"Brid, Bridget... wake up," insisted Annie, shaking her shoulder.

Bridget blinked and unglued her cheek from the desk, glanced at the window, and discovered that Midas, one of Eloah's natural satellites, was no longer in sight, which meant that she had been asleep for at least an hour.

"What's going on?" she asked groggily.

Annie moved the ProCom and other objects on the table so she could lean on the edge, next to her.

"Are you done with that?" she asked, nodding at the tiny quartz disks shining under the fluorescent lamp. They were the ones William had given her for analysing the recordings of the throne room's audiences.

Still half asleep, Bridget wondered if Annie was talking about the end of the three week punishment, during which she had to do the assignment, or...

"I got three days to go."

"Yes but... did you finish what you had to do today?"

"Oh. Yes."

Bridget massaged her ear. Ever since the ear infection she heard an echo now and then. It was curious that it only happened when she was near a woman. Other times... it was best to step back, or she would get a headache.

She stood up and let herself fall on Annie's bed, that was closer.

"Why do you ask?" she mumbled between yawns.

"We have a dinner invitation or something like that."

Bridget stretched out and sat down again.

"Do I have to go?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Alright."

She went to the wardrobe reluctantly. Ever since she was a child, her belongings were divided between her foster family's home, and the royal apartments where she spent the weekends. During her recovery she hadn't used the secret path again; she wouldn't have been able to explain her absence if someone suddenly visited her.

In a corner she found a red dress with a mud stain on the back. On the front it had two large paw prints on the chest.

What an odd discovery. Annie hadn't mentioned an incident involving the Blasterier boy's goldulp, because it was obvious it was the same one, considering the similarity to the ones on hers, after the lake. She would ask later.

"Could you... could you help me with my hair, Ann?" she asked while she changed.

"Sure."

'Should I tell? Better not,' Bridget heard, even if Annie hadn't moved her lips. She shuddered, and told herself it was her imagination.

Annie used her abilities to embellish the Princess' unruly and curly hair.

"Mom asked me about the career I want to pursue," she said.

Bridget's blood ran cold as she watched her on the mirror.

You too? Just the day before Paty had announced something similar. She couldn't decide between Surgery and Psychiatry. She was one of the few people Bridget knew who had an innate spirit for service, and felt the duty to help others in mind or body.

"I told her Sociology," said Annie quietly. "You know how much I like everything related to extra planetary societies."

"But..."

"In the University of Eneviah."

In the city of the same name, Bridget finished in her head. Again she had heard that echo.

"And she..."

"She said it's fine, that it sounds like a good choice. That... that she will sign me up for the winter term. I've turned nine and William can certify that I'm ready."

"The winter term! But that's soon, isn't it?"

"Twenty-five days, to be exact. Most universities start the term around the same dates, more or less."

"But..."

"And then she said that maybe we'll travel to grandma's house," added Annie, before she could keep questioning her about the sudden change.

"We'll travel? Me too?"

'No, not you,' she heard the imaginary voice say. The real one said,

"That is all I know."

With a tap on her shoulder, Annie let Bridget know that she had finished her braid, and they walked to the living room, where they met their parents.

Bridget knew that at nine beltas the children of residents left to attend the different universities. However, she had thought some exception would be made regarding Annie and Paty. She was only certain about her parents wanting to keep her in the palace; she, as the heir, would need special, private education. If they sent Annie and Paty to university but not her, the farce would be over. While she walked to the door she felt a knot in her throat. She was going to be separated from her sister? It could not be true, her mother would surely deny it when she asked.

***

Bridget stopped at the dining room door, her hands sweaty with nerves. The guest list included the Britters and the Obriens -William, Paterinet, and her parents, Deana and Allister. However, there were two empty chairs, on both heads of the table, and Bridget already suspected who would sit on them: her real parents.

"Miss, if you will..." said a guard behind her, while he pointed at a side door. Bridget looked at her foster mother. Daphne nodded while she beckoned her to follow the officer.

She calmed herself down and took a deep breath before going in. There was no reason to panic.

The King and Queen were seated in the privacy of a cozy side room, despite its scarce furniture and the lack of windows. There were tapestries on the walls, and cushions in ochre and golden tones next to their armchairs.

