hispers flooded the room like ragged waves, the voices and chatters hitting the walls and ringing in my ears. The souls and auras spread in front of my eyes were overtaken by consternation, curious stares studying me from my head to toe. And for a moment, I felt my spirit willing to flee, to hide far away from those scrutinizing eyes and calculating minds. For a moment, I was scared. Scared of not being enough, scared of never being up to the task the Gods gave me.

But I let it not show.

Because hidden behind a mask woven of steel and ice were my fears and doubts, only showing to the courts the face of a worthy queen. And a powerful, fearless leader.

"Silence," I said, my voice commanding yet soft and fit for a lady. And as I ordered, silence did not only dawn on the room but had taken over each and single being. Even their thoughts paused, their auras stopped flickering like clacking flames.

Noting that neither Ramos or the King made a move to speak, I continued, taking my seat back with all the grace I could muster. All along, my heart was thundering between my lungs, but I held my head high. "I am aware you have questions, and I understand, but chaos has never been the solution."

"Indeed, chaos has never brought good as much as it has destroyed," said Father. "You ask, and we shall answer."

"My King," voiced Isal, taking the first word. "How did this happen?"

"It is an easy reply," affirmed the Court Leader, all attention turning to him. "When the demons attacked, late Queen Elena had already given birth, shortly followed by the business of the entire castle as the King was poisoned."

Ramos paused, and all attendees turned to the King, a brief muteness wrapping us. With a gesture of his hand, that muteness broke, all ears and minds drifting back to Ramos. Ever since the attack, it had been officially informed that, at any noble gathering, the mention of what happened to the King was always followed by a minute of respectful silence. Even as Father was back, Ramos didn't seem like breaking his law. A Sign of respect to his strength, I believed. And an honoring to my mother.

"But before the spies could make it to the princess and queen, Elena had already sent word to me, ordering me to send her child down to the world we call as Earth. Accompanied with the late queen's obstetrician, we saw as the princess was taken to safety. Is it clear, now, how our Highness has been safe all those years?"

"But it does not explain how none of us have sensed her strength. Even if on Earth, we should have picked its sent. Lysithea herself had thought her dead, how could we not had a clue?"

"There is always a hidden card, Claurod, and you know that best." Relaxing in his chair, head high and eyes commanding, Father talked, and no one dared not to listen. "My sun has never dimmed, and as my child and bearer of my mark, my powers could wrap hers, veiling their essences with mines. And when I could not do, Siltheres has never left his duties. As for Lysithea, I thoroughly doubt she didn't know of her existence, at least those past months as she had everything planned. Did she not? "

That question was left unanswered. All that echoed was, "The Dragon of the Gods!"

"Yes," I uttered, wondering if the lords and ladies would make it sane to the end of this gathering. The story was still in its beginning. "The Dragon of the Gods and my contractor, a beast created and sworn to protect me."

"By the five's grace!" still hidden behind my mask, I turned to Ayaz, his grass-colored eyes filled with the unspeakable of wonder. and of questions. I could see the queries in his soul, heard them before he spoke, but I waited until he asked, and I replied.

"May I ask, your Excellency, as what is your name?"

I met Ayaz's grass eyes, shoulders squaring as I rested my back against the cushioned seat. "You may, Sir. Celestia is the name I bear."

As my name left my lips, I sensed the slightest of flickers in Renva's soul. So faint it could not be felt for any other soul, especially not as her face was clear of any sign, also hiding behind her statue. I almost smiled; her nephew bore the same capability to hide the storms in his mind.

But I knew what ignited the flicker, and I knew a little more that, like her sister, she studied the lives of the Gods. and the life of the Late Goddess.

"From my perspective," started Perdiel, and I braced myself for what he might say. "We have heard enough. We all know what will follow now. You shall claim your throne, am I mistaken, your Highnesses?"

"You are not," I acknowledged, waiting for what he had next.

"I thought so. But I stand against."

The blast I awaited came crashing down even stronger than what I anticipated. I knew from the moment we entered he was going to object, but never did I expect his eyes to be so merciless as he talked, his soul so filled with ice.

"Living in a different world, you had not seen what Ardoria suffers from. You were never raised to be a leader. Tell me wrong, but did you know about this world before you came here?"

"No, I did not."

"Then how do you even have the grace to claim it as you are still a little inexperienced and oblivious-"

"I object." And for the first time that day, Leon spoke, his voice mildly commanding.

"Of course you do, Lord Leon." Something in Perdiel's tone made both Leon and Renva's fire awake with a desire to burn him alive. I wondered, in that moment, if he was one of the lords who refused that Leon ascended his mother's right. The idea was rather viable.

"But it is a fair court, so tell me, Shadow, why is it that you object?"

"Because, unlike you, Lord, my words are not born from lust of power," the Nevorian Lord's eyes were dead-locked with Perdiel's dark one as Leon's reply echoed in the heavy air. The Lady Reagent of Nevora turned her stares fully to her nephew, her face so similar to his, her eyes burning with a silent fire. And agreement, as though already knowing what words would evade his lips.

