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C H A P T E R    S E V E N

Opportunity is a haughty goddess who wastes no time wit those who are unprepared

-George C. Clason

Hiding under a bed was not something, in all my years of existence, that I expected to be doing, yet here I am, under my very own bed, with twenty guards surrounding it. The alarms stopped ringing hours ago, but the guards declared it wasn't safe until after a couple more hours.

For the first hour and a half, I was fully alert. Whenever any guard cocked his gun, I'd crouch down, ready to bolt out of here, but I didn't need to, at least not till now.

After the second hour, I gradually became a bit dull and bored, until I noticed the tiny glimmer of my aquamarine dangling on the edge of my mattress.

I silently reached for the box, but while stretching my knee sank on the wooden floor and made a very obnoxious creak.

"Everything alright, Your Highness?" I saw the knee of a guard bend down.

"No, No, No! Everything's quite fine. Just... stretching. Stiff joints from spending hours in such a cramped space." I fumbled with an excuse. I did not move until I saw the guard's knee straighten, and gave one big reach for the box, which to my horror, unwrapped itself and fell on the floor with a giant THUD, and rolled near the edge of the bed, half exposed and half hidden.

At the sound of the box falling all guards jumped to their position, guns cocked and fingers on the trigger, aiming at the bed.

I awkwardly poked my head, "No, No. Just me again. Hehe, stretching..." I slid the box back in slyly. "Apologies." with that I went back under the bed, not waiting for their reactions.

I tried examining the box for clues, after putting on my pendant of course, there were various designs of Gryphons, the sacred animal of Terra's, Sea serpents, Hydro's sacred animal, Pegasai, Spira's most admired animal, and Phoenixes, Pyro's soul animal.

The gold rims were slightly faded, and the metal lock was rusted to the core. The size of the lock was huge, but the keyhole was tiny, which made me wonder how small the key could be, and how easily it could have gotten lost. Maybe it had been dangling in the box and fell off somewhere along the way.

●・○・●・○・●

Suddenly the door was broken open, there was a giant crash as it fell on top of a stool. "Send Her Highness to the Grand Hall, the council wants to speak with her." I quickly wrapped up the box and placed it back at the edge of the mattress, deciding not to keep my pendant along with it.

I think I need more good luck than an old box.

Four guards walked with me, two in the front and two at the back.

"Why are there attacks?" I asked. "There's always one every month or so."

"We don't know, Your Highness." One said gruffly. "After the northern wars ended, we thought we were finally ridden by them, when they first attacked after the wars ceased, we assumed it was a rebound from the winter raids, but now the council thinks it's because they're simply unhappy."

"So they attack us?" I asked, horrified.

Another guard replied instead. "When people aren't happy, they express it. And this is the rebel's way of expressing it." he shrugged as if nothing could be done. "It could also be those filthy Ambers, but we all know how terrified they are of us."

I didn't feel safe here, how could I possibly rule under threats? But I kept my mouth shut while the guards laughed their heads off at the Ambers expense.

●・○・●・○・●

"We are advancing the date of the coronation." was the first thing I heard Katricia say as I ran towards the grand hall, with The Colonel, magically, beside me.

Padgette was evidently against this idea. "We cannot! The coronation is supposed to happen exactly 23 days after the Silver Moon ceremony, in three days' time. We cannot simply change rituals that have been passed on for centuries!"

"Did you see what just happened? 20 almost died and over 50 casualties! Let's not forget the amount of guards we lost in a span of three hours! What if they got to Her Highness Willow? We'd lose everything we are working for. The rebels are getting restless, we are vulnerable without a ruler!" Katria argued back.

"But Princess Willow isn't even close to finishing her royal studies, she still has to complete battlefield training, History and Law."

"I think she is fairly capable of finishing all this in three days, The coronation will have to happen after the Ceremony."

"Of course not! The poor girl has already got so much on her plate, she's still settling in, she needs time."

"We I'm afraid that's something we lack. Her duty is to serve her kingdom, and Mithalore needs her now more than ever. We've gone too long lying to our people and managing things ourselves. The kingdom will start a riot if they find out how long we've kept the death of their King from them. She needs to have a coronation the day after the Silver Moon ceremony." Katricia said in finality.

Padgette looked at Patrik for assistance, but he sadly shrugged. There was nothing they could do.

"We could find her a King then." Henri walked in, with two guards, one of them being Conroy. "Let her finish her studies after her coronation, and if she can get betrothed as well, then we can let the King handle the kingdom till she is done with the rest of her studies."

