Starlight pricked her ears, overhearing the familiar sound of the palace bell.

It's time.

She flew to the castle with Eclipse right behind her, transporting baskets of fish. They dropped the baskets next to the Riverling kindergarten and took off again, this time approaching the palace. When they arrived, dragons of all shapes, sized, and ages were gathered in the large garden.

Aromas of flowers and spring-time charged the air about them. Starlight flew up to a pedestal in the center of the garden, where her father and her sibling already stood. Her father was cloaked in a velvet robe that dragged behind him, he had their mother's obsidian amulet draped around his neck and a crown of gold-dipped wildflowers in his talons.

Her sister looked at Starlight with a grimace. She had shards of sapphires, almost like scales, covering the faded and scarred spots of scales, making her shimmer in the setting sun. She had more sapphires glued above her eyes and rings stuck on her talons. She already looked like a ruler.

Starlight, on the other talon, looked no different than a peasant, save for her pure white scales. She wore nothing but a single golden band on her wrist that Eclipse had granted her a few years ago. She stank of the river and fish market, since she and Eclipse had taken a break and traded some fish for a few squirrels. Unluckily, this meant that she also smelled of squirrel. Starlight regarded this and her scales tinted a light pink.

The king lifted his snout into the air and the kingdom fell still. Not even the birds in the nearby forest chanced to sing their songs.

"My subjects," he started. "today is a long-awaited day, for my daughters have come of age. 118 years ago today, both of my magnificent daughters hatched." He tilted his head to Starlight. "Princess Starlight" He looked at his other daughter. "and Princess Twilight."

The crowd below them seemed to lean in closer, zealous about who he will choose. The king took a deep breath before he began to vocalize again.

"Both daughters have the right to be queen, and it troubles me to choose between them." He turns to Starlight, nearly in tears. "Starlight, my daughter, do you swear to uphold the duty of this monarchy and protect your kingdom no matter the cost?"

She nodded, her face serious. "I do."

"Do you promise to do what YOU feel is right for the kingdom."

"I do"

"Do you promise to always be kind and loyal to your subjects?"

"I do."

"Then it is declared!" The king smiled at his daughter, setting the golden crown on Starlight's head. He faced the kingdom, raising his voice proudly. "I have given up my authority to my heir. I will now live among the common peoples. All hail Queen Starlight!" And with that, he dropped his head to his new Queen.

The crowd followed, bowing their heads and giving respect. Starlight looked over the crowd of bowed heads, then to her sister, how had remained standing. Twilight's eye was filled with bitterness. She ripped off her jewels and threw them on the ground, she walked past Starlight, shoving her to the side.

Twilight muttered something as she did. "You're dead."

She spread her wings and took off to the forest. Starlight felt something awful come over her body, she shook it off and dismissed her subjects.

"Let's hunt!" She shouted. "Let's fish! I'll get the best palace drinks! Let's feast!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd wailed in excitement. The hunters and fishers got to work right away, producing dozens of baskets of meat and berries. The dining hall was filled with streamers and food and drinks. The musicians grabbed their instruments and performed lovely music.

Everyone showed up to the party, save for Twilight.