The Witch’s Crown

July 17, 1837

She may move at the speed of light, but I think that I can outwit her—is what I’ve told myself for years. As she stands before me with that menacing gaze, I find myself doubting that belief. She outclasses me in nearly every category: hand-to hand combat, sword fighting, archery, element IQ—even radiant energy control. How could I ever compete with the genius who managed to unlock the mysteries of channeling radiance at age six. Doesn’t matter all too much in the end, today is the day I get the chance to prove my worth. I’ve finally been cleared for Seal-Combat training. And with that—the chance to possibly outshine my sister—the future Queen.

She readies herself for another dash. I quickly activate my Seal, bending visible light around my body to cloak myself invisible. Simultaneously, I create an after image of myself to take my place. To her it looks as if I haven’t moved but I’m positioning myself behind her. One moment she’s standing still, and the next, she’s driving her practice sword through the chest of my double, traveling at least twenty in an instant. While she’s readjusting from the strike, I increase the light my double is emitting to blind her.

I uncloak myself and charge her from behind. She whips her head around with a widened gaze, dodging my sword and swinging the hilt of hers up to strike my chin, forcing me to bite my tongue. I disappear immediately, rubbing my jaw with the back of my hand to soothe it. My ability can’t harm her. She has the all the advantage close range. I’ve played this fight out a million times in my head. I have the most success disrupting both the field and her vision. Look for openings to attack, then retreat when I can,

Trying to pinpoint exactly where I am, she closes her eyes to focus and read my energy signature. Yet another quirk she’s naturally gifted with. If only I were good at masking my signature. I can never calm my mind enough to do it. There’s no use in staying cloaked anymore. I create multiple mirages of myself that fill the arena, spreading my radiance throughout the horde as evenly as I can to make myself harder to find.

“Let’s get this over with, Alyssa…”

I watch as blue radiant energy engulfs her body—flickering, spiking, and surging all at once. Up in the viewing balcony, Lauriel shoots up to her feet.

Brianna dashes once more, faster than before. Violent wind blow through the arena from the sheer force of pressure she’s emitting. She eliminates half of my doubles in one blink. I focus bending light around the remaining, intensifying the light to blind her but it doesn’t matter, she blitzes through the last few in another blink. With my plan diminished, she reads exactly where I stand. I’m unable to react. She strikes me in the stomach with devastating force. I cry out and clutch onto her hair. Part frustration, part dirty. Part needing something to hold onto so I don’t fall over. The proctor is just waiting to call the fight any second now.

I try to gain a footing but I’m stopped by another strike. In one swift motion, she tosses her sword from one hand to the other. She uses her free hand to grab my wrist that has her hair, and strikes me in the face again with the wooden hilt. I fall onto my back, my face pulsating with agonizing pain. She drops her sword in front of me, looking to the proctor to call the fight while I’m left heaving, still trying to catch my breath from the first stomach strike alone.

“Match over!” The proctor shouts.

I look up to the viewing balcony. Father looks as uninterested as he always does. Our brother is busy chatting up Rose.

“That’s okay, Alyssa!” Lauriel yells down from beside Father. “You’ll get there… eventually!”

Eventually.

I slam my fists down into the foam mat. No. It’s not over. Not yet. I create another mirage, bending light across from Brianna to create another double, this one of her. I’ll try a trick yet to be proven successful. Something Lauriel and I have been working on during our training sessions—it’s all I have left.

Brianna smirks at the clone of herself then back at me. Her eyes are full of mockery. The same eyes I’ve been met with since we were kids. I push past it and focus beyond her—on the clone itself. I let my radiance flow freely from within. Butterflies overtake my stomach and the feeling spreads upward to my chest and into my hands. I extend both of my arms in the direction of the clone, palms facing it.

“Y-your Royal Highness,” the proctor calls out. “The match has been called!”

I close my eyes to focus, drowning everything else out but this. I feel the wind pick up and I know Brianna has dashed, likely in my direction. I push forward. My mind goes blank until I see nothing but white. When I finally open my eyes, I see the mirage blocking Brianna’s attack with crossed arms in the original position I was just in. As my sister stands there confused as to what just happened, I grab my sword, cloak myself and charge at her from behind. Just as before, she whips around in time to stop me, but I warp her vision. Bending light around her eyes so she sees triple. An attack from the left, center, and her right.

Not knowing where to focus, she dashes away—in the exact direction I predicted. She’s met by her own double, who drives a fist into her jaw.

A rush of exhilaration washes over me.It actually worked. Light transposition and solidification. I’ve always been jealous of my sister’s ability, and I wanted something of my own. Abilities are innate, but they’re also learnable to an extent. Getting inspired by how someone else’s ability works and creating your own version of it. Transposition allows me to do that. It lets me reposition my body to the mirage of my choosing. And solidification was Lauriel’s idea. She tells me I need more offensive options and I agree.

