Chapter 19: Side Story 1

Side Story 1: Ariana's Debut

-In the year 2493-

In the Galaxious Family when someone is at the age to debut instead of throwing a debutante party, they instead combine the debutante party with the Galaxious Family Annual Party, set in the non-magical side of the mansion. Once every year the Galaxious Family holds an annual party out of tradition and people may only attend if they have an invitation and have already debut. It is like a ball but with lots of magic. They also use this as a chance to show of their magical powers and to intimidate enemies.

Anyway it was the annual party and Ariana's debutante party. Many rooms were busy as everyone got ready for the grand party to start.

Ariana waited patiently in her room as people prepared since everyone insisted for Ariana to do nothing since she was the main star of tonight.

Ariana looked at her mirror and stared at the reflection. Many people now know her as the daughter of the Galaxious Family along with being the Pink Rose. Despite only having her powers for one year she was able to rise quickly with intense practice and many competitions, along with taking advantage of her family's resources. Ariana's family however was still reluctant, but she was going to prove them wrong. She was also going to show of her magic to help The Rose's power look more powerful to others which hopefully make it so less people try to mess with her.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity the party was soon going to start and Ariana was getting escorted to where she will attend her first, Galaxious Annual Party. Of course Ariana is still nine though so she got a bit nervous as she stepped closer to the door. "It is okay Rosetta, no need to be nervous", said Sophia.

"Yeah, today you're the star and if anyone dares to mess with you this brother will beat them up", smiled Claude proudly.

"Yes, all will be fine. Now everyone remember, in front of others she is not Rosetta but instead Ariana... A powerful little magician... I can not believe she is already growing up", said Sophia with tears in her eyes.

"Mother you are going to ruin your makeup", said Ariana as she looked at her family.

If the future is going to be how she plans it she will be leaving this home one day, much earlier than they would expect.

"No come on, let us get going now", said Albert as the large doors swung open.

The Galaxious Family stepped onto the mezzanine as eyes followed their movement. Ariana remembered the procedure and stepped forward. "This is the daughter of the Galaxious Family, Ariana Galaxious. With her powers at eight and meeting The Rose at nine. She will truly be a member of the Galaxious Family forever. Is that right?" Asked Albert to Ariana.

"Indeed it is. I swear on my life that the Galaxious Family will always be my family. Through depths and despair, through happiness and kindness, I will always be the daughter of the Galaxious Family. For us, for everyone, we shall never wither, but grow stronger", said Ariana with a resonating tone.

Debutante parties are also to show the family's loyalty to each other, so the few sentences said at the start are always the most important.

Once the party had started the sound of glasses clinking together, chatter and the sound of all types magic could be heard throughout the ballroom. The party also extended to the gardens where people could roam around look at the blooming flowers as the stars shined on them.

"Such an exquisite party right?" Said Adrian as he looked at Ariana.

For the party she wore a gown where the top of it looked like it was made of stars while the bottom looked like a galaxy. Half of her hair was put in a bun while the other half was let loose with roses in them, some were galaxy roses while some were pink roses. Her makeup was delicate and could not conceal her beauty underneath it as her face glowed in the moonlight, giving her a young goddess type of look. "Yeah, it is", smiled Ariana.

The party was indeed grand with the colours and sparkles of magic filling up the room and the well made decorations adorning the hall. The food was made with the best chefs so a lot of people liked to stick around it including the Prince.

This was of course the Prince's first time attending the Galaxious Annual Party and seeing Ariana so he thought he should greet her as he his the Prince and she is the daughter of the Galaxious family. That was also to get rid of doubts of the Galaxious and Royal family not being close to each other so he elegantly made his way to Ariana and said, "greetings Ariana Galaxious. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Josh Celeste, the Prince of this kingdom".

"And I am Ariana Galaxious, the daughter of the Galaxious Family and the Pink Rose. It is a pleasure to meet you too your highness", said Ariana while bowing.

