-Victoria-
I hadn't been this nervous since I was about to be kicked out of Pelmora. I was on my way to Professor Zekora's office. She was going to be taking me to Varezia. Azax walked with me trying his best to calm my nerves.
"You'll be fine," He assured me, "You're a princess. The people at court are practically born to just follow your lead."
"But what if I make a mistake?" I asked, "Or completely embarrass me and my father? What if no one wants me to be Queen?"
"They don't get to choose who becomes the next ruler." He pointed out, "And your father knows you are out of your element and won't expect you to make any grand statements."
"But what if-" I started to spiral again before being cut off.
"Just be yourself." Azax told me, "That will be more than enough."
Be myself. That didn't sound completely right. Being a princess, being royalty, had to take more than just being myself.
We arrived at Zekora's office to find her not alone. The headmaster stood beside her looking quite smug. Zekora looked anything but pleased.
"What's going on here?" Azax asked, eyeing the pair suspiciously.
For the first time in a while, he sounded every bit the prince he was. He was calm and firm. His presence filled the room in an instance letting everyone know he was the one with power. He wasn't just himself anymore. He was Prince Azax, future King of Aivoria.
"Ah, Your Highness," The headmaster said, clearly directed towards Azax, with a bow, "I was just informing Professor Zekora that I would be taking her place attending the Varezian Ball."
"Which means he'd also be escorting Victoria to the palace." Zekora added with a sour look.
"Was this 'new plan' approved by the King?" Azax asked with a scowl.
"No approval is necessary," The headmaster said, waving Azax off, "I am the headmaster of Pelmora and it is only right that I attend."
"I'm sorry," I interrupted, "But aren't you Aivorian?"
"Yes," Replied the headmaster, "What does that have to do with this?"
"Well, this is a ball for the royalty, nobility, and honored friends of the Varezian Kingdom to welcome their lost heir." I pointed out, "Are you any of those things?"
"Look, Ms. Victoria-" The headmaster started.
"Princess." Both Azax and Zekora snapped. They shared a look and came to a silent agreement. Zekora lightly bowed.
"She is Princess Victoria or Your Highness to you, Headmaster." Azax told him, sternly, "Best not forget her new station."
"Of course," The headmaster said to Azax before bowing to me, "Forgive me, Your Highness."
"She is also correct." Azax continued to address the headmaster, "You are not a Varezian noble or considered a friend to their kingdom. I'm to be married to Princess Victoria and I'm not even welcomed at this ball."
"I understand that my Prince but my position as headmaster of Pelmora-"
"Is more important than being the Crown Prince of Aivoria?" I said without even thinking.
All eyes flew to me. My own widen with shock at what slipped out of my mouth. Zekora and Azax barely contained their proud smirks while the headmaster's jaw was practically on the floor.
"I believe the point has been made." Azax said, straining to regain composure, "You will not be attending, headmaster, and Zekora will be bringing Princess Victoria as planned."
"Well, now, wait-"
"Unless you wish for me to contact my father and King Udel over this matter." Azax threatened.
That seemed to scare as he stood up straighter.
"No need for that," He assured, "Enjoy the ball, Professor, Your Highness."
With that he swept out of the room. Azax turned to me and pulled me close. Sealing our lips for a kiss, I felt all my worries fade away. When he pulled away I felt lighter than I had all day.
"Just remember to be yourself." He told me with a smile before leaving.
Just like that, my worries returned. I turned towards Zekora with a sigh.
"Ready to go?" She asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
"I guess." I said, taking hold of her hand.
In an instant we were standing inside another office, near identical to the one we just left. I looked around confused. Zekora laughed at the sight.
"I may be one of the King's best friends but I am not royalty," She explained, "I can't just teleport into the castle."
"Oh, then how are we getting there?" I asked.
"Very discreetly." Zekora said, opening her front door to reveal an ornate gold and red horse drawn carriage surrounded by guards and spectators.
"That's not very discreet." I mumbled.
"Just smile and wave." Zekora instructed me.
So that's what I did. Or rather what I tried to do as I walked from the door to the carriage but it felt wrong. No one was waving at me or smiling. They were all just watching. They didn't know what to make of me. I was just as confused as them.
I was happy to enter the extravagant carriage. It hid me from the crowds. Zekora sat across from me, once again staring at me suspiciously. I wanted to ask her what was bothering her but I didn't. I just watched the crowds as we made our way towards the palace.
We passed through this massive stone wall into the main courtyard of the palace. Neatly manicured lawns and shrubs with stone pathways and fountains. The palace itself was taller than I thought it would be. Soaring spires and elegant archways covered in the Varezian colors and shield.
Waiting for us at the front was my father, a neat line of servants and Ustrea. The footman helped Zekora out and then assisted me. I gave a shaky curtsy to my father who gave me a bright smile in return. He pulled me in for a tight hug.
"Welcome home." He told me as I returned the hug.
