Chapter 15
The warm summer sun shone down on the Markovian capital this fine morning. The people in the streets below were busily preparing for the day's special event. One group of men were putting up colorful banners, while several shopkeepers were busy decorating their stalls and storefronts. Women and children were dressed in their best formal attire, and the ancient bells of Saint Makovis cathedral rang out over the whole city.
It was a day to be celebrated. For it was their princess' sixteenth birthday.
"My lady, please wake up!" Sophia urged, trying to get Terra awake.
"mmmmm... not now..." the princess groaned, pulling the satin sheets up over her head.
"Princess, you have to get up!" Natasha begged. "Everyone is waiting for you!"
"Okay..." Terra mumbled, admitting defeat. She climbed out of her lace canopy bed, and pulled her nightgown off. " Let's see... today, I think I'll wear the white satin dress!"
"Yes, princess!" Terra smiled, as her two handmaids rushed around the room. She loved being pampered and spoiled like this. Bryon was such a fool for insisting on dressing and feeding himself! "Arms up, my princess!" Terra raised her arms, and they slipped her gown onto her.
Looking around her room, she smirked at her golden hairbrushes, and her large collection of jeweler. "I'll wear the Emerald earrings today! And brush my hair with the small one, I don't want any tangles!"
Yes, this definitely was the life!
Terra walked out of her room, followed closely by her small entourage. She headed down the steps, and towards the main ballroom. On her way, she passed several mosaics, depicting the various triumphs of the house of Markov,. One showed St. Markovis, valiantly banishing the Demon Trigon. Another depicted Prince Bois Markov defeating the Turks in the crusades. And a third showed King Vladimir Makov driving Napoleon's armies out of the Kigdom.
"Bryon sure is proud of our ancestors!" She thought to herself, approaching the ballroom door.
Suddely, Terra was stopped dead in her tracks, by a warm, welcoming voice.
"So how is my little birthday girl?"
"Mama!" Terra ran to Queen Vanessa, kissing her on the cheek, and giving her a tight embrace. "Mama, I'm so glad your here!"
Her mother was wearing a blue satin dress, and carried a timeless loveliness found only in fairy tales.
"Of course I'm here!" The Queen mother said, laughing softly. "And someone else has come for your birthday, too!"
"Friend Terra!" A voice yelled, coming up the hallway.
"Starfire!" Terra ran to the girl, laughing. the two best friends became locked in a tight embrace. "Star, I'm so glad you could make it!"
The yellow skinned Tamerainian princess smiled. "I wouldn't miss my dearest friends birthday for all the Snorfbols in Glroka!" Terra had met Starfire during diplomatic talks between Markovia and the planet Tameran, and the Two had remained friends ever since.
"I don't mean to break this up ladies!" The queen mother said sarcastically. "But the guests are waiting!"
"Let's go." Terra replied. The servants pushed the doors open, and they entered the ballroom.
A huge banquet tables were set, with the finest china and silverware in the kingdom. Hundreds of candles were lit thought the room, creating the effect of a sea of lights. The room was filled with a countless number of guests, who rose to thier feet when Terra entered. "Happy Birthday, Princess Terra!" their voices said in unison, greeting her.
Terra walked through the room, as if in a dream. Several handsome nobles stepped forward, offering the princess their congratulations. "The happiest of birthdays, princess!" One young knight exclaimed. He had black, spiky hair, and was wearing a tuxedo, and a black mask.
"Thank you, Sir Robin!" she giggled. He nodded again, then quickly made his way over towards Starfire.
Another young noble approached. "Happy birthday, Terra!" He was from an African kingdom, and wore the proud Robes of the Swahili. Parts of his body had been replaced with cybernetics, from all the battles he had been in.
"Thank you, Duke Cyborg!" She said, smiling. He then took off for the food table.
As the princess arrived at the head of the Table, she spotted her brother. "Bryon!"
King Bryon Markov arose from his chair, smiling. "Greetings, little sister. I hope you are having a good day?"
Terra nodded. "Yes Bryon, it is wonderful!"
Beside Bryon sat his new wife, Queen Ravenna Roth - Markov. "Happy Birthday, Terra." She said, in the raspy voice, the shakra gem on her forehead softly gleaming in the light
The princess shuddered as Raven spoke. While they dearly loved Terra and her mother, the people of Markovia were downright afraid of thier new queen. Terra shared this apprehension, they're was something... downright creepy about her. "T-thank you..." Terra replied weakly before moving away.
A few moments later, the music started up. every man in the Crowd found his lady, and began to dace. Looking around, Terra's spirits sank, as she was there was no one to dance with.
Then a handsome, greened skinned stranger emerged from the crowd. "May I have this dance?" He asked her.
Blushing, Terra nodded. The two of them glided across the floor, as two bodies untited in a song. The stranger looked deeply into her eyes, and she gazed lovingly back. The princess had never been this happy in her entire life.
As the music ended, his lips moved slowly towards hers. Blushing, she raised her head to kiss him...
Then everything vanished in a white light.
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"Doctor, she waking up!"
Terra's opened her eyes, and found herself in a bubbling tank of liquid. There were tubes and devices strapped all over her body, and an oxygen mask covering her face. Looking to her left, she was greeted by the evil smile of Helga Jayce.
"Hello Child! Welcome back to the real world!"
