2 2. Coming-of-Age Ceremony

"Redo all the table setting. Change the flower into lilies. Put the lantern beside it." The middle-aged woman said to the servants who were arranging the tables for the upcoming party of the only princess in the Bohr Kingdom.

 

 

The Kingdom was busy running around arranging the venue for the party, even the people in the kitchen cannot be bothered. The King ordered that it must be the biggest party next to the coronation of the Crown Prince for he has something important to announce to the people.

 

Meanwhile in the Bel Palace, "Your Highness, you have to wake up. This is your big day." Josephine said to Catherine as she tried to wake her up.

 

Josephine snaps her two fingers, signaling for the other maids to get ready and prepare for the princess' bath and meal. Catherine sat up and twirled one of her delicate fingers, and from it came small sparks of fire.

 

"Should I try and ruin it?" Catherine teased. Josephine shook her head in disbelief and helped the princess to stand up.

 

"You know that wouldn't get you anywhere, Your Highness. Also, your father, the King has something important to announce. You wouldn't achieve your dream if you get on the King's bad side." Josephine nagged at the princess. They continued to walk towards the princess's private bathroom. Two servants opened the big wide door and it revealed a big room complete with elegant vanity and a large bathtub covered in gold facing a large window with the view of the princess' favorite garden.

 

"But he is my father. Clearly, he wouldn't hate me, even if I did. I mean, father adores me so much. You know that even this palace was named after me." Catherine said with confidence as she flipped her silver long hair. Josephine smiled at her and directed her to the bathtub.

 

While the princess was in the bath, the Queen made her way to the Bel Palace, smiling happily and full of excitement, with her five attendants and the Princess' older brother, the Crown Prince, Axel Kirin Swan. As the group glided towards the Bel Palace, the servants around the castle showed great respect and admiration to the Queen and the Crown Prince, as they bowed to them whenever they passed.

 

Two guards opened the door to the room of Princess Catherine for the Queen and the Crown Prince. The two of them saw the Princess in a strapless blush pink ball gown that is lavishly designed with golden flowers hugging her top body. The Queen looked at the Princess with tears in her eyes.

 

"I can't believe that my beautiful darling sweetheart is finally an adult. You're already eighteen!" The Queen walked towards the Princess, who was now getting her make up done, she wiped her tears as she continued speaking.

 

"The day when you were only as small as a fry is so vivid in my memories, I feel as if it was only yesterday. Now you have to go to ano–"

 

The Queen's speech was interrupted when the King came bursting through the door with tears in his eyes. The preparation for the celebrant was all finished, the servants and Josephine made their way out of the room.

 

"My precious little baby is all grown up!" The King exclaimed. The Crown Prince laugh in amusement and handed her a box with a silver ribbon, signifying royalty.

 

"Happy birthday, sis!" The Crown Prince greeted and gave a quick hug and pat in the back.

 

"Aw, you remembered." Catherine joked and smacked his brother's arm. The Crown Prince laugh and sat beside his mother and father.

 

"Cathy! You're already an adult, act more ladylike." The Queen scolded. Catherine suddenly stood straight with her head held high and her stomach in.

 

"Of course, Queen Mother." She said with a low and soft voice radiating elegance all over the room, as she did a curtsy that whoever saw will be in awe for its refine gracefulness.

 

"Oh stop it." The Queen said as she rolled her eyes. The family laughs at their silly jokes until a servant knocked on the Princess' door. 

 

"Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, it's time." 

 

"Oh, sweetheart, before I forgot." The Queen handed her a round box in red and silver wrapping. 

 

"Happy Birthday, Princess Catherine." She handed the princess the present and she opened it. Catherine looked at her mother with tears in her eyes.

 

"But mother, this is–" 

 

"This belongs to you now." The queen wrapped her fingers in the princess's hands containing the jewelry. It was a small golden locket engraved with lilies, with their family picture that was given by the King to their Queen. 

 

"Thank you, mother. I will forever cherish this." Catherine locked her arms tightly in her mother's embrace.

 

"What about father?" Catherine looked at her father and chuckled.

 

"It's a surprise, my darling girl." Her father teased and offered her hand to the Queen. The Crown Prince then did the same to Catherine and made their way to the banquet hall. 

 

"His Majesty, the King, Axel Luke Swan and Her Majesty, the Queen, Catherine Swan is now entering." The announcer declared that caught the people's attention. They turned to the staircase and gave a full curtsy, as it revealed two stunning figures that displayed great sophistication. 

 

"I'm kinda nervous now," Catherine whispered to her brother as they make their way towards the closed door where they will publicize any minute now. As if on cue, the announcer addressed their names.

