Royal blood

Ava

After hours of training I was finally done. And I had completely forgotten about my meeting with father. I sped off to meet with him and when I entered his study my sister Carla was already there as I entered she glanced at me and smiled. God why does it always feel awkward with her. " Your late Ava, I expected you to be on time." My father looked at me with his cold blue eyes.

" My apologies Father I was quite busy" I said while giving a little bow.

" And what would that work be which you were busy in?" He questioned.

As much as I hate bringing this up.

" I was working on my my fire magic." I replied not looking in his eyes.

" And I believe you still did notmaster it?" His expression was the same cold and still.

I was about to reply but Carla interrupted.

" Father, I do not want to disrupt your conversation but my lady has odered to hurry a bit as she has some important work for us, you do know how significant the saphaire ball is for our kingdom." She was nervous yet still saved me from humiliation.

We both looked at our father he was silent for a bit but then he sighed.

"My time in this world grows short," the king said, his voice steady despite the weakness creeping into it. "The crown will pass to you, Ava — that much has always been clear. But power without mastery is a danger to the throne itself. Before you rise, you must learn to command every element: fire, water, earth, air, light and ice. Only then will Valdyris kingdoms will stand strong."

He turned his gaze to Carla, softer but no less firm.

"Carla... you shall not,remain in Eldoria once Ava takes the throne. Your path lies in supporting her."

His breath grew shallow, yet his eyes shone with certainty.

"The future of both realms rests in your hands now. Do not fail each other."

" Yes Father " We both spoke in Unison.

" You may leave"

We were about to leave but he spoke, " not you Ava. Stay" I become tense I did not want to hear anything right now. But when I turned to see him his gaze had softened  I never saw those eyes after I grew up.

" Ava, before you take the throne I must warn you never trust anyone remember even your mother could turn on you, never share your plans. The Royal blood runs through you which carries all the elemental magic use it wisely. And remember my girl you'll have to do many sacrifices, kill many people. My job here is done. And you'll have to carry yours."

With that he just told me to leave. When he said those words it felt more like a pity that an advice and more of a fear that he kept all these years.

I stepped out with Zara by my side. I wanted air, and Zara followed quietly, her footsteps soft on the marble. The hallway was calm, sunlight spilling through the tall windows in golden lines.

We turned the corner—

And there she was.

Carla.

Her blonde hair glowed even indoors, her dress floated behind her, and her smile was the same gentle, perfect curve she always wore. Two servants trailed behind her carrying small velvet boxes.She had just left and yet she started working.

She noticed us and stopped with a soft gasp. "Ava," she said warmly, "I didn't expect to see you here."

Her gaze moved from me... to Zara.

Zara dipped respectfully into a proper mistress bow, her posture perfect. "My lady," she said softly.

Carla smiled sweetly... but something changed in her eyes. Something sharp. Zara saw it instantly — and felt it.

"Oh," Carla said, stepping closer with a curious tilt of her head. "So you are Ava's mistress."

Her tone was gentle. But there was something underneath it... something that only someone like Zara — trained to listen between the words — could hear.

"Yes, my lady," Zara replied calmly.

Carla's smile widened, soft as willow petals. "You're... quite different from what I imagined."

Zara blinked once. "Different, my lady? I mean, you did meet me multiple times why make those keen observations now"

There she went her bad habit of talking back

Carla nodded slowly, her voice silky. "Yes. I expected someone more..." She paused delicately, searching for a word she could hide behind. "...refined."

A silent insult hit the air.

My jaw clenched. Zara kept her expression perfect, her training hiding every flicker.

Carla continued with that same sweet voice, "But I suppose the palace works with what it has. I'm sure you're... doing your best."

Zara didn't speak.

Carla's smile sharpened by a hair — almost invisible unless you were looking for it.

"I hope you don't make things too difficult for my sister," she added lightly, brushing one golden strand behind her ear. "The Sapphire Ball requires... a certain level of competence. You understand."

A soft, elegant stab.

