutches. "Why wasn't I told about this?"

"Her Majesty wanted to, but Princess Theora said it would increase your anxiety and you wouldn't have been able to take the Oath."

"No," I snap. "She said that because she knew I wouldn't take the Oath at all if I knew Mom and Dad were found."

Lupus puts the crutch under his arms and crosses them over his chest, pursing his lips. "They are not found yet, and Theora didn't stop the news for that reason. What do you think she is — a sadist?"

"I don't know what she is, but threatening me with their lives wouldn't put her in my good books!" Not wanting to discuss this anymore, I turn and climb up the stairs, and walk out of the left corridor. I stumble straight into Rain.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" I yell as she bows, clenching her stomach that accidentally got elbowed.

"I-it's... okay," Rain exhales the weak words from between her ginger waves, leaning against the wall. Her other hand extends a piece of folded paper to me. "Was told... to give you this."

I take the paper and put an arm around her waist, hauling her up.

"Your Highness — I-I'm fine!" she exclaims.

"You need to sit down."
I take her to the Ballroom balcony which is now rid of people and make her sit on one of the seats surrounding the miniature thrones.

"These seats are not meant for people like me," Rain whispers, sky blue eyes filled with fear.

"Nobody will say anything," I reassure her. "If Doyle still had a title, only then I'd be worried."

A soft smile appears on her full lips. "He is a nightmare — though he looks good sporting the burn marks."

A low chuckle cracks out of me. Although her description of herself gnaws at me. "What did you mean by people like you?"

"Oh, you know." She waves a careless hand. "Late bloomers. We haven't gotten any powers yet."

I blink. "That places you lower than the others?"

"Not permanently." She shakes her head. "Just until we don't get our powers. We have had our basic training, you see. But for the further training, we need our specialties so we can join our Highblood group. We can't do any other job until then."

"Why not become a school teacher?"

"That's the job of experienced people, and veterans."

"Or why not open a shop?" I ask, being reminded of my life before it became a mess.

"We'd need the money to invest for that." She frowns. "Most don't have that much, we need time to collect it."

"But you're not even that old that you got labelled as a late bloomer." I scowl.

"I'm thirty-three." Rain laughs.

I grip the chair beside me, giving her a once over. She looks barely older than me.

"Oh, don't look so appalled. I'm youngest of all your maids. Well, me and Ivy."

That's just made me feel a whole lot better. "At what age are you supposed to get your powers?"

"Around fifteen or sixteen," she answers nonchalantly. "Often takes up to twenty."

Echo's words from a few days ago come back to me. Theora got her powers at age eight. Eight.
All this shock will end up making my hair silver.

"I'm all right now, Your Highness." Rain dips her head. "I need to go and check on Ivy. The last time I left her alone with soaking clothes, she had set the cleaner on fire."

Despite the shock, a grin forms on my mouth. "Go."

Rain stands on swaying feet, then saunters off the corridor.

I look down at the hands on my lap, still clutching the piece of paper. I unfold it, wondering who even finds paper anymore.
The scribe of ink in a fast paced handwriting on it says: 'Meet me at the twenty-second floor's roof at Block A. I have a box of center-filled chocolates.'

________.~•♦•~.________

Author's note

Hey ho!
Where'd this week go?

How are you angels?
I'm alright, though, it does feel like my feet are having a heart attack.

My work has been going well and all, but I wish I did get more time to write.

On the good note, I watched Stranger Things and I fucking loved it!
*Spoilers and discussion in the inline comments*

Back to the chapter:

Stella and Nathan have been found!!

Who do you think that note was from?

Please don't forget to vote and comment!

Love you angels ❤

— Selene.