Dear Journal,
                 I've been watching the world these past few years and I wonder, how do they find the strength to move on?

- 𝒮𝓎𝓇𝓊𝓈 𝒮𝓉𝑒𝑒𝓁𝑒
(1611)

The roosters sing their favorite tune around the vicinity of the castle, almost drowning out the heavy thumping of Emma's fist that pounds violently on Syrus's door. It was morning and as usual, he had overslept and neglected his duties.

"Syrus! Get up!" she shouts, annoyed by his tardiness.

It was the day of the Swain Banquet. An occasion the crown held once their spouse had passed away in order to find another king or queen to take their place on the throne and rule along side the current monarch.

She had purposely tried to put it off for years, her excuse being that she needed to mend bridges with the other kingdoms and pool funds into the restoration of Selvalley, not a fancy wedding.

The elders and their allies in the church however, had teamed up to convince her that this could no longer go on and a king would be needed to fill the seat, despite Emma's efforts in trying to reverse the patriarchy. Their claim was that male figures were needed so other countries would cease to take advantage of a lone queen and attack to conquer and destroy all they had built.

"Syrus!" Emma shouted again.

Groaning, Syrus winced as he sat up from his bed. He rubbed a hand down his face as his cold skin drew warmth from the two sleeping bodies next to him.

Heaving a sigh as deep as the oceans, Syrus scanned his dark room, compliments of hanging tapestries over his two large windows to prevent the sunlight from bombarding his large chambers.

Syrus's chambers was more like a tomb than a room. The gray stone on both the floor and the walls resembled charcoal in the dark and his bed was dressed in black silk bedsheets. His furniture was rarely ever moved and the fireplace sitting at the front of the room had cobwebs as old as the gods.

Pulling out a loose, linen trousers, he quickly drew it on before cracking his door a little to reveal a very perplexed woman dressed in lavender.

His gaze drifted to her neck and the silver necklet she donned that was made by Elias, causing a wave of sadness to wash over his exhausted bones.

"Have you forgotten what today is?" Emma fussed, her eyebrows furrowing as she frowned.

"Ugh, no. I just.." he started to say.

"You were just occupied in wine the entire night." She admonished.

"Among other things, yes." Syrus shrugged.

"I know you do not wish to see me move on from him but I have no choice. I have to do this," she said sadly, "for Gandalwell."

"I do not care what you do, Emma." He waved her off, rolling his eyes.

Sighing, she shook her head at him, searching his face for some sort of sign that he would be okay.

"Just...get ready. The guests will be arriving soon and you are needed to make sure that nothing evil slips past these gates." She told him, gripping her long gown before stepping off down the hall.

Watching her disappear around the corner, he shut his door, heaving another sigh before waking his guests.

"Lily! Jacob! Time to leave." He said, grabbing his black garments to take to the bath house.

As he sent away his courtesans, he left to bathe before donning his black trench coat over his matching linen shirt.

Stopping by Celestria's room, he knocked twice before Celine opened the door, revealing a very angry Celestria.

"What is wrong with you?" Syrus asked, entering the child's room.

It was as dark as Syrus's chambers since she also hated the sunlight. Though, she needed no ring to go outside. Her room was located next to Emma's royal chamber but she barely slept there seeing as Emma did not have a husband to fill the other side of her bed.

Celestria's room was not very large for the fear of providing hiding places for intruders but it was filled with her favorite dolls, figurines and hobby horses. She had a queen sized bed that was often left untouched since she was seldom inside but today, it was a mess.

"Mum wants me to wear a dress today." She complained, her beautiful face twisting into a grimace like it usually did when she was about to cry.

"Well, it is a formal occasion. I can't do much for you about that, Celest." Syrus comforted her, scooping her up in her night gown as she laid her head across his shoulder.

"Do not frown, my love. You're too beautiful for that." He told her, rubbing her back gently as she weeped on his shoulder.

To everyone else, Syrus was a reckless monster with little regard for authority and human life. To Celestria, he was an angel sent to protect her. She was the only person that could receive this side of him and everyone knew it.

"I'll make you a deal then. What do you say?" Syrus asked. This made her raise her head to look at him. He used his finger to wipe her tears as her eyes lit up like fireflies in the night.

"You wear whatever Mum wants and I'll take you feeding." Syrus said.

