A/N: I love the idea that the TLC characters would still find each other even if Channary hadn't died - it's too cute to let go of! Kaider fluff at first, but lots of Wolflet, Wincin, Cresswell, and Kiko in later chapters. Warning: Despite being set in an alternate universe, events that take place in Fairest are mentioned, and there are spoilers. Furthermore, I understand that some things may not be entirely accurate, such as the fact that Evret fell in love with Levana, but I'm trying to write through what this Cinder believes to be true. Of course it'll all come to light on a later date :)
I do not own the Lunar Chronicles.
A dream is a wish your heart makes.
"Princess Selene!" called a voice in the hall. "Are you almost ready?"
"Um, yeah! I just need a minute, Uncle Evret."
As Selene hastily shoved more things into her suitcase, she pondered to herself why her favorite (and only) uncle refused to hold the title of prince. After all, he was married to her Auntie Levana.
"Well, alright, dear. Let me know when you are. Your mother does not like to be kept waiting."
Selene huffed to no one in particular. She hated it when people still treated her like a baby - she was already five! She could even use her gift now.
"Yes, Uncle. I'm almost finished," she called back.
She finished throwing yet another doll in and zipped the suitcase next to her vanity. "A little help, please!" Selene half-yelled, falling over after trying to lift the heavy luggage.
Uncle Evret opened the door to her room and gestured for her to go while he got her things together. She raced down the hallway in excitement, her guards following behind her. Selene wasn't very fast, so there was no need for them to run after her. She did wish they would, though. Her auntie was not a good playmate, and her mother was often busy, promising to make time for her later.
Normally, Selene hated all the promises, but today she set her bitterness aside. She, Princess Selene Channary Jannali Blackburn of Luna, was going to Eastern Commonwealth for the very first time! She was so excited! She'd been planning for this trip for two weeks, and had her seamstress sew her beautiful dresses to play in. Not only was she getting to meet the beloved Prince Kai, but her step-cousin Winter and her friend, Jacin, were coming too! The day was only getting better and better.
Winter Hayle was Princess Levana's step-daughter. Her mother had died during childbirth, and Uncle Evret had fallen in love with Selene's auntie, who'd reciprocated his feelings for many years. Although, there were times when Uncle Evret would speak of his first wife, and Selene suspected he still loved her after all.
Jacin Clay was the son of a royal guard who was good friends with Uncle Evret. He was Winter and Selene's best friend, swore to protect them (Selene's favorite teddy made him promise). Since his father was coming, Channary had extended the invitation to Jacin seeing how fond of him her daughter was.
Selene bounded down the steps in her sunset-colored dress that Uncle Evret said she looked rather pretty in, and burst through the doors that led to the docks near the Outer Sectors. She ran up to her mother, going too fast and nearly falling to the ground.
"Mother!" Selene squeaked, gripping the bottom of Queen Channary's dress. "Are we leaving yet?"
"Not quite," her mother snorted. "We're still waiting on my dear sister. Probably can't decide what she wants her glamour to look like." Seeing Selene's tilted head, she smiled. "You'll never need it, my love. You're my daughter, after all."
Selene groaned and slumped to her knees, only to be hoisted back up by her mother (it'd get her dress dirty, and she couldn't have that). Why did Auntie Levana have to come? All she ever did was make faces at her and Winter while they played. She was no fun, not like Uncle Garrison and Uncle Evret.
She suddenly felt two arms squeeze her tightly, followed by a voice saying, "Winter, you'll murder Selene if you do that!"
Winter and Jacin had come out to the docks and clearly, she hadn't even noticed.
"I heard that Prince Kai is really nice to all of his guests!" Winter said.
"I hope so," Selene replied, squeezing her back. "He's all over the newsfeeds as Earth's most beloved prince."
Jacin, who was older than both of them, shrugged. "I can think of plenty of people who would be 'Earth's most popular prince' if they had been born into royalty. Like that one kid from Sector RM-9, Ze'ev Kesley. Prince Kai is nothing special."
Channary, who'd been fussing with Selene's hair, let out a small laugh.
Winter turned to face him. "Ze'ev Kesley?"
"Everyone likes him - says he helps people and gets stuff done. He'll probably be a royal guard in a couple of years," the eight-year-old replied.
"How old is he?" Channary interjected.
"Um, I think twelve or thirteen, your majesty."
"What's Sector RM-9?" Selene whispered to Winter.
"It's the Regolith Mining Sector. We bring them cookies sometimes," Winter whispered back.
"What's all the hold up? Are we not prepared for departure?" Princess Levana had shown up and made herself announced, sweeping through the guards.
She donned her regular glamour, something that Selene could never understand. She knew that her mother never wore a glamour - she was naturally beautiful. From the little things Uncle Evret told them, Winter's mother had never glamoured herself either. The only time Selene could remember going into her aunt's room, there were no mirrors and no reflective surfaces. She'd always wondered what her aunt really looked like.
"Oh, baby sister," Channary said with a smirk. "We've been waiting on you." Selene did not miss the scowl on her auntie's face as she lingered in front of the ship before cascading up the steps. As far as Selene was concerned, her auntie didn't like her mother very much.
