Seliel's POV

"You look stunning, your Highness. I'm certain the king of Trummeria will be smitten," the woman finishing my hair compliments me as she takes a glance at me in the mirror.

"That's what I'm afraid of."

Today is the day I've been dreading. A man twelve years older than me is coming to see if I meet his standards to be his bride, and I've been forced to doll up for the day. My lungs crushed in a corset to give me the perfect hourglass shape, I struggle to breath as I look at my dress. It's a teal dress with a significant v neck that hugs my body before flowing out at my waist. It is covered in silver accents that match with my necklace and earrings. To make it all even better, it feels like I'm wearing pounds upon pounds of makeup.

"I'm sure you will like him. I've heard that he's quite the charmer," she attempts to reassure me. "I, for one, would give anything to be in your shoes."

"It isn't all it's cut out to be," I sigh.

Suddenly, there is a knock at the door to my room. My heart quickly speeds up, about to beat out of my chest as my throat tightens. "You may come in," I manage to answer.

Cole opens the door, his expression completely blank. "The king has requested for you. The king of Trummeria has arrived with one of his troops. He wishes to meet you," he dryly delivers the message. My eyebrows slightly furrow at his demeanor.

"I assume you will be escorting me?" I stand up, brushing off my dress.

"Of course, Princess," after taking one last glance in the mirror to situate myself, I take my spot next to Cole, closing the door behind me before we start to walk.

"What's up? You're acting off," I immediately ask him, looking up at his hard features.

"This is all so wrong," he states. "I was supposed to have found a solution to this whole conflict by now, but I still can't find the last couple of pieces..." he runs a hand through his long, raven hair, tugging on it.

"No, no, no, you are not blaming this on yourself," I stop in my tracks. "I know you want to protect me from everything, but expecting to single handedly stop a war is delusional. Don't blame yourself."

He stops too, turning back to look at me. He starts to open his mouth before hesitating and closing it. "I need to. The moment he sees you, he's going to fall in love with you. He's never going to let you go if he can have you."

"What makes you say that? You can't be sure. Maybe I can scare him off," I suggest, trying to create some scenario where I can get out of this unscathed.

"You're gorgeous. Everyone who sees you wants you," he gives me a small smile as his eyes slightly gloss over. My heart starts to swallow me whole, and when I open my mouth to say something, he clears his throat before he starts to talk again,"We have to get going, the king will be outraged."

"O-of course," I try to regain myself, hustling back to his side. "Will you stay with me throughout today? I don't want to be alone."

"Anything for you, Princess."

"What do you plan on doing to stop the war?" I quietly ask him.

"It's better that you don't worry about it. I'll make sure you don't get hurt in any way, don't worry," he informs me.

"I want to help," I sternly respond. "I want to put myself out there for my people."

Cole looks at me, meeting my eyes and sighing. "No way."

"Come on, you're the one that's been training me to fight, and besides, this is my future. I want to have some control in what happens," I say with conviction.

"No. If you knew the players in this war, you wouldn't be so prepared to join. Elemental powers are no joke, and as soon as someone without them gets caught in the crossfire..."

"Elemental powers can be protective, too. They aren't always destructive," I interject. "Plus, the same thing could be said about yourself. How are you going to protect yourself without powers?"

"I have my ways; I've been training for a long time," he answers while giving absolutely no information.

"Everyone told the master of water that she couldn't harness electricity to power things, yet she did. I can do that but with the war."

Cole sighs. "And where exactly is she now?" I stay silent, knowing well that she got captured. "Look, I'm not trying to hold you back, but I know that you would get hurt, and I couldn't live another day if I knew that I could've prevented it."

We reach the towering gold door that leads to the throne room, and the reality of the situation kicks back in. I reach out to Cole's hand and squeeze it. "I just really don't want to leave, Cole. Please, please don't let me leave."

"Trust me, no one is going to take you away," he states firmly. His surety reassures me, allowing me to recompose myself before I let go of Cole's hand and open the door.

Only three people stand in the room: my father, a man covered in armor, and a different man in fancy attire. With a crown atop his head, he wears clothing that is clearly from another realm in colors I have never seen before. As we walk closer, I take note of his slicked back black hair and green eyes.

"My my, I take it you are Princess Seliel?" he places a hand over his heart, kneeling before me and placing a light kiss on the back of my hand. "I am King Stefan Alpin of Trummeria. Wow, you truly are a beauty."

"Thank you," I awkwardly respond, unsure of what to say.