"I have known the princess since she has come to Ardoria, and I have watched her grow to be a leader of the strongest our world has seen. Mark my words when I tell you she has powers that could rattle the earthes and the skies with a blink."

"I object, too," said Carter, his tone intimidating like I had rarely heard it before--mainly when we were still at the Norm. "For I have also seen it. And mark my words as well, she is a leader and a queen that can make Dearcious crawl in his hell."

"She is a soul of virtues and pureness."

I smiled at Sorcha's words, a faint memory of when we first talked behind her throne playing in my mind. I waved it away immediately.

"She," joined Ramos, his eyes meeting mine, "is the Redeemer sent from the Gods."

And then, another wave of shock and stupefaction. But this time, it was stronger. Heavier. Louder. I could read it on the souls, in their eyes, could hear the whispers of their thoughts with an unwavering clarity.

"Is this true?"

"It is," replied Father, taking my hand in his. "She bears the mark, and both the sun and the moon obey to her wills. She is Aether's adored chosen."

"This is just a ridiculous mistake from the Gods! Why would they give such powers and responsibilities to a girl that cannot even bear the weig-"

"Enough, Perdiel. If I was you, I would weigh my words carefully. The Gods are listening, and be wary to mistreat their chosen. Celestia might be young, but no thought she has passes unheard to the Gods. Her prayers are always granted, and her enemies are always doomed."

Perdiel's face paled gravely, and I could swear I heard the slightest of rumbles echoing in the seven skies. If ever, Father was right. The gods always listened, but they were not always pleased.

"Do you mean to say," he murmured, his voice turning merely hearable as he inched toward the table, "that she has theurgy in her blood?"

The rumble that I might have heard echoed once again, but it had become a crying thunder that tore the skies. There were no windows in the room, but I could feel the clouds obscuring the sun, the beginning of wrath growing in the firmament.The lord's face only lost more colors.

"Dear Gods above, Perdiel!" exclaimed Father, standing from his seat, his aura menacingly growing. The room had fallen to a heavy atmosphere the moment Perdiel had voiced his thought, and the heavens were not pleased. Not at all. "Do you not know it is fully forbidden to talk about theurgy? It is a sin to believe such thing ever exists, less to doubt if my daughter bears this trait."

Father's eyes glowered with a smoldering intensity, making Perdiel's soul shiver. "She is a queen that no whims would not be granted, but never the bearer of what displeases the Gods."

"Enough!"

The Smitheron Lord might have wanted to speak or to defend himself, but I cut it before it could happen. I was grateful for everyone's defense and objection, but it was time I stood for my crown.

"I might be a fool if you so desire to call me. A young girl that has only seen of this world what the Gods made me live in the past half and few of a year. But let me tell you this: what I have experienced in such a short span is far wider than all you have seen in your centuries."

I stared them each in the eye, assessing them, studying them, reading them. They were all open books, all of them careful in every breath they took. Good.

"I may not be raised to be a ruler since I was born, but I have been taught everything there needs to be taught, and more. I fell and stood once again. I trecked in the three continents, looking for what power the First King has left. I have fought demons, have seen life and death, cried and laughed. But, with all due respect, let me tell you that in the end, no matter what you say, or no matter how much you try to discriminate me, I know that Leander would not have bowed to me should I not be worth it. And that, alone, I consider it as enough proof."

My words died. I felt the sky brightening once again, but everyone's thoughts didn't. No one, not even Father and Ramos had known. But the King was right, there was always a hidden card. And it was sure it did its role, as Perdiel's powerful self was no longer.

"Forgiveness I beg, my Princess. It has not been my intention to insult you, I beseech condonation if I did. You know well that I don't have the right to deprive you of your birthrights, but I only wanted to do what is best for our lands. Your coming of age is sooner than what we can work with, perhaps assign the throne to someone more fit."

"There will be no reagents, Perdiel. Not your son and daughter, nor any of yours," made Father clear, looking at each for a few good heartbeats. "You have heard what we have, and as King, I say my daughter takes upon her throne. But your words do weight, so tell me, old friends, do you stand with the Armedes house, or against?"

"The Prelius house stands with."

"Both the Cardalyon and the Rocheguard do."

"The Shimdarian witch and the Court Leader stand with."

"I, also, stand with," said Ayaz, and I looked with a bubbling joy as each stood with us, rising from their seats, hand over heart, a promise to the crown.

I knew from the beginning not everyone would agree, and they didn't. Perdiel still craved power, standing against with a bunch of old men who, most likely, sought the same.

"The majority praises the Armedes house, and the Armedes house praises you. Now, it is the time we let our citizens know."

"Tell me, Aragon," said Ramos, a smile tugging at his face. "What is a better way than a royal ball?"

"I see none, and a ball it shall be. But time is tight, make it known that the castle opens its doors three night from today. And now, meeting adjourned, it has been a pleasure working with you again."

With that we all stood, the nobles bowing to the crown before we left, my father's words ringing in my soul through the always existing bond between our suns.

'You did well, my angel. Truly well.'