"Welcome home, Your Highness." The servants all said at the same time, bowing and curtsying.
"Thanks." I said, a nervous smile on my face.
"These will be the servants of your household while you are at the palace." My father informed me, gesturing to the gathered servants, "If you need anything, one of them will get it for you."
"Right, well, it's nice to meet you all." I told them, causing a few of them to share puzzled looks, "I hope we can all get along."
"And of course you know your half-sister, Ustrea." He gestured towards Ustrea.
"Of course," I nodded, "It's nice to see you, Ustrea."
"Victoria." Ustrea said.
"I hope we can put the past behind us and get to know each other." I said, putting on my best friendly smile.
"Sure." She said with a clearly fake, sickly sweat smile, "I'm sure we'll be the best of friends."
"Great." I said, hoping the fake sentiment would someday be true.
"Anyway," My father called attention to himself, "This is Suni." He gestured to an older servant who step forward, "She'll be your personal servant and will show you to your room."
"If you'll follow me, Princess." Suni said with a bow.
I followed Suni through the doors and into the front entrance of the palace. Behind me I heard angry whispers. I looked over my shoulder to see my father reprimanding Ustrea. She looked sad and I felt awful for putting her in this situation.
Suni led me up and up. Higher into the castle we climbed. Just when I felt like my legs were going to fall off, we arrived at a single room. Suni opened the door, allowing me to enter.
The room was deceivingly large. Pressed against the back wall was a king size four posted bed with red curtains draped around it. There was a small sitting area near the fireplace and a table with two chairs looking out a window.
There were two doors next to each other. One led to a large closet with a vanity and racks of clothes. The other led to the bathroom with a huge tub placed in the floor making it look like a jacuzzi. Off to one side was a shower and a smaller room containing the toilet.
The most impressive feature of the room, was the view. Walking out onto the balcony, I swear I could see all the way to the forest surrounding Pelmora. The vast city surrounding the palace and the farmland around that. The sun was beginning to set and the sky looked like it was on fire. I couldn't wait to see the sun rise in the morning.
"His Majesty thought it best that you take dinner in your room tonight," Suni informed me, "He thought it best considering the stressful day you've had."
"Oh, ok." I said.
"I will return, feel free to explore the palace grounds but the King does ask that you not leave the grounds unaccompanied." Suni told me.
"I think I'll just wait here." I told her with a small smile.
"Very well, Your Highness." She bowed before leaving.
I sighed. Alone for now, maybe I can figure some things out. I flopped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Before I could even generate a thought, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in?" I said, unsure who would make the climb up here to see me.
In walked Ustrea, her face neutral. I stood up immediately, straightening my clothes.
"Ustrea." I said, nervously, "What brings you here?"
"I've come to apologize for my behavior," She said, "It was unbecoming of my position as Princess and no way to treat the heir to the throne."
"Thanks, and I'm also sorry." I said causing her to look at me shocked, "I kind of just appeared and took your whole life and it looks like you haven't caught a break since I got here. I just want us to have a fresh start, as sisters."
"Sisters?" Ustrea said, "Seems like a bit of a stretch."
"I know it will take some time but I hope we'll be able to move forward," I told her with sincerity, "I'm kinda new to all this and I could really use some advice."
"Advice?" Her eyes lit up with excitement, "Will actually use my advice?"
"I mean, as long as it's good advice." I told her with a shrug.
"No!" She came close to me, a serious look in her eyes, "If you want my advice, you have to follow it exactly."
"Ok." I told her, taken about by her intensity.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Remember, they are all beneath you." She told me, standing taller, "From the servants to the nobles. The only one who stands taller is the King himself and only for a while longer. Every other person is no better than the dirt on your shoe and you should always treat them as such."
As she finished, she had the wickedest grin on her face. I couldn't help but think how terrible that advice was. She quickly pulled me into a hug as I just stood in shock.
"See you tomorrow." She whispered before disappearing.
"Now that was some terrible advice." A voice said from behind me.
I jumped sky high as I turned around to see Zekora sitting on the end of my bed.
"I thought you couldn't do that in the palace." I said, attempting to slow my heart rate.
"I can't teleport into the palace but I have permissions once I'm here." She told me with a shrug.
"That would have been good to know." I said.
"Seems as though there's a lot of things that would be good to know." She said, "And all of us are just confusing you."
"Yeah." I agreed, "I just don't know whose advice is best. Clearly not Ustrea's."
"That's true," She said, "Lucky for you I happen to know someone who has had great success in developing helpless royals."
"Who?" I asked.
She held out a green crystal for me to take. I took it from her curiously.
"Focus your magic into the crystal and it will connect you to the person on the other side." Zekora told me, "I'll leave you to it."
With that she disappeared. I did as instructed, slowly pushing my magic into the crystal until it started to lightly glow. I looked up to see the ghostly form of someone standing in the middle of the room. Someone I knew very well.
"Mom?"