A young child whose smile can light up a dark room, was seen skipping about in the main foyer of the crystal palace, with other children, filling the once quiet room with a cacophony of noise, children bickering about who is IT in tag, and who is the strongest among the group. Among them is one young girl, who skin is the complexion of Hazelnut, eyes green as emeralds and hair who black as a Ravens feather and soft as Egyptian cotton pillows, currently tied into one ponytail puff, this was complemented with pinpoint freckles that peppered across the bridge of her nose. The young girl who stands at a humble frame of 165 centimeters and weighs in at 50 kilograms, the princess of the Xilric Royal Family, Masi Xilric. The 10-year-old is running around playing in her royal gown, before bumping into her father Aimar Xilric. The king stands over his first-born smiling.
“Masi my dear, what is with this chaos going on in my foyer?” The king asks with a smile, but his voice carries a tone of annoyance.
“Father, we were playing tag and Riddick will not admit his fault!” Mari Whines and stomps her feet on the reflective floor.
“Child, I have my constituents arriving shortly, please take your games elsewhere.” He says in a disbarring tone. “In fact”, he pulls his left sleeve back to look at his wristwatch, “it is time for your lessons, be on your way to the study hall now.” He commands
“But father…” Masi starts, her eyes wide on the verge of watering.
“NOW!” King Aimar barks. “Do not argue with me.” He finishes with a sigh, rubbing the furrow of his brow.
“Now Aimar, it is out of character for you to lash out like this.” Queen Gaia remarks walking down the main steps to enter the foyer, her tone soft and nurturing. Her white dress glides down the palace steps, her heels click clack in a musical rhythm as she strolls down and stops at the first landing. Her coffee colored skin complexion is a pleasing contrast to the brilliant sunlight shining through the palace windows. Her black braids tied in a bun atop of her head, gold bracelets jingle against her slender arms, eyes shine a brilliant emerald, sharing the similar trait with her heir. Her ears medium in length and pointed upward, an elf of pure blood and pride. She smiles at her daughter, her only heir before turning to scowl at her husband for speaking in the way he did, before sighing and lovingly smiles at him. For can one truly blame his tone, as being the keeper of peace among four districts
“Now Masi, listen to your father and go tend to your studies with Madam Juniper, and do not forget you daily piano instruction, your recital at the jubilee is vast approaching, best to be on top of all things so as not to be outclassed by the children in Hull city, and Tottenham.” Gaia says lovingly but firmly to the child.
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The child sighs and nods in agreement and leaves the foyer to go to the study hall, where Miss Juniper was waiting books in hand. Now Juniper May was former advisor to the mother of queen Gaia, as she enters her seventh decade of life, she bears minimal wrinkles on her cheeks, nor crows feet in the eyes, but her hair does shine a radiant silver, a crown for her experience in life. She is the head instructor of magic for the Kings Royal Army, serving her tenure in the 100 years’ war. She has also been bestowed recently the directorial position for managing and creating the Guardians of Aston Villa, and distributing them throughout the four districts.
“Talk to me my sweet husband, what illness harms you?” Gaia asks approaching him from the steps, her slender fingers rub the side of his face with gentle concern. Gaia can sense the stress of the jubilee weighing upon her husband, the ten year anniversary of peace, the great festival is approaching quickly, and the leaders of hull city, and Tottenham as well as the mayors of the minors cities and their advisors are quickly entering the Crystal Palace.
“Illness affects me not my love, but the child, she takes her position too lightly, and the leaders of these small towns, are they not content with the laws that I set out for them, are the people not happy with the ministers I have anointed to guide their problems?” The king says exhausted sitting on the crystal steps, watching the light dance a ballad of color around the room.
“Masi is just a child love, and the people love and respect your rule, sleep is just the prey that escapes you. You are Aston Villa’s mighty lion after all, you help bring an end to the Great war, you can handle a little party, and some political fanfare.” She says giggling and landing a small kiss upon his freckled warm ivory colored cheeks.
Meanwhile Masi is playing a rendition of “Mother may I” by Aston Villa's pianist Xie Qi. Juniper May nods her head along with the piece ruler in hand listening intently for any slack or dead notes.
“Very Good Masi, very good.” She says firmly but with warm praise for the child, before the child sighs and stops. “Why did you stop princess?” Juniper May askes looking over her glasses at the child.
The child looks away, still hurt by her fathers’ discipline earlier. She sulks and buries her head into the ivory keys and begins to weep quietly, letting out slight hiccups between breaths, for this is not the first time her father has spoken to her with enmity in his voice. Juniper May silently sits next to her and pets her back softly.
“Dry your tears child and save them for a rainy day.” She says affectionately. “Come, let's start from the top and we can end our lessons here, I have something I must make you aware of before the Jubilee.” Juniper instructs with solidity but tapered with love. The room fills with music, as the notes coat the ears of silent lookers, like honey on a candy apple. When the music finishes, Juniper lightly grips the hand of the child and takes her to a heavy wooden door marked “Caution: Powerful magic within!” The door stands tall, and the magic can be felt as through the cracks, it is cold and fast, like a blizzard is brewing inside of the apothecary. The child beams with excitement, only guessing what is beyond the door.