The following hours of the day were extremely busy as both of my parents were constantly on the move, organising and finalising the finishing preparations towards the event.

I was still unsure as to how the time in this world functioned, to be honest, I don't even think I had seen the sun directly at all over the past month. Darkness being the only sign of the coming evening, and in this case, the beginning of the event.

To be true to my feelings, I was actually looking forward to it, a change of scenery and a fresh intake of new people. As much as I hated to admit it, the harshest part of my imprisonment was the abject loneliness.

My current situation is, to be honest, a bit similar to my imprisonment. Not just the fact that I'm trapped in an infant's body but also because I'm restricted to this small room most of the time. I want to experience new things, and you never know, it might awaken a part of what I've lost.

Still sitting in the same master bedroom where I had spent most of my life, a quick look around would reveal a new addition to the room. A large central mirror, The black exterior made from a strange metallic material, the top of the mirror held a large beautiful emerald, dark green and spherical in shape inscribed with the same vortex symbol I had seen many times before.

My father and mother were both currently in front of the mirror, dressed luxuriously, and as annoying as it sounded, appearance wise, they complimented each other well. Appearing like the perfect couple.

My father was wearing a black tunic with a red sheet wrapped around his shoulder, I believe he called it a toga? Two gold wrist bracelets resembling a lions mouth decorated his wrists, the same lion design was present on a neck bracelet that adorned his neck. His obsidian black hair and shimmering gold eyes, paired with his masculine handsome features completely brought out the craftsmanship of the clothes he was wearing.

My mother, trying to match his energy, had gone for a simpler white tunic made for women. The only main difference being the longer skirt, looking similar to a one piece dress. A much simpler, shorter red toga, matching my fathers draped her right shoulder as well. A dazzling sapphire hung on a chain across her neck, Accentuating her diamond blue eyes. Lion bracelets also adorned her wrists, matching my fathers.

Both my parents were currently in front of the mirror, My mother playfully posing “Cmon Samel, brighten up a bit, I know he's coming today, but we shouldn't make it about him, that's what he likes. Today's about Tene.”

“I'm just worried about you, you know the type of person he is. I don't want him anywhere near Tene… or you” My father, still refusing to pose with my mother, had a serious look on his face. My father, was usually relaxed and looked like he enjoyed playing along with my mothers antics, so his current stance was unusual.

I wonder who they're talking about.

Lita was also currently present in the room, and was, as usual, ‘statue sitting’ I now liked to call it.

She was dressed differently to her usual maid gear. Her shoulder length silver hair buzz cut at one side couldn't hide her long pointed ears each with two silver piercings at their base. She wore clothes of a completely different style to my parents, clothes that drenched me in a feeling of nostalgia, a beautiful raven black dress. Yes, a dress, I knew its name at first sight. The skirt was knee length with many intricately woven frills. Hung over a single shoulder the back had a V-shaped opening, her pale skin shimmering elegantly against the light.

“You look amazing Lita, the clothes from your homeland never cease to impress me. Next event I'll have some handmade for Zara as well” My father, maybe now deciding to digest my mothers words, looked at Lita with an evaluating gaze.

“He's right Lita, you look spectacular” my mother, evaluating Lita's dress, also looked honestly impressed.

Lita, although still stone faced, stood up a bit straighter. I couldn't help but find her reactions funny, she was clearly the type that liked to be praised. Whether that was for her heritage or her looks, I wasn't particularly sure.

“Of course, It would be nice if my dear husband complimented his wife first or even at all for that matter” my mother giggled as she playfully wrapped her arms around his waist. She was clearly still trying to distract him from his thoughts.

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“My wife is the most stunning woman alive, you outshine anything you wear” My father said as his gold eyes locked with hers.

Ugh, My own room shouldn't be too far off in the future.

“Gods Samel, do you have no shame at all?” My mother replied, a slight blush forming at her cheeks.

Ding,ding,ding. Like a bell ringing the gemstones with the engraving of a vortex began to shine. The mirror became blurry as a dense mist began to hide their reflections. A figure slowly stepped out of the mist with a dignified careful step.

“Lissette, it's not like you to be late, did something happen?” My fathers surprised voice echoed within the room.

I guess mirrors like this were commonplace as nobody else in the room looked particularly surprised.

As Lissette fully stepped out of the mirror, her exhaustion could be seen in her movements which was unusual to me as she was usually completely dignified and composed in her steps. “Young master, mistress” Bowing slightly Lissette greeted both my parents respectfully.

“You look dazzling Lita” addressing Lita, she smiled as she scanned her appearance, clearly impressed.

“Apologies young master, sadly, I've got some bad news” My father no longer joking around began to listen intently. I also perked my ears up, I don't think I've ever heard the words bad news from anyone's mouth since my birth.