Zara bowed again, but her voice was steady. "I assure you, my lady, the princess lacks nothing in her staff."

"Mmm," Carla hummed politely. "I hope so."

She turned to me quickly, her expression perfect again. "I'll meet you later, Ava. Do rest. You look tired."

And just like that, she walked past us, her perfume lingering like a drifting veil.

When she finally disappeared around the corner, the silence hung between us.

Zara didn't speak.

Not at first.

But I could feel something in her — something quietly unsettled.

"She was polite," Zara murmured finally. "But... her kindness felt like a curtain."

"A curtain?"

Zara nodded softly. "A curtain... hiding something behind it."

I looked at her. "Something wrong?"

Zara lowered her eyes. "No, Your Highness. Just... observing, the same thing lady carla was doing. "

But I could tell.

Zara had seen something.

Something about Carla.

Something she didn't trust.

The next morning my whole body quivered, my hands and feet were cold ice. This kept hsppening.I didn't want Zara to notice, I know how muchof a sly she can be when giving information to my mother. The moment we stepped into the long, dim corridor, I exhaled, quietly, as though the walls themselves had been holding their breath. Zara walked beside me, her steps soft and precise like always, but I could feel her watching me from the corner of her eye. She didn't ask anything, though—Zara never pushed unless she had to.

The palace felt colder than usual. Or maybe it was just me.

"Your Highness," Zara said finally, her tone just a hint worried, "you should rest a little before the evening preparations."

I shook my head. "We still have work left, don't we? Mother will have another lecture if I look tired at dinner." I tried to smile but it felt weak.

Zara gave the slightest nod. She always understood what I meant without needing explanations.

"You don't have to stay with me the whole time," I said softly.

"It is my duty, Your Highness," she replied.

But her voice had something else beneath it. Something sharp. Something alert. It always did.

I didn't understand it.

We were supposed to head to the seamstresses to finalize the designs for the ball gowns. As we turned the corner near the east-wing staircase, I froze.

Carla was there.

Standing alone, waiting, as if she had known exactly when we would pass.

"Little sister," she said warmly adding a little bow —not cold, not fake, but with a strange softness."I was looking for you."

She didn't look at Zara. Not even for a second.

"Carla," I said, trying to sound composed. "You're up early."

She laughed. "Some of us don't have the luxury of sleeping in." Then her eyes flicked to me—only me—and she stepped closer. "My lady wanted me to check on a few  preparations."

I nodded, but something in Zara's posture changed. Her shoulders stiffened. For the first time, I noticed it too—Carla's smile was kind, but her eyes... something flickered in them when she finally glanced at Zara.

A flicker of judgment.

Then she turned fully toward Zara.

"Are you always this... clingy? Or just with my sister?" Carla said, her tone too smooth too polite.

Zara blinked, like she wasn't sure she heard correctly.

My stomach tightened. "Carla—"

Carla raised her hands lightly. "Oh, don't mind me. I only asked a question." Her voice remained gentle, but the underlying meaning was sharp. "I've never seen a mistress stand this close. Or look this comfortable."

Zara lowered her head, but I could almost feel the heat coming off her. Not embarrassment—anger.

I stepped slightly in front of Zara. "She's not clingy. She's doing her job."

Carla's smile didn't falter. "Of course she is." Then she leaned in, barely an inch. "Just make sure she knows her place.  people talk too much, you know just silly rumors."

I felt Zara go still behind me.

It wasn't loud, it wasn't rude in an obvious way, but it was the kind of sentence meant to sting. And it did.

Before I could say anything else, Carla stepped back and smoothed her skirt.

"I'll see you both later," she said with a perfect smile, then walked past us like nothing had happened.

When she was gone, the corridor felt colder.

I turned to Zara. "Are you okay?"

Zara♡

I wasn't.

But I bowed my head anyway. "Yes, Your Highness."

Her eyes softened, searching mine, but I kept my face still. The truth was tangled deep inside me, but I couldn't let it reach the surface.

