Kaila's POV
I stood at the foot of the grand staircase while the servants adjusted my gown and pinned my hair with extra care. Their hands were gentle and careful, preparing me for something far greater than a simple gathering in the palace.
I stepped closer to the window, my throat tightening as I stared at the royal carriage waiting for my entire family. It was polished like black glass under the moonlight, its gold trim gleaming and its lanterns glowing with soft enchanted light. The crest of Nymrador was carved into its door, a crown wrapped in swirling vines, beautiful and commanding all at once.
Fae nobles could fly, and everyone believed I could too. They believed my power was so great that I simply chose to hide it. But I had no magic, and that secret was the one thing my entire family feared the palace would uncover.
Still, Nymrador loved tradition. Royals did not soar like wild creatures. They walked, bowed, and rode in carriages like living symbols, delicate and untouchable, watched by everyone.
Behind me, the study doors opened. My father stepped out in full uniform, calm as always, but I knew him too well. The tightness in his jaw told me he was holding something back. My mother followed in silver and white, her healer's hands hidden beneath gloves. She wore a smile, but it was too careful to be real.
My stomach twisted. This was supposed to be a celebration. An engagement night. Yet all I felt was fear, like tonight I would be judged instead of welcomed as the Crown Princess of the realm.
My mother came close and brushed my cheek. "You look beautiful," she whispered.
I tried to smile. "Mother..."
Her fingers lingered for a heartbeat, before she stepped away. The doors opened, and cold evening air rushed in, carrying the scent of roses and the distant glow of palace lights. The coachman bowed. Guards stood rigid on both sides of the steps, their spears catching the lantern light.
I lifted my skirt and walked down, my heels clicking against stone. For a moment, I thought of flying. Not because I could, but because I wanted to. I wished to escape and to disappear into the sky and never come back.
Instead, I did what I had always done. I stayed calm, controlled, and obedient.
My father offered his arm, and I took it without hesitation. My heart was beating fast as we stepped into the carriage together.
The door closed with a soft click, sealing us inside.
As the horses began to move and the wheels rolled forward, I pressed my hands on my lap, trying to stay calm. I should have felt proud. Tonight was important, and I would finally see the Crown Prince again.
A part of me was even excited. But beneath that excitement was a fear I could not silence.
What if my secret was revealed. What if someone looked at me too closely and saw the truth I had spent my whole life hiding.
The carriage carried us farther away from House Ashveil and closer to the palace of Nymrador. With every turn of the wheels, I was brought closer to the night that would change everything.
"Father... what if they discover the truth tonight?" I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady even though my chest felt tight with fear.
My mother reached for my hand and squeezed it gently. "My dear, nothing will happen tonight," she said with tenderness. "Just focus on your engagement with the Crown Prince. This is supposed to be the happiest night of your life, and I want you to enjoy it."
My father's gaze softened. "And remember," he added quietly, "whatever happens, your mother and I will be here to protect you. Do not ever think you are powerless. You have strength within you, Kaila."
I wanted to believe him. I wanted to hold onto his words the way I always did.
But deep inside, I felt the bitter truth.
They had been telling me that for years. And yet even now, at eighteen, I was still powerless. I could not fly. I could not move objects with a flick of my fingers. I could not do the things every fae child could do without even trying.
The palace was already overflowing with guests, mostly nobles and dignitaries, all eager to witness what they called the most anticipated event in Nymrador's history.
The moment we arrived, servants hurried to greet us and escorted us through the grand halls into the palace throne hall, where the royal family waited.
My heart began to race the moment I saw the Crown Prince.
I had seen Lucien Firemont many times, more than I could count, but it never mattered. My heart still fluttered every time he looked at me and smiled. He always spoke to me gently, always complimented my beauty, and I had been secretly in love with him since I was fourteen.
But every time I remembered what I lacked, I forced myself to stop dreaming. No matter how badly I wanted to believe I could truly belong beside him, reality always pulled me back.