I grin ear to ear, looking up at Father, searching for a hint, or any indication that I did good but his head is turned away. General Hill has joined the others on the balcony and is whispering something into Father’s ear. Something that seems more urgent than my little accomplishment.

My sulking gets abruptly interrupted by a flash of blue light. One moment I’m standing, and the next I’m being dangled by my breastplate causing my necklace slips to the mat. I don’t have the energy to keep fighting. Compared to others, my radiance pool is lower than others causing my tire easily. My sister seems to have endless energy. Her blazing aura is more intense and fiery than before, turning a darker shade of blue.

“Do you think cheap tricks will win you fights?” She asks me.

I kick and struggle to get away but enhancing herself with pure radiant energy does more than just increase her speed. It increases her strength and durability, I can’t get away when she’s using this much of it. The proctor calls out again, explaining that the match is over int he most polite yet firm way that you can say to a Valentine princess. It’s nugatory. I claw at her wrists, feeling what’s about to happen before it does. Her free arm motions back. I struggle harder when suddenly my Seal activates on its own.

The black symmetrical design on my palm pulses white like a flickering light bulb on its last legs. A complete activation of the Seal turns it white… I’ve never seen this before. She notices it too. A breeze stirs in my palm. Slow and winding like a spiral. It eventually picks up, and Brianna’s fiery aura returns to its base blue color. She examines herself, just as bewildered as I am.

“What did you just do?”

“What? I didn’t—“

Something scorching and rapid brushes past us both, ringing our ears in the process. She drops me and instantly clutch my ear. When I inspect my hand, there’s blood. Looking past Brianna, I see Elijah standing at the arena’s doorway with an apologetic look that seems more imbecilic than sorry. Up on the balcony—where he was earlier, I see everyone has already left. Great—my opportunity to prove my worth wentexactlyhow I planned it. I turn my attention to my bother, marching over to him.

“Do you two not know what a practice exhibition is?!”

I show him my bloodied hand as evidence.

“Why are you so insistent on trying to kill me?”

“You’re too weak,” Brianna says, rubbing her own ear to soothe the pain.

Memories overwhelm me, reminding me of that fact.I know that I am. Yet it will never deter me from striving for better. I will never admit it out loud to them, but I idolize my siblings more than they realize. Brianna, along with Lauriel are the two fighters I aspire to be like. While my brother is the charismatic I like to visualize myself as If I ever became Queen.

“Says the one who has to coat herself in radiance to get an advantage.” My response isn’t as biting as I’d hope it’d to be. It’s just wrong, we all know it.

“If that’s the excuse that makes you feel better about being inadequate, Alyssa. Have at it.”

Before I burst out with another retort, Elijah throws his arms around us both.

“Come now. Enough. It was a good fight,” he says. “Besides, something’s come up. General Hill has called for a council meeting. Aurora seems to be targeting us now.”

“Us?” Brianna says, her tone in disbelief. “Have they gone mad?”

She’s right, it makes no sense. Aurora is a rebel group of Multi-Seal’s that have been attacking the other two royal kingdoms in protest to their treatment. Multi-Seals have always been feared for their potential going back to my grandfather’s reign. They’ve murdered many high ranking officials in the other three royal families. Their ultimate mission seems to be the destruction of the monarchy and the laws that restrict multi-seals that my grandfather helped usher in.

They’ve never been bold enough to attack our land though. Athys remains a stronghold in terms of the strength of our armies and specialized military forces.

“Mad or strategic,” Elijah says. “Time will tell.”

Brianna throws his arm off of him.

“The next time you shoot at me, I’ll have your head.”

She pushes past him, headed in the direction of the council hall.

He scrunches his face with an amused smirk before shrugging.

“You did good, keep it up,” he says before catching up with her.

I was half-expecting him to tell me to come along. I’m never invited, nor allowed to sit in on council meetings. Too inexperienced, I suppose. And my performance despite what Elijah says was piss-poor.It’s been seven years since Lauriel first began training me, and in all of that time Lauriel never deemed me ready for Seal-combat until now. All of my previous exhibitions with Brianna were all non-Seal combat bouts that she won within ten seconds. Each time trying to best her record finish from before. The last exhibition between us was over in four seconds, her best yet.

Exhibition combat between is a trial by arms. It lets everyone know that you can hold your own. You’re simply dead weight without that acknowledgement. And I’ve been dead weight for far too long now. I also don’t find it fair that Father chose Brianna as my opponent. Pitting us against each other as he always has. When I inevitably fall short of his expectations, he tells me the same thing.

‘I expected better. Your mother would expect better.’

Who says such things to their child? Brianna’s opponent during her Seal-exhibition was the general himself. She won that one within fifteen seconds, at just nine years old. I push the thoughts aside. Focusing on the blessing that is the estate not containing Seal-Dampeners. I’m able to sneak around and snoop whenever and wherever I’d like. It’s always been a favorite past time of mine in this dull place. No one seems to be the wiser to my activity either. Perks of being an afterthought in most scenarios.

