The Offerings

On the second day of the festival, the whole atmosphere of the academy is full of energy, you can see the excitements of the students. Tents were assembled on the academy ground. Long tables and party chairs were arranged perfectly and decorated with tulle and fresh flowers.

Early in the morning, elegant carriages started to arrive at the academy entrance, my fellow students are happily reunited with their families. Today is the Offering Ceremony of the Goddess. Common Fairies are usherettes and servers for the event.

At the center of the stage, is a personalized chair made of gold, called The Goddess Chair, it is adorned with fresh, pure white blossoms. I really admire the beliefs and cultures of the fairies. Even though they don't see my aunt, they still believe that she really existed, protecting their lives and all the living organisms in the Magical Forest.

    Each student and family member prepared tokens to be offered to the goddess, they will put their gifts in front of the golden chair. They believed, that during the offering, the Goddess will come and will sit on her golden seat. After the ceremony, all the gifts will be brought to the gazebo in the Magical Forest.

     The front table is prepared for King Cassian, the leader of Erthesia Land, and his family, then followed by all the monarchs from the remaining kingdoms, except Skotadi, since it is the only kingdom who doesn't have students in the academy. Then in chronological order, followed by the family of Dukes, Earls, Viscounts and Barons. Then the family of the common fairies, but I can see the looks of the common fairies, they feel so lucky to be invited to this very special event. To see the Kings and Queens of Erthesia, especially, the family of the ruler of the whole Erthesia Land. Not all commoners can attend such historical gathering.

     Since, I am still considered a commoner, I am one of the usherettes, while Freda is a waitress, I can't help smiling looking at her, wearing her cute uniform, she reminded me of Thinker Bell, because of the shortness and green color of her dress.

    I can see Nick together with his ever charming brother, Prince Gregory and beautiful sister, Princess Mallory. They all look so elegant with their fancy clothing. Even at a distance I can see that Nicholas is beaming at me, while Gregory is giving me his signature smile, while his deep, seductive dimples makes him more attractive.

    I can feel my face blushed, just thinking about the last time we were together, at the Hanging Restaurant. I remember everything that Freda told me, about the exorbitant price of each menu.

   "You look so lovely and beautiful as always, Malia." Gregory said, while looking at me earnestly.

    "Thank you so much for the compliment, Prince Gregory, welcome to the second day of the Festival." I said, then I curtsied to them.

    "It is nice to see you again, Malia." Princess Mallory said, giving me her perfect smile.

    " Nice to see you too, Princess Mallory and of course, Prince Nicholas, please let me take you to your seats." I said to them, then I led them to their designated table.

    "Thank you, Malia, I will be looking forward to spending more time with you after the offering." Prince Gregory said, he is looking at me seriously, and waiting for my reply.

     "See you around Prince Gregory, I am sorry, but I need to go back to my post." I said, and bow to them, then turn around to go back to my assigned place. I can feel that someone is following me, when I looked back, I find Nick following behind me.

   "Hey! You better get back to your seat Nicholas, you know we don't know who are on our side, they may find it odd that a prince like you, is talking with a commoner." I said.

"Okay, I know Mal, but I just want you to say, you really look good today, and I want to ask you, to spend some time with my siblings, after the ceremony." He said, he looks so young and adorable.

"Sure, I also want to be with you guys." I said honestly.

"Thank you, Malia, have a nice day." He said, then he went back to his chair.

     Amy, who is also an usherette assisted, the royal family of Exousia Kingdom, I see King Leo Iliako III and his wife, Queen Celestia, they are the parents of Princess Ameline and Princess Celine, what caught my attention the most, is seeing Princess Suzanne with them. I didn't see the three Princesses being close together, here in the academy. I learned the story of Princess Suzanne, when Amy found me looking at their table, with a bewildered expression on my face.

     "King Leo is the Brother of Flynn's mother, Queen Sophia. Princess Suzzane's  father, is the brother of Queen Celestia, when her parents died tragically, the King and Queen of Exousia adopted Princess Suzanne." Amy explained to me.

     "So, meaning Suzanne is a legal sister of Princess Ameline and Princess Celine? I am just wondering why I haven't seen them together, I thought they didn't like each other." I said to Amy.

    "You are right Malia, they never get along, she didn't even attend the Engagement party, the Iliako sisters don't like her, because Suzanne is powerful than them, her magic is exceptional, that is why their position in the Kingdom was threatened, the moment King Leo adopted her. Princess Suzzane doesn't like them too, for her, she is above them." Amy said, looking at the table of the Exousia Royals.

I never thought, that Princess Suzanne has a difficult life, she acts like her life is so perfect, and she is so confident, maybe because she is really that powerful. Our conversations stopped, when Prince Hale and his family arrived, and Amy leave at once to assist, the Duke of Erthesia and his family.

     "Malia! It is nice to see you again!" Said King Robert.

    "Hello Your Royal Highness, Your Royal Majesty, and Prince Hale, welcome to this Year's Deity Festival."  I bowed and curtsied to them.

