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The castle was busy as always, the servants clattering about the place, working, gossiping about the latest royal news and drama, preparing for the upcoming event.
“It’s a lovely day, you wanna go horse riding?” Rosebella asked her younger sister, Ariana.
Ariana and Rosabella, both sisters, showcased striking similarities and unique differences. Sixteen-year-old Ariana boasted a gorgeous cascade of brown hair, perfectly complementing her piercing grey eyes. On the other hand, her older sister, Rosabella, at the age of eighteen, exhibited a beautiful mane of blonde hair that wonderfully contrasted with her enchanting grey eyes.
Ariana rolled her eyes, “Agh...only because it is sunny outside doesn’t mean we have to bother the horses”.
“Come on I am bored,” Rosebella pouted, “I am your big sister”.
Ariana closed her book, “Oh please, I act older than you”.
“Don’t you always talk about listening to your elders?” She gave her a smug smile, “Am I not your elder dear?“.
Ariana scrunched up her nose in a display of annoyance and impulsively flung her book in the direction of Rosabella. Yet, to her surprise, Rosabella swiftly caught it with a mischievous smirk. Dismay washed over Ariana’s face as she immediately regretted her impetuous action. With a deepening frown, she realized that provoking her older sister was probably not the wisest choice.
Refusing to back down, Rosabella taunted Ariana while brandishing the book in her hand. “Oh, you want it back, little sister?” she taunted, her smirk widening. “You’ll have to catch me if you want it!”
Determined to reclaim what was rightfully hers, Ariana’s eyes blazed with frustration and determination. Without a moment’s hesitation, she swiftly began chasing Rosabella through the magnificent corridors of their family’s grand castle. Each turn and every nook became a new challenge; however, Ariana’s desire for her cherished book fueled her pursuit.
Their laughter echoed through the hallways as Ariana and Rosabella dashed around corners, their footsteps echoing against the castle walls. Despite Rosabella’s playful advantage as the older sibling, Ariana refused to be deterred. She was motivated by the thought of her beloved book in Rosabella’s possession, filling her with an unyielding determination to recapture it.
As they weaved through splendid chambers adorned with ornate tapestries and graceful archways, Ariana’s heart pounded with exhilaration. She could almost taste victory, feeling the ache in her legs as she closed in on Rosabelle.
Finally, in the grand library, Ariana cornered her older sister, a triumphant smile blossoming on her face. Rosabella, unable to contain her laughter any longer was about to surrender the book, until their mom called their name across the library.
Rosabella skillfully evaded her sister’s attempt and swiftly sprinted towards their mother, effortlessly positioning herself in front of her as if there had been no commotion at all. “Yes, mother?” she asked, appearing composed. However, Ariana’s frustration continued to burn, causing her to impulsively leap towards her sister and forcefully pin her down. “Ow!” Rosabella yelped in pain. Without delay, Ariana snatched the book from her grasp and declared possessively, “This is mine!”
Their mother wrinkled her nose, “Both of you get up.”
Ariana got off her sister’s back, filing her hair, “Don’t take my books.”
Rosebella rolled her eyes, “Don’t throw them at me.”
“Enough” their mother’s voice bellowed through the Library. The two immediately straightened up.
“Dear daughters,” Queen Annelise of Eldoria began, her regal voice resonating through the room, “I want to discuss an important matter with both of you. As you may know, we have made arrangements for you to journey to Venora. This trip serves a dual purpose: firstly, to strengthen the alliance between our kingdom of Eldoria and the mages residing in Venora; and secondly, to provide you with an opportunity to establish connections with the two princes of Venora.”
“It is vital,” she emphasized, “that you conduct yourselves with utmost decorum and elegance throughout your stay. Your father has great expectations for both of you, and you must meet them. You represent our kingdom and our family, and we must make a lasting impression.”
“While in Venora, it is my sincere hope that the two princes of Venora will take a genuine liking to you. Establishing positive relationships with them will not only strengthen the bond between our kingdoms but also open doors for future collaborations and alliances. You have the chance to become influential figures and ambassadors for Eldoria.”
Ariana and Rosabella gave each other a look.
