Chapter 4: Trial by Fire
At the coronation ball, people began to clap to the rhythm of the music played by a jolly band of musicians as people across the room danced in a joyful waltz. Soon, everyone turned to face the new queen of San Theodoros. "Ladies and gentlemen," the nobleman said, gesturing to Alex, "Queen Alexandria of San Theodoros." Then, he announced, "Princess Malina of San Theodoros." Malina came hurrying to the front as the nobleman placed her directly next to Alex. The townspeople began to cheer and applaud.
As the applause died down, Alex turned to Malina. "Hi," Alex said. "Oh. Hello," Malina said, finally talking to Alex for the first time. "You look beautiful," Alex said. "Thank you," Malina said, "and you look beautiful-er. I mean, not that you're fuller! I meant, you're just…more beautiful, that's all." Alex chuckled. "Thank you," Alex said, grinning.
"So," Alex said, staring all around the ballroom, "this must be what a party looks like." Malina nodded in agreement. "It's a lot warmer than I thought," she said. "Must be the people, I guess," Alex said. "And what is that amazing smell?" The two girls took in the delightful fragrance that wafted in the air. "Chocolate!" they both said together, and began to laugh joyfully.
Their revelry was cut short as a dignitary presented one of the guests before them. "Your Majesty," the nobleman said, "may I present to you Sir Rastapopoulos, the Duke of Brandelare." "Brandelaria," Rastapopoulos corrected him as he presented himself to Alex. "As your closest partner in trade, it seems only fitting that I offer you your first dance as queen." Alex was rather taken aback by his offer. "Thank you for your kind offer, but I don't dance," Alex said. "But my sister Malina is an excellent dancer." "Excellent, excellent," Rastapopoulos said, taking Malina's hand by the arm as Alex silently mouthed an apology.
Eventually, Rastapopoulos was not easily the best dancer in the ball. Malina was constantly checking to see if the Duke would not crush her toes. "Now this is a lively spectacle!" Rastapopoulos said. "Certainly does make up for all those twelve years being shut out for no reason. Do you know the reason?" Malina kept her mouth shut. "No? Then watch this. Like a chicken with the face of a monkey, I fly!" Rastapopoulos had said, dancing even more.
Meanwhile, Alex was watching from a distance, laughing at the spectacle. Though Malina had been shooting her dozens of "help me" glances, it was still amusing for Alex. Eventually, Malina forced herself to finish the dance as she limped back to Alex. "Wow, he sure was sprightly," Alex laughed. "Especially for a man in heels!" Malina said. "You're okay?" Alex said. "Never been better," Malina said. "This is just so nice. I just wish it could be like this all the time." "I wish I could too," Alex said, "but it can't." "Can't? Why not?" Malina asked. "It just can't!" Alex said firmly. "Excuse me for a minute." Malina slowly walked away.
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Malina slowly pushed her way through the crowd, until one of the dancers accidentally bumped into her, causing Malina to stumble and fall. But, to her own luck, she was caught…by Ian!
"Glad I caught you," Ian said, smiling. "Ian!" Malina said as he picked her up off of her feet. Soon, they immersed themselves into a slow and romantic waltz. Malina was surprised to see that Ian was a great dancer. Malina felt instantly better as she was twirled around the ballroom.
Soon, the two decided to go outside and talk. They often danced around each other playfully as they talked for hours on end about their own self-liking. Finally, they took it out to the rose gardens, where the powdery snow made the rose petals gleam in the moonlight. As Ian plucked a rose from a bush and placed it gingerly on Malina's hair, he noticed the black piece of hair. "What's that?" he asked. "Oh, I was born with it," Malina said, "although I dreamt I was kissed by a magician." "I like it," Ian said.
Later, they sat on a balcony, where Malina showed Ian how to eat a crème-filled meringue. "Just bite it. The entire thing!" Malina said. She laughed as the treat crumbled over Ian's face. Soon, the talk turned to their families. "So wait, you have how many brothers?" "Twelve older brothers," Ian said. "Three of them pretended I was invisible for two years." "That's harsh," Malina said. "Well, that's what brothers do," Ian said. "Yea, well, not like us sisters," Malina said. "Alex and I were really close when we were kids, until one day, she just…shut me out. I never knew why." "I'd never shut you out," Ian said.
Malina instantly felt all bubbly inside. "Okay, can I just say something crazy?" she asked. "I love crazy!" Ian said. "All my life has been a series of doors in my face," Malina said, "but suddenly, I bump into you!" She was surprised to learn that Ian felt the same way she did as well! For the first time ever, Malina finally met someone who actually understood her feelings. And Ian was all that; he was cute, funny, and nice. For countless hours, they danced, talked, singed, and discussed their pasts…and futures too.
"Can I say something crazy?" Ian said, suddenly getting down to his knees. "Will you marry me?" "Can I say something even crazier? Yes!" Malina exclaimed. She knew that she and Ian were finally meant to be!
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As they awkwardly made their way back inside the ballroom, Malina and Ian were cautiously pushing through the crowd as they walked together. "Oh, there she is!" Malina said. "Alex!" Malina called to her sister. "I mean, Queen," Malina said as Alex came up to her. "I present to you Prince Ian of the Northern Isles." "Your Majesty," Ian said, bowing as Alex curtsied in return.