While my sister moves at the speed of light, and my brother compresses light into a ball that he can erroneously shoot—I bend it. Making things appear, disappear, or look as if something is one way when it’s completely different. It’s said our grandfather had this ability. But then again, he seemingly possessed all abilities when it comes to the light element.

I pull off the breast plate and throw it back to one of the mats. I felt at my chest, expecting my necklace to be there before remembering it fell to one of the mats earlier. I walk over and search for it, finding it in the crack of two connecting mats. Ms. Patricia, the head of the estate staff made it for me when I was young.

She practically raised my siblings and I while Father tended to the affairs of the kingdom. I like to think that I’m her favorite because of this gift. It’s a beautiful green gem stone attached to a golden necklace. There’s some pink in the green as well, unlike anything of I’ve seen.

After hanging it around my neck, I activate my Seal, immediately feeling my low radiance. It makes me a bit light-headed but I push through it. I cloak myself and make my way to the council hall, dodging the estate staff and royal guards as I do so.

I’m quick enough to catch up to Brianna and Elijah, two royal guards hold the doors open for them and I slip behind swiftly. Inside the hall, Father sits alone at the head of the table. Brianna and Elijah fall in line behind him. Off to the side stands General Hill with his Vanguards behind him—Lauriel, David, and Rose. His three top ranked soldiers who are tasked with special missions. They’re the best the Valentine army has to offer.

Lastly, there’s the senior council members, comprised of four of the oldest men and women of the council who have held this position before my father even became king. I

“Good,” General Hill says. “We can start. I’ve already informed His Majesty—Aurora have targeted District Ten, but it’s not an attack on an official or even our soldiers for that matter. The information from our soldiers says that it only seems to be a pair—a woman and a boy. The woman possesses ice abilities with a combination of water and wind. The boy—magma, combination, fire and earth. They’ve ran all of the citizens out of a select area and seem to simply be… waiting.”

“If it isn’t an attack, why reveal their element natures?” Councilor Hughes says.

“It appears to be for fun. They’ve gone about destroying some of the buildings within the area.”

He pulls out a folded piece of paper and sets it on the desk in front of Father. I can’t see what it says from where I stand, and I’d rather not risk tip-toeing over. Luckily, Elijah leans over Father’s shoulder to read it.

“‘We want the king.’ A bit vague, sloppily written too, like a sickly child. Presentation is all off…”

“Uh—yes, thank you, Your Royal Highness,” General Hill remarked. “This was passed off by the woman to our soldiers. To our knowledge, this is the first time they’ve asked to speak directly to a member of any of the four royal families.”

“Well, this cannot happen, certainly,” Councillor Mitchell says.

“No other demands?” Father asks.

“No, Your Majesty.”

“They kill the commanding officer of the Monroe family one week then ask to speak with my father the next?” Brianna asks General Hill. “For what purpose do you think this is?”

“I would have to make an estimated guess, Your Highness. But I believe to gain favor with the most influential family.”

“That or they would like to take my head,” Father says.

I highly doubt that want that. He’s the first ruler in our family to lessen the inhumane treatment of Multi-Seals. Compared to his father, my father is heaven-sent. He ended the status-quo of branding multi-seals with a dampener at birth. He ended the reign of expanding the kingdom by conquering foreign land and stripping it of its name and power as well. Erasing histories and relabeling the land as Districts. It sounds to me, Aurora may see an alliance with my father.

Brianna would never allow that to happen. When she becomes queen, I won’t be surprised if she returns our kingdom to the old ways of our grandfather. She eventually comes to the same conclusion I have.

“If we meet their demands,” she says. “Even in the slightest, we risk looking like fools to the other families and to our own people. An alliance of any kind is off of the table.”

“What would be so terrible about that?” Father asks and she appears lost for words. Like the question is a direct insult.

“What’s so terrible is that it makes us look weak. What would be next? Relying on the power of multi-seals within our army? Going against the treaty grandfather set? If we involve ourselves with multi-seals, the other royal families will follow suit. We’d start a war we cannot finish. It’s bad enough this family has a habit of entertaining witches. And we’ve seen what’s come of that.”

I hate to say that I see her reasoning behind it. Our grandfather feared the potential of multi-seals, and so, at the height of his power and influence, he proposed a treaty between the four royal families. One that forbids any of them from using multi-seals in warfare, believing it would lead to total destruction of life. Ever since his death, it’s been a constant worry of Father and the council that one of the royal families have broken treaty and are secretly developing a multi-seal army. And the story about witches…she knows just what to say to get under Father’s skin and he allows it. Never correcting her or saying a word.

It’s said that grandfather died in his sleep at the young age of fifty-eight. That’s what theysaid. Not to cause panic throughout the kingdom and our citizens. The truth is, my grandfather died to a witch. One he brought in himself.On top of that, she was born with possessing the Light Seal despite not being a member of the Valentine family. He was utterly obsessed with finding her. And it’s sad to say that, in doing so, he made his own bed.