Winter scooted closer to Selene. "Step-mother is scary, per usual," she mumbled. Selene supposed her cousin didn't really like her step-mother, either.
Selene threw an arm around Winter. "We'll be too busy doing amazing Earthen stuff to worry about Auntie," she informed her. "I'm sure Emperor Ri-ri will have lots for us to do."
Jacin raised a brow at the two of them. "Emperor Rikan, you mean."
"Emperor Ri-ri!" the girls exclaimed in unison.
Channary grabbed Selene's hand. "Are you three ready? We don't have all day, especially if my sister is so insistent that we get going the minute she's ready."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" came the reply. And with that, they were off.
The trip to Earth was shorter than Selene had expected it to be, but she still found herself wanting to do something other than listen to her mother talk about how one day she could be empress of the Eastern Commonwealth.
"Well, boohoo!" Selene stuck her tongue out. "I want Australia instead! They have kangaroos!"
Channary smiled. It was sincere, saved only for her little girl. "Darling, you can have all the kangaroos you want if you become Empress. All the dresses, too."
Selene fidgeted with her dress where she sat criss-cross in a chair. "If I become Empress, can Winter be Queen of Luna?"
Auntie Levana tore her gaze away from where Winter was playing pirates with Jacin. "No," she half-snapped. "If something were to happen to Channary and you are too busy playing empress, I will become queen."
"Sister," Channary said, directing her attention towards Levana. "I believe it to be rather bold for you to assume that I'd ever leave this country in your hands.
Winter and Jacin had stopped playing to see what the adults were talking about.
"Selene, the rightful heir, will just have to be both empress and queen," she continued.
Levana stood up, and Selene could see a brief flash of anger in her eyes before she regained her usual composure. "Well, sister, why don't we continue this discussion elsewhere?"
"Yes, why don't we?" Channary shot her a sly smile. She turned back towards Selene. "Darling, we'll be back soon. Why don't you play with Winter and Jacin?"
Selene's mother and auntie left to talk, and Selene was all alone with her friends (and the guards, but they never said anything, so they didn't count). Winter and Jacin suddenly looked uncomfortable.
She jumped out of the chair and landed on the floor beside them. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"I don't like it when step-mother gets mad," Winter whispered. "She wants to be queen, and she gets upset when she hears Her Majesty talk about you ruling Luna."
Jacin put a finger up to his mouth, shushing her. "She's listening, you know. She puts cameras everywhere."
Selene looked around. She didn't see any cameras, but if Jacin and Winter believe that they were being watched, then it must be true.
"Does Mother know?" the princess asked, to which Jacin shook his head.
"No way. She'd have her executed, sister or not," he said, his voice quieter with every word.
"Okay, bestie," Selene said. "But pinky promise me that the moment they turn off, you'll tell me."
She held out her pinkies for both Jacin and Winter to take.
"We pinkie promise!" her friends said in unison.
A few hours later, Channary and Levana emerged to inform the children that they would be arriving in the Eastern Commonwealth soon and to get their things ready.
Finally, they landed, the maids carrying their luggage behind them. Emperor Rikan stood waiting for them by the front gates in front of the palace. Selene couldn't help but feel awfully small compared to the big castle. Although it wasn't bigger than her own, it was new and new could be scary.
If what her mother said was true, it could all be hers one day.
"Wow," Winter whispered from beside her. "Everything here is so bright and colorful. Luna looks like a sad kitten next to Earth."
"I don't think I'd describe Luna as a kitten," Selene replied. "Maybe like a lion."
"And you two must be the Crowned Princess Selene and the step-daughter of Princess Levana, Winter!" Emperor Rikan said after greeting the queen and her sister. "It is a pleasure to meet the two of you." He gave a low bow.
A much younger boy next to him bowed as well. Selene couldn't identify his face, but hopefully she could be friends with him.
"The pleasure is all ours," Winter said, dipping into a curtsy. Selene followed suit, and Jacin saluted the emperor behind them.
The young boy stood up straight, and Selene had to stifle a gasp. It was Prince Kaito! She was meeting the prince!
Emperor Rikan stood up straight as well. "Your highness, this is my only son, Prince Kaito. I think you two- oh, my apologies!" He seemed to have just noticed Jacin. "I think the three of you will find he is a delightful boy to be around." He then turned towards Channary and they began to discuss diplomatic matters.
"Princess Selene, I am Prince Kaito, but you can call me Kai!" the young prince said. He grinned, one of his front teeth missing. "It's a pleasure to make your, umm, acquaintance? It has to come to my, um-" He glanced at an older man standing a few feet away who mouthed something to him. "Oh, you'll be staying with us!" Prince Kai stood up straight, his head held high.
Selene's big eyes widened. She was slightly surprised at how… normal he was. He forgot what to say, too! She did that all the time!
"Prince Kai, I'm delighted to meet you," she replied before taking Winter's hand in hers. Her six-year-old cousin was practically shaking in excitement. "I do have a question, though."
Prince Kai smiled, seemingly relieved that he managed to get this far. "Anything, Princess."
She cast a mischievous smile towards Winter and Jacin. "Are you any good at hide and seek?"