Shin
'How many years has it been?' A shaky old woman's voice asked her eyes glued to the burning pyre. She was fighting a loosing battle with tears that endlessly flowed down her cheeks. Her regal posture and aura was breaking apart with every sob. I wanted to pull her into my embrace and comfort her but I didn't dare to. We watched the fire, the smell of burning flesh and wood filled the air. The wind gently brushed past us and with it the smell of what was my grandfather's remains. She clenched and unclenched her fist repeatedly before breaking the silence.
'Am getting old' She spoke softly 'How's the south?'
'Its getting worse' My voice was rough. 'Its still manageable For now though' I kept my answer short. She sighed heavily.
'You do understand what will happen from now on' My grandmother didn't bother facing me as she regained her regality and authority. 'You and that good for nothing uncle of yours have to start taking your duties seriously' I stood still afraid of saying anything.
'Starting today your Keel's first chosen, king of the golden valleys and head magistrate of Aurum. A title and responsibility you've been avoiding for twenty years. This is the lady's will do you understand?'
'I understand 'I answered still not daring to look her in the eye.
'War will always exist. it existed before my time, before my mother's time and it will exist after am gone. Don't use it as an excuse not to live.'
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'So what lady has been bothering your mind lately?' I was pulled out of my thoughts by my uncle's voice.
'None actually' I answered trying to remember what exactly he was talking about before I spaced out.
'Mother gave you the talk huh' I was about to absentmindedly nod in agreement.
'What talk' He clears his throat.
'Son, listen' He starts with his best grandmother's voice imitation. 'It comes a time when a man has to settle down and build a family' He starts imitating her air of superiority.
'One needs someone to centre him, give him a sense of purpose and reasoning. So she told me, what did she tell you? I saw you talk at father's farewell.'
'Not much. She did say your a good for nothing' I answered jokingly.
'She said that about me?' my uncle acted shocked and I couldn't help but laugh. we were currently entering the gates to the empire's capital. One of the seven people, who had come as guards, rode ahead to inform the guards of our arrival.
'I've missed this' uncle said as he scratched his head unable to set his curly hair well.
'Hmmm'
'I've been seeing nothing but soldiers for the past year and a half. it was nice seeing family again' uncle chattered on.
'Family?' I put my best startled expression. 'You wound me uncle. Haven't you seen me every day for the past year? Or was it a particular person you've missed playing with?' I had a mischievous grin on my face.
'Of course there is' My uncle being shameless didn't hesitate to answer. We directed our horses past the main street where people would stop what they were doing and bow respectfully as we passed by them. A few moments of this tiring act and we were past tje first wall heading north to our palace. We were doing our best to avoid a conversation with any of the bystanders as we continued past the sections where the wealthy lived and past a third wall where the nobles lived. Past the fourth wall, we could finally drop the façade as we entered our residence.
'Do I have to attend every event this week?'I unmounted the horse.
'No, mother said we only need to attend the emperor's granddaughter's party, attend the game's opening and closing ceremonies and try not to kill anyone. Otherwise were free to do whatever.'
'Hmmm, when's this party?'
'I have no idea.' I felt a headache just thinking off all the lies id hear and tell in this one week.
'Your majesty, welcome to the capital' My cousin Adriel bowed in greeting at the palace's doors. 'Please, this way' He ushered us in. 'Your late I was told you'd be here by midday'
'Things just happened. Why what is the matter?' I answered as I followed her through the dark hallways.
'There's a party you need to attend tonight. But it doesn't really matter when you get there as long as the emperor doesn't set foot in the hall before you.' She chuckled. 'I've prepared your baths, clothes and the carriage is already on its way to Nurr's palace. just make sure your inside before it enters his courtyard. Easy' She smiled and started to walk away.
'Oh and cousin try not to get drunk tonight' She turns and leaves. only the sound of her heels can be heard before they abruptly stop.
'I guess we have five minutes' chuckle at my joke as I separate ways with uncle.
Hellan
'Why do I have to wear such a flashy colour?' I grumbled. I was in a carriage seated next to Linda while my other elder sister was sited across from me. I was wearing a high collar, sleeved red dress that gently hugged my chest area but opened up at the waist into a gown. it had gold embroidery finishing of roses and thorns all over. My jet black hair was held into a high bun held by multiple ruby pins. I looked good but compared to the two goddesses in the carriage I was just average.
'Its a party of course you should look good' Alexandria said as she fixed her green dress and emerald jewellery than did wonders for her caramel coloured skin and green coloured eyes. She was two years older than me and already looking a lot more like our mother.