"No!" I blurted. "I mean, really, getting my powers, becoming Queen and Marrying a prince? Isn't this all really a lot?" I reasoned with them. "Can't we wait for the marriage until after?"

Henri sighed. "Only if you can manage studying your subjects diligently, you'll have three days to complete as much as you can; Battlefield, History and Law. You can complete the rest when you're Queen, I suppose, but it'll be hard to manage the kingdom and your studies." he looked at me, expecting me to refuse, when he saw no sign of any such thing he continued. "But if you can, then we can postpone your marriage, I suppose. As long as you get married eventually."

"I don't want a king." The thought of a man I am bound to my law, made me want to puke. "Can I have, like, a Prince consort or make Mthalore a Queendom in my reign?"

Patrik looked directly at me. "All the Queens before you have given up their kingdoms to their kings, I'll admit, it has caused driftes between the both of them, but it is tradition. The Queen of royal blood must give her kingdom to her king."

"Then what's the point of a Queen?"

"Your subjects must know that you are a part of the royal bloodline, one in a couple should be, how else can they be declared ruler of their kingdom if they have no proof that it's their kingdom to rule?"

I sighed. "But... if I can finish most of my subjects, I don't have to marry a prince so soon right?"

Patrik nodded, "But that will start tomorrow, for now everyone must rest after this tragic incident, though a minimal amount of lives were lost, it is still a life, and every life is worth thousands. The wounded are in the infirmary. All the families of the lost souls will be given letters of their wonderful service here and all royals, including the council, are to be sent back."

Katricia nodded. "Guards will be sent to do the final check of the castle, dinner will be served in your room, Your Highness."

Half of the guards left the room, Henri and Conroy walked towards me. "The Coslitus family is safely in their chambers, I think it would be a very thoughtful thing to do if their host could check up on them." Henri whispered in my ear.

"Take her to the Beaufort chamber." Henri ordered Conroy, who nodded, before I could even form a reply.How could they noy give some comfort to me? I just witnessed a rebel attack from the underside of my bed when people died.

Death. The only true fear of an Ivory, but not for an Amber, to them death was as good as Ivory torture.

"I tried talking to that nerdy prince." he whispered as we walked through guards. "Found him sitting outside reading some book as usual. I tried talking to him, but he outright ignored me!"

I rolled my eyes. "He's a tough nut to crack. But, if he's not talking, there's a lesser chance he'd tell anyone." we turned through a hallway.

"How was your trip to the library? Got what you wanted?"

I sighed, thinking about how much Ryke could have helped me. But now, I don't think I'll ever have the time to find out about my mother, too many things are happening at once, and when I'm Queen, it would be much riskier finding out about someone who I'm not supposed to know. Maybe secrets were always meant to be secrets.

"Not really, I met the chief Historian, Ryke Laurance, he gave me some information." Like how my birth mother never existed. "But I couldn't ask him more, the guards took us away because the rebel attack started."

Conroy actually looked upset for me. "Oh well, I mean, when you're Queen, the library will be yours, literally, you'll own the castle and everything in it." I gave him a sad smile, if only it were that simple. It will never be, everything simple in my life disappeared, along with myself.

●・○・●・○・●

"Ah! Princess Willow. The guards kept us in our rooms, everyone is alright, non?" Queen Rosalie dove straight into the interrogations, before I could even curtsy. "We heard the alarms, c'était bruyant, very loud. We just came from our tour for a break, and suddenly guards were pushing us to our chambers!"

Lucas got up and kissed my fingertips, "Comment allez vous?"

I hastily took my hand back from his grip, after the talk at the grand hall, I don't think I'll ever be the same with royal boys again.

Everyone gave me expectant looks, waiting for me to say something. "Everyone is fine." I assured them. Except for those poor people who died. But I dont think right now is the time to be talking about death, Queen Rosalie looked more forlorn than ever. "The council is currently making sure everyone is taken care of and well settled. They have also made some swift decisions, which will be informed soon. The guards are doing final checks around the castle, and dinner will be brought in your rooms." It felt nice to be incharge, being an Amber never let me have this opportunity.

"We know first hand how hard it is to cope with such huge losses of lives. The Coslitus wars have been going on for years now, and there is no sign of stopping, the bloodshed, the pain, it's all a part of life." Her eyes were deep in nostalgia. "You live, you die, and sometimes the latter is much earlier than you hoped it would be."

Queen Rosalie put a hand on her heart and sighed, the mist in her eyes cleared, now filled with the presence of day. "Dieu merci." And then she looked right and left. "Pierre? Where are you?"