“Remember,” she continued, her eyes locking onto theirs, “you are both royalty, and with that title comes the responsibility to act as role models for our people. Showcase your intelligence, grace, and kindness, and let your character shine brightly.”
“Well of course Mother” Ariana made her sweetest smile.
“Lastly,” she concluded, her voice filled with warmth, “I have absolute faith in both of you and your abilities. This journey is a unique opportunity for growth and learning. Seize it, absorb the knowledge and experiences that await you in Venora, and make us proud.”
Rosabella pursed her lips, “I get the first and last point....but the second one..?”
The Queen raised an eyebrow, “Yes? What about it? Ernesto and Edward are both promising young gentlemen”
“Mother they have purple hair” Rosabelle put her hand to her hips, “Don’t get me wrong...they are great, Ernesto is great, his green eyes are beautiful. But I don’t want my kids to have purple hair”
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“You could always pray to the gods to make sure your future child has blonde hair” Ariana suggested sarcastically.
Rosabella ignored her remark. “And he is unbearable, he is more obsessed with rules than Ariana!”
Their mother tilted her head, “I think that is an admirable aspect of him and Ariana”, she continued, “and purple hair? You do realise his father married his mother, who has ‘purple’ hair”.
Rosabelle folded her arms, “Well that’s King of Venora’s business, he now has two sons with purple hair. Good for him.”
Ariana snorted, “Yes Mom good for him”.
Annelise looked at her daughter unpleased, “Yes, that is his business and whatever business he has is our business. Do you understand the importance of this alliance young lady?” Sometimes being a princess wasn’t the easiest, it never was. But times like these are when it becomes a burden.
Rosabella groaned looking at her sister, “And what about you and Edward?” She smirked.
Ariana returned the gaze, “I am pretty sure Edward’s gay”.
“Now don’t just make such allegations” Their mother frowned in disapproval.
“But he is!” Ariana narrowed her brows, “he sings to the birds in the morning, not just birds he likes singing to the bunnies, flirting with the GUARDS. He dresses better than me. I am a princess but he is more of a princess than me, he plays the musical instruments better than me-”
Rosabella cut her off, “Princes can do all those things too, Ernesto does it. I mean the King of Venora does like arts.”
“You know what I mean!” Ariana stomped her feet, “also Ernesto does not sing to the birds or bunnies, he scares them away”.
Queen Annalise sighed in irritation, “You both are dismissed”.
“Horse riding?” Rosebella asked her sister.
“NO!” Ariana said angrily.
“Fine! But do you still wanna go see... Uncle Berend”
Ariana’s eyes widened, “Uncle Berend! He is coming back from his voyage today!?”
“Yes” Rosabella said, “how could you forget it?”
Ariana pouted, “I was ten when he left”
Rosabella laughed as she patted her little sister’s head, “it’s alright, sweetie the carriage is already waiting for us. I informed them before hand. Do you still wanna come?”
Ariana side hugged her, “Yes.” She said stubbornly.
“I was still hoping we could take the horses to the docks”
“No horses riding. Carriage. Only” Ariana narrowed her brows.
“Fine”
Ariana glided away, her steps a whisper against the marble, as she prepared to grace her uncle with her presence. In the solitude of the library, Rosabella’s smile—a beacon of warmth in the presence of her kin—wavered and fell. It was not a facade; her joy was as genuine as the dawn. Yet, the weight of her mother’s words cast long shadows across her heart, prompting a silent introspection about the tapestry of her life.
As a princess, she was the vessel of her people’s hopes, destined to forge alliances through marriage. The inevitability of this duty loomed over her, a specter in the night, ever since she had eavesdropped on hushed royal deliberations. The eldest prince of Venora, a figure carved from stone and shrouded in whispers of otherworldly lineage, stood as the likely suitor.
Her footsteps echoed through the corridors, a somber prelude to the departure from her cherished home. Upon entering her chamber, her gaze fell upon the vanity where a bracelet adorned with verdant emeralds lay—a token from him. A frown creased her brow, the realization dawning that her mother had unearthed it.
It wasn’t that her affections for him were absent; rather, it was the gnawing insecurity that took root in her soul. Royal bloodlines were often laced with the arcane, yet her heritage was grounded in the earthly elements of drains and drozns, devoid of mystical essence.
