Chapter One:
The Princess
Princess Primrose opened her eyes to the sleek walls of the palace walls. They were lined in gold, imprinted with precious stones. Most of them were sapphires, symbolizing the Kingdom the deep blue rocks were named after. Her bleary gaze slid over her room, furnished lavishly with little trinkets and small treasures. A large window sat opposite the foot of her bed, which opened out onto a large terrace. Golden sunlight spilled into the room, inching closer and closer up to her. Her canopied bed was hung with the softest silks in Sapphoria, with intricate designs of gold and silver embedded in the hem. The covers she slept in consisted of bead-lined cloths and warm furs.
Her feet noticed the cold first– as they usually did. Half aware of herself, she tucked them closer to her body, huddling under the blankets. Other than a slight annoyance, she didn't register the cold as anything other than unusual.
I wouldn't be surprised if an early frost swept over the kingdom. She thought absently, still fatigued with sleep.
"Where would you like to take your breakfast this morning, Your Highness?" One of the maids asked. Prim never bothered to memorize any of their names. They were there to help, and obey orders. Nothing more.
She contemplated her options for a moment before responding, settling for one of her favorite places in Sapphoria's capitol town. "Palace Town. I'd wager Maia's pastries are the best in the kingdom."
"But it's cold out today!" One of the maids exclaimed.
Prim shot a glare at the maid who had spoken. "I'll go where I please," She said coldly.
The maid backed away, nodding shyly. "Yes, Your Majesty." She whispered and backed away to get busy with something else.
She pulled on a warm doublet underneath her fur-lined coat, which was bejeweled with small sapphires. She slid the coat onto her shoulders relishing its warmth inside, and buckling it together with a leather belt. She pulled on warm gloves, and thick pants, and a soft white scarf to shield her neck from the biting wind. Lastly, she slid her boots over her feet and stepped out of her room.
She didn't acknowledge the two guards standing on either side of the door, as she usually did. They followed her at a respectful distance down the halls, which had been warmed a little by the many fires burning in the hearths of some of the rooms she passed by. She passed the library, as she usually did, and did her best not to acknowledge it. But her best still wasn't enough. With a pang, she remembered the last time she'd been in there. With her brother. The night of his birthday, two years ago.
"Look at the pretty lights!" The little princess had exclaimed, pointing out the giant window in the library at the blue and green lights that danced in the sky. The soft flakes of snow falling had made the spectacle all the more enchanting.
"They're called the Northern Lights." Her brother had said. "We could go up to the roof and look at them, if you want."
"Yes, please!" Prim had breathed, eyes shining.
Her brother took her hand, and they walked out of the library.
But it wasn't late at night, and she wasn't in the library, with her dead brother. She was going out for breakfast, in the snow, determined to spend the rest of the day without having another thought about her dead brother. Because he wasn't here anymore. And it was all her fault.
"Shouldn't there be more guards accompanying you if you're going outside the Palace?" Prim's mother fretted. "You know what this day means to the Rubians. They might take another chance and capture you too!"
So much for not thinking about my brother for the rest of the day. Prim thought gloomily. Castellan had been captured by Rubians and taken back to their capital city, Rubra. As far as anyone knew, there was no penetrating the walls of the city. It was an indestructible fort that had survived over twenty years of war and battles right at its front door without suffering a single imperfect scratch. Plus, it wasn't like anyone from Sapphoria had a way of getting over there. From what Prim could remember from her history lessons, years ago when the war had first started, there were two sisters. One from the Kingdom of Sapphire and one from the Kingdom of Opal. Back then, the two Kingdoms were allied against the Ruby and Gold Kingdoms in the war. During an especially intense battle, Sapphoria was on the brink of destruction, and the Sapphire Sister called on her Opal Sister to help her kingdom with their magic. They came up with a rather creative solution together. All of the Opal Sister's magicians and sorcerers banded together to cast a powerful spell to save Sapphoria from their enemies. They lifted the entire kingdom out of the ground, and shot it into the sky, safe and out of harm's way. However, when the Opal Sister's Kingdom was in trouble, the Sapphire Sister had no way of helping, since her kingdom was stuck in the sky. So, the Sapphire Sister couldn't help the Opal Sister with her battle, and the Opal Kingdom fell. In her grief, the Sapphire Sister flung herself off the edge of the Kingdom, and fell down, down, past the clouds, and finally met her death where her Kingdom had once stood.