 

"His Highness, the Crown Prince, Axel Kirin Swan and Her Highness, the Princess, Catherine Bel Swan." The big wide doors flew open and the two smiled at the people started walking towards the big crowd. They saw their parents sitting in their thrones, smiling happily at them. 

 

"Let the party begin!" The announcer proclaimed and the music played. People gathered at the dance floor and started dancing with their respective partners. Princess Catherine and Prince Kirin sat at their places beside the King and Queen, as two figures walked towards their way. Princess Catherine easily recognized the two girls for they were her childhood friends. 

 

"Grace and glory forever, Your Majesties." The two girls greeted as they dropped a curtsy. Catherine stood from her seat and hugged the two girls.

 

"Happy Birthday, Cath!" Airis beamed and released the princess from their hug. The other girl jabbed her arms and looked at her sternly.

 

"I mean, Your Highness, the Princess." Airis corrected. Catherine laughed and ushered the two girls to the balcony near the throne hall. 

 

"Airis, Ria, I'm so glad you could make it," Catherine exclaimed. 

 

"We wouldn't miss it for the world." The two girls stated, simultaneously, and looked at each other.

 

"You two really are twins, you even say the same thing at the exact same time." Catherine giggled to herself. Even though Airis and Ria are twins, The only thing that they have the same is their hair color which is as yellow as the sun in the sky. Their features and personality are the polar opposite. Airis' eyes shine like blue sapphire while Ria's eyes are as green as the meadows. Airis is more the out-going one than the quiet Ria who loves to sit in a corner and read. Both girls are cherished by Catherine. They continued their talk until Prince Kirin interrupted saying that they need the celebrant to be in the dance. Arm in arm, the siblings prance to the dance floor as they were guided by the music. 

 

"Are you having fun?" Prince Kirin asked as he twirls his sister to the rhythm of the music.

 

"Of course," Catherine answered sweetly. She rested her head against the strong chest of his brother.

 

"Thank you." She whispered. The music stopped and they changed partners. After a couple of songs and dancing with people that the princess has never met, she made her way to the table of buffet and munched some cookies. An attendant treaded to the direction of the princess to ask her to return to her seat, as the King will state the important announcement he has to make. The sound of knife ringing the glass filled the banquet and everyone's eyes focused on the King who was now standing up in front of his people.

 

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen! For years, our kingdom has lived in seclusion for we fear that our powers maybe use in selfish desires that may harm us, as well. We have everything that we would ever need and want in this kingdom, hence, we did not need to interact with the other kingdoms for our gain and use but this will now change." The King paused as he heard gasps from the crowd. He knew this was going to happen, so he cleared his throat and continued.

 

"Before the passing of the former king, my father, he left a dying wish that only this generation will be able to fulfill, with my daughter, your princess, playing a big role." The King looked at Princess Catherine who was now confused, extended his hand, gesturing for her to stand with him. Catherine maintained a calm face as she walked towards her father and reached his hand.

 

"My father, with his journey to another kingdom met a strange but good man. As the time they spent together, they became very close and promised each other's grandchildren to be betrothed to one another after their coming-of-age ceremony." The gasps of the crowd became louder and murmurs started enveloping the place. They stopped and continued listening to what the King says.

 

"Three years ago, I received a letter indicating that the man's grandson was finished with his coming-of-age ceremony. All this, I believe that words of my father were fallacious, that is until I received the letter. Now, that my daughter's coming-of-age ceremony is almost done, it is time that we acknowledge the dying wish of my father and the agreement between the humans and our kind to be completed. Princess Catherine Bel Swan will be sent to the Uranbel Kingdom to marry their king as per the promise of the two individuals who met on a journey." The King's announcement ended and the people started talking among themselves. Catherine stood in disbelief, Airis and Ria grabbed the princess and returned to the Princess' quarters. 

 

"You're engaged!" Airis shrieked in excitement as they sat in the princess' bed. It was now past midnight and after the announcement of the King, people started to go home.

 

"Don't be excited Airis." Ria scolded and stroke Catherine's back.

 

"Are you okay?" She asked. 

 

"I can't believe I will be leaving this kingdom. What about my dreams? What about my opinion? Do they not care?" She cried and buried her face in her hands. 

 

Behind her door was her family silently listening to her cries. She wiped her tears, looked at her friends, and hugged them.

 

"Thank you." She stated and the three of them drifted to sleep.

 

The next morning, Josephine and the servants came in with their meals and helped them clean up. Airis and Ria bid their goodbye to the princess and made their way out.

