1 chapter one

'the traits of a empress is to be kind, compassionate, empathetic, smart, strong, and brave.'

I let out a sigh, leaning back in my desk chair. it has been two days since I have come to live in the lapis palace, along with 40 other candidates for empress.

each candidate either has a strong magical power... or they are from a noble family.

with me, a illeginiment child of Duke charcoal, the only way I could come would be if I was the maid of my older half sister, Angelica.

but when the royal wizard came to my father's manor, I just so happened to be in the field outside the house. and I just had to be practicing my magic.

light magic.

a extremely rare magic that let's the holder to talk to spirits and control the flow of light.

the wizard spotted me after picking up Angelina for her 'glitter ball'. the wizard took both of us, and brought us to the royal palace.

Angelica was not too happy that I was also chosen, but she could not do anything about it.

each room was decorated to match our magic. so my room is decorated with gold and light yellows. fairy light hang from the canopy of my silver bed.

today, the last of the candidates have arrived so we will be gathering soon.

I wrap my hands around my locket that sits around my neck.

my mother had given me this locket. it held a magic hologram of her face.

I click the top of the heart, and my mothers face appears in front of me. her beautiful bright red hair cascading down her back. her shining golden eyes almost glowing. her pale skin seemed to shimmer gold.

she died a year ago. she used the last of her spirit power to help a spirit who was corrupted.

*knock knock knock*

"miss, it's time to get ready."

I stand up and open the door.

"can you help me with my dress? I didnt bright a maid from home." I ask.

the maid just nods

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"welcome ladys, today I'd the ball that will help us select who shall become the next empress"

the king was standing on a balcany that held the thrones of the royal family. the prince was siting in his throne next to the kings. his hair was a glowing gold color, his eyes were bright. but I could not tell the color from where I stood. A young man with pitch black hairs stood next to him. he seemed to be the prince's knight.

"now let this ball begin!" an orchestra starts playing and knights begin asking wemon to dance. everyone had masks, to make sure there was not favor for the rich.

I stood in a corner, my dress was a baby blue, with gold lace and belt. my mask was made of gold silk, and my hair was pinned with golden roses, the stems braided into my hair.

two songs went by before a young man approached me.

"may I have this dance?" he ask, extending his gloves hand.

I hesitate looking at his masked face. this man was the prince's guard.

"um.. you may" I respond quietly, placing my hand in his.

he gracefully led me to the dance floor. we begin to dance, other knights dancing around us.

" you look lovely" the knight mumbles under his breath.

" what is your name?" he asks a little louder.

"arnt we supost to keep our identities a secret?" I respond, a smile coming to my face.

"well, it could be our little secret, my name is Ap- I mean blake. my name is blake. may I have your name?"

I nod, " my name is Meira Thea charcoal."

I smile and bow my head slightly.

"well meira, I shall tell the prince to keeps an eye on you. I am rooting for you." the song ends.

black stops and kisses my hand.

"I hope to see you soon."

his eyes had a twinkle to them and he had a mysterious smile on his face.

"while your at at it, can you ask the prince to send me a maid? I didnt bright one from home and my request for one has been ignored."

blake stood up straight and looked confused.

"I helped the prince go through all those requests, and I did not see your name. maybe your request got lost. I will make sure you get one." we bow to eachother.

"thank you."

I begin to walk back to the side when a hand stops me.

"may I please have this dance." I turn around and it's the prince. the crowd stops dancing, to look at the girl the prince had chosen to dance with.

"um... y- you may, your majesty." the prince smiled a childish smile.

the prince pulls me to the seater of the dance floor, and begins to lead me in a dance.

" you are miss meira, correct?" he asks, spinning to the side.

"yes I am. your majesty."

"please, drop the your majesty. I dont need to be reminded of my title every sentence." he almost looked pained.

"yes, you- I mean, I will"

the song ends, but the prince does not let you.

the next song starts and we continue dancing.

"um... the song ended... I can feel the the jealousy of other candidates."

"well, it's their fault they were so proud. they acted so stuck up to my knights. they only wanted to dance with me. you were the only one who was kind."

the last song ends, and I bow to the prince.

"thank you for dancing with me. may the sun shine on your rule"