Chapter 11: Making Plans

"My dear Braria." A cold, distant voice called as Bella made her way through the sacred forest and to her stepmother's throne. "What brings you here?"

"Your Majesty, your plan to marry off the triplets is working." She replied, bowing in front of the shadowy figure. "Soon the universe will be yours, and you won't have to keep Gnunia out of our most sacred city, she will be forced to stay out all of her own accord."

"It's charming how you think that your sister would be so silly to fall into such a trap." The figure laughed as it approached the pensive in the middle of the clearing. "I know my daughter has the foresight to see through such lies. But don't worry, she will be dealt with appropriately when the time is right, even if it is by my own hand."

"Yes, your Majesty." Bella replied as the figure glided closer to her and touched her cheek.

"Be a good girl and make sure your sister gets married before the Autumn Equinox."

"Yes, your majesty."

"How about, instead of trying to figure out the problems of the universe at this moment, we focus on planning our weddings?" Esmee suggested. "I don't know about you guys, but I feel like my head is about to explode with how many existential questions have been asked in the last ten minutes."

"Unfortunately," Skylar replied. "Getting married is going to have to take a back seat for Gnunia. Because she is the princess of the Sacred Forest, if she gets married before the Autumn Equinox then she can kiss goodbye any chance of becoming Queen."

"Why?" Claudia asked. "Queen Elizabeth II was still a princess when she married Prince Phillip, why is Genifer's case any different?"

"Because the Fauns value the untouched." Genifer replied. "Thus, if I get married it is automatically assumed that I lost my virginity on the first night. If I get married before I become Queen, then there is no chance I can become Queen."

"Right. So, no marriage for you until then." Savannah said. "When is the deadline for you becoming Queen?"

"The Autumn Equinox, September 23rd."

"So maybe youtube should be the last ones to get married." Peia said. "If you get married before then you would be shooting yourselves and the rest of us in the foot."

"I think that is fair." Joshua replied. "Especially since we haven't actually decided on a date just yet."

"How do we go about fulfilling the prophecy?" Jeremy asked. Complete silence answered his question.

"So many people have tried avoiding their prophecies," Fletcher said. "That I wouldn't be surprised if this is the first time someone has asked about fulfilling it."

"So, none of you have a clue."

"Why don't we, as couples, try to find out as much information about the prophecy as we can before we try to fulfil it?" Claudia asked. "It is pointless trying to achieve something that no one understands."

"I think that is the most sensible thing someone has said for the past hour." James said in agreement. "Does anyone disagree?" Complete silence. "Good. Now, given the high stakes nature of this meeting, no one else is to know about it. So, what is said between us, stays between us, deal?" A murmur of agreement responded. "Good."

Holy hell, what on earth is this world coming to? Claudia thought as she flung herself on her bed, Angus standing as if he was feeling out of place.

"So, first my parents hate me, then they go so far as to arrange my marriage to a Viper, then they have the audacity to have my sisters and step brothers to people who aren't human, and now there is an ancient prophecy about me and my siblings, that no one truly knows or understands." She vented as Angus sat down on the corner of her bed. She looked at him. "Tell me that I am going crazy, for I am struggling to believe that this is actually happening."

"You aren't going crazy." He replied. "I was there too."

"Well whether I am going crazy or not, I don't think Sadie is going to leave us siblings alone until we get married. And she definitely isn't going to be happy unless we give her a date."

"What about September 30th?" Angus suggested. "It is exactly a week after the Autumn Equinox, but still before the end of the year."

"Sounds delightful."