“I share that same sentiments with Your Royal Highness, Your Majesty,” General Hill says. “What I’d suggest is sending my team in. Allow us to capture them both and bring them back for interrogation. We can put an end to this conflict before it starts. Find their base—kill their leader.”

“No,” Father says, firmly. “We mediate. We’ll send the Vanguards—very well. But, I’d like Brianna and Elijah to go. Acting as potential mediators for me being absent.

Brianna lets out a short exasperated sigh. He turns his head slightly, glancing over his shoulder at Brianna.

“Mediators,” he repeats. “No fighting, no destruction unless absolutely necessary. You will discuss their surrender. If they choose to surrender, you will let the boy go—“

“Father, I—“ Brianna interrupts but he silences by holding up his hand He continues: “You will let the boy go if they choose surrender. If not, you will ask them to leave. If they choose not to—you’re free to do as you please.

“But the both of us?” Elijah grouses. “Brianna is enough, Father, please…I had… plans.”

Father sighs. Plans he says, my brother is quite remarkable. He’s supposed to be the next king. He’s the eldest. He’s male. And he was young enough to watch Father maneuver the last war between the families. But he’d much rather spend his days in bars, drinking away ‘the sorrows’ as he puts it so passionately. That, or sneaking off with Rose when he thinks no one notices. But, I’m always passing by, cloaked. I see everything.

He renounced his claim to the throne when he was only nine years old. One year after he experienced the Iron Crown War, which was ignited by the death of our grandfather.

“Is there anything else?” Father asks General Hill. He shakes his head. “No, Your Majesty.”

“Then you’re dismissed. I want you all ready and out within the hour.”

I watch as everyone but Brianna make their way out.I’d like to hear what she has to say to Father but I need to get to Lauriel first. A mission where fighting isn’t the main objective but communication is, this could be it, my first mission. I don’t see any reality where anyone should have reservations about it except Father and General Hill. But Lauriel, maybe she can vouch for me.

I follow the council members out. Lauriel is ahead, just in front of them, walking in the direction of her office.

“A peaceful negotiation with a criminal organization. Appalling, is it not?” a councilor says. “His father must be rolling in his grave.”

“Louis should’ve become king. We wouldn’t be trying to make peace with multi-seals, how unruly.”

Uncle Louis? No, no, no. I’m afraid to even visualize what Athys would’ve been like under him. He’d have started at least two wars by now.I don’t believe my uncle could run a farm let alone a kingdom.

I’d like to trip one of these fossils and watch them fall on their face for speaking of Father so illy. What’s wrong with peace? Why must everything be a battle—who’s right, and who’s wrong. Father should’ve replaced this council long ago, but he holds them in high esteem simply because Grandfather appointed them himself.

“There may not be A Valentine family in twenty years at this rate. Our children will be elected officials of a new multi-seal governed land.” He laughs at the thought. “Can you imagine it?”

“I’d rather not,” a familiar voice says from behind. I turn back and quickly move aside to avoid bumping into her. I watch as all of the councilors faces drain of color. Some are even sweating.

“Y-Your Royal Highness… we meant—“

“Oh, no. You meant it,” Brianna smiles. “Don’t fret. For you will have a Queen who will restore my grandfathers will. In due time.”

She walks by them all and they stop in their tracks, finally able to breathe again.

“Dear, God…” one of them says, heaving. “Like a cat, that one,”

I brush past them too. I decide against kicking one of them, letting them go back to their private, boring lives in the city. Every member is either human, or what Brianna calls trinkets.Seal-Bearers who never awakened an ability. It makes sense why they’d fear multi-seals. I shift my focus to Lauriel once more who turns a corner. I watch Brianna turn the same one, catching Lauriel before I can.

“Do you have a moment?” Brianna asks her.

Lauriel’s lips curve into a bemused grin. “Of course, Your Royal Highness.” She answers dryly. Her tone always oozes with sarcastic delivery when referring to our royal titles. She believes royal formalities are a waste of her time. In most cases, she calls me by my first name and I tend to prefer it.

They reach the office, tucked away in the administrative wing. Lauriel holds the door open for her and follows behind. Realizing my moment to snoop is about to be evaded by a door, I scurry over and narrowly catches it before it shuts. Lauriel turns back, expectation running through her mind telling her it should’ve shut already. I squeeze my body through the tiny gap and let it close. Luckily, she turns her attention to Brianna, welcoming her in.

“Well, paint me surprised,” she says, leaning against her desk. “In all of my years—rarely do I get the honor of being visited by ‘Princess Blitz.’ The public are terrible with names, aren’t they?”

Brianna silently glares at her before speaking.“Earlier in my session with Alyssa… something happened.” She takes a quick pause before continuing.“Her Seal activated, only I can tell she didn’t do it herself. There was no presence of an element but something else.”

“Something else?” Lauriel narrows her eyes.

“It was like she was pulling on the core of my radiance. Essentially draining my energy.”

