Chapter-7

With a sense of longing in her eyes, Auden gazed out the grand window. The stunning sight of the sprawling forests extending beyond the city's limits seemed to grant her temporary solace. The lush canopy of green, gently swaying with the breeze, whispered stories of the mysteries hidden within its depths. The room, though magnificently adorned and filled with the echoes of laughter from countless festivities, stood empty, amplifying her feelings of isolation.

Auden's eyes took on a faraway look, her thoughts adrift on a sea of uncertainty. She mused, "One day I was the Crown Princess, the next day I was blessed with magic, and the next I was but a mortal. I feared I had lost sight of who I truly was, and had started to believe in the words of strangers who claimed to know me." The gravity of her thoughts weighed heavily upon her heart, casting a solemn tone in the once vibrant room.

A resounding knock on the door shattered her contemplation. "Enter," she commanded, and Flora stepped into the chamber. "What brings you here, Flora?"

"Your Highness, this evening marks the grand royal Ball, where the Noble and the common folks shall assemble to pay their respects. It's time to prepare you for the grand occasion."

"Prepare me?" Auden's voice carried a tinge of sharpness.

"Your Highness, I beg your pardon. I only seek to serve you to the best of my abilities," Flora trembled with fear as she responded, bowing deeply.

Auden's gaze lingered on Flora as she contemplated her next words. "So be it. Fate will determine what must be done."

"Very well, Your Highness. Let us begin the preparation. Once we have adorned you in the finest attire, I shall acquaint you with the esteemed guests so that you may recognize them at the grand ball," Flora offered, leading Auden to the closet.

"Your Highness, I have selected three exquisite dresses for the occasion. If you would be so gracious as to assist me, I shall present them to you?" Flora requested, her voice filled with reverence as she bowed before the Crown Princess.

A group of maids entered the room, and Flora approached the first box. With a maid's assistance, they revealed an exquisite Valentino gown in a diaphanous pink organza, it's the corseted bodice and full skirt overlaid with Chantilly lace, cinched at the waist with a jewel-encrusted belt, all designed by the best designers in Isles of Crystals. Auden nodded approvingly.

Moving on to the next box, Flora presented an ethereal Elie Saab gown of silk tulle in shades of azure and cerulean, hand-embroidered with crystals and beads to capture the rolling waves of an ocean swell, all found only in the water kingdom. Auden was enchanted.

The final gown, a flamboyant scarlet Naeem Khan ballgown sewn with hundreds of hand-stitched Swarovski crystals, proved too ostentatious for Auden's tastes. She chose the Eli Saab gown.

Flora asked if Auden required assistance with her attire, but the princess declined, instructing her to leave the room until called upon. As she gazed into the mirror, Auden pondered whether she could truly adapt to a life of such opulence and spectacle.

Amber sunlight filtered through the paned glass, suffusing her chamber with a soft golden brightness as evening heralded the approach of a peaceful nightfall.

----

Eve sat within her chambers, furnished with an array of decorative finery suiting her station. The room was filled with ornate weaponry, lush floral vessels, portraits of uniformed sentinels and a sea of official scrolls and sealed documents, as befitting the Moon of the Empire. Suddenly, a knock resonated upon her door, causing Eve to clear her throat and inquire, "Pray tell, who seeks entry?"

"It was I, Olivia, Your Highness," a pale voice responded. "Please, grant me entrance."

"You may enter," Eve commanded. As Olivia made her way inside, Eve observed that she bore a striking resemblance to Flora, Olivia's twin sister, save for Olivia's more effervescent demeanour, in contrast to Flora's timider one.

"What brings you before me, Olivia?" Eve inquired, as she perused a scroll.

"Happy birthday, Your Highness. May you shine eternal," Olivia exclaimed joyously, offering her felicitations.

"Only the Sun can shine eternal, my dear Olivia," Eve replied graciously. "As for your purpose in coming, pray, speak it."

"Your Highness, you must prepare for the Ball this eve," Olivia announced, offering a deep bow. "Forgive me for my presumption, but with so many dresses and gowns at your disposal, I am ill-equipped to choose one for you. Therefore, if it pleases you, please select your attire, and I shall assist you in preparing for the occasion."