"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Lord Syrus. But Her Majesty forbids this with utmost severity." Celine interrupted, staring at the floor as Syrus looked over to her.

"I don't give a bloody hell what Emma forbids. She is a vampire. She ought to know how to feed herself." Syrus repraised, the handmaiden flinching at his tone.

"She is also a child, Lord Syrus." Celine said, her eyes never meeting his. This was customary with everyone in the castle. But even as a common courtesy to anyone that was considered an upperclassmen, this was mostly done to Syrus out of fear that his golden eyes would bewitch them.

"Hmm." Syrus huffed, looking back to his disappointed neice. "Well, you heard her, Celest. I'm sorry." He apologized.

"I'm taking you anyways." He said in his mind, watching her eyes light up once more as she read it.

Setting her back on the bed, he kissed her cheek before departing, telling her that he had work to do and he would see her later.

He retrieved his sword from his room before heading outdoors to welcome and check the guests for the big night. It was no surprise that he wore a scowl on his face from having to speak to people, search their carriages and caravans and also their persons.

On the lighter side of things, he did greet a few persons that he knew such as Lord Calen, the elf leader of Aldavia along with his brethren Aredhel of Aranthur as they had provided the vampires with much hospitality in their times of need.

Emma had worked to bring the kingdoms of the supernatural within the circle of power to better strengthen ties and unions, promote peace in the land and nourish alliances in difficult times, such as now when danger was still looming.

Along with security duty, Syrus was somewhat a commander for the supernatural forces in Gandalwell's army. They had found that they preferred someone who was considered powerful to lead rather than a human and with that, they had decided to listen to him rather than the royal company's commander. He had positioned creatures all around the castle to give watch should danger arrive as well as use their extraordinary powers to fight, allowing them to have a better chance at defeating whoever may appear.

The day dragged on but night fell quickly and the preparations of the banquet were soon complete as Syrus left the main gate to get ready for the occasion.

He donned a suede vest the color of emeralds over his dark linen shirt before putting on his breeches and boots, throwing his black knight's cape over his back for good measure. He tussled his hair slightly, sweeping it out of his face and headed for the great hall, falling behind the groups of people walking inside.

As usual, the gloriously large room was decorated to perfection as the red and gold tapestries hung on the walls and the trestle tables had been removed to provide more space for the attendees.

A table filled with food and beverage sat to the far back as the musicians were sectioned off to the side, playing the flute and vielle to set the serene ambiance for the occasion.

Syrus accepted a drink of wine from a serving-maid and downed it quickly, ignoring the disdainful stares of the people attending the banquet.

"Uncle!" He heard behind him, turning to quickly lift the little girl in his hands as she ran to him.

"Look at you!" Syrus smiled at her, both of them revealing their fangs as they looked at each other.
"A princess indeed."

Her hair fell in long black curls as a piece of scarlet silk held it away from her face and it matched her red gown that had gold sewn threads patterned at the front. Syrus pulled down her dress to cover her petticoat as he fixed her in his hands, her little feet dangling in her leather shoes.

"This dress is much too puffy." She pouted at him, making him laugh at her silliness before turning to a well dressed Celine.

It appeared Emma had given her one of her gowns as she looked quite dazzling in her blue gown, her chestnut hair pinned behind her.

"Is that my little neice!" Someone said from behind them, causing Syrus to turn his attention there.

"Aunt Alice!" Celestria shrieked as Syrus let her down, watching the little girl run into the lady's arms.

She favored Emma greatly in her gray gown and silver crown, her brown hair falling in loose curls around her.

She bombarded the little girl with kisses as her red lip paint left smears all over Celestria's face, making the young child erupt into a fit of giggles.

"Look how big you've grown! How beautiful you are." Alice said, wiping the red marks from her neice's face as she stared into her eyes.

During the 6 months Elias and Syrus trained for the winter war, Emma had informed Alice of her pregnancy and knowledge of the supernatural world. She was shocked at both angles of the information and though she often teased her big sister out of jealousy, she had accepted everything in support of her only decent family, cursing Baltazaar for his abuse despite him actually being her brother. Once Celestria had been born, she haf accepted her gifted neice with open arms which in turn made Emma very happy.

