The arrangements had been made. For the last week, Finn had spent time with Viserra; sometimes, it was as simple as walking through the streets of Shadow-Stone or the royal gardens. Other times, it was quieter in the castle library or mingling with others. Finn had done his best to answer Viserra's questions, both enlightening her about the world she was to rule as queen and soothing the concerns that plagued her mind.
At the same time, Bray had taken the time to do the same with Qimir. Already, the young lord had stated his desire to join their ranks. So, Bray explained the transition process in as much detail as possible. If only so, the lord would know what awaited him and that there was no turning back once he was a demon.
On the other hand, Finn assigned Aleister to Prince Lucian to calm his fears, offer reassurance, and devise a plan for Viserra's periodical visits. When he wasn't with the prince, Aleister was assigned as Viserra's protector to be a friend and ensure no harm came to her. The Undertaker and Kane were given their own tasks during that week. One offered assistance to the king and helped him reinforce his decision regarding Giuseppe, while the other provided comfort and guidance to Edith. Even more so when it becomes clear what she was giving up when agreeing to allow Viserra to go and requesting her son join them, too.
"Am I to attend the royal dance?" asked Allegra, the face of a sour lemon painted upon her features. She had not adjusted well to her demoted position or the loss of power. Even less so when those who were once friends avoided her now, always making excuses to get out of plans previously made. No longer was she a noble lady, and her father was no longer a knight. A few times in the past week, Allegra had contemplated talking to her mother again, Edith, the parent with all the power. If only she could stand a chance at regaining what she had unlawfully lost. But soon decided it wasn't an option. After all, everyone would know what she wanted, even more so when she had not been quiet about her displeasure about her new status.
"Indeed, everyone has been invited," replied Giuseppe, attempting to figure out how to regain his lost status and good favor with his estranged ex-wife and the royal family. After all, getting a high-standing marriage for Allegra and a wealthy life for her was all he had left outside his plan of weaponizing the knowledge of demons. Although even he'd admit that the second one would be long and nearly impossible to complete without the assistance of magic folk. "I had a gown made for you. I expect you to act as the lady you were and desire to be again. Remember to be in Prince Lucian's line of sight at all times, and if you are seated at the royal table, do not let them leave without you."
"Yes, father," replied Allegra, a mean-spirited smirk appearing across his features, her hazel eyes alight with malice once more. Her brother and cousin were to be at the royal table, and her mother too; it didn't take long for Allegra to convince herself that she would be at the head table. In the spotlight, where she believed she belonged. She soon walked through the Snow family home, her family's home. It was cold now; no love resided there, her mother was absent, her brother was finally gone for good, and her no-good cousin wasn't wandering around hopelessly.
Allegra's smile, however, only grew wider. With Viserra out of the way, her main competition for queenship was gone, or so she believed. She'd tricked herself into thinking there was no other that could capture her prince's heart, no other he'd want to be with; now Viserra was to be sent off to the distant kingdom to aid some old king in his twilight years.
"My task will be easily achieved," whispered Allegra as she approached the vanity against the furthest wall. Next to it, a door leads to a small closet, and the amethyst dress hung from a wooden hanger decorated with jewels and other elegant or natal details of gold. There was little doubt the dress was expensive, but it was fit for a queen, maybe. The last of its kind is if she fails in her plan to become Lucian's wife or at least marry a wealthy lord.
The moment Allegra sat on the wooden stall to her vanity, the smile she previously wore vanished. Thoughts of her cousin slipped through the fortified barriers she had built up over the years. Jealousy of the younger woman. Jealous of how she always had Lucian's attention growing up, even when Viserra all but avoided him. Jealous that a king wanted her now, too. Allegra had never thought her little cousin was anything special, just competition and a rival to defeat. Yet no matter what she did, Viserra always seemed to be the favored one who had the suitors, the future others could only dream about, and the future Allegra herself desired.
"How is it fair," began Allegra. She grabbed a handful of her curly chestnut hair and began to comb through it. Her mother wasn't around to help her this time. She had no friends to aid her now either, and her mother had paid the servants previously employed generously before reassigning them to her new property just inside the castle walls. For the first time, Allegra had to figure out how to do things for herself; only now did she wish she had listened to her mother and heeded the lessons she once tried to teach her. Maybe if she had, she'd be self-sufficient now.