"Here. Maman." he said as he walked out of his closet, clothed in a formal shirt and suspenders, he looked dashing without his crumpled old sweater, that's for sure. "I was changing for dinner."

Queen Rosalie waved her hand. "There is no need. We are getting Dinner served in our chamber." Pierre threw his hands in the air and went back to change out of his formal attire. "My what a lovely necklace!" Queen Rosalie pointed to my aquamarine necklace.

I twiddled with it between my fingers. "Thank you, I found the gem, lying around, and asked my maids to make it a pendant. It acts as a good luck charm."

"Ahh. In Coslitus, we do the very same thing, but they are in the form of rings. In every marriage, the groom would buy a special ring with an Opal gemstone that would bring good luck for their marriage."

I gave her a tight smile. Again, marriages. "I had no idea."

●・○・●・○・●

After saying my goodbyes, Conroy and I left their chamber, towards my own. "Dad wants me at the compound, to re-demonstrate the positions if there should be another rebellion attack." he said dully.

"Why are there attacks? I read last month that there were three."

Conroy shrugged. "Power is at the price of peace."

He left towards the compound, leaving me stunned at its double meaning.

I opened my chamber, to find a brown covered package lying in front of my door, picking it up and a note fell out.

I hear you'll be needing these. We'll talk later.

R.L.

I tore open the package to see two books pop out SILVER MOON CEREMONY 101: YOUR GUIDE TO THIS ANNUAL CELEBRATION. I smiled at Ryke's thoughtfulness, and took out the second book. AN EXTENSIVE GUIDEBOOK TO THE 4 IVORIAL POWERS. I chuckled to myself, I guess I have the next few hours booked.

I brushed my hand over the cover page. Breathing in the smell of a new book, not one from a dusty old library, one that was used, one that was valued and not left to rot. These were the books I prefer, books that truly made you whole.

The silver ceremony is an auspicious day in the Ivory calendar, marking the day our transforming young adults finally grow their own set of wings and are given their powers. Every power has a unique ability. Pyrokinesis, the power of heat and fire. Spirarekinesis, the power of wind and sky. Hydrokinesis, the power of ice and water. And Terrakinesis, the power of rock and earth. These are the four elements our world was built upon, and so was the Ivorial society.

The ceremony begins with the dance under the silver moon, an ancient dance that was said to bring the rain that would grant us, Ivories, our powers. The rain is the most sacred part of the ceremony, this rain cannot be termed as rain, it is in fact drops of the silver moon itself.

The powers are then received, once a single drop falls on the head of an Ivory, a flame burns revealing their ability, their permanent mark as an Ivory. After taking an oath, they are then free to explore their new powers and learn to manifest them.

I closed the book. Their permanent mark as an Ivory. I'm not an Ivory, but no matter how many times Isay it and wish it was true, it wasn't. I was indeed an Ivory, I was an Ivory my whole life, I've grown up amongst the Ambers, experienced firsthand the struggle and the pain, I must be the first ever Ivory to do so. I grabbed the second book and decided to learn more about the Ivory powers.

All Ivorial powers are branched into two forms. Pyrokinesis includes the Power of Fire, creation and manipulation and also the Power of Heat, such as light, electricity and lightning creation and manipulation. Spirarekinesis includes the Power of wind, creation and manipulation and also the Power of Skies, night and day, stars, moons and sun manipulation. Hydrokinesis includes the Power of Water, creation and manipulation and also Power of Ice, snow, crystal creation and manipulation. And lastly, Terrakinesis includes the Power of Earth, creation and manipulation and the Power of rock, lava, earthquake creation and manipulation

The Powers of Heat, Sky, Ice and Rock have become exceedingly rare in recent times. Hardly one in 8 million receive such a kind of ability.

All powers are limited to one's capacity, and generally defines them. Pyro's, for example, are bold, tough and short-tempered, of course, he or she may not be so before being granted their powers. Spira's are generally calm, but resistant to any forms of rationality, Hydro's are ruthless and manipulative while Terras are mischievous.

"Your Highness?" Henri's muffled voice called from behind my door. "Sir Patrik has requested your presence." I closed the book and opened the door.

The maids pushed past me and into my chamber, Olive included. "Get her dressed. Quickly!" Henri clapped his hands and the maids followed his orders. Soon I was decked up in a lavish gown and makeup, without so much of a curtsy or greeting.

"The council has decided to announce the coronation to the kingdom, and you are to be present." He informed and struck out his arm, in which I looped my own arm into as the maids pushed me out of the chamber.

