“Oberon was once the king of fairies. I don’t have time to go through the specifics, but if you look through the Castellane family archives, I am sure you can find something about his partner.” Titania said, sipping at her sickly sweet tea.
Placing her cup down, the queen of fairies stared at the boy in front of her. Her eyes were like violet fire, her irises a series of brilliant yellow and burning violet bands interchanging. The unique appearance of her eyes captivated August’s attention. He found it hard to focus while her gaze was upon him.
“To boil it down to what matters most, I am going to skip over a lot of details. In the end, the Castellane family gave three gifts to the Fair-Folk, at a large cost to themselves. These gifts were returned by us, as three boons for the Castellane house.” The queen of fairies spoke, opening her palm towards the sky and placing it in the center of the flower table between them.
Above her hands, brilliant flowers bloomed to life in ethereal radiance. Growing and blooming, their forms shifted into that of numbers. Number one transformed again, becoming what looked to be a piece of paper, transitioning then to two people shaking hands. Number two became that of a door, occasionally opening and letting little flower people through.
Number three was different, however; Number three was stationary, a brilliant portrait of a man made from the petals of the flower. The man felt almost alive, his eyes a very familiar interchange of violet and yellow. They seemed to be staring at him with the same intensity as the queen of fairies. The man possessed an alien beauty, his face all sharp lines and angles. He bore the countenance of a warrior, the features sculpted as if from granite. With absolute certainty, August knew this was Oberon.
“The first boon we granted, was equality. In all matters and dealings between the Fair-Folk and the Castellane family, the Castellane family would be treated as equal to fairy nobility. This is a right held by very few, and though not exclusively the domain of the Castellane's, you are the only humans who inherit this status upon birth. It also grants you the ability to contract with fairies.” Titania explained.
“Which is why we can gain the fairy title?” August asked, understanding blooming in his mind.
“That is absolutely one of the benefits, it also means uniquely fair dealings in any transactions with our kin. It also entitles you to fair treatment when in our realms. This is not something easy to come by, and has been a source of strength for the Castellane family. It also ties into the next boon.” The fairy queen replied, her face beaming with pride at August’s observation.
“The second boon, traversal to the Fairy Lands. Though we sit as a natural border between the elemental planes and your planet now, we did not always. As thanks for helping our ascension from the confines of your reality, we offer access to the elemental planes, as well as goods and treasures, through our lands. Again, this is not exclusive, but when paired with your previous boon, it is a powerful tool for your family.” Titania went on to explain.
Suddenly, both the image of the handshake and the door vanished, and the portrait was brought into the center. The details became more fine, more lifelike. Even though this was only an image of Oberon, August had to admit a feeling of connection between them. This Oberon had to have been insanely powerful, as even just his likeness carried a palpable aura. August found himself unable to breathe so close to the image.
“The third boon is the only exclusive boon to the Castellane family, and this one was a personal gift from my late husband. For saving the Fair-Folk and freeing us at the cost of her own life, Oberon granted his inheritance to the familial line of his summoner: Lyria Castellane.” Titania spoke softly now, her voice full of longing and heartache.
“The inheritance would be granted in the form of a Grand Achievement, recognized by the system. Upon the death of my husband: his titles, abilities, stats, and even his bloodline would be congealed into a whole by the system. Whosoever inherited his legacy, through means only known to the system, would be granted all of this.” The queen of fairies said, finishing her explanation as the flowers making up Oberon’s portrait wilted. The effect aged him until, finally, he seemed but an emaciated corpse; drained of all essence.
“This is what I got instead of the title?” August asked, trying to make sense of the information.
“It is, and it is also why I wished to speak with you. Castellane blood is still only human blood, lacking any inherent magic or potency. By gaining the Grand Achievement, you have been gifted with the blood of the fairy king. The System has mitigated this, obviously, or you would be dead. As you grow, and get stronger, you will inherit more of my late husband’s legacy. This does have a downside, as all things do, however.” Titania said, a pensive look overtaking her visage.
August was reeling, unable to fathom the information he was gaining. There was a lot of information he just did not have the requisite knowledge to understand. He was too young, too inexperienced, too new to the world he had somehow stepped into. Try as he might, all he could do at this moment would be to absorb what the fairy queen said.
“As you grow stronger, your blood will purify. Eventually, you will become one of us. You will lose your humanity, becoming a pure-blooded fairy. Specifically, barring any intervention, you will ascend to take my late husband’s throne.” She finally said, her words creating a tumultuous storm inside August.
“What?” Was all that August could think to say, his mind reeling at the information.
“Unless you find some way to prevent the blood of my late husband from taking hold, you will become a fairy, like me.” She repeated, her words conveying a sense of finality that made August feel so very alone.
“But this isn’t fair! Why do I not have a choice in this?!” August shouted, losing any sense of composure the child had mustered previously. He hated how young and petulant he sounded, knowing that he should maintain the dignity of his lineage. He knew this, but he railed against that feeling with all his might. He was a child! He should be allowed to act out… to be upset!
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“Life is not fair, August. It never will be. You had choices, but it would be a lie to say you had the wisdom to go along with your own agency. Your family had done this many times before, so of course they thought nothing of it. What you did was exceptional, but the point is: YOU did it.” Titania chuckled wryly, not deigning to scold him for his outburst.
“Is there anything I can do?” August asked, his voice now much smaller. He shifted in his flower seat uncomfortably, trying to find something to give him even the slightest sliver of hope. He was so far out of his depth; all he could do was continue listening to Titania. Hopefully, when he was able to speak with his father, his father would be able to help him understand.
