The corners of Adastray’s cheek began to sting. Her boots crunched the sides of her feet. Noblemen, generals, admirals, and advisors passed through the wooden doors of the theater. Each guest offered the opportunity of shaking the princess’s hand.
“Thank you for coming!” Adastray’s grateful mask struggled to stay on her face. Her smile wavered, catching the gossip the guest would say when they foolishly thought they were out of ear shot. Are you sure about this? Adastray’s memory of just a few hours passed through her mind. I need people to take me seriously and this, she examined her reflection in the mirror. Sighing at her attire. Turning to her maid and waved her hands over her sparkling black dress. This doesn’t say serious.
Nonsense! The maid told her. You’re royalty, everything you say is serious. Just need to show it off. Her maid came into her reflection and adjusted the golden tiara that sat on her head and examined her flowing grey hair. You look great. Perfect for the role and don’t forget the heels. You need the height.
“Out of all the places, the princess chooses here?” A stout general came to the theater in military clothing. A navy blue jacket held together with gold buttons and beige pants with mud brown boots. Decorated from collar to hip in medals. He spoke to a woman by his side. “Something is off.”
Walking along the newly furnished red carpet. That led the river of guests towards the auditorium, past open wooden doors with freshly added gold accents.
“Pity. It’s why the queen gave her permission to speak here.” Someone mumbled under their breath
“Couldn’t even get the royal hall?!” A nasally voice grated on her ears. “A commoner’s theater, the amount of disrespect..” her voice trailed as she descended down into the auditorium.
“Thank you for attending,” Adastray shook general Yone’s paw? Hand? The wolf man placed two fingers over his heart and entered the theater. Barking what she hoped was a compliment. “And with that,” Adastray clapped her hands and the entrance and the auditorium’s door shut. “All the guests are accounted for.” She walked towards the stage’s entrance along a winding hallway. The smell of fresh brown paint still clung to the walls. Earthy yet inorganic. Her increasing footsteps mirrored the thumping of her heart. She held her smile. The butterflies in her stomach morphed into confused caterpillar’s shifting and rummaging through her insides. She held her smile. A soft voice whispered in her ears what she trained herself to call lies. The words dug shards of broken glass into her ear. She held her smile. She soon came face to face with the door that led to the stage. She gripped the doorknob, her smile morphing into a cringe. A dampness slowly spreads along her white glove. She twisted the doorknob, the door opened with a deafening click. Passing through the doorway a long silence came across the theater. From her vision the stage looked like it went on for an eternity. The whole room illuminated by balls of light hovering in the air. I wonder where they’re hiding the mages to do this? She shook the thought from her mind. The only noise was the sound of her boots tapping against the stage. The eyes following her movements felt natural. Her stride carried a confidence that desperately fought to hide her anxiety. No mother to sponge the attention, no A’dest fighting for it, just the princess. All eyes on her, just her. She stood center stage and briefly took a deep breath. Once they opened she carried her trademark smile.
“Good evening, all of you.”
The crowd replied in unison.
“And to you, our fair lady.”
Adastray straightened her already rigid posture.
“I, Princess Adastray, heir to the throne and future embodiment of Lord A’porth.” Her voice echoed in the room. Carrying the regality her brother loved to flaunt. “Have come with...a controversial proposal.” Her amber eyes attempted to catch the reactions of the people in the seats. “Thanks to the bravery, courage, and intelligence of our admirals, soldiers and generals, the Aeporth Empire has recently gained a significant amount of territory.” She opened her hand, focusing on her palm. “Licht. Rot, grün, blau.” Red, green, and blue orbs of light flickered on Adastray’s finger tips. The colors shot from her fingers and circled into her palm. A surge of light bounced from her hand and spun around her. Forming behind her a massive black rectangle. Multi colored visuals of 12 continents and 46 islands emerged from the darkness. The most common one being purple. Starting from a small rock south of the map the color had seemed to spread outwards. Encompassing nearby islands and chunks of continents. The purple color overtook an island next to a continent shaped roughly like a crooked rectangle. The theater was filled with polite clapping and congratulations. Military men and women, from humans, to elves, ogres, and merpeople stood from their seats and bowed, basking in the admiration. She cleared her throat silencing the crowd. “After ending the war against the Graes we’ve conquered their main island. And while the efforts of these brave individuals are commendable,” she gulped. “This shows a greater issue at large. Over expansion. The empire is far too big and..and we’ll need to rethink its size..” The smile on the crowds’ faces turned into confusion. Ok, here we go. Adastray thought. “Does anyone know why we went to this war?” Adastray caught a few generals shifting in their seats. “Conquest to show off our military might. We’re spreading our resources too thin for wars fueled by vanity. That island is very far. Governing there will be difficult. Rebellions could-no will start to pop up. It’ll be expensive, soldiers will lose lives, resources that could-.”
“If I may, your Majesty.”
One of the orbs of light focused on a stout man. He stood proudly, his medals gleaming in the light. Adastray smiled at the general who had insulted her earlier.
“Our armies are more than capable of combating a few rebels. We outclass them in technology and our magic nearly eclipses their own. If anything, a rebellion there would serve as good target practice for my soldiers”
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The theater erupted in perverse laughter. Adastray took comfort seeing not all indulged in such an idea.
“Your majesty, the Aeporth Empire has been carrying Lord A’porth’s will for hundreds of years. We bring forth progress, innovation, our religion, we benefit the lives of those under our flag.”
“You say that,” Adastray countered. “ However, for those who don’t submit-.”
