The day of Dolores's coronation finally arrived.
Everyone was dressed extravagantly, and even the maids looked like royalty. The castle had been lavishly decorated, and the ballroom was fully prepared for the celebration that would follow.
Delvin sat before his mirror while Sheila combed his hair.
After observing the palace maids and studying the hairstyles of the nobles, she had become quite skilled at styling hair. By the time she finished, Delvin's hair looked impeccable.
He examined himself in the mirror and smiled.
"Nice choice," he said. "Although, why are you still wearing a maid's dress?"
Sheila tilted her head.
"I am Your Majesty's personal maid, am I not?"
"It's your coronation too," Delvin replied. "Being a little extravagant wouldn't hurt. And a crown would suit you."
He stood and walked toward the dressing room.
Opening the door, he motioned for Sheila to step inside.
Curious, she obeyed.
Inside stood a beautiful gown, carefully displayed and prepared.
"What is this for?" Sheila asked in surprise.
Delvin chuckled.
"A better question would be, who is it for?"
He leaned against the doorway.
"Try it on. I think it's far more suitable than what you're wearing."
With that, he walked away.
Sheila stepped closer to the gown.
It was black.
Of course it was.
Delvin seemed incapable of choosing any other color.
Black crystals and intricate beads spiraled across the fabric from the neckline to the hem. Long flowing sleeves draped elegantly from the shoulders, and a magnificent cape completed the design.
She quickly changed into the dress.
Just as she began struggling with the zipper, two maids entered and assisted her.
Once finished, they bowed and quietly left.
Sheila stepped out of the dressing room.
The room appeared empty.
Delvin was nowhere to be found.
She walked to the window and watched servants preparing the royal carriages for the journey to the temple.
She was so focused on the scene outside that she failed to notice Delvin's return.
Nor did she notice Stel beside him.
The pair were laughing and chatting as they entered.
Stel carried a bouquet of red roses.
Both stopped when they saw Sheila.
Stel gasped.
She slowly approached her sister.
Bathed in sunlight, the dress looked even more breathtaking.
"Oh, Sister," Stel said softly, "you look amazing."
Sheila smiled.
Her attention shifted to a small box resting on a nearby table.
Delvin removed the cloth covering it.
Inside rested a magnificent golden crown adorned with black diamonds.
Only then did Sheila realize that the cloth he had removed was actually a veil, embroidered with gold along its edges.
Stel immediately set down the bouquet.
"Your Majesty, allow me."
She carefully lifted the crown.
Delvin smirked.
"After today, we will practically be family."
He folded his arms.
"You may call me Brother."
Stel bowed her head.
Then she turned toward Sheila, who had taken a seat on a nearby stool.
With surprising care, Stel placed the crown upon her sister's head before draping the veil over her.
When she finished, she stepped back and bowed.
At that moment, two maids entered the room.
They bowed deeply.
"Dragon Consort, your carriage is ready."
Sheila rose and bowed respectfully to Delvin before following them outside.
Three royal carriages waited in the courtyard.
One belonged to Dolores.
One belonged to Sheila.
The third carried Delvin and Stel.
Once everyone had boarded, the procession departed.
By the time Sheila reached the courtyard, Dolores had already left in her carriage.
Neither Delvin nor Stel had seen her all day.
After several hours of travel, the royal procession arrived at the Dragon Temple.
Immediately, Sheila's carriage and Dolores's carriage were escorted to separate sections of the temple.
Meanwhile, Delvin and Stel were guided through the main entrance.
Dolores's rites began first.
She was led into the Chamber of Sacrifice and instructed to kneel before the sacred altar.
There she swore an oath of purity.
Afterward, she was taken to a sacred pool within the temple.
She entered the water and continued walking until it completely submerged her.
When she emerged, she was handed a black dove.
Escorted into the central courtyard, she walked to the center of the ceremonial grounds and released the bird into the sky.
A great gong sounded.
One of the priests stepped forward.
