"It'd probably be good if you didn't trip." I say to Mare. She gives me a look as my Mother walks away from her. I can tell she's still pretty freaked out with my Mother and speaking in her head, but she would get used to it. Eventually.
"I didn't trip." She replied as I smirk before replying.
"You were about too," I say and gesture to her poor footing. "One foot in front of the other."
"Well, I haven't excatly been in heels all my life, princess." Mare says 'Princess', like its a dirty word. I raise my eyebrow at her attuide. "Aren't you suppose to be near the throne?" Mare asks me as she keeps walking towards the door. I smile at her.
"Mother requested me to help you walk down the steps. You know, so you don't fall on your face and embarrass the crowd." I smile at her and hold my arm out.
"Wow, what an honour." Mare replies, sarcasm dripping from her voice, but she still takes my arm. I can feel her unsteady weight over me as I step with grace towards the door. Before I open it, however, she asks me something.
"How can you do that?" She whispers and motions to my footing. I shrug.
"How do you weld lightening?" I whisper back as the guards open the grand door, revealing us to the crowd. I gracefully walk down the stairs with Mare, some people mumbling about Mare. Most of the boys are staring at me, but I know its mostly for the title of prince.
Mare's gracefulness isn't exactly the greatest, but luckily for me, I can easily help her out. When we're done descending down the steps, I lead her towards the near center, just as Mother expected and walked up the steps to where my parents were. I took my place at the very outer edge, right next to Cal. He holds his hand out, and I take it before squeezing. He definitely doens't like Evangeline, much less wants to betrothed her, but he has too.
Mother speaks for a few minutes, some random backstory for Mare. I don't really pay attention, and spend my time comforting my brother. Maven asks Mare to betroth him. She agrees. Then, its Cal turn.
I watch in vain as he pops the question to Evangeline, who says yes, with some sort of faked excitment expression on her face. I can feel my facial muscles twitch. I hate her.
I hear a bit about the Scarlet Guard and then, when I expect the meeting to end, my Father speaks up yet again. But what he says, is completely different from the topic at hand.
"But, in more joyous news besides the Scarlet Guard, my daughter and your princess is turning seventeen in two days time." Everyone quietly mumbles about that, as I smile. My Father turns towards me, pride evident in his face. What he's proud of, I have no clue, but I'm just happy he is. I only wish I knew why. Or perhaps, its fake pride, but who knows, really. I'm too scared to look into my Father's mind. He gestures for me to come to him and I do with brilliant grace. Everyone watches me, as my black and red dress drag behind me. Golden hair in perfect waves dragging behind me.
When I come to my father's side, inbetween him and Mother, they both take my hands.
"Princess Eliza's party will be grand for all to come. I wish the best travels for the grand ball and I hope you will all be fortunate enough to come attend to her birthday party." Like they have a choice. "It shall take place at Dusk in two days." Then, my Father turns and smiles at me.
That's how I know he's not faking it. There's this look of love and adoration in his face, as he continues.
"Strength and Power." My Father says, his voice as strong as his words. We all repeat.
"Strength and Power."
*E*
We have a grand feast afterwards. I have to put on a dress with silk running down the back of my legs, but the front barely went to my knees. It had layers of red and black, and a red and black flower was pinned over my waist. I got a few pieces of food, my usual meal, and sat next to Cal and Mare.
Suddenly, Cal nudges me.
"Two o' clock." He whispers as I turn my head that way. Sure enough, there are a few royals, boys of course, who are staring at me. I stare at them back and blow them a kiss. A simple gesture that makes them turn their heads to their plates, pride radiating off of them.
"Wow, desperate much?" Mare asks as I turn to face her before blushing a bright white.
"Please, you should see the boys she passes in the hallways." Cal says, "Their practically falling over themselves to marry her." Mare and I laugh.
"It does make sense, you are beautiful." Mare whispers as I roll my eyes. "And your parents obviously love you a whole lot." I stare at her and arch an eyebrow.
"Is it that obvious?" I whisper back as Mare nods. "God, they can be so-"
"Cherish it, Liz." Maven whispers as I smile at him.
When the dinner ends, I walk at the very end of my family. Then, I turn, and before anyone can stop me, I wink at a crowd of boys before walking away. I can hear their thoughts of surprise as I follow Senitals up to our rooms.
"That was awkward." I say once we're alone from other's prying eyes. Instead of being mad of my outburst, my parents nod along with my brothers.
"Perhaps next time, we should just have our own private dinner." Mother says.
"But we must include all the houses. We must not make others feel excluded." I say, I can feel the royal tone come off of my voice.
"Of course." My father replies and pulls me into a tight hug. "Always the smart one, huh Eliza." I laugh playfully and pull away.
"I'm going to get some beauty sleep." I say and run my fingers through my golden locks. My Mother smiles.
"Good, you need it." I stick my tongue out at her and walk towards my room.
But I don't go to sleep right away. Instead, I stare at my face in the mirror.
'You are beautiful' Mare's voice nudges me, but all I can see are my flaws.
My eyes are too big, my nose isn't tall enough. My skin isn't smooth enough, nor pale enough, my hair is so wavey, you can't do anything with it. My chin isn't pointed enough, and my face is much too round.
How could I ever be beautiful?
I hear conversations in Mare's room, which is right next to my own.
"Can you guys shut up?" I shout, I can practically feel their flinch. "I'm trying to go to sleep here!"
It takes them a while, but I finally hear Mare's door close, as I sigh in content before wiping some makeup from my eyes. When I'm done, I take off my bracelet, which digs into my skin, and place it on the table.
Then, I turn out all the lights in the room, but before I go to sleep, I light up a tiny flame within the palm of my hand.
Oh, and then there's the other thing: I can make my own fire too.
*E*
Basically, Eliza is like a game changer. She's super powerful, and its going to alter the entire story and warp it into something very, very VERY different.
She's also super self conscious about her looks because, well, she's a teenager.
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Laughs and Giggles,
Emily