What she’s saying—

“Makes no sense to me,” Lauriel says. “Was she aware that she was doing this?”

“No,” Brianna says.

Lauriel is the expert of everything involving elements. Seal battles come down to how those elements interact with each other, along with the power output of the user. She’s great at element-scheming. Her office is lined with shelves that are full of books, some even written by her about the mechanics of element nature. For whatever happened earlier, she is the ideal person to ask. But what Brianna is saying happened earlier has nothing to do with the elements.

She throws her hands up. “Well, how should I know?” She pushes her glasses up then walks around her desk and lazily leans on her chair with folded arms. “What you’re describing sounds impossible.“

“Yes, well. I want another session with her. Either my sister secretly knows a spell or two, or I miscalculated.”

Another session with me? I almost can’t believe. No, I can’t believe it. My sister, who I havebeggedto train me for years wants another exhibition session with me. All because of something neither of us comprehend. And I doubt I’ll be able to replicate it if that’s what she’s looking for. Even so…

I was lucky enough to maybe, sort of—forcibly have Lauriel train me through Father’s orders. Brianna was trained by General Hill and I wanted to follow in her footsteps, but General Hill never allowed it. He believed I wasn’t a ‘worthy enough student.’ Those are his actual words, I overheard the conversation between him and Father when I was around eleven years old. Growing up, all I ever did was idolize these two. Brianna more-so. I want to be as brave, independent—hell, even as mean as she is. She doesn’t always express it, but she means well… I think.

Lauriel gives her the same mild surprise I’m feeling but she bottles it up into three words. “Consider it done.”

“Good,” Brianna says. “Also, I will be taking lead on this mission as I assume you’d know. I want it to be clear, I have no intention of negotiating with a criminal organization despite my father’s wishes.”

“I can’t argue that, ma’am,” Lauriel lets out a breath, almost a restrained sigh. I know that sigh. She’s annoyed. Lauriel has never liked my sister to be blunt. Not one bit, but she does her best to hide it.

Brianna turns for the door but stops midway. “Another thing,” she says. “You’re likely to become my general when I take the crown. I’d like to think you’re fit for that role. I want you to know—there will be many changes to this kingdom come my time. You’d do well to prepare yourself for that.”

Lauriel tilts her head. “Changes?” She forces a smile, her eyes ready to argue but she ultimately relents. “Yes, of course, Your Royal Highness.”

I can tell she’s dreading the day. Her eyes say it all, but either Brianna ignores it or doesn’t notice. I watch Brianna walk out, my eyes following her motion. I’m still so focused on her wanting another training session with me that I forget about the door. It clicks shut and it snaps me out of my daydream.Great. I’m stuck.

This has happened before, and I was trapped listening to the chefs complain about how picky Elijah’s eating habits are for forty-five minutes. I know his entire food regime by heart now—against my will.

“You can come out now, Alyssa,” Lauriel says to the air. I freeze. Her eyes scan the room trying to pin-point where I’m standing. She’s scarily accurate.I uncloak myself and she grins, probably proud of her accuracy as well.

“So, you have new abilities you aren’t telling me about?” She playfully pouts.

“No…I—I don’t even understand what happened.”

“So, itdidhappen.”

“I don’tknowwhat happened. I didn’t come here to talk about that anyhow.”

“Oh?” She takes a seat at her desk. “I thought you came here to snoop.”

“What? No, I would never. Listen, you must let me on this mission.”

I place both hands on the desk to emphasize my seriousness. I don’t think it’s doing the job well, she glances down at my hands them back up to me, an amused smile forming on her face.

“Oh,” she repeats again, less of a question. More amused bewilderment. “I ‘must’?”

“Yes, you must. It’s my only chance to prove my worth. If I don’t start now, then when? Brianna was nine when she went on her first mission. You were ten. I’ll be seventeen in three weeks, and I’ve yet to accomplish a thing!”

“Different circumstances, Alyssa. Besides, I can’t give the go-ahead. You know that. And I doubt this specific mission is one you’d like to join. Your sister seems to be taking the reins on this one… which only will lead to…well…”

“Then I will take charge. Please, Lauriel. If anyone can sneak me on, it’s you.”

She laughs to herself, probably the idea of me taking charge. “The answer is still no.”

I grunt, cloak myself, and fume over toward the door, swinging it open and nearly knocking a tray out of one of the passing staff members in the process.

“Sorry!” I yell out even though he can’t see me. I march myself up to my room, past Elijah and Rose huddled up together in his room. The door is cracked. It’s like they’re begging to be caught. I throw myself onto my bed upon entering my room. I scream into the pillow. It’s always been like this. Second fiddle to everything and everyone. I find myself swirling in thoughts.

Why did I want to become queen to begin with? Why did I ever believe I can best Brianna Valentine? Shouldn’t have I given up earlier? When I was a child and Father made it very clear how weak I am.