"Congrats on... Everything that has happened", said Josh as he tried to think of conversation topics.

"Congrats to you too. I have heard you have been excelling in all of your studies, if I am correct you should be at the level of a magic user now".

"I have also heard of your accomplishments too. Quite outstanding for someone of our age".

"Thank you, anyway-".

Before Ariana could finish her sentence the music had started. "Perfect timing, will you give me the pleasure in dancing with you?" Asked Josh as he held out his hand.

"It will be my pleasure", said Ariana as she took it.

Adrian couldn't help but feel annoyed. It was the first dance of the night and the Prince just had to appear. Claude just looked at his friend and laughed then made his way to the gardens to avoid dancing and to avoid ripping Josh to sheds.

Beautiful music filled the hall as people got a dance partner and started to dance. Many people however decided to watch the dancing as they were interested to see Ariana's skill in it since they heard she is talented in dancing with magic. There were people who doubted her though since in the end she is a nine year old girl and has already done a lot so how much more could she do? But during this party Ariana was going to show them wrong.

"Your highness, is it alright if I use magic while we are dancing?" Asked Ariana.

"Sure!" Replied Josh.

"Um..." Said Ariana as she was a bit shocked by his words. She thought he would have better conduct as a prince.

"Sorry, I got a bit exited since I have never danced with magic before", said Josh with glittering eyes.

Ariana giggled when she remembered the first time she danced with magic when dancing with her brother. While Ariana got her powers at age eight Claude got his at seven years old so when he offered to dance with her when she was five he used magic and made them dance in the air. It was so magical that the memory was engraved in her mind, there was no need for a perfect memory spell for that.

"It is okay, I guess it is normal to be excited", said Ariana as suddenly Josh's feet felt lighter and he looked at them to see that wherever he stepped a star would appear.

"Whoa", said Josh while showing a big smile.

Ariana smiled too and said, "that is not only it".

Suddenly the lights in the ballroom dimmed and the shine from the stars got brighter as Ariana closed her eyes. As she did that sparkles started to surround them and move around the ballroom. As Ariana opened her eyes rose petals started falling from the ceiling and slowly drifted onto the dance floor. The Prince and Ariana glowed beautifully as butterflies fluttered around them too. The colours, the glow, the look, it was all beautiful. Everyone else on the dance floor stopped to look at the mesmerising dancing. The rumors were certainly true and as Ariana and Josh danced together they felt very joyful.

Josh could feel the warmth from the light around him as he and Ariana danced together. His feet was much lighter and the magic was so beautiful that he felt like he was dancing in a fairy tale. For Ariana she too felt like she was in a fairy tale with the sparkles and warmth spreading throughout her body. Ariana and Josh smiled at each other and continued to dance as they enjoyed that special moment. After a while the dance ended and others couldn't help but feel sad as the two let go of each other, they really wanted to see more!

"Thank you for the dance your highness", said Ariana as she bowed.

"Even though I invited you to dance I feel like I should be the one thanking you. It was truly a magcial dance, literally", smiled Josh.

"Well at least we both had fun", smiled Ariana back.

"Ariana my cute little sister, will you come and look at the flowers with your brother now?" Asked Claude as he pulled Ariana close to him.

"Oh hello your highness, I didn't see you there", added Claude.

"Brother, please use your manners", said Ariana as she rolled her eyes. "Your highness, on behalf of my brother I apologise for his misconduct".

"It is okay, after all any sibling would be over protective over their sibling", said Josh awkwardly.

"Definitely, you know my brother. Anyway we are going to go look at the flowers now, would you like to join us your highness?"

"It is alright, I feel like watching others dance". In truth Josh actually wanted to go with Ariana but he was afraid of getting ripped apart by Claude's stare.

"Okay then, see you later".

Ariana had to be careful with her words as people already doubted their relationship with the Royal Family, and they didn't want to start a civil war because there are many people who think the Galaxious Family are better suited for the crown and are willing to make it happen in many ways. However the Galaxious Family don't want anymore work on their plate so... Yeah, they don't want the crown. Thankfully her words made it seem like as if they were really close so there wasn't much doubt from the others who were watching.