She had also found it a perk that her sister was a divine being and since Emma had stopped her aging through a spell a few years ago, she was gifted with the fountain of youth as well and was now blessed to age at a considerably slow rate.

Her husband, Emilio, the son of the late King of Pretvar was also a very kind and accepting man, admitting that he once had a friend that had been a werewolf but she had passed from loneliness of not having a pack.

"Syrus, good to see you." Emilio said as he greeted the vampire, his hand outstretched for a handshake.

Taking it firmly, Syrus replied, "Same to you, Your Majesty."

"It is Emilio to friends," the king smiled, nodding at him.

"Noted." Syrus replied curtly, giving him a closed mouth smile.

"Rude as ever." Alice said lowly, rising from the floor as she held on to Celestria's hand.

"Did you say something, Wench?" Syrus asked.

"It is Queen Alice to you, arsehole!" She fumed at him.

"Now, now. Stop this." Emilio interrupted.

Syrus and Alice could never get along. She had accused him of being a bad example for Celestria due to his careless demeanor and drinking habits and often blamed him for putting Emma in distress since she was constantly worried about him.

"I see there are plenty suitors here tonight." Emilio said, trying to lighten the mood.

Taking a gander around the room, Syrus could not deny that the upperclassmen did well to stand out. All dressed in their best gold sewn vests, surcoats and doublets, they stood proud and confident, ready to whoa the queen with their manly charms, titles and handsome looks. Though they would not say it, their want for power overthrew their want for love since kingdoms were built on patriarchy and male rule was the standard.

"There are." Syrus grimaced at the crowd, signaling a serving-maid for more wine.

Both Emilio and Alice also took a goblet, sipping it daintily as they enjoyed the music.

"There's my friend, Emily!" Celestria pointed at the little girl standing beside her father.

"Oh, you want to go to her? Okay my love. Be careful." Alice said, handing her to Celine as they departed from the tense atmosphere.

As if sent by the gods, Damien strolled over, patting Syrus roughly on the back as he laughed.

"It's good to see you again! Your hair has grown to great lengths. You look just like Elias!" He said, a grin on his face as he shook Syrus's hand.

"Good to you see you too." Syrus responded, watching as Damien greeted Emilio and Alice before indulging in chatter about the great progress of his kingdom.

Syrus wondered if Emma had informed him of the current situation at hand or if she was waiting until after this dreadful banquet, after she had chosen her new 'king' to replace her child's father.

The room fell silent as Emma finally made her entrance, taking the breath of some 30 patrons as she lit up the room in her ravishing green, silk dress.

It was belled at the sleeves and the design was cut across her chest, revealing her voluptuous bosom and pale shoulders. Her brown hair was pinned back into a low bun as her gold crown topped off the stunning look, her handmaidens accompanying her to help with her long dress.

She was offered wine in which she took before heading over to greet her sister and husband, thanking them for coming as she hugged Alice tightly.

"You look wonderful." Alice smiled, Damien agreeing as they all caught up with each other.

She gave Syrus a sorry smile before taking a sip of her wine, indulging in her sister's conversations as they went on about various things, like life at the castle and motherhood.

Alice had a son a little older than Celestria. She had informed Emma that he had not been feeling well and was currently in one of the lord's chambers with her handmaiden who was watching over him.

As the sisters spoke, a blonde haired man was the first to approach Emma, excusing himself as he bowed to her before taking her hand to kiss it.

Rolling his eyes, Syrus walked away from them all, heading to the table to refill his drink while popping a few grapes in his mouth. It was the only food he could actually eat and he thought that it was because it was a main ingredient in wine.

He watched as Emma blushed as she spoke with men all night, scowling at each potential suitor as he suppressed his urge to murder them all.

"You look awfully angry." A woman's voice said next to him. Syrus only rewarded her with a glance.

She had dazzling red hair and she wore white silk as she twirled a silver goblet in her hand. The rim was stained by her red lip paint but she gripped the cup daintily as if she did not like it.

"And yet, you approach me." Syrus chided, his vision catching Celestria running around with another young girl.

"Indeed." The woman sipped her wine, standing next to him as she followed his gaze.

"Is she yours?" The redhead asked, referring to Celestria.

"My brother's." Syrus answered, turning to her.

She was beautiful, he thought. Her red lips were plump and full and her dress allowed a stellar view of her cleavage, a desirable trait for ordinary men.