"All hail the King's Dowager," he proclaimed.
"Lady of Purity and Truth."
Every priest immediately bowed face-down upon the ground.
Together they repeated the proclamation.
Meanwhile, Sheila's ceremony was proceeding very differently.
She was bathed in sacred perfumes and incense.
Then she was instructed to dance before a colossal statue of the Dragon until the sun stood directly above the temple.
Only then was she dressed in a heavier ceremonial veil.
A group of priests escorted her into the most sacred section of the temple.
The first curtain was drawn aside.
Then the second.
Then the third.
As the priests reached for the fourth curtain, a deep growl echoed from beyond it.
The priests froze.
Immediately they dropped to their knees.
A dark voice emerged from the shadows.
"Do not come any closer."
A black cloud began circling the group.
"Let the woman stop here."
The voice deepened.
"She is not worthy to wear my crown."
Argon, who stood among the priests, smiled inwardly.
Drawing a ceremonial sword, he cautiously approached Sheila.
As he advanced, he began chanting sacrificial incantations.
But just as he reached for her, the dark cloud surged forward and positioned itself between them.
"I never said she was without purpose."
The cloud swirled violently.
"Leave her."
The voice echoed through the chamber.
"Keep her as the Palace Sanctuary Vessel."
A brief silence followed.
"Her blood is not fit for sacrifice."
The cloud slowly retreated behind the curtain.
The priests immediately stood and bowed toward Sheila.
All except Argon.
His face twisted with frustration and anger.
The ceremony ended abruptly.
Sheila was escorted from the sacred chamber and changed back into the clothes she had worn earlier.
She was then informed that she must remain hidden for the remainder of the temple ceremonies.
By afternoon, Dolores had been dressed for her official presentation.
She wore a flowing white gown.
Silver jewelry adorned her wrists and neck, while a delicate silver crown rested upon her carefully arranged hair.
A white veil completed the ensemble.
As she entered the courtyard, ceremonial horns echoed throughout the temple.
Everyone present bowed.
Including Delvin and Stel.
Dolores approached her brother and gently placed a hand upon his shoulder.
"Rise, Your Majesty."
She smiled warmly.
"I may be the King's Dowager, but I am not above your authority."
She helped him to his feet.
Then both siblings looked around.
Neither could see Sheila.
Delvin immediately summoned one of the temple servants.
"Where is the Dragon Consort?"
The servant bowed.
"She was rejected."
Delvin's expression darkened.
"She has been designated a Vessel of Divine Energy. She must remain pure for the rest of her life and reside within the palace."
The servant bowed again and departed.
With little else to do, Delvin, Dolores, and Stel returned to their carriages.
When they reached them, they found Sheila already waiting.
Without discussion, they began their journey back to the palace.
Far from the temple, Belinda walked cautiously through a dark village street.
The night was unusually quiet.
It is far too dark here, she thought.
She squinted, searching for the house she had come to find.
Then she noticed a faint orange glow.
A single candle.
She smiled.
Only one person would choose to live in such a place.
Belinda approached the house and knocked.
After several moments, the door creaked open.
An elderly woman stood in the doorway.
She was bent with age and trembled slightly as she moved.
"How may I help you?" the old woman asked.
"I seek Noria."
Belinda revealed a sacred seal hidden within her robes.
The old woman's eyes widened.
Without another word, she stepped aside and allowed Belinda to enter.
Once seated, the old woman began chanting.
A cauldron materialized between them.
"What do you seek, great daughter of the Dark Witches?" she asked.
Belinda folded her hands.
"I wish to know what forces oppose me within the palace."
The old woman passed her hand above the cauldron.
A strange blue liquid slowly filled it.
Then she plucked a strand of Belinda's hair and dropped it into the brew.
Thick vapor erupted from the surface.
Shapes formed within the mist.
A woman appeared.
She possessed ten arms and wore a dark hood that concealed her face.
The old woman stared into the vision.
"This," she said quietly,
"is your enemy."