After what felt like forever, Allegra finally managed to style her hair in a way she thought was pretty and elegant. She had failed many times, huffed and grunted at her reflection as her own hazel eyes of judgment turned upon her. It was a simple hairstyle: the sides were tied back and held in place with small flower clips, and the rest of her chestnut locks flowed freely, cascading down her shoulders and back. She soon turned to the dress, deciding to fix the flower crown and makeup after putting the gown on. If only to save the hassle and time of redoing it all again.
"What color dress will Viserra wear?" asked Allegra to the empty room. She knew every other woman in the city would also be readying themselves for the dance. The noble women would have mothers and servants to help them. The lowly ladies would have the skills to handle everything on their own. Yet, still, her thoughts turned to her younger cousin, the guest of honor at the dance tonight. After all, it was no secret that the dance was meant to be Viserra's farewell party.
Surely, Viserra would be in a gown fit for the queen she was destined to be. A cruel huff of laughter escaped her soon after, imagining her little cousin dressed in the powder pink color she hated so much. Although Allegra knew that would never happen, too many in the royal household adored Viserra too much.
"This was your great-grandmothers," came the voice of Giuseppe, a look of pride painted upon his features in the place of his usual scrawl; he always had softness when it came to his precious daughter, the apple of his eye. "She'd want you to have it, for luck at least," added the former knight, opening the small box to reveal an old but well-kept jewelry set. Earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet, all with diamonds and pearls set into the ornamental designed gold.
Allegra could only gasp when she saw it, recalling her nana's stories about the jewelry set. It was an heirloom passed down through the Snow family, given to the eldest daughter or wife of the eldest son on their wedding day. She'd always dreamed of wearing the set and looked forward to her wedding day for that reason. Now, it was in front of her; she could only grin. Finally, she had something neither her brother nor cousin could take from her. Something that was finally worthy of her.
"It's beautiful," stuttered Allegra, reaching out to touch the diamonds that sparkled in the room's light and the sun setting beyond the dusty window. The color and style would go perfectly with her dress and the finer details stitched into it.
"And this to go with," he added, pulling the arm previously tucked behind his back out. In his hand was a small golden tiara with clear and purple gems. It was nothing to write home about, but it went perfectly with the rest of the jewelry set, and the gems' purple matched her dress. Silently, Giuseppe motioned for his precious daughter to turn; while she did, he gently placed the box containing the jewelry set and the tiara down upon the twin bed in the center of the small room. He soon reached for the necklace, carefully threading it around her neck so the centerpiece rested elegantly on her chest and collar.
The next piece he picked up was the earrings. Carefully, the disgraced knight hooked them through the small pierced opening of each ear, allowing the leaf design to dangle. After that was the bracelet. The clip of it was rugged with age, stiff and awkward to open, yet still, it hung beautifully from Allegra's bony wrist. The tiara was the final piece; carefully and with gentle guidance, Giuseppe placed the combed ends into Allegra's chestnut hair, ensuring it was secured before adjusting the crown upon her head.
Once finished, a prideful smile appeared on his lips once more. His little girl was all grown up now, a woman grown and ready for the next stage of her life—ready to be a wife and, dare he hope, one day, a queen. It saddened the former knight; over the previous week, he'd lost all he had, from his estranged wife to the fortune he once enjoyed. All he had left now was Allegra, and now he was truly seeing that she, too, was ready to fly the nest. She prepared to leave him and start the next adventure life had in store for her.
"Perfect," said Giuseppe, momentarily forgetting the plan for the night. It was just the two of them, father and daughter: a princess and her guardian knight. For a short moment, Giuseppe's mind wandered to Valentine Devitt, Viserra's father. He wondered if Valentine would have been the same with Viserra if he'd been happy she was to rule the underworld as the legendary demon queen. He asked if Valentine knew what his bloodline would one day bear if Edith did. "Whether you succeed or fail, remember I only ever wanted you to be happy," added the father of two, letting his guard down for a moment, allowing his true passion for his little girl to shine through.
"I want to be queen," whispered Allegra. She had dreamed of one day ruling the kingdom, of calling the castle home, of falling in love and living happily ever after, of having a love of the prince, children of her own, and an army of servants at her beck and call. It had been her childhood dream; after all, what little girl didn't want that fairytale happy ending?