Chapter 1 Lotus Celebration

❄ Snow ❄

“You are going to kill me!” Snow yelled, struggling to escape.

“No… I am not!” Lamille assured her while the sounds of crushing leather was heard.

“rg! Stop pulling it that’s enough!”

“I almost got it, just a little!” Lamille pulled and the last bit of slack snapped taught as the small corset sealed close around Snow’s waist. “There we go all done!”

“How.. am I.. supposed to breath in this thing!” Snow complained.

“Geez Snow it’s not that tight stop being so dramatic.” Lamille waved her hand up and down sarcastically.

Snow was looking at herself in the ornate standing mirror.

“I hate dresses.”

“Why look at you, you look very gorgeous sweetie.” Lamille was an elf who was also their house maid and the one responsible for getting Snow ready for the big Lotus celebration.

“Is there really going to be thousands of people?” Snow asked curiously.

“Why yes, this is a huge celebration for your family dear! The lands of Lucredia never had a high queen before, It is a really big deal! You should be more excited! Your mother has long strived for this.”

“Hard for me to feel anything right now with this dress.”

“After the speech and gift reception I’ll sneak by and do away with the corset, think you can handle it until then?” Lamille offered out of sympathy.

“Deal.”

“Now hurry, we are running out of time, I’ll walk you to the line.”

The spider shaped entrance hall acted as a center of the palace since it connected to all parts of the castle. A long royal rug surrounded by tall decorated pillars split the hall in half running from the throne room to the main entrance while two sets of curving marble stairs gave shape to the corners of the hall. Snow was descending the steps and could see her older sister Gravis waiting on the presentation line just before the castle exit doors. Gravis seemed to be the first one here.

“Hey Gravis!” Snow greeted her older sister.

“Where the hell are Lussuria and Lilly?” Gravis huffed with frustration. Gravis’ foot was tapping on the carpet in a nervous rhythm. Perhaps Gravis was just nervous about the presentation where the chattering of a large crowd could be heard outside.

“You know how Lussuria is, she always needs to make sure her hair is perfect. She won’t be late though.” Snow joked.

“Well, she is late, and I do not want to suffer mother’s wrath on her account.” Gravis complained, crossing her arms.

Soon enough, Lussuria was seen descending the steps with Lilly. The two younger sisters both strolled onto the presentation line alongside them.

“Why such a troubled face?” Lussuria asked nonchalantly of her older sister, looking at a silver hand mirror and rechecking her appearance.

“Today isn’t the day to be late Lussuria, mother would have our hides just because you had to make sure every strand of hair was in its proper place!” Gravis tried to scold Lussuria.

“What can I say, I insist on perfection. We are presenting ourselves in front of thousands of people my dear sister. Why would I not make sure my appearance is pristine? Stifling beauty is hard to upkeep, apologies if you can’t comprehend.” Lussuria said with her chin held high and smugness dripping from every word.

“Oh really? If only punctuality was included in your ‘pristine standards’.” Gravis glared at her, before tilting her head sideways. “Say, what was the point of taking that long if the top of your hair is still way off centered?”

Lussuria reacted urgently, lifting the mirror to assess the comment. “What! Where?! It looks fine to me!” Lussuria exclaimed, frantically moving the mirror left and right, double checking all angles.

Gravis took a step up to her. “Here, let me help you.” And then ruffled the top of Lussuria’s head, ruining her ‘perfection’. “There, all fixed.” Gravis smiled devilishly.

“Gah! How could you!” Lussuria jumped away, desperately trying to comb it back into place with her fingers.

The conversation was cut short when Brutus, the head butler, gave them the signal to get ready. “Girls it is time.”

“Ready to go?” Snow asked them.

“No, how could I be ready now?!” Lussuria fumed.

“Too bad, let's go.” Gravis declared, grabbing her arm and dragging her into position.

“Yippee!” Lilly cheered following along.

They walked up to the doors.

Snow couldn’t help but feel her heart race. She took a deep breath and walked forward along with her sisters, as the guards opened the large iron doors before them.

The first thing they saw was a cloud of red and white pedals that filled the air, along with the roaring of a large crowd. They stepped in sync over the crimson rug between two long lines of knights that framed the path and made their way to a raised platform, giving them a view of the sea of cheering people. The crowd stretched from the front of the castle all the way to the old district and even atop some of the buildings. Gravis, Snow, Lussuria, and Lilly bowed together like they had practiced and took their positions on the platform.

“hm, I can’t even see the street.” Lussuria noted.

“Yay! That means lots of gifts!” Lilly exclaimed, her body shaking in excitement as she waved.

This crowd was so large, and all just for her mother? It made Snow think, maybe all those stories of heroism were not as exaggerated as she thought.

“Shush, Mother is about to make her appearance.” Gravis got their attention.

An ensemble of horns started to play and like magic, the crowd fell silent. The queen was about to make her appearance. When the horns died down, the castle doors reopened, revealing High Queen Deamonia. All flags and banners were raised at her appearance and the crowd erupted with an even greater roar. The queen gracefully walked down the line wearing a sleek white dress embroiled with gold, her royal mantle trailing far behind her. Her white hair and blue eyes signified her status as a ‘frostblood’, the reason for her legendary moniker: ‘Frost Queen.’

High Queen Deamonia took to the stand and with a wave of her hand, a perfect sphere of ice materialized, glowing softly as it hovered in front of her. The crowd settled down once more and she began her speech, the orb glowing brighter as it projected her voice.