“Not good enough.” “I expected better.” His words repeat nonstop in my head. After a while, he simply stopped acknowledging my efforts at all. The best I could receive was a disappointed glare.

“Your mother would be disappointed.”

My heart falls into the pit of my stomach. If she were here, I wonder if things would be different. Would Father be so cold? Especially to me.

I push the thoughts aside, throwing myself off of my bed and trudging over to the window that overlooks Uboni below. The estate sits on top of a hill, so it doesn’t matter which window you look from, you have a complete view of the city. A gated city—populated by some of the wealthiest people on Earth. I despite it. I’ve rationalized how that sounds coming from a literal princess, but it’s the truth. Everything down there seems fake, like it’s not the real world. Through countless wars, Uboni has remained safe. The central point of Athys. Not a care in the world pass through the minds of its citizens.

Father does what he can to support the Districts more than anyone who wore the crown before him. But, tradition is tradition still. And once again, I’m reminded why I want the crown to begin with. To break tradition. The idea strikes me like lightning. I’ll sneak onto the mission myself. It makes so much sense that nothing previous matters.

Is this delusional?No, I think not. It’s my chance, I’ll make it my chance.I can talk to these rogues, can’t I?Of course, I can. My head whips to the clock. About thirty minutes before they’re off. That’s plenty. I spring over to my wardrobe. Grabbing a box from the bottom shelf that’s adorned with our family crest, a pink rose.

I open it up and take my armor from it. Armor that needs to be refitted but it’ll get the job done. It’s painted and polished in the vibrant burgundy and gold colors of the Valentine crest. With the rose insignia engraved largely on the back. It was a present for my fifteenth birthday from Uncle Louis. He was taken aback the year before that when he first found out I hadn’t had my own armor set yet. There was never any need for one in everyone else’s eyes. I don’t know what kind of princess they see me as, but their assumptions couldn’t be farther from the truth.

I put the armor on, piece by piece. Because our bodies are already adept at working with the elements, the damage caused by them is reduced significantly compared to humans. Same with all damage and pain. Seal-Bearers are more resilient. For this reason, armor is typically thin, comprising of only the essentials like breastplates, backplates, and arm and leg guards. Most soldiers only opt for the breast and back plates.

The armor itself is carved from a material called Opheridian. It absorbs the harsh effects of the elements. Safeguarding the body from much of the impact.

Once I’m done putting it on, I stride over to my mirror to check the fitting. I haven’t grown much, still I find it snug. I’m skinny and on the smaller side at 5’5. Just as with everything else, I lag behind my siblings.Elijah towers at 6’3, and Brianna about 5’9.

Just as I’m ready to leave there’s a knock at my door. I open it to see Ms. Patricia, her large, kind brown eyes brightened with her smile.

“Your Royal Highness…oh! Are you also leaving for the—“

I grab her by the hand and gently pull her inside. “Sorry, I’d rather not everyone hear. I’m not supposed to…” My voice quieter than intended. I should be saying it more confidently but I’m afraid to admit that the doubts are still dancing in the back of my mind.

She gives a small nod in understanding.“And I suppose you wouldn’t listen to me if I said this was a terrible idea, would you?”

I hesitate for a moment before replying. “I would not.”

She nods her head again. I haven’t seen this disapproving look directed at me much. Growing up, it was always Elijah or Brianna who brought this on. It stings a bit. She brings her hands up to my shoulders.

“All I will say is that this is a Vanguard mission.” She tucks my necklace into the armor, and I wonder how she knows already, but quickly remember how much the staff likes to talk and gossip. I believe the senior council and them would have such wonderful discussions together regarding us all.

“This is serious,” she continues. “It isn’t something to take lightly. I know how much you want to prove yourself. But….just maybe—“

I wrap my arms around her. “I’m going,” I say. “And you must promise not to say a thing.”

She lets out a sigh, returning my hug. “I promise, Alyssa.”

After saying my quick goodbye, I cloak myself invisible. and head outside where the Vanguards have already started to load into a carriage. I find the one that Elijah and Brianna will ride in andwait for everything to be loaded in, including them. Then I position myself on the luggage rack that stores their blades. Leading me to realize I forgot to bring a weapon of my own. And now my favorite part. Two hours of riding while attempting to not fall out of the ride.

I’ve only ever seen Districts in grainy pictures on postcards. It’s safe to say, that they photograph the most appealing areas. Compared to Uboni, it’s modest. Roads are less pristine, it’s missing the beautiful structures and monuments dedicated to our family. Roads are less pristine, and the homes are all seasoned. Still, the streets are lively. Vendors line the roads, shops are open and bustling. No different from the gated city there.

Both carriages come to a halt at the Crown Garrison. Each District has a central unit that acts as home base for the soldiers stationed in each there. As everyone is unloading, I believe it to be the best time to reveal myself. Better early on than later on. I uncloak, step off the carriage and join the others.

“Oh, Heavens!” Rose jumps at my sudden appearance. “Uhm…” She looks left then right, waiting for everyone else to notice as well as we near the garrison. “Uhm,” she repeats then nudges David.”

