Serena breathed deeply as she entered the royal gardens. It was a sunny day, with a few wispy clouds streaked across the sky. She slowly walked down the path, lined with beds of bright tulips, and sweet scented roses. She passed beneath an archway covered with wisteria and stood before the large fountain she had seen yesterday.
      She looked up at the baby angel, with it's blissful, carefree expression. Sighing, Serena glared at it. It was lucky to be a statue. It didn't have to take boring lessons with an insufferable teacher every day, it didn't have to live up to other people's expectations, and it certainly didn't have to go everywhere with a guard babysitting it. Serena folded her arms crossly and slouched away from the fountain. She walked down a path and came to a balcony, overlooking ripe fields of grain, swaying in a slight breeze.
Sitting down on one of the stone benches, Serena pulled the left sleeve of her navy dress up and examined her tattoo. Much like her uncle's it spiraled up her forearm and blossomed in the palm of her hand, but instead of being orange, it was a crisp gold, glimmering in the light of the sun. The reason of her problems. The 'gift' she had never wanted.
     Serena picked up small flower on the ground at her feet. It was almost dead, it's petals shriveled and disfigured. She felt sorry for it, how it had been left to suffer. No one, not even a plant, should experience such a fate. She concentrated hard. Her tattoo began to glow, and the flower began to open, returning to its original health. Soon, it sat open in her palm as the golden light from her tattoo faded away. Tired but satisfied, Serena pocketed it. Only then, did she notice that someone was watching her.
     Hastily getting up and bowing low to the ground, Serena said, "Your majesty! I didn't notice you." She stood up and looked at him.
     Cornelius said, "I see Jacob wasn't kidding when he said you were powerful. You have an extraordinary gift."
Serena scowled and glared at her feet. "It's more of a curse than a gift. You have no idea how hard my life has been."
Cornelius replied, "I bet it has been. Walk with me?"
"What?" Serena looked up at him with surprise. "Walk? With you?"
"Of course." Cornelius smiled slightly. "I'd love to know more about you."
"Okay...." Serena walked up next to him and the two set off. As they walked, she told him all the things she had learned. Cornelius listened with an eager expression on his face, doing nothing but nodding. Soon, Serena finished telling him about her latest lesson, and noticed they were standing in front of double doors. Cornelius pushed one open and walked into what looked like a study. Tall bookshelves reached up to the ceiling, filled with books scrolls. Two windows let sunlight in opposite the door behind a large oak desk, covered with a variety of scrolls and inkwells. Cornelius walked over to the desk and sat down. He gestured to a chintz chair, indicating that Serena should sit down. She sat, examining a scroll with neat, slanted writing. Cornelius hid it from view with his arm  and said, "Just from the Sapphire Province's governor."
         Serena nodded and kept on looking around the study. Her eyes rested on a large red book on a wooden podium in the corner. Cornelius said, stroking his chin, "I see you have spotted my copy of  The History of the Alpulari. Only three volumes exist. One in the city's monastery, another in the great library in the Diamond Province, and the last in my possession." He gazed fondly at the book. "Fascinating, how much the Alpuari affected the Empire's history. Without them, my great great great great grandfather wouldn't have ruled, nor would I be here today. Speaking of Alpulari," he turned and looked back at Serena. "I am in need of one's assistance."
        Serena looked at him with a questioning expression. "But," she said confusedly, "there are none, except for......." She trailed off her heart beating slightly faster. "Why would you need my help? I'm just a kid."
"A very powerful kid," Cornelius said, his eyes gleaming, "One with talent, not yet reaching its full potential. If you agreed, I could have one of the best Alubi teach you, so you could be rise up above the rest, helping me, helping the Empire to grow strong. You could be remembered as the great Alpulari, protector of the innocent." Cornelius stood up and looked down at her. "All you have to do would stay here."
Serena shook her head slowly. "I can't," she muttered, standing up. "I have a life. A family. My aunt and uncle-"
"Why would you go back with them?" Cornelius hissed, his face wild, "After they treated you like a two year-old, unable to look after yourself? You could have everything if you stayed with me. You could have freedom."
His words sank into Serena. She began to imagine what a life of freedom could be like. No guards following her everywhere and tutor who actually had powers. But she would be in a house of strangers. Serena made her decision and shook her head. "I'm sorry, your majesty," she said, standing up, "But I can't stay here."
          Cornelius's expression darkened. He quickly changed his face and nodded. "Well," he clapped his hand together and stood up. "Dinner will be soon, so you'd better go wash up." He clapped Serena on the shoulder as he walked past her and headed out the door.
         Serena slowly followed him out of the room. She looked back at the red book, sitting in it's corner. A history... Of people like her. The temptation was almost too great for Serena too bear. No, she thought, pushing the book out of her mind, I don't think he'd want me to read it without permission. She shrugged and strode through the door.