“Today, is a special day. Today, we celebrate turning a new page in the book of our world by the ending of that bloody and ruinous war. For the longest time, we’ve been at each other’s throats. For the longest time, we only cared about each other’s land, food, magic and wealth. We lived in a world where soldiers, pillagers, rapists, and murders were more common than the common man. Is that the life anyone wants to live? Is that the life anyone wants for their children? No! During my reign as high queen of this land, We have ended the war that ravaged every corner of our world. We have protected the Insect Marshlands’ sacred primordium. We have made peace with the angels so that travelers need not fear being snatched to the sky. We have ended the century old conflict with the elves. We have supported those towns that are on our frontiers who gave us much during their booms and received nothing during their droughts. We have created an economic golden age right here in Regalia.”

The crowd cheered.

“My family and I were blessed by the Goddess herself and with the power of our great frostblood we work in Her name and in your honor to ensure that we all prosper no matter what race, affiliation or beliefs you have. We give our hearts and thanks to everyone who is here today, as well as those who are no longer with us. We love you, we bless you and we will always continue to serve in the name of the Goddess! For Regalia!”

The crowd roared.

The speech went on for a few more minutes where the queen explained her goals and plans for the next few years.

After the speech was over it was time for the gift reception. The royal family would receive gifts and contributions from anyone, mainly the major noble houses, and ambassadors.

Snow was seated at the royal family’s table in the throne room which was placed just before the final steps to her mother’s icy throne. Snow sat in her usual spot right next to her mother, along with her sisters.

There was a line leading out of the throne room, consisting of people from all races: Insects, Mountaineer Republicans, Elves, and lords from all the highest influential houses.

“Lord Vassir of Regalia!” Brutus announced the Lord as he presented himself in front of them. The lord bowed gracefully and presented his gift: a large praefectus chess board made of glass that sparkled against the light with its alternating squares of black and white.

“Your majesty, my house would like to present this handcrafted praefectus chess board made of the finest materials to you and your family. May you find enjoyment in it.”

Snow leaned forward to get a closer look just as Lussuria, who seemed to be too busy messing with her hair took notice of the gift as well. “Oh?” Lussuria said in earnest, the board caught her eye.

The queen took noticed and smiled.

“That’s very nice, I appreciate the gift and something as simple as a board game is much appreciated in these times of peace, let us enjoy ourselves and find time for hobbies and pursuits unrelated to violence. My daughter Lussuria would love it.”

The noble brought the gift up to Lussuria and she examined it. Her eyes roved over every inch of the board.

“Superb craftsmanship Lord Vassir, I’ll be sure to get a lot of practice on this. My thanks.” Lussuria thanked the lord and accepted his gift.

“Following guest please!” Brutus shouted, his job as head butler ensuring he kept this process as smooth as possible. The castle may belong to the royal family, but it was his domain to manage as long as he was head butler. He ensured all social functions flowed smoothly and uninterrupted

The next person came forward. It was a lord from the Mountaineer Kingdom, he looked a lot more serious than the last.

“Lord Meadows of the Mountaineer Kingdom!” Brutus declared. As a half dozen slaves brought forward a litter that contained a large box, once dropped a thud was heard throughout the entire room. Lord Meadows opened the box revealing a pile of gold.

“This is all gold? How much is in there?” The queen said as she leaned forward.

“50,000 pieces of gold. Your majesty.” He stated as subtle murmurs filled the room.

“That is a lot of gold Lord Meadows, more than a gift would merit.”

“Your majesty, This cache is a collective offering of appreciation for several high Lords of the Mountaineer Kingdom, I ask you if I may share a message.”

“What is your message, Lord Meadows?”

“Please reconsider your upcoming ban on slavery, the use of slaves is a primary source of revenue for the republic, it allows us to function, it allows us to provide well above the tax percentage you expect of us, it gives both of our countries economic flexibility and prosperity.”

The queen scoffed, looking away for a moment.

“I appreciate the generous gift Lord Meadows, however I do not appreciate the lobbying of legislation during my family’s gift reception. That would be no different than taking a bribe. Actually, I feel like I should be offended that you would think putting your message at the tail end of a sum of gold would change my stance on a matter this prevalent.

“My sincerest apologies if you found offense, I just feel like this was too important to us as a nation to wait for an official discussion. This is no bribe.”

“This is no bribe? it certainly isn’t a gift. Petition maybe, yeah, I’ll leave it at that. In that case I reject your petition.” The queen leaned back and waved her hand. “Please escort Lord Meadows out of my home. Return his gold as well.” She said as guards approached him.

“Please your majesty, This will cause great disturbance! I only wish to bring light to how dependent we are on this!”

“Next!” Brutus yelled as the guards escorted him out.

As the day went on more people from various regions and races brought their offerings. Snow looked at her sisters and saw that behind each of them laid a mountainous pile of gifts. She then looked behind her own chair and saw nothing but the polished floor. She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes, beginning to rest her head on the table before she felt a strong pull on her arm from her mother.

“Sit up.” Her mother whispered; her voice no less imposing for its lowered volume. But still, she felt it’s discontent.

There was only one thing worse than not receiving a single gift while your sisters received many, and that was being forced to show thanks for receiving nothing.

After the final gift was received Snow and her sisters rose and bowed, giving thanks while wishing good health and success for all.

And now the real hell begins: high society mingling.