Because how could I ever be worthy of the Crown Prince when I had no magic at all?
And yet tonight, I was about to be engaged to him. The thought filled my heart, but it also made it ache. I was happy, yet terrified.
I held onto one thing, the hope that my parents were right. That nothing would go wrong tonight, and that they would not let anything happen to me.
The royal family had chosen me as their future Crown Princess. They believed I was powerful. They believed I was exactly what the realm needed. And for eighteen years, my parents had hidden the truth, deceiving the royal family, the court, and the entire kingdom.
So tonight, I forced myself to look brave. I lifted my chin, kept my smile in place, and reminded myself of what I had been trained to do my whole life, to stay calm and pretend that I am the most powerful girl in the realm.
The King rose from his throne the moment we entered the throne room.
His crown caught the light of the chandeliers, and the entire room seemed to hold its breath. Conversations died instantly. Even the nobles who loved to whisper and gossip went silent, as if the air itself demanded obedience.
Beside him, the Queen stood with grace, her expression warm and pleasant, like this was nothing more than a joyful celebration.
But the King's eyes were sharper than kindness. They swept over my parents first, then finally landed on me.
My heart tightened.
"General Ashveil," the King greeted, his voice loud enough to echo across the ballroom. "Healer Ashveil. It is an honor to welcome you once again into my palace."
My father bowed low. "Your Majesty."
My mother followed with a graceful curtsy. "Your Majesty. Your Grace."
I stepped forward last, just as I had been taught. I lowered my head, my movements careful, my smile gentle and perfect.
"Your Majesty," I said softly.
The King's gaze did not soften, but the Queen's smile widened as she looked at me.
"Rise, dear child," the Queen said warmly. "Tonight is a night of joy."
The King lifted one hand, and the servants at the edge of the ballroom instantly stepped back. Even the musicians stopped playing. The silence became heavy, as if everyone could sense the importance of what was about to happen.
"My loyal subjects," the King announced, turning to the guests. "We gather tonight for an event long awaited by our kingdom."
A wave of excited murmurs swept through the ballroom. Nobles leaned closer, eyes shining. Some even looked teary, as if they were witnessing history.
"The formal engagement of my son, our Crown Prince," the King continued, "and Lady Kaila Ashveil of House Ashveil, who will soon become our future Crown Princess."
The room erupted into applause.
I heard the clapping, but it sounded distant, like it was happening somewhere far away. My stomach fluttered, and for a moment I almost forgot the fear.
Then the King's hand rose again, demanding silence.
"And yet," he said calmly, "before we proceed with the engagement ceremony, I wish to announce something."
I held my breath as nervousness tightened around me.
The Queen turned her head slightly toward the King, her smile still present, but her eyes flickered with a warning I could not miss.
The King stepped forward from the dais, his boots striking the polished floor with measured authority. He looked at the guests again, and his lips curved into something that almost looked like pride.
"I have planned something special," he said. "A moment that will honor Lady Kaila, my future daughter in law, and the future Crown Princess of this kingdom."
The nobles murmured again, delighted and excited.
My chest tightened so hard. My parents went still beside me, and I felt it instantly, the shift in their bodies, the tension climbing into their shoulders as if they already knew where this was going.
The King's eyes returned to me, steady and unblinking.
"Lady Kaila," he called, and the ballroom fell silent again.
I forced myself to step forward.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
The King smiled, but it was not warmth. It was expectation.
"Tonight," he said, "before you are officially promised to my son, I would like the kingdom to witness what the court has spoken of for years."
Everyone leaned in, hungry for the moment. Even the Crown Prince turned slightly, watching me with quiet curiosity, as if he expected something beautiful to happen.
The King lowered his voice, but it carried through the hall with terrifying clarity. "I want to see the power of House Ashveil."
My blood turned cold, because in that moment, I understood exactly where this night was leading, this was not a celebration anymore, it was a test, and the entire kingdom was watching, waiting for me to pass, or for my secret to finally shatter everything.