Prim shuddered involuntarily, and her father's voice drew her back to reality. He had walked into the hall where she and her mother stood. "I think she'll be safe with the guards she has now. Plus, I think she should get a breath of freedom for a few hours before the ceremony."
Prim frowned up at him. "What ceremony?" It was typical of him to forget to tell her things. He was always 'busy running the kingdom.' and he 'didn't have time to listen to little girls complaining all the time.'
"Oh, didn't we tell you?" Her mother asked, her voice light. The Queen held her hand to her daughter's forehead. "Are you sure you're feeling alright, dear? I wouldn't be surprised if you caught a cold in weather like this." She pursed her lips nervously.
"I'm fine." Prim muttered, swatting her mother's hand away. Then she turned to her father once again. "What ceremony?" She asked.
"The ceremony to appoint your new personal knight, of course!" He said, stroking his long silvery beard. "We found a sorceress that we trust to keep you safe. She's been training with your mother for years now!"
Training with my mother for years? Prim had never heard of a sorceress training with her mother ever before in her entire life.
"I take it we didn't tell you about that either." Her mother murmured absentmindedly.
"Don't worry about it." Her father said and herded her towards the enormous double doors that led to the front courtyard of the Palace.
The guards opened the doors, she was ushered out. "Have a nice breakfast!" Her mother called after her. "We'll see you later."
Prim waved after her parents, and then cold wind stung her cheeks, and she suddenly found herself in the snow. She sighed. It was just like her parents to neglect her like that. To ignore her, and push her away and out the door. She continued forward, down the path that led towards Vire Town.
Along the main street, vendors had set up shop outside pristine buildings, calling their wares out to the people passing by. The market looked like it belonged in a snow globe, with snow drifting down from the puffy clouds overhead and everyone dressed for cold winter weather.
"The finest rugs in Sapphoria!" One called.
"The actual finest rugs in Sapphoria!" Another from across the street shouted louder.
"Freshly butchered sausage!" Someone else called, beckoning Prim to come over and take a look at his wares.
Prim turned around as another voice called out from behind her. "Don't listen to him, that pig was found rotting in the street. We have freshly shot deer caught in the woods this morning!"
Prim's guards edged closer to her, and she continued down the well-known path towards Maia's Pastry Shop. Well, it was well-known to her at least. She diverged off the main path down a stone brick road. And there it was: The small building sat on the corner of an intersection, with a sign hanging over the door directing people to the little shop. Snow dusted the roof, and smoke billowed out of the many chimneys sticking out of the roof. It looked cozy. But it was barely anything near the spectacle of the royal kitchens in the Palace.
The bell hanging over the door jingled cheerfully as she opened the door. Maia was at the counter already, frosting and decorating a cake to put on display in the glass casings that lined the counter. "Hello!" She greeted her. "Feel free to dust off your boots on the mat there."
Prim glanced down and kicked the excess snow off her boots and stepped inside the shop, eager to get out of the cold weather outside. She took a seat at one of the many tables, pulling out the cushioned chair and fluffing the pillow. There was only one other person in the Shop. He had his nose buried in the menu.
"I'll be with you in a minute!" She called and dashed into the back room, which housed the kitchen.
Prim looked around the room she was in. There were her guards, of course, and there was a fire burning in the hearth next to the table one over from where Prim was sitting. Cheerful holiday decorations hung from every available space, and the glass cases in front of the counter were filled to the brim with sweet treats and baked goods.
Maia emerged once again, with a girl around Prim's age trailing behind her nervously. The apron she wore looked way too big for her, and it was stained and dirty. She figured it was one of Maia's older aprons. "Welcome back, Princess!" Maia greeted her. "This is my daughter, Amber. This is her first time at the Pastry Shop, and I thought it would be a good experience for her to serve her first customer."
Prim regarded the girl with sharp, clear blue eyes. As long as she did her job, Prim would have no problem with her. You're here to do one thing. She tried to say with her gaze. Serve me.
Timidly, the girl raised a hand to wave. "H- hi," She said.