"We can continue the preparations," I said quickly before she asked again. "The seamstresses are waiting."

She hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Alright."

I followed her through the halls, but my heart was still storming. Carla's words played in my mind again and again, each time sounding worse. Clingy? Know my place? Rumors? That word stung more than ever. The way she looked at me—like I was dirt on her shoes—was something I had never felt so sharply before.

But something else bothered me more.

That flicker in her eyes.

I had never spoken to her before. Never stood close enough to read her. But the moment she looked at me, I felt something heavy, something cold, like she was measuring me—not as a servant, but as a threat.

A threat to what?

Ava tried to act normal, but every few minutes she drifted off, thinking, worrying. She kept rubbing her arms as if she felt cold. I watched her carefully, and each time she caught me looking, she pretended to smile.

When we returned to her chambers, she collapsed onto the bed. I moved automatically, blowing out the candles, straightening the pillows, organizing the fabrics for tomorrow. It was routine. Familiar. Safe.

But when I turned, Ava was staring at the ceiling.

"Zara," she whispered, "do you think she hates you?"

I swallowed. "No, Your Highness."

She turned her head slightly. "Then why did she say that to you?"

I could lie. I should lie.

But I didn't.

"I think," I said slowly, "she wanted to make you uncomfortable."

Ava's breath hitched. "Why?"

"I don't know," I lied again. But I did know. Or at least, I sensed something.

Carla was watching her.

But she was watching me too.

Not angrily. Not cruelly. Just calculating. And that made my skin crawl more than any insult could.

Ava pulled her blanket up. Her voice softened. "Zara... are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm alright," I said quietly.

I needed air.

I stepped into the hallway silently, only for a few moments, just to calm myself.

But I wasn't alone.

A woman stood near the archway—tall, dark-haired, with sharp eyes. I recognized her instantly. The Duchess's mistress. A woman known across courts for her silver tongue and cruel smile.

She didn't bow. She didn't greet me.

She smirked.

"So you're the mistress," she murmured. "The one who follows the princess like a little shadow."

I straightened. "Is there something you need?"

"Oh no," she said sweetly. "I just wanted to see the girl everyone whispers about. The one who thinks she belongs beside royalty."

The insult slid out like honey.

I didn't flinch.

"Whispers are common in the palace," I replied calmly. "People speak when they lack real work to do."

Her eyes narrowed. "Is that an insult?"

"No," I said. "An observation."

She stepped closer. "You should learn some humility. Girls like you don't end up well if they stand too tall."

I smiled.

A small, sharp one.

"Don't worry, milady. I don't need to stand tall to overshadow someone who's already in the dark."

For a moment, she froze.

Then her face twisted.

"You—"

"Good bye" I said, bowing just slightly—just enough to be polite, but not respectful. "If you stay any longer, someone may think you're lost."

I turned without waiting for her reply.

She left in a storm of angry footsteps.

I sat down quietly on my bed, finally letting the weight of everything settle.

Carla's eyes.

The Duchess's mistress.

And my mother.

My chest tightened painfully at the last thought. I hadn't visited her in months. She was still unwell. I didn't know if she was safe, if she was eating well, if she still waited for me at the window like she used to.

I wanted to see her.

I need to see her.

And I will after the ball.

The next day  I had loads of work. First I delivered breakfast to Ava, then I grabbed her saphire gown from the seamstress. Helped the queen with the  welcoming of the guests for tomorrows ball, and it kept going on until I finally was spared from the work. I decided to spend time in the library reading books like I always did. The only thing I liked about the palace was the library, the scent of old papers and melted candles filling up the air the sound papers when I flipped them, as I was relishing reading. I was interrupted.

The same mistress little bitch came, this time with her ductchess Maratha both grinning, I don't know why people like to be...... I had  a lot of words juvenile, petty, immature, infantile even when they've got they're work to do.

"Hello Zara, I must say you have quite the audacity to speak to a Dutchesses mistress." Her smile was the same but her eyes spoke something else.