"Today?" I asked, my nervousness settling in.

"Of course, there was an attack, the first one this month, we can't give false hope to the kingdom, so we;ll give them new hope."

False hope. Something Ambers promised themselves everyday, something Ambers clung on to just as a way to keep their heads above the water and away from drawing into the depth of Ivorial betrayal.

I nodded my head and kept going.

This was the day. The day the entire kingdom finds out, especially my parents. Would I be able to talk to them freely now? I don't have to live in secret anymore, except for the fact that until the ceremony I'm an Amber, probably the first ever Amber-raised to become an Ivory.

"Willow, I trust Henri told you why you were called?" Patrik greeted me, he wore his best suit and tie, Katria wore a long gown and Padgette wore one of the same but a different colour. Colonel stood nearby, along with Mrs. Quinn, who I hadn't seen in a long time.

"Ready?" Katricia asked me. "Sorry if we're rushing things, but we've wasted enough time with all this, it's either now or never."

I nodded, trying to ignore all the pressure that's weighing on my shoulder. I wanted my cloak, the one that kept me hidden, now I was being exposed, bare. Not even Mother or Father was there with me for support, just a council of Ivories, willing to do anything to make their kind content. "I'm ready."

Patrik walked towards a balcony that faced outside the castle. I took a peek through the curtains and inhaled a breath. Right outside were crowds of thousands of citizens of Mithalore, all cluelessly wondering why they were gathered here. The printing press was set up to type the important details for the Ambers at home, it was always like that, only Ivories were allowed in the compound, and even if it was printed, it cost a fortune, more than an Amber could afford. I gulped, I hope I won't have much to do or say.

Henri put a hand on my shoulder. "It's starting." I let out the breath I took in and stood behind everyone.

"Kingdom of Mithalore! Welcome!" I was not yet out on the balcony nor was Henri, but everyone else was, I was supposed to walk in when Patrik called my name. "I have some news to share with you all, I'm afraid it isn't the good type... King Alexandro IV was tragically killed during one of the rebel attacks."

Louds gasps and yells were heard, I was surprised by how Patrik lied so smoothly and that everyone believed him. It made me wonder how many times he has lied to us while I was an Amber.

"It is indeed sorrowful, but mourn not for this dead king, for he has joined the many others that have ever generously served us the past centuries, he has been rewarded with all he has offered for this kingdom. King Alexandro was a King that will go down in history with the rest of the faithful kings who have served before us! He may not be present here." He pointed at the compound. "But he will always be present here." he pointed at his heart. The crowds were moved at his speech and claps erupted.

"But Who will rule us now?" A lady from the crowd yelled. "He has no children!"

"Fear not Mithalore, For he has had one lost child, a girl who could be the future salvation of the kingdom. King Alexandro IV Vaclare has a daughter, taken in and raised by the lower Ivories of our society, Willow Quill Declare the daughter of late King Alexandro IV!"

Henri took my arm and together we burst into the balcony. Even louder claps were heard and there was a lot of joyous praise. It was funny how they did not question whether King Alexandro IV had a wife or not, or the fact that the Palace has no proper security which led to the death of the King in this so-called rebel attack.

"Wave and smile." Henri whispered and I did as I was told. I gave one big smile, and waved to all the eyes that met mine. They were still clapping and yelling praises. I locked with a few gazes, praying that they could not see the lies I had turned into a mask and the hide I was wearing to shadow my past.

Patrik raised a hand and the compound fell silent. "But we have further important news, As you know there was a rebellion attack a few hours ago."

The devastated gasps returned, it was like Patrik was the puppet master, the Ivories were the puppets, blindly following everything Patrik had to say as he was the spokesperson of the King.

"But nothing tragic happened this time, with the Silver Moon ceremony is three days away, and the Ambers have set everything up for the celebration-"

No thanks to any of you. I thought.

"-we have decided to advance the date of the coronation to the next day."

Now people started yelling.

"But that's not how it goes!" I man yelled

"You can't break a line of tradition!" another yelled.

"Supposed to be after 23 days, you dummy!" A child yelled. I had to stifle a giggle at how bold he was to question the head of the Royal Council

Patrik raised his hand again and the crowds quieted. "I agree, this was a rather quick decision but has been thought a lot upon, with the rebellion attacks and wars on the outskirts of the kingdom, TMithalore is at a vulnerable position without someone to rule."

"But she's just a kid, not to mention a girl! How can she help us at all?" A voice shouted and yells of agreement followed.