"I would like a fruitcake, please." Prim said. "And one of those hot cups of milk with chocolate in it."
"Oh that!" Maia said. "Since last month, I've been able to perfect the recipe!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Well, Amber perfected it. And she named it."
Amber was nudged encouragingly by her mother. She swallowed thickly and said, "I call it hot cocoa."
"A great name, isn't it?" Maia asked enthusiastically, and herded Amber back into the kitchen. "We'll be right back with that fruitcake, dear."
Prim nodded, once. Frankly, she thought Maia was a little annoying. But she could endure it if she got a slice of the best fruitcake in Sapphoria at the end. It was her absolute most favorite thing at the Pastry Shop. Better than the cinnamon rolls, even.
Amber came back out in her oversized apron, which she kept stumbling over on her way back to Prim's table. It looked like she might trip any second…
She walked agonizingly slowly towards her, trying to mind her step, but all her efforts were in vain as in the end she tripped and fell forward, dropping the plate with the fruitcake on it, splattering it all over the floor and shattering the plate. Luckily, the cup of hot cocoa survived, and Amber handed it to her over the mess under her feet. "S- sorry." She mumbled, and retreated to the kitchen to get a broom.
"So, you're the Princess, eh?" The only other person in the Shop looked up from his menu. There was something a little off about his eyes.
"Yes.' Prim said, keeping her back straight and staring down her nose at the man.
"So sorry your fruitcake got ruined." He said, sparing a glance down at the floor. "I would love to buy you another one. On me." He smiled at her.
"Why, thank you. I would appreciate it." Prim said. Then she watched him, waiting for him to get up and get her another fruitcake.
He did, and rose to walk to the counter. Maia bustled out of the kitchen. Just as the man turned back to hand the cake to Prim, Amber walked out of the kitchen with a broom, her eyes wide.
"Thank you." Prim said, and the man returned to his seat.
Prim picked up the fork and went to scoop the fruitcake on her fork.
"Wait!" It was Amber, her voice suddenly loud and clear. "Don't eat that!"
Prim glared up at her. "Why not?" She asked coldly, setting the fork back down on the table. Amber's shoulders sagged with relief.
"He put something into it!" Amber gasped. "I saw it!"
Behind her, Prim's escort glanced at each nervously, conveying hidden messages in the looks they gave each other. One of them noticed the man trying to leave the Shop, and blocked the door. He backed away in surprise, and the other guard seized him from behind, pinning his arms to his back. When he looked up, Prim found out why his eyes had been giving her a weird feeling. They were crimson brown. One of the telltale signs that this man was Rubian. An enemy.
"Rubian traitor!" The guard hissed.
"He was trying to p- poison you!" Amber exclaimed; eyes wide. She pointed to the fruitcake, which was still on the table in front of Prim.
The other guard swooped in and snatched the plate off the table. "Princess, we should head back to the Palace." He pointed at the Rubian. "Can't leave this one wandering around free in Sapphoria."
"How did he even get here?" Amber asked wonderingly with her hands clutched tightly around the handle of the broom, knuckles white.
I didn't even get to eat my breakfast. She scowled down at the mug of hot cocoa she held in her gloved hands. She wouldn't even get a chance to enjoy Maia's new recipe. She set the mug on the table for Amber to clean up and followed her escort out the door.
The guard with the Rubian prisoner went in front of her, and the guard with the poisoned fruit cake followed behind the princess. I'll never hear the end of it from my parents. She thought dejectedly. They probably won't even remember they said I could have a little more freedom before the appointment of my new appointed sorceress knight.
She became a little lost in her own thoughts, spiraling off into her visions of what she thought would happen when she got home. Prim could barely even hear the vendors shouting their wares, she was so lost in thought. She didn't even notice the red-haired girl rushing towards her until it was too late.
"Watch it!" She snapped as the girl ran into her.
"So sorry." She said, brushing herself off. "I'm in a hurry, I didn't see you. Sorry, again."
Prim caught sight of her dress before she tore off into the crowd again. Light blue, with little flowers and butterflies embroidered on the hem. She wore slightly stained white stockings and a coat over everything, to shield her from the cold. She had a freckled face and pretty green eyes. "Sorry again!" She called, and then she was gone.