"Syrus." He introduced himself.

"Eleanor, dutchess of Pretvar." She smirked, holding out her hand. Syrus took it, placing a gentle kiss on her skin before rising to meet her hazel eyes again. She smelled like botanical herbs, maybe saffron or jasmine and her dress hugged her body exquisitely.

"Before this night progresses I'll have you know that I am not human." Syrus told her, another habit of his whenever he met someone attractive. It was a means to warn them. He wanted see the fear in their eyes.

"Oh, I know," She smiled. "Neither am I."

His eyebrows slanted up as he watched as she stole a grape from his palm, using her tongue to roll it into her mouth before walking off.

He folded his lips as he watched her shooting seductive glances at him while mingling with the other attendees of the banquet.

Downing the rest of his wine, he chased her, offering to take the party to his room and away from prying eyes.

As they left the great hall together, Celestria watched him leave with the strange lady, her expression turning troublesome.

"What's the matter, Celestria?" Her friend Emily asked as they had stopped their game of 'tag'.

"Nothing. I'm just hungry." She replied, heading over to the buffet table.

Her friend followed her as they both ate grapes and roasted chicken, leaving all evidence of it on their mouths. As Celestria licked the gravy from her fingers, her fang pricked a few of them, small dots of blood appearing at the sites of the injured skin.

Ignoring the small cuts, she reached for more chicken before tearing a piece of pork from the pork roast and stuffing it into her mouth.

When she finished eating, she ran over to her mother, begging for her to pick her up.

"Celestria, look at you. You've ruined your dress." Emma fussed at her, taking her into her arms.

"I was hungry." Was all she said, her mouth stained with gravy and food.

"Celine!" Emma called, "please get her cleaned up."

As Celine retrieved her from Emma's arms, a screamed erupted from the great hall.

Emma turned to look what the fuss was about, her eyes bulging at the sight of a bleeding pig scurry off the plate on the table and a half dead chicken flap its wings slowly, sending feathers into the remaining food.

"What in the world?" Alice said, watching as the pig ran about in the great hall, blood trailing behind its every turn.

The women screamed and the men shrieked as the animal ran between their legs, dirtying their clothing as it stained the floor.

"I will get it!" The blonde haired man that had introduced himself as Sir. Hector said, drawing his sword as he ran around to stop the pig.

He slipped in the blood as the pig ran over his face, squealing loudly as its backside bled. The crowd made disapproving moans at Sir. Hector's failure, grimacing as the little animal continued to wreak havoc.

Celestria's eyes widened at the pig, her gaze drifting to the empty plate that previously held the pork roast she and her friend had been enjoying.

Another suitor tried to apprehend the pig but failed as the animal knocked him over, sending him toppling to the floor on his backside.

"Enough of this!" Emma said, chanting a single latin word.

"Bule." She said, the entire great hall watching as the bleeding pig stopped suddenly, unable to move as its shrieks echoed around the room.

"Knights, remove this animal." Alice commanded, allowing the knights to apprehend the pig and take it outside.

The great hall erupted in chatter, whether about Emma's display of power or how the pig had gotten inside as Celine then took Celestria to get her cleaned up.

Celine took her to her room to change her dress but Celestria expressed her tiredness, leaving the handmaid to take her to the queen's chamber for bed.

The guards stood alert outside as Celine placed her into her night gown before tucking her in bed, telling her that she would be next door if she needed anything as she too had grown weary of the night.

Celestria watched her mother's handmaiden disappear out of the room before jumping out of bed and heading to the large window to enjoy the cold breeze of the night on her skin.

The towns before her lit up beautifully and the little girl wondered what it was like outside of the stone walls of the castle. She had never known anywhere but Gandalwell and she was rarely even allowed in the outer courtyard let alone outside the main gates.

She stayed at the window for what seemed like forever, watching the lights of the nearby town go out one by one before catching sight of her uncle fixing his cloak as he walked through the outer courtyard, heading outside of the castle. Another habit of his that Celestria had observed every night.

She watched him dissappear down the dirt track, inhaling deeply as she took in his scent in order to decipher his current direction which was through the woods.

"You're here." She said, a cold hand resting on her shoulder, pulling her attention away from the window to plaster a smile on her face.

How's everyone doing?
Good I hope!

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Take care.