"Um, we would like—" Malina said, beaming. "—your blessing—" Ian said again. "—of our marriage!" they said together. "What? Sorry, I'm confused," Alex said. "Of course, we haven't worked out all the details yet," Malina said. "We'll need a few days to plan the ceremony. We'll even have soup, roast, ice cream, and…oh! Will we live here?" "Here?!" Alex asked, outraged. "Absolutely!" Ian said joyfully. "Wait, no," Alex tried to say. "Sure, sure!" Malina said. "Hey, we can even invite all twelve of your brothers to stay with us! And, and…" Malina stopped as Alex put up one hand. "Whoa, stop. Slow down," Alex said. "No one's brothers are staying. No one is getting married."
"What?" Malina asked in shock. "Malina. Can I talk to you…in private?" Alex said. "Well, whatever you have to say, you can say it to both of us." "Fine," Alex said. "Malina, you can't marry a man you just met." "You can if it's true love," Malina said firmly. "Malina, what do you even know about true love?" Alex asked. "About as much as you," Malina protested. "All you know is how to shut people out." Alex paused for a minute. "You ask for my blessing, and my answer is no," Alex said. "Now, if you'll excuse me." She began to walk away from them.
"Your Majesty, if I may…" Ian began to say, but Alex cut him short. "No, you may not," Alex said strictly, "and I think it's best if you should go." Alex signaled to one of the guards. "The party is over. It's time to close the gates." "Alex! No!" Malina exclaimed as she reached for her sister and grabbed her orange glove. "Give me my glove back!" Alex snapped. "No! Alex, please! I can't live this way anymore!" Malina cried out. "Then leave," Alex said tearfully, walking away from Malina. On the verge of tears, Malina exclaimed, "What have I ever done to you?!" "Enough, Malina!" Alex ordered, her back still turned. "No!" Malina yelled back. "Why do you shut me out? Why do you shut the entire world out? WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF?!"
"I said ENOUGH!" Alex shouted. As she did, fire shot out from her hands, burning the floors and leaving scorched marks on it. Everyone stared in shock at Alex, who was now wishing she could take the magic back. But it was too late. Flames had blanketed the floor of the ballroom as smoke filled the air.
"Witchcraft!" Rastapopoulos gasped. "I knew there was something suspicious going on here!" Malina was too stunned to even respond to this. "Alex?" she muttered in shock. Without saying another word, Alex immediately left the ballroom.
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Alex tried to run away, hoping that nobody had seen what had happened and that no one was hurt. Or else, everyone would know about her fiery powers. As Alex rushed out, she faced a crowd of townspeople gathered at the courtyard. "There she is!" one man said out loud, and the others began to clap. "Your Majesty! Long live the queen! Queen Alexandria!" Alex tried to get away from the crowd, avoiding anyone who might come in contact with her powers.
"Your Majesty," one woman said, holding a baby, "are you all right?" Alex tried to back away from everyone. Suddenly, from behind her, her hands touched the fountain, which caused blazing fire to jump right into the sky! People gasped as they saw the flames explode right before their eyes. "There she is!" Rastapopoulos shouted from the entrance. "Get her!" "No! Just stay away from me!" Alex ordered. "Stay away!" She suddenly blasted fire at the castle doors. "Monster!" Rastapopoulos cried out. People began to turn away from Alex. Alex raced out of the castle gates as fast as possible.
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Alex ran farther away from the castle, trying to hide herself from the outside world. "Alex!" Malina called from behind. "Alex, wait!" Alex tried to run as she approached a frozen lake. Suddenly, she felt the ice melting from under her. Realizing that she deserved better than the village, Alex ran straight across the frozen river, melting the waters with each step.
"Alex, wait!" Malina finally caught up to the lake, only to be stopped by Ian. "Malina, are you okay?" "I'm fine," Malina said. They watched in horror as the ice in the lake melted and continued toward the frozen ocean. A swirl of hot air began to fill the village. What had once been a perfectly white winter had now turned into a blazing hot summer.
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Malina began to feel the heat close in on her as she and Ian returned to the castle. The snow covering the tower watch gates had already begun to melt. "Did you know about this?" Ian asked. "No, I haven't," Malina said. "It all makes sense to me now."
"The snow…It's melting!" Rastapopoulos exclaimed. "The queen has cursed this land! She must be stopped immediately! You must go after her!" "No, no one is to after the queen," Malina said. Facing her, Rastapopoulos said, "You! Is there witchcraft in you too? Are you a monster too?" "No, I'm completely ordinary," Malina said. "She is," Ian said. "But my sister is not a monster," Malina said. "She nearly murdered me!" Rastapopoulos exclaimed. "You fell back on the steps," Ian said.
"It was an accident," Malina said. "She was scared. All she ever wanted was to be perfect and normal. Tonight was my fault. I should be the one to go after her." Malina addressed the entire crowd of what she was about to do. Signaling one of the guards, Malina ordered, "Bring me my horse." "Wait, Malina. No," Ian said. "It's too dangerous out there." "Im not afraid of Alex," Malina said. "I'm gonna try to go and make things right with her."
"In that case, I'm coming with you," Ian said. "No, Ian," Malina said as she prepared to mount her horse. "I need you to stay here. To take care of the village while I'm gone." "On my honor," Ian said as he bowed to her. Mounting her horse, Malina addressed the crowd. "I leave Prince Ian in charge," she declared.
"Are you sure you can trust her?" Ian asked Malina. "I don't want you to get hurt." "Ian, she's my sister," Malina said. "She'd never hurt me." Soon, Malina and her horse galloped off toward the mountains as snow began to slowly melt from the distance.