'Red looks good on you' Linda said as she put a necklace around my neck. She looked at me and smiled her silver irises shinny slightly in the moonlight. Unlike my dress hers was a silver dress that showed too much cleavage and hugged her curves a bit tightly paired with a white overcoat and heels. She showed a regal aura but whenever were we just us three she became an overbearing mother.
'Your too cute whenever you dress up' She pulled me into a tight embrace.
'But wont Edith be around? What if...'
'She wont do anything.' Alex spoke with a seriousness you don't see on her everyday. 'And if she pulls anything dumb ill....'
'Enough sister today is a day to party, at least for you two.' She sighed and pulled a mirror for me. Unlike my two elder sisters, lady rose had yet to accept me so my irises were still the normal copper colour and my tattoos were incomplete. Looking in the mirror, I hap red lipstick a light shade of makeup on my caramel skin, my ears had ruby earrings and the necklace Linda had put on me. They were right I was beautiful.
'....'
Nurr's palace was located at the highest point of the roan hills. On the fourth wall where only the five royalties lived. it was a huge behemoth structure made with rare sapphire stone and crimson bricks with tall towers that cast shadows through the whole city. Past the gates was a garden that had flowers, a nice green grass carpet, a stone gargoyle that spewed water endlessly. Being the innermost building in the city, it was surrounded by the other castles. They were all imposing in their own way but the two buildings behind it put more pressure on ones senses, one was made of white polished marble while the other was made of rough obsidian. One looked clear and calm the other looked like rough and edgy.
We followed the path up to the castle doors where there were other carriages had queued waiting for their turn at the doors. Every year during the harvest games the emperor held a party for his granddaughter. This year was her coming of age ceremony that and the fact that the princes were trying to get supporters after the emperor decide to step down from the throne. Linda checked my dress again and tucked a strand of hair that had broken free from my bun. After a few minutes it was finally our turn to step from the carriage. A coach boy held the door and assisted Linda step out followed by Alexandria then I got out last. I held Alex's' arm and followed Linda through the palace doors and into the palace.
'Lady Linda, lady Alexandria and lady Hellan Cresworth' We were announced to the hall as we stepped in. the hall was large and lavishly decorated with sapphire and crimson colours of the Nurr house and their flag and seal symbols, a blue dragon spewing crimson flames. we walked down short flight of stairs. Under a crystal chandelier and onto the hall. The guest started giving their greetings filled with fluttery and sometimes straight up lies and Linda sweetly smiled as she answered them. A few minutes of that and I was bored and mostly disgusted. Alex pulled me out of the spotlight and took me to the bar. The usher continued announcing the arrivals of the guest.
'Prince Misheck of the Rod clan of giants and princess charlotte of the northern peaks' the usher announced the royals after the trumpet was blown. two people walked into the room exuding an aura that made people subconsciously lower their heads. They kept their conversations short as they went from person to person. The prince with brown hair and a darker brown for his suit though from a giants clan was neither toned nor that tall. The lady next to him must have been younger than me she was wearing a blue dress not tight and she had no jewellery on. she was just naturally beautiful.
'Grey of the Ashen planes' The usher announced and a pale skinned man walked inro the room. Unlike the other two he didn't exert pressure or an air of superiority. Instead he was humble, meek even as he smiled and greeted those around him. Alex passed me a glass and I took a sip and immediately put it down and glared at her.
'You are going to need it' She smiled and grabbed my hand. 'Lets go meet some boys' She pulled me while giggling. Before we even took a step the trumpet was blown and an old man walked into the room arm in arm with a young girl and three handsome men in step behind him. Everyone including us bowed. The emperor was here. An old man walking with the help of a cane. He had a head full of grey and a genuine smile on his face.
'Please raise your heads today is not about me, but about the abundance our ancestors have bestowed upon us, and about my lovely granddaughter Layann.' He spoke softly but with enough authority to command respect across the room. it was rare for all nobles and royals to be together in the same room, all royals except one. The trumpet was blown alarming everyone. Somebody actually dare to arrive after the emperor had made his entrance. Without even getting announced, two men walked in.
'Ahh Keels always love to make an entrance' I heard somebody say. I looked at the two men. one had a black blindfold covering their eyes. Both wore black suits and red shirts. They had a playful smile on their lips. their silver coloured hair their skin that was almost as dark as mine, that added to the aura they probably dint know they were exuding made the whole crowed who looked at them bow their heads.
'Sorry we are late' I couldn't tell whether they were genuine or whether it was lip service but the baritone voice the young man spoke with travelled across the room. they descended the stairs and got to the emperor.
'Shin my boy glad you and your uncle could make it' The emperor started with a casual tone. If he was irritated he didn't show. 'Please let us celebrate' He addressed the whole room and music started playing as everyone started to socialize and mingle with each other.