“Your Royal Highness?!” He says, perplexed.

“Hi!” I smile wide, simply excited to be here.

Brianna catches wind. She’s storms over and yanks me by the arm, pulling me close. “You idiotic child. What are you doing here?!”

“Joining the mission.” I pull my arm away from her grip.

She scoffs, and turns her gaze to the sky in vexation, then, walks over to the carriage to notify the Coachman.“Take her home. At once.”

I plant my foot in the dirt paved road. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She looks to Elijah, her silent glare begging him for assistance. He shrugs. She scoffs again. Before she can open her mouth to speak, a Valentine soldier greets us.

“Glad you’re all here.” He bows to my siblings and I before continuing. “I was expecting His Majesty to come. As per their demands…”

“You expected my father to waste time on this?” Elijah asks teasingly.

“It’s better it’s us,” Brianna adds on.

“No—no Your Royal Highness. Not at all.“ He straightens up like a rod and points to the town just up ahead. “The two of have taken up encampment in a building just North of here. We’ve evacuated everyone in the surrounding area as their request as well. But—our original reports were sadly wrong. They don’t seem to be alone. Our men have seen others with their binoculars. Like the two we’ve communicated with. They don’t appear hostile.”

“So you say,” Brianna mutters, her eyes scanning the buildings ahead.

I step forward and clear my throat. “And what of their demands? Could you read their intent when they laid them out to you all?”

Everyone turns their head toward me and I feel like I want to jump out of my skin all of a sudden. Was it my voice? I added a bit of pep to it that I’m not entirely sure works here.

“Their intent was rather casual, Your Royal Highness…” the soldier replies.

“That’s enough talking,” says General Hill. “Take us to them. Have a group of soldiers follow behind discreetly.”

Lauriel walks over me. “The nerve on you, huh?” She smiles and ruffles my hair. “Stay close.”

We ride on horseback to the location. Their intent may have been casual but they’ve had their fun with most of the buildings in the area. Homes are frozen with spiked ice. Others are burning with molten rock.

The soldier leads us to a hotel. A bright pink building with an illuminated sign that reads:

ROUSANNI’S INN

“Hope the service was good,” Elijah says, waiting for someone to laugh. No one does. Rose forces a light giggle after the fact.

The soldier shouts, “Hey!” and a boy comes to one of the windows. Around twelve-thirteen if I had to guess, with short kinky hair. A woman comes behind him, placing one hand on his shoulder as she looks out. Her hair is striking. Pink like cherry blossoms, unnaturally so. I would think it’s dye but with what? She takes a long good look at us then squints her eyes, almost disappointed. She leaves the boys side and a few moments later, steps out of the front door.

“I don’t see a king,” she says.

“Oh my,” Elijah mutters, entranced almost. I would ignore my brother’s remarks about women usually but here, his remark is warranted. She has an allure to her. Almost like a magnetic pull. A striking beauty that makes everything around her seem dreary in comparison.

Brianna gives him a side eye before replying to the woman. “No,” she says proudly. “But the future Queen is present. This will suffice.”

The woman chuckles and Elijah quietly joins her, almost giddy. The soldier does so as well.

“What is happening?” Lauriel asks dryly and as equally confused as the rest of us.

“She’s just…” David trails off.

“Oh, sorry,” the woman smiles pleasantly. “Where are my manners?” She saunters over to Elijah and offers her hand with a coy smile. “I assume you’re the prince! With all of your fancy wear and all. I’m Katherine, And my little buddy is named Ethan.”

Elijah takes her hand and kisses it. Everyone’s eyes shift to in joint confusion. “Katherine…Ethan…” He mutters. “All the same to me. God, you smell so incredible.”

“Elijah!” Rose shouts. Her hand shoots up to cover her mouth, shocked by her own outburst.

Before anyone can ask ‘what is happening’ again, Ethan walks out of the building, sheepishly walking over, his eyes keep averting to the ground in a nervous manner. “Katherine…” he mumbles. “Which one is the king?”

“The king isn’t here, sweet boy. And do you remember what that means?”

He lets out a breath. “Yes…”

“We’re here…” Brianna steps forward, cutting between Elijah and Katherine. “To negotiate your surrender. If you value your life, and the lives of the others hiding, I suggest you turn yourself in. Now.”

Katherine chuckles. “I swear, the way you royals speak is almost unbearable.” She stretches her arms and yawns, promptly dropping the seductive act. Elijah, David, and the soldier all seem to snap back to normal.

“We took down those pesky Seal-Dampeners. Not that I needed it.” She shrugs. “Since there’s no king here, my job here is done.”

How’d they manage that? Seal-Dampeners are protected with magic. The only magic any of the royal families agrees to use. They burn at the touch and seem like gibberish when it comes to deciphering them.

“Wait,” I say. “Just tell us what you want…we’re still his children. The message doesn’t fall on deaf ears.”