"Little one," greeted the King.

"Your Majesty," she made a deep bow.

"Don't worry, Bridgie, it's safe to talk in here. Come closer, take a seat."

"Thank you."

Bridget released the breath she had been holding, and then greeted them like she usually did when she visited the royal apartments. She gave each a hug and a kiss on both cheeks.

The Queen signalled a round, short stool, usually referred to as an ottoman. Bridget sat down. Right away she felt like she was in a courtroom, for she had ended up in front of them, in a lower position, ready to be judged and sentenced. Fortunately, her visit had nothing to do with punishment. Did it?

"We wanted to talk to you in private before dinner. It's only fair," said her father.

The solemn environment and his words put her on alert. Something important was about to happen. Her stomach contracted into a tight knot. However, she made an effort to appear calm, because the King and Queen did.

"We hadn't planned to hide your identity for so many beltas," the King stated. "It saddens us not being able to speak to you in public, and that you can't watch and learn from the sessions in the throne room. But above all, it pains us not being able to tell you how much we love you in front of others. We did it to keep you safe, do you understand?"

She nodded.

"We did it because there are people like the one who tried to kill you in your crib, that remind us at every moment that fear in ignorant people can lead to fanaticism, to committing a barbaric act believing it will eliminate the root of their fear," added her father. "However, certain circumstances have changed recently. For starters, it appears that so many beltas denying the prophecy represents any danger to Eloahns, eventually convinced many that we tell the truth."

"Yeah. The extremists must be disappointed that the world is still here," she mumbled nervously, drying her palms on her skirt, and trying to recover her composure.

"Well, the fact that nothing has happened has helped reduce the tension we lived in. Surveys show that the number of citizens that think we lie has decreased, and due to lack of an audience, it's been three beltas since the mediatic attacks and protests ceased."

"So it would seem..." she muttered to herself.

"What your father is trying to say," her mother's melodic voice drew her attention, "is that it's time for the whole planet to meet you."

As if someone had thrown a bucket of cold water on her head, Bridget drowned a gesture of surprise; she stared at both alternately.

"What?" she said, her throat dry. The news were unexpected, as well as life changing. Unable to digest them, she had been left speechless, her thoughts tumbling in her head, and dozens of questions to ask.

"So my... my life is no longer in danger?"

"At this moment," said her mother in a moderate tone, "it's safer for you that your name is known, so we can justify your own private guard, than waiting for someone to figure out your identity and..."

Kill me?

"And nothing," cut the King, shooting his wife a reproachful look.

Bridget shuddered. It was obvious they were holding something back. She wondered if what had happened to Paty had something to do with that decision, because if it had, it was safe to say that someone might be after her.

"You may not have noticed, but ever since the last belta I have had to use a lot of makeup to cover up the similarities between us. That's also why I avoid walking near you. If we were seen together..."

Having mixed feelings, Bridget found herself fighting back tears.

"You have grown so much, sweetheart," added the Queen. "When you turn eight you will attend balls and parties, and while you live in the palace there will be more interaction between us. Surely you have wondered what would happen if we keep up this secret. Your sister at heart, Annie, turned nine this summer, and she must attend University. Daphne is the sole heir of her duchy, and her mother's old age has made her fear that she will have to rule the province soon. She should already know how to manage her lands so it doesn't take her by surprise. And what would become of you? How much longer could we hold up this farce without exposing you?"

"So... you will reveal my name and give me a personal guard," she repeated, just to make sure she had understood.

"That's right, little one."

"I'll be able to walk with you, eat at your table, attend audiences at the throne room, and travel with you," her voice caught at her throat.

"Yes, yes, most of the time, and... I'm afraid not," her father replied to each question. "About travelling..."

"We never travel together, Bridgie," explained her mother. "As a safety measure, even if you see us leave the palace together, and attend the same event, we always go on separate ships."

"But that doesn't mean you won't come with us to official visits. We'll see, when the time is right," clarified the King.

"And my foster family... they won't be my..."