 

"Your Highness, you didn't even change your clothes." Catherine smiled sadly.

 

"Josephine, I'm engaged. Can you believe it?" Catherine looked at the window beside her dresser where Josephine arranges her hair.

 

"I will miss this view. Do you think humans have this kind of view?" Catherine asked. Josephine's heart broke at the sight of the princess with no energy and blue, she hugged the princess and lightly stroke her head.

 

"Maybe you should open the gift your brother gave you. Also, the King came yesterday night and left this box." Josephine handed her two boxes, one from her father and another from her brother. She first opened the present her brother gave her, it was a dagger in silver and gold, embedded with a magical stone. She slowly reached for the stone embedded in the dagger and it shines like the stars in the night sky. The dagger was then covered in fire, she removed her fingers and set the dagger in the table.

 

"My brother knew I was leaving." Again, sadness engulfs her, but she reached for her father's gift. She opened it and it showed a ring with one pink diamond covered in white diamond. It was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. She never knew there could be a pink diamond in this world! It must have been from the Uranbel Kingdom. She laughed at her thought, she can't believe she had the time to think about other kingdoms when she was about to leave her own. Josephine prepared her clothes and set her hair in a neat but elegant style.

 

Catherine knew that her mother would be having her tea in the garden at this time of the day so she made her way to the garden. When the Queen saw her, she stood up and run to her daughter. She hugged her tightly and Princess Catherine returned her hug. They sat in the table and one of the servants poured tea for the princess.

 

"How are you feeling?" The Queen asked. Catherine sipped from her tea before answering.

 

"I'm well, Mother." She smiled. For the first time today, it was a genuine smile. 

 

"I'm sorry you had to know that way. Your father and I thought that you would act out if we ever told you." The Queen apologized and held her hands.

 

"You know me so well, Mother." Catherine chuckled softly and look at the flowers, her mother, and her planted.

 

"I will miss this place." She sighed. 

 

"So, you will go?" Her mother asked, surprised. Cathrine smiled.

 

"I may act childish at all times, but I do know my responsibilities." 

 

"Oh, my baby." The Queen wrapped her arms in her daughter and pat her head.

 

"Where is father?" Catherine asked. Suddenly, the King appeared from the bushes. 

 

"Were you looking for me?" Her father proudly questioned. 

 

"Hmph!" The Princess exclaimed and the King looked as if the world will end. 

 

The three laughed together when Prince Kirin entered. 

 

"Why are you having fun without me?" He smiled and sat beside the Princess. He took some cookies and pop them into his mouth. 

 

Catherine smiled and silently observed her family engraving the picture in her mind forever. She will surely miss the family that cherished her and gave her so much love. 

 

A few days after the coming-of-age ceremony, the princess was set to go to the Uranbel Kingdom. All the preparations were done, all they have to do is bid farewell. The Royal Family and their close friends were near the gate of their Kingdom in the east of the border. Using their abilities, they did not have to travel for days to arrive at the Uranbel Kingdom. They would manipulate the land with their earth magic so that the time needed to travel would be shortened. 

 

She looked at Ria who was beside her wearing a simple green and white dress and asked. 

 

"Are you sure about this? There is so much you can do here." 

 

"Your Highness, I told you what I'm doing is for my own selfishness. I want to see what the other kingdoms have to offer. Isn't it a good thing to have someone familiar at your side?" Ria explained as she gestured for the servants to put her belongings in the carriage. Airis hugged her sister and shed a couple of tears insight of her twin sister leaving. 

 

"You have to contact me every day, alright?" Airis reminded and hugged her sister again. 

 

"As much as possible do not use your powers, Catherine. Especially to humans." The King ordered and hugged her daughter. 

 

"Be sure to eat your meals and never forget to contact me and tell me all about what is happening. Okay?" The Queen embraced her daughter. 

 

"I have Josephine, Mother." Catherine laughed and hugged her mother back. 

 

"Always have the gift I gave you be near you." Prince Kirin said and enveloped her sister in an embrace. 

 

"Tell me when you don't like your betrothed. When I'm King, I will get you back, no matter what. Just tell me." Prince Kirin whispered that made Catherine giggled. 

 

"Oh, I'm so love, should I not go?" She joked and hugged her family one last time. 

 

"I love you guys, forever." She declared and released them. She walked towards Airis and the three of them hugged. 

 

"I will miss you guys." Airis sobbed. 

 

Catherine, Ria, and Josephine made their way to the carriage and went in. 

 

Catherine made a final look at her family and friends before drifting into the darkness. 

 

She never once thought that she would leave behind her family to be wed to a human being. 

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