"Wow, I am a lucky man," he stands up on his feet. "And who is this?"

"I am her personal guard. The princess's safety is of great importance to the kingdom, and considering Ninjago's track history, the king thought that she needed one," Cole explains, his voice and face both even.

"Well, I thank you for all that you have done to protect my Seliel, but while I am here, your services will not be needed. I can protect my own fiance," he explains, gesturing to the hilt of his sword. "I am the best in my realm. You may do something else."

"I would be a lot more comfortable if..." I start to speak up, but my father quickly interrupts me.

"Cole, you are dismissed. I am sure some of the new recruits are in dire need of your help."

"Are...are you certain, your majesty?" Cole asks, hesitantly looking between me and the door.

"If King Stefan says he can protect Seliel, I believe him. He is our ally, after all."

My eyes wide slightly as Cole bows. My stomach floods with dread. "Of course, my King. Do not hesitate to call for me."

He turns, shooting me a look full of remorse, before walking out of the door, gently closing it behind him. As soon as he's gone, I start fidgeting with my fingers.

"I must attend to matters regarding the war, so I will leave you two to converse. Seliel, please show King Stefan around the castle. I'm sure he would enjoy a tour."

---

"Wow, your garden was magnificent! I had no idea how many unique plant species Ninjago has," he exclaims as we walk down a hallway on the way to the kitchen.

"It is pretty. I prefer the courtyard, though," I answer shortly, not too invested in the conversation.

"That place with the giant stone slab?" he questions, confused.

"It's called vengestone. The courtyard has more history than anyone could imagine. It's like a time capsule," I briefly go into my fascination towards it.

"Vengestone? I don't know what that is."

"It's not important. The courtyard just has a cool vibe. That's all," I shrug.

"I see," he hums before looking on the walls. "What are those?"

"Lights. They're an invention that illuminate a room by heating up a small thread of metal using electricity. I don't know if you know what that means, but oh well," I try to explain.

"Do you think that you could teach the scholar's how to make them once you arrive in Trummeria?" he asks, attempting to slyly wrap his arm around my waist. I quickly yet subtly find a way out of it, sneakily twisting free.

"Ummmm...maybe?" an awkward silence quickly falls over us.

We walk brainlessly through the hallways of the castle. His presence makes me nervous, and I wish I could just have some personal space right now. King Stefan is all over everything Ninjago related. Whether it is our plants, architecture, politics, or people, he is overly enthused. I can't wait until I can get a break from him.

"That man earlier, how long has he been your personal guard?" the king asks, breaking the silence

"About 2 years. All princesses are given one once they turn 16 to prevent an assassination. I personally think it's overkill, but it's been practiced for over 600 years, so why change it now I guess?" I share.

The king nods, seeming like he's trying to intake all of the information. "Due to the assasination of that one princess all of those years ago, yes? While I'm not well versed in the history of Ninjago, that news sent shockwaves throughout all of the realms and is noted in every history textbook in order to deter people from becoming complacent. The kingdom became so reliant on their elemental masters that when the elementals turned, the kingdom couldn't catch them nor defend themselves, a true pity," he shakes his head. "What is to say the current system is not complacent though? If this system has been in practice for 6 centuries like you said, it clearly hasn't been critically analyzed considering times change rather rapidly. No system should stay in place for over 200 years, but who am I to criticize it? I just wouldn't trust my daughter with a complete stranger. That's all," he takes a sip of the Trummerian beverage in his left hand.

"Even if it isn't necessary, my safety is never in question. Cole is amazing at his job. He is the best non-elemental fighter in all of Ninjago, and he always makes sure that I feel and am safe," I defend him.

"I would imagine you'd say that," he sighs, shaking his head.

"And why is that?"

"You're clearly in love with him. It's a tragedy really. I didn't want to steal you from anyone, but I guess I must," he looks off into the distance. "Can you show me to your private quarters?"

"My bedroom?" I check, taken off guard, yet I'm happy at the change in subject. When he nods, I respond,"Um...sure I guess. It's actually really close to here." Folding my hands in front of me to occupy them, I lead the way. "Were there no women to marry in your own realm?" I try to subtly steer the conversation away from me.

He laughs,"You could say that. Everyone was so...one dimensional."

"How can you say I'm any different?" I question.

"Well, that question alone is very indicative," he starts. "Just from our conversation, I can tell you're well versed in your realm's history, politics, and technological advancements. You aren't afraid to disagree with me which is very rare to come by. Although you are withholding a portion of it, you have a bright personality."