The two siblings stepped outside and went to the top of a little hill where a swing with flowers wrapped around it hung on a tree with many shining apples growing on it. Many people consider the hill to be an immortal since through all of the natural disasters and attacks the hill and the tree has never been destroyed or killed including the swing. Instead it grew even more, even during the winter.

"Here you go my princess", said Claude as he picked an apple, cleaned it with a handkerchief and handed it to Ariana.

"Honestly Claude, you can't just act that way towards the Prince", sighed Ariana.

"I didn't like the way he looked at you", growled Claude.

"Brother, he is nine".

"He doesn't think like one".

'My, this scene is awfully familiar', thought Ariana.

She then smiled wryly at her brother, doesn't he have anything better to do than doubt someone younger than him who is obviously innocent.

As Ariana sighed Claude laughed like as if he read her mind and said, "only members of the Galaxious Family can swing on this. However you or mother haven't swung on it for a while. Do you mind if I push you on it?".

Ariana then remembered the happy memories she had with her family here and said, "sure".

Claude smiled as he was happy all of Ariana's innocence hasn't been taken yet, but he knew one day it will all be taken so he wanted to take advantage of every moment he had.

Claude then started to push Ariana as she soared into the air and giggled. "Rosy, since you gave everyone a good show I will give you one too, one from a fairy tale since you're a princess", smiled Claude as he started to use magic.

Ariana wanted to reprimand her brother for calling her Rosy but decided to let it go as tonight is a special one, one that can't be replicated.

The two siblings smiled and laughed happily as their parents watched them with warm eyes from the balcony. "Alfred, what should we do when Ariana grows older?" Asked Sophia.

"We will have to accept her wishes, she is growing up now. She can't stay a princess forever, she will eventually have to grow into a queen", replied Alfred.

"But isn't she growing to fast", said Sophia with a worried tone.

"I'm afraid it's in her blood. The Galaxious bloodline has always been like our two kids, maturing in a short time span, too young".

"Well... Yes, you're right. Let's hope we can prevent this with the next generation of the Galaxious Family".

"Let's not hope, but work towards it instead", smiled Alfred.

"Of course", replied Sophia.

After a few hours of dancing, magic (especially of Ariana showing of her magical powers), talking and food, the party had ended.

Ariana was exhausted from greeting people, dancing and using magic so now that everyone had left she let loose and took of her mask. As Ariana stared at the stars she felt a presence around her and turned around to see Josh. "Sorry, did I startle you?" Asked Josh.

"Oh no, I am just being cautious after showing of my powers", said Ariana.

"Right, you were quite impressive. More people are definitely going to target you now".

"Sadly yes. Anyway what are you still doing here? The part ended half a hour ago".

"Well my father had a few things to discuss with your father and our mothers wanted to have tea together and perhaps have a sleepover".

Ariana giggled and said, "is that so".

"Anyway tonight was quite fun".

"Yes, I am so happy there is a tradition of combining the annual party with the debutante party".

"I am sure the party would still have been great even if was not combined with the annual party".

"Yes but the annual party made it more grand and exciting".

"You are lucky. Your parties are much more better than the one at the palace, there is just so much magic".

"Well we are the Galaxious Family".

"Right... The dance was incredibly fun, I really enjoyed it", said Josh with a tinge of red on his cheeks.

Ariana smiled at the small action and before she could say anything Claude suddenly appeared and in a threatening tone said, "my my your highness, aren't you supposed to be in the non-magical library right now?"

"I-I w-wanted to look around. Anyway tonight was fun I hope you two have fun goodbye!" Said Josh quickly as he ran away.

Ariana looked at her brother suspiciously and asked, "what did you do?"

"I just put him back in his place, that's all", replied Claude.

Ariana sighed and continued to look at the stars, tonight was truly fun and interesting.