“It looks like the king will be attending Tene's birthing ceremony” Lissette's tone was cold, probably the coldest I've ever heard it. One Look around the room and I saw how grave the situation actually was. Everyone's expressions, even my mothers, who was mostly vibrant a second ago had turned dire. Lita's expression specifically had some disgust mixed in it.

Is this king scum?

To be truthful, even though I wasn't sure as to why, I felt it would take a lot for somebody to be classified as scum in my mind.

“The king coming can only mean one thing, Tene '' My fathers face became much gloomier after he mentioned my name. What could the king want with me?

“I won't let it happen” my mother whispered.

“We said we would protect her Samel, not have her follow in my footsteps” louder now, she ran towards me and pulled me towards herself defensively.

What is everybody so worried about? I felt like I was missing something crucial, I don't get it, just what would the king want with me?

Ah.

“A marriage offer between the old lineage and the new would solidify the current imperial power as well as kill off any dying embers of the old regime, you probably won't be able to refuse, or it would appear as if you haven't given up on the throne” Lizette, spieled off crucial details that I was learning for the first time, sighing heavily afterwards.

To be truthful, I tended to misplace my gender, almost subconsciously, making it impossible to tell what gender I was in my past life.

I could make guesses on my fathers involvement in said ‘old regime’ or what Lizette meant by not giving up on the throne but something else caught my attention, which was the word ‘Marriage Offer’.

Although I had to accept the fact that I was now in the body of a girl, there were some things that would remain unchanged.

My only exposure to marriage was what I saw through both of my parents. Although for some reason I felt a tinge of envy at times, overall, The idea of fully belonging to somebody felt repugnant to me. Even if I choose, through my own will of course, to belong to somebody, at least it would be my decision.

For somebody to walk into our home and demand my hand or else? Never.

“Never” my father replied as he silently watched as my mother held me in a hug.

“Tene will make her own decisions in her life, I know what ill say to the king at the ceremony”

My father exclaimed, a decisive look on his face.

Confused looks spread across the room as my mother and Lita were unsure as to what my father was entailing. Lizette on the other hand had an understanding look on her face.

“If you do this Samel, there will be no going back for her. In a way, you'll be directing her fate as well” Lizette warned my father, her brown eyes glistening with concern.

My father walked up to my mother and gently hugged us both “Of course, but who isn't chained by duties and responsibilities? Even Eldara herself can't escape them.” Pausing slightly he held my small chubby hand and gazed into my eyes.

“I want Tene to be happy, truly, so until she can make her own choices I'll try to make the right ones for her. Even if she hates me for it later”

My father was making decisions for me, in a way, controlling aspects of my life. Yet I felt this warm fuzzy feeling rize up my gut.

I don't dislike this feeling.

My mother also seemed reassured by my fathers words, I already knew she trusted him to a large extent.

“If that is your choice young master” Lizette smiling lightly joined my father at his side and uncharacteristically rubbed his hair.

“She could never hate you Samel” Lizette reassuringly said, bringing a small nod from my father.

Lita for the first time in my short life walked up to us without being asked to.

“I'll protect Tene, as her big sister.” Lita's cold voice seemed to gain some warmth as she spoke. She only said a few words but everyone in the room seemed to lighten up more.

Both of my parents smiled at each other. “Were counting on you Lita”

“Guests will begin to show up soon, is Tene fully prepared?” Lizette asked

“Just the dress left, which is actually the main reason I called everybody, My wife and I are split between the red and the black dress, which dress do you think Tene should wear?” My father asked, looking towards Lizette and Lita with a hint of expectation within his eyes.

“Ridiculous right? To wear black in a celebration ceremony?” My mother chimed in, unable to control herself.

Lita and Lizette looked at each other briefly, then Lizette spoke up ”I think your handiwork, Samel, looks more breath-taking than any of those dresses”

Lita softly nodding towards Lizette's words, clearly agreed with her.

I couldn't help but agree, definitely from a practical sense, it had its uses. Like what would happen if I needed to use the bathroom in the middle of the ballroom?

Both my parents looked pretty surprised. I guess they never really thought of that option.

“Well Samel did reach deep into his pockets to get it made, and It does outshine the others. But she wears it almost everyday? Is that really ok?” My mother inquisitively asked, not fully buying the idea.

“The guests will be seeing it for the first time, i'm sure they'll be as enchanted as I was when I first saw little Tene with it on” Lizette replied,

“It Suits her” Lita added, basically sealing the discussion.

“B–”

“I guess it's decided then. Let's finish up with the other preparations then” My father replied, cutting off my mother mid sentence.