"That's a lot of interpretation from a first expression."

"I understand your hesitance to all of this. It's a lot to digest," he looks down at our feet right as I stop.

"We're here. I wasn't expecting a guest in here, so it's probably a bit messy," taking in a deep breath, I open up the door to my room.

"Don't fret over it. We will have a maid who will pick after you. I, admittedly, am quite disorderly myself," he follows me in and shuts the door behind us. I instantly stiffen up, the air feeling rather suffocating. Every time he mentions this other life, I freeze up. Once he notices I haven't joined him where he is sitting (on my bed), he pats the spot next to him. "Come here."

I slowly make my way over, leaving adequate distance in between us. "When are you heading back to Trummeria?"

"Tonight. I need to organize the troops to deploy here as soon as possible," he adjusts his collar. "I know you're averse to this whole thing, especially considering there's someone else in the picture, but I need you to know that I'm not going to give up on making you mine. You are a gem, Seliel, and you should be treated like a queen. I want to make you one," he places his hand atop mine.

"I'm doing this for my people, for the realm that I love above all. I won't instantaneously enjoy this whole situation," I say, shakily.

"I understand, but I truly believe that we would be happy if you gave us a chance. I'm sure everyone in Trummeria would love you if you went back with me," he interlaces our fingers. His hand is significantly smaller and softer than Cole's, so the feeling is beyond foreign.

"It would be cruel of me to leave the kingdom in a time like this," I try to think of an excuse. "No one would ever forgive me."

"I'm sure they would prioritize your safety over everything else. In fact, your father insisted that you should go back with me today until the war is over," he admits, making my eyes widen. "I said to give you another two weeks here, considering this all must be a lot to take in at once..."

"Wait what?" I stand up. "Two weeks?"

"Yes, he suggested that we should conceal your departure date from you , but I felt that you should know. He said you wouldn't be too upset though..."

"I'm leaving in two weeks?" my eyes are wide as everything starts spinning around me. I instantly jolt up, ripping my hand from his as I draw my hands to my temples.

King Stefan runs a hand through his raven hair. His hand reaches out to me. "Princess Seliel, everything will be fine..."

"Don't touch me!" I snap, recoiling away from him.

Suddenly, the floor lurches beneath us, trembling uncontrollably. The light fixtures on the wall rattle as trinkets shimmy off of my countertops, hitting the floor with an audible thud. Coming undone, my chandelier drops from the ceiling, shaddering on contact with my floor, a loud crash preceding the array of shards shooting out from it. Like little knives tearing up my defenses, the shards leave cuts across my exposed skin.

I lean back to try to minimize the damage, but as the ground rumbles under me, I lose my balance, falling backwards. I stick out my hands to try to catch myself, but the loud crack signals otherwise. A string of curse words escape my lips as an intense burning sensation envelops my wris. Tears force their way out of my eyes. The area immediately starts throbbing, and as I attempt to move it slightly, I let out a loud hiss of pain.

The ground freezes beneath us just moments after I hit the ground and the audible groans escape my lips. I instinctually go to grab the source of my pain, but I yelp as soon as I make contact with the skin. My mind starts to go fuzzy.

A loud bang draws my attention away from my wrist momentarily. When I look up, Cole is stalking towards me from his room where he just very audibly threw the door open. His eyes are watery as he hurriedly kneels down next to me as I try to fight my own tears.

"What hurts?" he chokes out, his protectiveness mixing with something else I can't pick up on.

"M-my wrist," I cry, using my other hand to lift my arm and show him.

His eyes inspect is closely as one of his hands cups my shoulder. His face is heavy, his lips weighed down as his shoulders slump.

"I'm so sorry," he apologizes, his voice nearly cracking on the last word.

"It's n-not your fault. N-not even you can..." I let out a hiss of pain, "...p-protect me from nature."

"We're going to the infirmary," he tucks his arms under me and effortlessly lifts me off of the ground.

"I can escort..." King Stefan starts, and Cole's face instantly turns cold.

"Go to the king," Cole growls, his words laced with venom as he takes me away.

The pain overtakes everything. The pressure of Cole's hand on my back, our closeness, the beauty of the building around me, it all turns into the backdrop of my searing wrist.

The only thing that catches my attention are the two words that leave Cole's mouth in a whisper to himself.

"Never again."

A/N Another chapter down!

Some more Coliel content, and now there is a time limit on everything. Cole has two weeks to stop the war.

Things are only picking up from here! Buckle up because we're in for a ride

Thank you all so much for everything! You're the best!