“And why shouldt they? Your majesty, this proposal goes against our culture and our destiny given to your family by Lord A’porth himself. “
Adastray held her smile. The image behind her waned and struggled to hold itself. “While I understand your grievances. As princess-.”
“Yes, as princess,” he directed towards the entire theater. “A young woman who just turned twenty to give such an idea is just an example of naivety and inexperience. Which none of us can fault you for. Her majesty is well aware of our nation's history and culture. Perhaps for your own understanding you look towards your mother for guidance. After all, isn’t this proposal just performative?” Explains why it happened in a theater!” Adastray’s guests sat quietly in their seats, barely containing their desire to laugh. Adastray just smiled. She smiled with a glare that could wipe out the general’s army and kill him a hundred times. A woman next to him stood up exposing her lower equine body. She wore a similar jacket to the general. Her red hair was tied back into a single bun.
“Your majesty, please forgive my husband. He had drank too much earlier and was just expressing his love for our great nation. “
“I’ll recognize the apology. In the future, keep your husband under control. Anyway about my plans to-,” the toll of the clock tower rattled the building. Dust particles fell from the ceiling following the thunderous chimes. Slow rings with huge gaps between. I swore I had more time. “Well, it was a pleasure speaking with you all,” she lied. Her smile hid her deceit. “I appreciate you all for taking your time.” Adastray gripped the sides of her dress and curtsied. Those who could stand from their seats and placed two fingers over their heart and orderly walked out the auditorium. Adastray waved at them as the crowd grew smaller and smaller. The ring of a bell caught Adastray’s attention. She turned from the door and faced a mage dressed in traditional Aeropthian robes. Dark red with golden circles and triangles pointing from them.
“Your majesty, do us mages of permission to leave? Or shall we stay to continue to light the building?”
“No,” Adastray’s voice was sardonic. She waved them away. “I’ll be fine on my own, thank you.”
The mage placed two fingers over his heart. Mumbling “verschieben” and disappeared in a shower of golden light. The theater instantly was covered in darkness. Adastray clutched her tiara and launched it into the air.
“Brechen!”
An arch of pink like soared through the air connecting with her tiara. It froze in the air flowing a bright pink. In an instant it shattered, sending shards of light throughout the building. They fizzled into nothing before hitting the ground.
“That tiara doesn’t look cheap.”
Adastray listened to distant footsteps grow closer and closer. Replying with a huff to the familiar voice.
“Go away, A’dest. I’m not in the mood.”
“Of course you’re not,” he sat beside his sister in the darkness. “You’re moping in the dark like a widow. I watched your performance. It wasn’t bad, I've seen worse.”
“It wasn’t supposed to be a performance!” Adastray shot to her feet. “This was meant to be a serious proposal outlining a problem we’re going to face in the future!”
“Careful, Addie,” he teased. “Your emotions are showing.” Despite being in the dark, A'dest knew the gesture his sister was giving him. He smirked at her annoyance. “And if it’s such an important thing, why do it in a theater? Especially a commoner’s theater.”
“Mother said I couldn’t use the palace and wanted all the other theaters to be open to ‘more important things,” she spoke mocking her mother’s voice.
A’dest laughed.
“My name is Empress Fangris,” she continued. “I know what’s best for my empire and children even though I can’t turn on an automation by myself. My ego is as big as my empire. Oh look at me I’m so elegant and regal just don’t remember the time I ate till I threw up on my husband three years ago!”
A’dest wiped a tear from his eyes and struggled to control his laughter.
“Addie if she hears you talk like this, you’d be a dead man.”
“Maybe I already am?” Adastray paused. “She’d probably get a guillotine for me,” Adastray rubbed her neck.
“One quick slice.” Alric laughed. “We got a dead man walking. They’ll put you on that executioner stand thing and they’ll be like any last words? And you’d say-?”
“You’re all stupid!” The siblings shared a laugh that slowly began to diminish. Sighing Adastray spoke. “I just want to go home.” She felt A’dest hold her hand.
“I’ve got a carriage coming for us outside,” he tightened his grip. “Verschieben-.”
“No, wait! You know I hate that-,” Adastray felt her muscles unwind and her skin melt from her body. Her bones cracked and turned to dust and a bright yellow light clouded her vision. Before she regained her vision she felt a chill run through her body. The late fall breeze teased for a frigid winter. The sky above her was painted a warm orange and purple. A small collection of dark clouds lazily glided across the sky. A collage of stars graced the sky. The beauty of nature contrasted the massive columns of smoke spewing by a distant factory. Adastray fought to ignore the rancid smell, focusing her attention elsewhere. The buildings that lined the streets had chips of paint fall from them. Children wandered down the street, some wearing uniforms covered in soot, others wore clothes either too small, or with holes. The road was filled with people walking some rode bicycles with massive wheels in the front and smaller behind. Adastray’s nails dug into her brother’s shoulder. Her legs struggled to support her weight.
“Never, again.” She hissed.
“Well,” A’dest let out a tired breath. “Faster than walking.” He wiped beads of sweat trickling down his forehead..
“If…you’re going to teleport, why not the palace?!”
“And pass out in front of the guards? I have some dignity, Addie.”
Adastray raised her eyebrow at her older brother. Today was the first time in a long time Adastray had seen her brother neat. His silver hair was combed orderly. His white button up shirt had no marks or stains and he didn’t reek of alcohol or any other substance. However, he still had a mischievous glimmer in his amber eyes. Just last night A’dest had come home wrapped in a blanket polluted with stains.
“Dignity..?” She questioned.