8 Years Ago

"Your father has asked you to see him, my lady", Leonard tells me.

"But I don't want to see dad right now", I pout at my bodyguard in return.

"I wish that could be possible, but since he's the king, it's law that we obey him".

He grimaces, then helps me up from where I'm sitting on the floor. Sighing, I take his hand and turn off my tablet. As we walk towards the throne room, I ask him,

"When's Rayden returning from the Parbats?"

"I don't know, because your brother's unpredictable. He may take weeks more even though he's expected in a few days or so", He shrugs, keeping his hand close to his revolver. Leonard or Leo as my brother likes to call him always remained vigilant whether we remained in the castle or not.

"I miss him, but don't tell him I said that. He'll make fun of me for weeks."

Leo smiles, "By the way, I'm sorry I missed your birthday. Your present has arrived, though. It's in your room as we speak."

My eyes light up as I squeal, "Thank you, Leo. But you didn't have to get me anything."

He gives me a playful glance, "Hey, it's not every day the loveliest princess in the world becomes a teenager. Are you blushing, Estelle? I didn't know you had a humble bone in your body".

My eyes narrow, "Be grateful you can turn into a snow tiger. Otherwise, I wouldn't even talk to you".

"My my, the thirteen old kitty has claws", He smirks.

I try to pinch him, but he steps out of my way easily and stops me with a warning glance. I become serious again as we enter the throne room. I look at my father and give him a hesitant smile. He just nods at me as he always does. My good mood instantly falters, but I put on a Stoic expression.

My feelings plummet as I look at lord Caverly standing next to the platform. He sneers at me in his awful way that immediately turns my blood cold. I look at my father again and curtsy,

"Hello Father, you wanted to see me?"

He doesn't reply, but just stares at me, his eyes empty of emotion. I smile again, hoping that he returns it. When he doesn't, I swallow the hurt that rises up inside me. It's always like this as far as back as I can remember. Behind me, I feel Leo step a little close to me, and I send a prayer of thanks for him.

"News came from the Parbats today" Caverly shrugs as if this is of no importance, but my heart leaps at his words. After spending weeks not hearing from my brother, I can't wait to see Rayden again. I try not to look too eager as I wait for him to continue.

He doesn't.

My father speaks at last, but his words make me stumble as my world shatters around me.

"There was a massive avalanche and unfortunately Rayden and his fellows were caught in it. There were no survivors."

I feel Leo stumble a bit as I ask my father,

"But surely Rayden lives, doesn't he? He's the prince of ice, everyone says that. An avalanche couldn't  hurt him. Did you send a rescue team?. He must be alive. He has to be"

My voice breaks.

"We cannot afford a rescue mission right now. It will be a waste of resources", He then dismisses me.  I turn away, tears streaming down my face, and walk towards the doors. Halfway through, I turn to face him and the words tumble out that have haunted me forever,

"I will never be your daughter"

I see him rise up in fury, but tears blind my vision as I run towards my room. Stopping just outside my room, I look up as I feel a hand gently rest on my shoulder. Leo looks down at me, his face drawn with lines of sorrow.

"I'm sorry, Estelle", he whispers. He kneels down, and I throw my arms around him.

"Rayden was my best friend", sobbing now, sob as I tighten my hold on him. We both stiffen as soon as we hear the unmistakable oily voice of Lord Caverly,

"We need you for a task, Leonard",

Leo stands abruptly as I loosen my hold and steps in front of me.I hug him again, pleading him to not leave me. He gives my hand a squeeze and looks directly at me, his eyes trying to convey something,

"I'm sorry, Little kitty, but I have to go".

I shake my head, not willing to part with him, not wanting him to leave me here. He just turns away and starts to walk towards Caverly. I watch them both as they turn around the corner. Leo looks at me one last time, and just like that,

He leaves.

When I enter my room, I'm momentarily surprised to see a medium-sized box on my bed. Moving forward, I unwrap the bindings. Gasping in awe, I stare at the most beautiful gold armlet I have ever seen.

I peer at the little note attached to it.

Rayden helped me pick it out, He said to not tell you, but I thought you'd like to know. Look at the inscription closely, little kitty.

I blink back my tears as I examine the exquisite piece of jewellery. In beautiful cursive, It states,

A piece of jewellery fit for a Queen, A reminder that you can rattle the Worlds, A hopeful wish to remake the realms, A token of love.

I clutch it closer to my heart as I fall down on my bed, wishing with all my being to prove Rayden right. Wishing for him to be near me. I close my eyes, swearing that when I'm ready,

 I'll burn the world with the fire that has ignited me.

Present

I looked up from my phone to see a hand waving in front of my face.

"Estelle"

I replied, "Yeah, what's wrong?"

"I have been calling your name for 15 minutes, and you have been on your phone the whole time".

"Right, sorry, what were you saying?." I replied distractedly.

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Yes, of course I am". I said to my best friend.

Lena still looked at me suspiciously, as if she was not sure whether I was saying the truth.

"Fine", I said, putting down my phone, "You have my undivided attention".

"Thank you"

When she did not continue, I made a moving motion with my hands, as if to say that, go on. She started to speak, but stopped as soon as we heard a knock at the door. I called "Come in", and Elijah entered looking distressed.