How rude. Prim thought, annoyed. She didn't even bow, or say 'Your Highness'. It's like she didn't even recognize me as the princess at all. She wrinkled her nose. How could she not? Well, she had been in a hurry to get somewhere. Maybe she hadn't exactly paid attention to any of the people she ran into on the way.
She thought of the ceremony waiting for her back at the Palace. It's not like it's going to be any different. Nothing will change at all. Prim scoffed. I can just ignore my new appointed knight like I do my escorts. She thought, glancing over her shoulder at the guard behind her. He still had the fruitcake in his hands, though he held it a little farther away from him.
All too soon, she was standing in front of the elegant big double doors of the Palace again, and she knew her mother and father would be standing there, waiting for her. She could even see their faces creasing with worry when the guards reported the incident with the Rubian and the fruitcake. She could hear the note of disappointment in their voices. "Why didn't you bring more guards with you?"
"Ah, welcome back darling!" Her mother cried, and beckoned for her to walk beside her. "Your new knight is ready for the ceremony, are you?"
Prim glanced down at her informal winter coat and boots. "Maybe I should dress in a more formal—"
"Wonderfull!" Her mother said, interrupting. And not listening to Prim, as usual. "It's great you came dressed ready. Now we can get on with the appointment!"
She clapped her hands together excitedly and led Prim down the hall into the grand hall, or throne room. It went by both names. It was a wide circular room, with two levels. The second was suspended by tall pills jutting up from the first level, and formed a dome-shaped ceiling made of glass overhead. It was mostly empty except for two raised dais' for her parents, and two thrones on either side. One for her, on the left. One for him, on the right. She shook the memory of that night away. She had to focus on the ceremony happening right now.
Instinctively, she went to sit on her throne beside her mother. "No, darling." Her mother said, wagging a finger at her. "For this, you need to be sitting in the Sapphire Chair."
Prim frowned. There were four raised platforms arranged in a semi-circle around the room, facing the thrones of the King and Queen of Sapphoria. Each of them were made of a different gem, representing the five kingdoms. Gold on the left, Opal and Sapphire in the middle, and Ruby on the right. They were built for meetings and delegations hosted by the King and Queen of Sapphoria, but the room hadn't been used before the war had started. She went and sat in the Sapphire Chair, shifting uncomfortably on the rock-hard blue stone. She couldn't imagine sitting in that chair for hours at a time, discussing whatever was to be discussed at her mother and father's more private meetings.
Her mother and father both sat in their thrones, high above Prim, looking down at her.
"Daphne!" The KIng boomed. "Come kneel in front of your King."
Prim looked to the door opposite the way she had entered the room, and saw the same girl who had run into her on the street walk in. The same light blue dress, white stocking and coat. The same beautiful green eyes.
She walked right into the middle of the room, looked the King in the eyes, and kneeled. "Your Majesty."
"Do you pledge to use all of your wisdom and knowledge to protect my daughter, the princess of Sapphoria?" He asked, though everyone in the room knew it was no question.
"I pledge to protect the princess with all of the knowledge the Sapphire has to offer." Daphne said, her voice strong and unwavering.
"Do you swear to use your magic to protect your charge at any cost, even if it may be your own soul?" The King asked again.
"I swear to use all the magic the opal has to offer to protect the princess, and nothing more." Daphne answered.
"Do you vow to guard the princess even if it means giving up on all the things you hold most dear to your heart?" Each question was getting harder and harder to say yes to. Prim didn't even think she would have said yes to the first one. And she respected Daphne for pledging herself like this.
"I would." Daphne said. "I would protect the princess even if it meant giving up all the treasures Gold has to offer."
"And do you vow to protect my daughter with your life?" He asked. Prim's heart squeezed a little.
"I vow," Daphne said, finishing off the ceremony. "I will protect your daughter with all the might the ruby can grant me. I will protect her with my life."
"Then it is done." The Queen said. "Daphne, you are now the official appointed Guardian Sorceress of Princess Primrose of Sapphoria."
Prim inhaled shakily, remembering her thoughts on the way back to the Palace. Nothing will change at all. But Daphne wasn't a trained soldier in the army, waiting all his life to sacrifice himself for the royal family. This was a girl her age, and she seemed way too ordinary and young to give her life up that easily.
No, nothing would be the same at all.