“There are… well there are ways you can attempt to stop the progression. Though I would love to have someone inherit Oberon’s legacy, I can understand not wanting to be forced into it. Besides, I think Oberon would also want you to have a choice. He was always a proponent of freedom.” She said, igniting the flames of hope within August.
She stood from the table, and started to walk towards one of the purple trees on the horizon. August noted that, though there was light, there was no visible source. She beckoned him to follow, and August was quick to acquiesce.
“The first thing I want to stress: you can not take a fairy as your partner.” she said, as the duo arrived at the tree. August was surprised to see that this tree, much like everything else around him, was composed entirely of flowers. Reaching his hand out to feel the bark-like petals, they reached out to greet him in turn.
“That is fine, however, as you are the inheritor of Oberon’s mantle. The only Fairy you could contract would be me, due to his station and legacy. A king’s only equal is a queen after all. As for a partnership with me, well due to our vastly differing levels of personal power; you would certainly die.” She continued, her hand parting the flower-bark in front of her.
Reaching in, she searched for a moment, her hand moving slightly as she seemingly grasped for something. As she did, August felt a strange wrongness in his mind. Each movement of her hand, slight as they might be, felt as if he were being ripped through, his entire being thoroughly exposed.
“Apologies, I am leaving you a gift, but the method is a bit… invasive.” She apologized, still rooting around. Finally, grasping at something, she pulled her hand from the tree. In her hand was a tome, a brilliant violet covering with glowing yellow accents. Etched along the spine of the tome in silver, August could make out similar scripting to what he and his father had used to summon the elemental sprites.
“So, no fairy partner, I’m afraid.” She once again spoke, handing him the tome. August was unsurprised to see that this too, was made of flowers.
“You will need to find a powerful partner, someone who can grow with you. If they unlock a sufficiently mighty bloodline, the bond you form will allow your own bloodline to be suppressed. That is the quickest way you stop the progression. It has the added benefit of allowing you to still access Oberon’s other legacies, and would be the one I advise to tackle first.” Titania’s voice was smaller now, as if she were gaining distance, though her form in front of him had not moved.
“I do not have long left, child. Beyond a partner, strengthen yourself. Only by becoming strong yourself, can you change the fate bestowed upon you. The book I gave you will be accessible in your inventory once you leave here. Learn from it the magic of my people. It will teach you the fundamentals of fairy magic, and spiritual magic as well. Be careful, and when you get stronger, we will speak again.” The remnants of her voice said as the flower world faded from his sight.
August had so many questions, but his mind was exhausted. The alien feeling that had accompanied his growing wisdom and intellect had been held off by the fairy queen. Now that she was gone, that sick sense of wrongness swallowed him whole, finally releasing him into the darkness of true unconsciousness.
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The ceiling was high, held aloft by marble pillars, with a clear window over top allowing the setting sun to illuminate the room. The black marble of the floor was like that of the rest of the mansion, with swirls of blues and greens. Floating spheres of water cascaded around, floating lightly like bubbles, sending off an iridescent cascade of multicolored lights.
In the center of the grand entrance stood a grand staircase, carved from that same ever-present marble. Along the sides of the stairway, sat rails that were engraved with the numerous deeds of the Castellane household. The splendor of the entryway rivaled that of the imperial palace, the opulence somehow maintaining an understated appearance. Standing at the landing atop the regal stairs, stood Hadrian.
The staff that had been setting up for the coming ceremony stopped, upon recognizing the figure, and fell to their knees immediately in supplication. Stepping forward, a man that Hadrian recognized as Rolph, the former sergeant for Leon's unit during the war, greeted him.
“Great Emperor Hadrian Aurelius the Third, your humble servant greets you this day!” Rolph said; his normal cavalier attitude nowhere to be seen. “I apologize my sovereign lord; we were unaware that you would be attending the ceremony. Please forgive us our lack of ceremony, and allow us to make amends.”
Rolph, unlike the rest of the staff, had been aware the emperor would be joining them. He had not, however, been informed that the man was already here. Rolph was a retainer for Leon, but he was not the head retainer, and if there had been any other choice he wouldn’t have stepped forward. Alas, the head retainer, Simon, was dealing with the church officials who had come for the confirmation. This left him alone to deal with the political fallout of their rudeness towards their hegemon.
“Relax, Rolph. I snuck in here of my own volition. If you had been here to greet me, well, I believe we would be having a much more serious conversation.” The emperor laughed, making Rolph’s skin prickle. Why does he know my name? Rolph thought to himself, bemused at the turn of events.
“Of course, your majesty. Can I offer you some refreshments? The ceremony will start in a bit, but I am sure we can make anything you desire.” Rolph said, glancing back and forth. Finally spotting a servant who still had some wits about him, he tried to discreetly signal him. Realizing the man saw him, Rolph mouthed the word “Simon”, and performed a waving gesture with his hand.
The man got the message, and very carefully started moving the closest portal of exit. By him was a servant’s door, that allowed easy access to the servant’s paths throughout the house. Slipping behind the wooden door, he made haste to presumably look for Simon. This relieved Rolph immensely.
“You are too stressed, my friend!” The emperor said, stepping down that magnificent staircase. His walk was one of pure, unadulterated majesty. His steps held the strength and dedication only known to those who have wielded power for decades. His gait was steady and reassuring. Even if it was just taking a few steps, the movements alone felt they carried the weight of the world in them.
“I have come to share a special moment with my granddaughter and her husband, as well as to meet my youngest great-grandson. We shall do the ceremony in private, as a family. However, we can’t let such beautiful preparations go to waste. We shall still host the party that follows, so please have the guests gather in the ballroom. I will come and greet the guests personally, and join for the celebration after the ceremony.” Emperor Hadrian announced.