I had to stay calm.

" Well my lady first of all my very kind greetings to you." I too smiled and then spoke calmly

" I might have been rude to her and about that I am sorry but she  to had a little too much audacity to speak to queens mistress like that." My eyes locked onto hers.

" Know your place woman, I pity you. If you have a sharp tounge like that you might end up alone." Now her smile twisted into a face of humiliation.

I should just shut  up.

I should

I should

I -

" Hello ductchess Maratha" a familiar voice spoke behind.

A tall man stood in his luxurious suit, leaning completely onto the wall with his cocky little grin. No one but Xavier kingswell from Lunareth. God, this couldn't get any worse, out of all men I see him.

Maratha turned back her anger turning into pure surprised happiness.

" Oh my, prince Xavier what a pleasant surprise." She spoke her tone completely changed.

" I am sorry for interrupting but it looks like you were quite angry talking to that woman." He said pointing at me.

" Ah.. her I was just showing her place, you know- " she explained but got interrupted.

" Don't worry please leave that to me." He stopped leaning and showed his hand outside the door gesturing her to go out.

She laughed awkwardly and moved out with her mistress.

I was about to walk out quickly until he spoke, " Wow, no thank you, no greetings, some great manners lady Ava is teaching you. " He paused for a moment I didn't look back, " Speaking of her she needs you with her now. "

Now I turned to his face put up a sweet grin and gave a little bow then greeted him. " Greetings  your majesty. "

And before any of us spoke a word I ran off.

This is why I hated all these meetings and balls, there are too many people, and I had no one to talk to. I sometimes abhor the palace so much I just want to run off to a place. If only I had enough zenth to buy everything. But I was also repaying, my mothers mistakes.

I finally arrived but to my surprise Carla was in her study skimming through her desk.

" Oh your here, I was waiting for you. " She said smiling.

" I thought her majesty wanted me? " I asked furrowing my eyebrows.

" Ah... I see, well she's having a meeting with all the kings, queens, prince. You know not somewhere a concubine daughter is allowed. " She said chuckling a little but there was a glint of despair and sorrow in her eyes.

" So Ava has asked me to tell you to go through all these papers for staff's assignments and I'll sit here and review all these special requests, shall we. "

" Of course my lady. "

Everything was silent after that and I loved that. Until Carla spoke,

" How is your mother?" She asked a little smile on her face, and little concern in her voice. Which made my skin crawl because she knew in what condition my mother was yet she  is still asking.

"The same." I said, not stopping the work and not looking at her.

Ava

I was at my wits end right now. We had been traveling for a very long time, I hated this place and the jungle creeped me out. The path we were taking was treacherous as we were very close to the first divide.

" Father where are we even going why won't you tell me. "

"Fine." He says looking at me,

" You want to know where we're going, we are going to cross the barrier."

"What." I asked almost shouting at him feeling perturbed.

" But there are all those changelings and especially all those noxgrim creatures. "

He sighs " You were trained your whole life to be a queen, do not disappoint me saying your weak and sacred. " He was furious.

" No, I am not but why do we need to go out there? "

" The barrier is getting weak, it has cracks it seems that our magic isn't working strongly anymore. " It was a very serious problem yet he was so cool - headed.

" We have to walk now." He said getting of his horse.

We walked out the barrier and it felt like there was a sudden change in the air and all the pressure changed it was cold outside which gave me a small shimmer.

I looked up too see the big wall that protected our kingdom for years with our magic combined, it had cracks - not many but it will keep growing.

" This was wear I killed Maria."

My spine shivered at that name it was Carla's mother's name.

" What.. are you talking about? " I whispered.

" She was a witch Ava, we didn't kill her before she was carrying a baby." He said in chiding tone.

" But why did you kill her, I thought she died giving birth to Carla. "

"That is what we say to everyone, and why do you think this magic is weak."

witchcraft

There was utter silence for a long moment, until I heard something move behind the trees.