She furiously wiped the tears poking from her eyes. She didn't want her parents to mistake the gesture for weakness or worse: contempt for being publicly recognized as their daughter. She was aware she would lose her foster family, the Britters, who would fly to new horizons, and leave her behind like one leaves behind old plumage. She would have freedom and recognition, but lose fraternal affection, and the company of her foster mother, father and sister, who had taken her in during an entire life of shared secrets. What if she never saw them again? She loved them, really, and being away from them was harder to take in than other implications, like no longer having to move through the walls to get to the royal apartments, or being paid homage and called 'Your Highness' from then on. But asking them to stay wouldn't be fair, to sacrifice one more day to her cause. Daphne had earned her inheritance, Annie had a right to travel and have fun to make up for all the years she had held back, and Greg had wished for that title of nobility for so long...

"I'm sure you understand, Bridgie."

"Of course, mom, it's just that..." she mumbled, rubbing her eyes discreetly. She wanted her parents to be proud of her, even if that meant acting with dignity and hiding the fact that the news of their separation didn't hurt her deep inside. She wished hardening her face wasn't so difficult... as well as ignoring that Paty would leave, too, to make matters worse. "When will the news be announced?"

"Precisely on the day of your eighth birthday."

"At the ball?"

On any Eloahn's birthday, the celebration was for their mother. Being the Queen, the festivities were monumental. Each belta, she organized a lavish ball in honor of fertility, attended by thousands of guests.

"That's right, little one. We'll finally fulfill the predictions of speculators, who bet we'll announce it every belta. Naturally, we won't say anything in advance, also a safety measure."

"I understand, father, but... I suppose Daphne knows."

"The Britters and William," he said, beckoning one of the guards.

"Now, that day I want you to wear something similar to Annie's outfit, but after you will change clothes. Come to our room tomorrow night so that we can plan the details." The Queen watched her in silence, with a smile on her lips. She opened her arms. "Come here."

After slight hesitation, Bridget allowed herself to be wrapped in her embrace.

"You are destined to take our place, sweetheart," she said in her ear. "I know being separated from the Britters hurts, especially from Annie, and that three beltas in university seem like an eternity, but..."

"I'll be fine," she replied, breaking away; deep down, she knew that was a lie. She would get over it, of course, but after a period of mourning. Even so, she wished with all her being that the announced date wasn't twenty days away.

"I knew you would understand," said the Queen, with a hint of pain in her voice. She would also let go of her handmaid and lifelong friend.

"Go to dinner, little one."

She wanted to laugh at the irony. Strange as it sounded, she had completely lost her appetite.

"Are you coming?"

"We'll give you a few minutes."

Goddess! And what am I supposed to do until then, aside from staring at their faces? She didn't want to talk about universities or similar subjects.

As she was about to exit, she remembered something important had happened in class, and she hadn't been able to tell them.

"Is it true that the last two parts of the prophecy went missing? A classmate said so today. William denied it, of course." And she had gone pale thinking about the two empty stands she had found by mistake. If the suspicion that the engraved block was in fact a part of the prophecy had filled her with unrest, the confirmation gave her the chills.

"Who?" asked the King.

"Elisa Bandier," she said, not caring if she could cause her trouble.

"Bandier... I have to tell Julian to be more careful with the comments he makes in his daughter's presence. The truth is that Christian Obrien took two of the blocks out of the planet."

"But no one must know, including Annie and Paty," sentenced the Queen.

"But..."

"It's a very complicated situation to explain to a young girl. The Wisemen have ordered it," stated her father.

Bridget hid both her disappointment over the negative, and her annoyance at being patronized. A minute before, she was under the impression that the King considered her trustworthy, and mature enough to attend social events and understand his motives. Now, he spoke to her like she was five beltas old again. As if that wasn't enough, he had excused himself from giving her an explanation with the pretext that the Wisemen had given the order... The Council of the Twelve Wise could give orders to the King himself?

The anger she felt was enough to keep her sadness at bay. At least it hardened her to a point where she didn't have to worry about crying when she sat down in the dining room.

"Or, maybe, we'll discuss it at another time," said her mother, reading her body language like an open book.

"Thank you."

"Go, they're waiting for you."

She nodded and turned around. Before stepping outside, she heard the Queen scold the King.

"Bandier, Jhon?"

Bridget didn't understand. That indiscreet human had been a visitor by half a belta, and he could hear about state secrets, while Annie and Paty who had proven their loyalty for eight beltas, couldn't.