I sat in the living room reading one of my books, as I waited for the tea to be done and for Esla to arrive.

Mother stood next to the sofa I was sitting at, "Oh Kazia. Tea should be ready now, and well, Esla should be here any minute now. She's a bit late."

As if on cue Esla rushes in, "I'm here! Good afternoon, aunt Elyra!"

"Oh! just in time, Esla" my mother stated.

As my mother began to walk, Esla and I trailed behind. "Are you okay?" I laughed.

"I woke up a bit late, so I ran inside as soon as the carriage stopped. Do not laugh." She whispered as she fixed her hair.

I softly laughed.

~ After tea ~
Before leaving, mother explained that we would have guests over for dinner to discuss a festival that was coming up. It was just me and Esla now.

"So what is the festival about?" I asked.

"The Crystal Festival is an annual celebration. It's more than just a festival." She paused, "It is tradition that you attend the festival with someone you share a connection with. Before the festival, you have to visit the Flowing Light cave to find your crystal. Getting the crystal is the tricky part here, once you enter the cave you have to look look for a glowing crystal, indicating it's the one formed from your bond." She explained.

This place is so strange. "Do you have to take a crystal with the same person each time?" I asked.

"Well, no. Once you take a crystal with someone, it is yours forever. It represents that unique bond you both share. People break the crystal in half after the festival to keep for memories and to use for the future festivals." She continued. "The cave regenerates frequently."

I quietly nodded in acknowledgement. Sometimes it feels like living in a storybook. My mind is filled with so many questions most of the time.

She explained how her parents were excited to see me again tonight.

"Ah, just remembered I've got something to do. See you tonight okay!" She hurried away.

As soon as she left, I returned to my room to read and accidentally fell asleep.

~ Evening ~
I jolted awake as I felt someone shake me.

"You are late!" Grace scolded me.

I ran to the bathroom and quickly got ready.

My dress rustled as I hastily moved through the halls. Why do these dresses have to be so heavy?

Grace accompanied me to the dining room, "Everyone is already there. Just greet them and take a seat." She instructed me.

I power walked over there as I couldn't run, Grace had given me a lecture on that previously, and even if I wanted to I would not be able to with this dress.

It's fine. I am just a few minutes late and It's just a family dinner, it's alright.

Once I got inside, I automatically curtsied, "Good evening, my apologies for being late."

"Take a seat." My father spoke.

I turned to sit next to Esla after noticing that that the Alpíns were here.

Oh this is going to be awkward, I can feel it already.

The King and Queen of Sapphinetia greeted me. King Sebastien looked very outgoing while Queen Faustina was a bit more reserved, but seemed nice.

We finally began eating after the food was brought in.

Everyone began discussing the festival while I quietly ate. It's not like I had anything to add. Hopefully, no one asks me anything...

Frostarya and Sapphinetia always held the festival together. It was a tradition for them, as the two families held a long friendship, going back centuries. However, from what I read, it appeared that at times, it was more of a convenience-based friendship.

I looked up to see Prince Ehryan staring at me.

Could he not, I forget how to function when people watch me. I just want to eat my food, please!

"And who will Princess Kazia go with to receive a crystal?" King Sebastien inquired.

"I could go with Esla, right?" I looked at her.

"I am attending with Prince Jasper this year." Esla explained.

Okay, there goes that option.

"I think I'll just watch then." I looked down at my plate.

"The Princess? Not participating on the biggest tradition after returning?" He spoke like it would be an insult towards everyone.

"Then I could um.." I trailed off trying to find a solution. I can't think well when on the spot!

He smiled, "Why don't you go with Ehryan?"

I almost choked on my own saliva.

My father stepped in, "If she does not wish to participate, we will not pressure her."

"It would be a shame. People have already started talking about the Princess. This would be a great opportunity for her to make a good public impression."

My father looked a bit angry.

"Our families have been close for centuries. Ehryan and Princess Kazia can join Jasper and Princess Esla when they visit the cave. No one will think much of it. Actually, it would be strange if the Princess did not get along with our family after her return. Isn't that right?" King Sebastien looked triumphant.

My mother placed her hand on my father's arm before he could speak, "Why don't we let them choose?"

"Great idea. Ehryan?" King Sebastien quickly questioned him.

Prince Ehryan calmly placed his fork down and raised his head to look at me again, "Only if Princess Kazia wishes it so."

Great, leave it to me...

Now everyone waited for my answer. Silence filled the dining room, a difference from the previous clanking and chatting a moment ago.

I looked at him as I took a deep breath. I can't say no, the king would continue insisting. Plus, who else would I be able to go with?

"Then I will go with Prince Ehryan." I responded in almost a whisper as I looked at my plate again.

"Good, it is settled." His father decided.

My parents did not seem so thrilled about it.

Well, at least Esla and Jasper will be there, so it won't be too awful.

How will we even find the crystal? Do bad connections count as well?

"You should all go tomorrow. The festival is in a few months, it would be difficult to leave it for the last minute when we are all unavailable with the preparations." Queen Faustina calmly spoke.

Jasper seemed very entertained with all this.

~ After dinner ~
I sat on the chair that I had placed by the window in my room while Esla  read a book. She had decided to stay over.

She shook her head, "These books are missing information."

I looked outside and sighed, "there's only so much I can read and learn from those books".

"Kazia," Esla spoke carefully. "I think there's something I should tell you."

I turned towards her.

"Well, how do I put this?" She paused, "I think you're being set up." She quickly blurted out.

"What do you mean?"

"Have you learned about Fragments yet?"

"None of the books have mentioned that. What is it?"

"Of course you haven't..." She trailed off before continuing to cautiously speak, in a lower volume, "The magic that runs within this planet's nature that allows us to have these gifts is energized by the harmony of its inhabitants. To maintain such balance, everyone has always had a Fragment, like your destined person."

"And what does any of that have to do with me? I'm not really from here, I haven't been affected by whatever it is you have here." 

Why are we almost whispering?

"Kazia, your father found his Fragment, your mother, in a whole different galaxy. Why do you think you won't find yours?"

I stayed quiet as her words settled in my mind. I kept forgetting that my mother is not from here, she is just like me. Restlessness filled my mind, "Then why do you think I'm being set up?"

"Prince Ehryan hasn't found his Fragment yet, it has taken a bit longer than usual. King Sebastien suspects must be testing his theory to see if you are Prince Ehryan's missing Fragment."

This is making my mind spin. "How do you even know who it is?" I inquired bewildered.

"When something out of normal happens... A year ago, I was walking with Jasper when a glowing orb circled around us."

"I was expecting something more extravagant, like everything here." I spoke.

"That's because Jasper and I know how to control our gifts. But you have never done such a thing, we still don't even know what yours is. If you find your Fragment before you learn how to control your gift, yours might actually be extravagant."

I sighed in frustration, "Maybe I am the exception. I am still trying to grasp that this is my new reality. I can't keep up with all this!"

"I know, it seems scary, let's take this one step at a time. Don't mention this to anyone, this is just my assumption, it doesn't mean that it's true." She comforted, "Let's go to sleep"