     "I only allow you to do that Princess, because there are many fairies present here, but always remember you don't need to do that ever again." The King spoke softly, his voice is more than a whisper, so that no one will hear our conversation. I smiled, and nod, then bring them to their seats. When I returned to my assigned place, I heard my aunt's voice in my head.

"Are you enjoying the Festival Malia?"  She said, I looked around, then I smiled at her, when I found her sitting at one of the chairs intended for commoners. She looks so dazzling wearing a yellow off shoulder, long dress.

     "Of course, aunt Thalia, I am so happy, that they really respect, love and adore you. I am so glad you are my aunt, I feel so blessed and lucky to know you personally, how I wish they can also see you in person, so that, they will realize how beautiful you are."  I answered her through telepathy. I don't want the fairies to see me alone, talking like a mad woman.

    "I am so delighted and overwhelmed Malia, this is the first time that many members of the royal family attended the Deity Festival, it is all because of Prince Flynn, the moment he enrolled, and news travelled so fast, it made known to all Kingdoms, the number of new enrolled students triple within one week. Headmaster Amos was so glad that time." She said, looking at the guest all over the area. I can't hide the pain that registered on my face, the moment my aunt mentioned Flynn's name.

    "I don't mean to upset you my dear, anyway have a good day, and have fun Malia." My aunt said, then she stands up, waved her hand, and goes directly to the chair, especially made for her.

   At last, Freda's parents arrived, and I am so happy to meet them half way, they are now back on Erthesia, since I was their last mission in the human world, I take them to their seats, and I informed my best friend, that her Dad and Mom finally come.

    I am so glad that Amy was the one who ushered, Princess Avery's family, but his father, King Theodor is looking at me intensely, I automatically turned away and pretended to get something on the ground. I know the look of surprised in his eyes, He had seen my mother in me. And I am very sure that, he is now doubtful of my identity.

     The attendees of the banquet are in high spirit, fairies are eating sumptuous foods and drinking sweet wines, together with their loved ones. I can see the Goddess is having a good time, I get a glimpse of genuine happiness in aunt Thalia's face. I couldn't imagine her life, I don't know, how she managed all these years living in solitude. What kind of faith befallen to my aunt? I don't know whose faith is more tragic, mine or hers, at least I can feel the contentment and cheerfulness in my aunt's demeanor.

    Professor Amos finally arrived together with the King of Erthesia and his family, it is no doubt, Flynn is his parent's son, his looks are a combination of his father and mother's genes, yet there is something about Flynn that make him distinctive from everyone else, it is his energy that surrounds around his body. I can see that Flynn is more powerful than his father. The beauty of his mother, Queen Sophia is beyond perfection. I can't stop looking at them, even though I have seen them already at the Palace.

Behind the Vermilion family is the family of Prince Declan, King Claude, her mother, Queen Genevie, and her lovely sister Princess Nathalia.

Then the offering Ceremony started by lighting the Goddess golden candle, then Princess Avery go to the front and lead the singing of the Hymn of the Goddess. The crowd sings with her on the chorus. The melody is so sweet and solemn, even if Princess Avery is my enemy, she has an angelic voice. I cried with happiness, my aunt is crying and smiling at the same time. The song ended, and I can see that almost everyone is crying with happiness. I realized that fairies are sweet and loyal.

    Then Headmaster Amos, gives his welcome address, then he was the first one who brings a token, in front of my aunt. I can see the face of my aunt lights up, I can see her watching the Headmaster differently, I noticed her face is blushing. Oh! It came to me at once, my aunt is in love with our Headmaster. I can't believe this.

    I know the headmaster is older than her for how many centuries, but if you look at them, they just look with the same age bracket, the Headmaster is a powerful fairy, I know that he stop aging the moment he reached adulthood, that is why he still looks like in his early thirties.

    I can see the look on my Aunt's face, she is besotted by the Headmaster. I am thankful that the Headmaster is still single, if not, my aunt will be broken-hearted, I know, Headmaster Amos has the ability to see my aunt, if she chooses to let him see her. From what she had told me, the Headmaster only heard her voice, maybe that is why she opted to remain hidden from the headmaster's eyes. My aunt knows that Headmaster Amos will know her real feelings, the moment she reveals herself to him. I can't wait to talk with my aunt, regarding this matter.

     The Headmaster offers a golden necklace, I think my aunt fancy gold. She can't take her eyes off, from the Headmaster. King Cassian, stands up together his whole family to offer their gifts and tribute to the Goddess. I am shocked, when I heard Prince Flynn sang. He has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. The whole place went silent, and listened to him as he sings. My heart is in overdrive, I never know he has that kind of voice. I became more in love with him, I felt so defeated and sad.

     All the Royals give their gifts and tributes to the Goddess. Princess Nathalia and Prince Declan offered a beautiful dance number. Then, everyone is enjoying the whole Offering Ceremony, I am so glad that the common fairies are having fun too, and my aunt is so happy with their offerings, specially the tokens from the commoners.

Lovely couples are now dancing on the dance floor, while the romantic slow dance song is in the air.