“Well…I planned to seduce him, and have him do our bidding,” she says, matter-of-factly.

You can feel everyone’s brain grind to a halt. Seduce…Father? Is she serious?

“Listen…” Brianna says, patience wearing thin. “Your surrender. Now.”

She pouts before smiling sweetly. “No How about this. She points to Elijah and then David. “I’d like to watch them fight.”

Brianna grips the hilt of her blade but not before Elijah unsheathes his and takes a swing at David who blocks it with a fist, rock forming around his hand. Everyone takes a cautious step back, trying to understand the situation, and just what exactly her ability is. Compulsion? A spell? But why are only the males affected? And if it was magic—shouldn’t she wave a wand or something? Ultimately, I have no idea. Because it’s taboo, I have no knowledge on magic.

A second later, Elijah and David seem to snap out of whatever she’d just done. Everyone’s eyes snap back to her, she has that same sweet smile that forms into another pout.

“Aw…” she mutters. “Five seconds is the limit with that. But…my friends are here!” She claps her hands together. The humid air suddenly runs cold. Everyone readies themselves, clutching the blade on their side. I instinctively back away, finding myself unprepared for this outcome.

Ice needles forming in the air right over her right shoulder. When no one budges, she sends them flying our way. They pierce the air with devastating speed. Striking the group before David stomps his foot into the pavement, creating a rock wall that shoots up from the ground to block the attack. We all create some distance between Katherine and ourselves.

Everyone checks their injuries. The needles have actually pierced my armor and I struggle to figure out how. They’ve sunken into my skin, I pull back my armor to assess where I’ve been hit. The ice spreads out like spilled water beneath my skin.Is this frostbite?!I pull the needles from my body before they do any more damage.

More cloaked individuals show themselves. Coming out of nearby buildings, and revealing themselves to be standing on rooftops. They all wear the same hooded black cloaks adorned with yellow stars. David’s wall crumbles to show Katherine taking Ethan’s hand and running off. Brianna dashes in their direction. Before the rest of us can act, the swarm of multi-seals come rushing in. The barrage of elements is desolating. I run to find cover, getting separated from the others. I hide, dodge—all but fight. And I realize everyone was right. I don’t belong here.

Wind takes the roof from the building I cower in, and I get up to run in any direction that it seems safe. Our soldiers have only come in to intensify the battle.I shouldn’t have come. I shouldn’t have come. Damn it, Alyssa.

I stumble into a nearby building and I’m shocked to see that Ethan is here as well.

“E-Ethan…?” I croak, unable to move for a moment.What do I do? What happened to Katherine?Don’t tell me—

“She…she’s….she killed her…” he murmurs. “In an instant…I couldn’t…”

Of course she did.Not even taking a moment to stop to find out just what the hell that was earlier with the men. My hand forms into a fist before releasing. Not the time.

“H—hey,” I say, shakingly. “My—my name’s Alyssa. Why don’t we find a way—“

“Thought I saw a princess run this one,” a voice says from behind. As soon as I turn, I’m met with a kick to the stomach. The initial strike is weak, and I can see that it’s an elderly man under the hood. He smiles, and before I can react, I’m sent flying through the wall of the building and into the next by a forceful jet of water.A double strike?

I cough, simultaneously choking on the debris while catching my breath. The man casually strolls over, Ethan reluctantly following behind.

“Come on, Ethan!” The man shouts. “This will be your first kill.”

Ethan hesitates, stopping his movements which makes the man sigh heavily. He walks over to Ethan and puts an arm around him, forcibly walking him closer. I get to my feet before they get any a cloak myself.

“Well would you look at that,” the man says in disbelief. I run as fast as I can, only looking back to see him motion is hand from left to right like he’s swinging a rope. A concentrated jet of water cuts through the air following the motion of his hand. It’s too fast for me to react to. I brace myself. The force knocks me into the side of a nearby home. As I’m recovering, I look up to see him holding one arm in front of him. His palm pointed my way. A vacuum of wind suddenly pulls me in his direction, dragging me all the way to his muddied boots. He places a foot on my chest and presses down then turns to Ethan.

“Remember what they stand for. You can do it.”

Ethan wipes his tears, literal fire overtaking his eyes. Rock forms around his hand.

I cloak myself but the man presses down further, keeping me pinned there. If I hadn’t used up so much of my radiance against Brianna earlier, I’d have more options here. Ethan points his palm at my face, and there’s nothing I can do.Why did I come?I throw my hands up, feeling my seal activate again all on its own. The same swirling sensation happens in my palm. A flash of white light blinds us both. My ears pop, and a cold shiver overtakes my body. The inside of my head rings like someone just struck a bell inside, and then—a voice emerges.

“Finally,darling.” Her voice is rich and languid. She breathes through my nose, uses my lips to speak, a broken mix of my own voice and hers stitching words together as she does. My body pulls itself up from the ground. “Now then, which one shall we kill first?”