This absence of magic, a void within her, rendered her feeling incomplete, unworthy. The word ‘magicless,’ once uttered in childhood jest by Ernesto, clung to her like a shroud, its echo a haunting refrain.
Adorned in regal attire, Rosabella descended to the carriage, her heart heavy with foreboding. As her sister stepped into the awaiting vessel, Rosabella’s eyes lifted to the heavens, a silent plea cast amidst the gathering clouds. An omen lingered in the air, a whisper of change on the horizon.
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As the sun began its descent, Icurus suddenly noticed a looming figure on the horizon. “Hey... isn’t that the ship?” he exclaimed, his finger pointing towards the distant silhouette. Xavier, who had been lost in his thoughts, sat up abruptly and strained his eyes to see. “It... it does look like Silver Tide,” he murmured, a sense of nostalgia flooding his voice. Rising to his feet, he joined Icarus, his gaze fixed intently on the vessel. “She is as beautiful as I remember, isn’t she Icurus?” he mused softly. However, Icurus couldn’t ignore the unease that crept up within him. “Something seems off,” he muttered, his insides tightening with a growing sense of dread.
As the ship slowly approached, the onlookers at the harbour couldn’t help but be drawn to its eerie presence. Icurus and Xavier exchanged a worried glance, their hearts filled with an unsettling sense of foreboding. Something was terribly amiss with the Silver Tide; it was a haunting sight to behold. The vessel, dripping wet as if the ocean had consumed it and then cast it aside in disgust.
“Look at her,” Xavier whispered, his voice hushed and filled with dread. “It’s as if she’s been abandoned by all tales of goodness and cursed by the depths of the sea.”
Icurus nodded in agreement, a lump forming in his throat. “I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible has happened. Where is everyone?”
The ship, weathered and worn by its encounter with the elements, gently collided with the edge of the harbour, its timeworn wooden hull creaking as if in mournful lament. Each droplet of water that fell from its decks seemed to carry with it the weight of a thousand unanswered questions, intensifying the unsettling atmosphere surrounding the vessel.
“Dad...” Icurus quietly uttered, his voice choked with sorrow. He feared the worst, his heart sinking at the thought of his beloved father, whom he had longed and waited for six years, being lost to the treacherous machinations of the sea.
Xavier placed a reassuring hand on Icurus’s shoulder.
Icurus tightened his grip on his fist, determination etched across his face, as he forged ahead towards the mysterious vessel. Panic flickered in Xavier’s eyes as he hurriedly trailed behind him, struggling to keep up. “Where are you going!?” he exclaimed, he was very aware of how reckless his friend could be.
Icurus glanced back at him, his gaze filled with a resolute intensity. “I’m going to investigate the ship,” he declared firmly. “There’s no way they just disappeared without a trace.” With a stride, he closed in on the enigmatic vessel, leaving Xavier no choice but to follow.
As they approached, Icurus reached out and laid his hand on the ship’s weathered hull, its cold touch sending shivers down his spine. The vessel loomed before him, a haunting sight that evoked an eerie sense of mystery. Its once vibrant colours had faded into ghostly whispers of their former glory, and the wooden boards creaked with a sorrowful melody as if mourning the secrets that resided within.
Tattered sails, torn and frayed, hung limply from the masts as if echoing the despair that had befallen this forsaken vessel. The portholes stood like empty eyes, hollow and lifeless, staring out into the vast expanse of the sea.
But what truly sent shivers down Icurus’ spine was the unsettling aura emanating from the water that enveloped the ship. Its dark depths seemed to possess an otherworldly presence, as if concealing a host of secrets, waiting to be unearthed. The water swirled in strange patterns, hinting at a hidden force that defied all logic-a mesmerizing yet unnerving sight that left Icurus with a foreboding sense of danger.
He nudged Xavier and pointed at the water. Xavier observed the water but he didn’t see anything odd, “what?“. Icurus pursed his lips, “You don’t see it? Or feel it?“.
Xavier shrugged, “I am not half mermaid”
Icurus narrowed his eyebrows, bending down. Xavier grabbed his arm, “Don’t you dare think about going down there”.
“I wasn’t thinking about it” he lied.
“Yeah sure”
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