I shut my eyes, I had just been standing here for two minutes and everyone already hated me.

Patrik raised his hand again, "She has a lot to learn, but she is capable. King Alexandro left the kingdom in her hands, and I assume he has seen something in her that he hasn't in anyone else, after all she is his daughter."

The crowds seem to agree with this. "On behalf of the entire council and Her Highness, Willow, I'd like to invite you all to the ceremony and coronation, as well as the party after. Have a good day Mithalore!"

Claps and roars of congratulations filled the compound, I smiled. How was Patrik able to control these wild beasts and manage to turn them from hating me at one second to loving me the next, that was Politics, lies, control, power and hidden intentions. It was how I was supposed to rule.

I turned around and followed Henri out.

"Will this mean I'll be able to write to my parents now?" I asked Patrik eagerly. "Everyone knows who I am anyway, so I don't need to be kept a secret!"

"But you being raised an Amber must be kept a secret, I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait until the ceremony, when you become an Ivory."

I frowned, "But then... how can I explain all this to them, what if they don't approve? I can't just turn up as an Ivory Queen and expect them to understand."

"Well, I'm afraid they must, neither you nor they have a say in this." He said bluntly, and then looked at me with sympathetic eyes. "I promise you, we can let them live in one of the guest chambers and become permanent members of the castle, they can be pulled up to become an Upperclass Amber, anything so that they keep your past hidden from the kingdom."

I was about to reply when three guards burst through the door and ran toward Patrik. "An Amber girl is causing Havoc at the gates. She broke thousands of the ornaments for the Silver moon celebration and has been trying to vandalise castle property. Says she's a friend of the Princess." The guards looked at me.

Bree. Oh no, she must have been in the selling grounds and saw the whole announcement.

"Well, have you taken her ID and suspended her yet?" Patrik asked impatiently.

"Burnt it to ashes, I did." a Pyro officer replied. "Even burnt her goods, but she isn't stopping!"

"Well then just-"

"NO!" I yelled and looked directly at the guards, "Take me to her. NOW!" I ordered.

Katricia and Padgette looked horrified at my outburst, Patrik and Henri shared a look. "Take her." Henri nodded to the guards. And I stomped after them as they led me to the gates.

●・○・●・○・●

"BREE!" I ran towards her. She was standing near the gates being held by two guards. Her knuckles were bruised, which explained both the guard's bloody lips.

"Willy?" She looked around until she caught sight of me and gave one big shove to both the guards with so much force that they fell over, and then wrapped me in a huge hug. We both cried on each other's shoulders. "I saw you! I saw you on that balcony and I didn't realise at first until they said your name again, you were gone for weeks and there you were- Oh my, which party box did you jump out of?" She looked me up and down.

I blushed, "My maids dressed me for the announcement."

"Your maids? I've missed out on so much havent I!" She was handling this a lot better than I was.

Henri and Conroy rushed to me. "Your Highness." Henri was the first to notice Bree, who hadn't let go of me from our hug. "Is she a friend?"

I nodded. "My only one, do you think she can stay here for a while?" I glanced at Bree who was staring dreamily at Conroy.

"Don't be ridiculous! She is an Amber!"

"And she is also my friend!" I snapped back. "Sheknows who I am, and I don't think any amount of threats could stop her from spreading this around." I pointed at the bloody guards wincing on the floor.

"I have to consult with Patrik." Henri gave in. "But you must keep her on a leash till then." He glanced at the fallen guards again. Bree was not a dig, she wasn't a wild animal that needed to be chained.

There was so much I had yet to tell her.

●・○・●・○・●

The guards insisted that they accompany us inside the castle. I don't think they were very sure I was safe around Bree, no matter how many times I assured them that she was a friend.

"So you're telling me that you're somehow the last royal in the Imperial bloodline to ascend the throne? And that the late King died two months ago and they kept that a secret? And that you're becoming an Ivory now!" Bree summarised everything I had retold as her, Conroy and I were climbing up the stairs to her guest chambers.

"Gee, you sound like you wish it was you." Conroy smirked, and Bree gave him a flirtatious smile.

"I do, actually. But all the good things always happen to Willy, it isn't fair sometimes."

"Willy?" he asked, looking at me. "Is that your nickname?"

I twisted my aquamarine pendant and sighed. It was going to be a very long day. Looking at Bree made me nostalgic, all the memories of when we were kids, living our carefree days, came into my mind. I may be a completely different person to her, but Bree was the same free spirited girl I had left behind for the throne.

What's your favorite mythical creature?

Mine would be mermaids and faeries.