"Very well," Eve assented, offering a nod of approval. "Your proposition is fair enough. Let us proceed."

"By the celestial spheres, there exists a gown in the last column that I desire," Eve declared, directing her hand toward the wardrobe. "It is of the deepest ebony hue. Assist me in acquiring it."

"Your Highness, I must implore you against that selection, for black is a forbidden colour," Olivia protested, her countenance betraying her trepidation.

"If not the darkness where shall the moon shine? would you rather have me wear a gown of yellow?" Eve retorted, her tone commanding.

"Never would I presume such a thing, Your Highness," Olivia acquiesced, her voice quivering with deference.

Olivia dutifully carried out Eve's command and presented a regal black gown. As Eve prepared for her sixteenth birthday, she pondered whether the Moon could truly radiate light for eternity. Despite the auspiciousness of the occasion, Eve found herself lacking in joy. As the one known as the Moon in the records of history, she was once regarded as the shadow of the Crown Princess.

However, fate intervened on a fateful day when the sun rose from the west, or so it seemed. Lady Eve, at the tender age of twelve, was discovered with a sword amidst bloodshed and carnage. With a commanding voice, she ordered the execution of traitors who had threatened the Empire. From that day on, Lady Eve became known as the Moon, the one who shines in the darkness and protects her people from malevolent forces.

We don't know if the moon shines eternal, but that day was the day the moon shone the brightest.

------

The royal ball was imminent. The hour of revelry was at hand, scarce ten minutes remained before the festivities would commence. High birth and low, human and creature alike, all had assembled in the gilded splendour of the great chamber.

Jewels glittered at every throat and wrist, silks and satins rustled with every movement, perfumes exotic and intoxicating scented the very air - a heady bouquet of opulence and privilege.

The candlelight played upon the gemstones and golden platters overflowing with sumptuous fare as strains of a siren's song floated upon the evening breeze through casements thrown open to the cool of the night.

A pause of breathless anticipation descended like a veil, soon to be swept aside with the first dulcet notes of the orchestra, whereupon this dazzling panorama would erupt into a whirling vista of color and music and laughter to dazzle the senses until the small hours of the dawn.

Regardless of their station or species, all had gathered in the grand hall in anticipation of witnessing the Moon and Sun in unison. Their inquisitiveness was not to be blamed, for it had been ages since they had last been seen together. It appeared as though the Sun had set in a place from which it would never rise again.

However, there she stood, the Sun of the Empire, shining brightly from atop her throne. All seemed to be waiting for the arrival of the royal princesses. The walls were adorned with curtains woven from the bliss of heaven, and the desert was fashioned with the magic of crystals. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of readiness.

A woman whispered to another, "Is it the day?" to which she responded,

"Indeed, it is the day we shall lay our eyes upon the Crown Princess!"

Another woman chimed in, "Is it not also the birthday of Princess Eve?"

Without any further discussion, the announcer declared, "The Royal Princesses are here!" The very sound of those words invoked a magical spell, as goblins, elves, and mortals alike turned their attention toward the balcony. There, at last, stood the Moon and Sun, together after what felt like an endless separation.

Black ebony she wore, with silver covering her arms. She stood there as all others bowed down and hailed, "Long live the moon! Long live the moon!"

Eve nodded in approval and Auden too made her entrance. How could the Sun not shine brightly? Blue she wore with a tint of confidence. Her eyes were fixed on the unfamiliar crowd, though she worried about revealing her vulnerability. Despite feeling intimidated, Auden knew she belonged there.

Whispers amongst the subjects were heard as they saw Auden, how could the subjects dishonor their to-be ruler? Regardless of their favor, they all bowed down as all that mattered was the arrival of the Sun.

While all stared at Auden, someone was watching the Moon. Eve looked at the familiar figure, Aquilo it was. He raised his glass as he mouthed, "Long live the Moon!" Eve's eyes served as the approval.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, Auden locked eyes with someone. Two red eyes were staring at her, a familiar set of eyes. As Auden stepped down to join the ball, she could not remove her gaze from those eyes.

A man approached her, the same one she had met in the forest. "Crown Princess," a deep male voice said, catching Eve's attention. She turned around and recognized the voice.

"It is a pleasure to have you here with us, Prince Elias Zyphr," Eve said graciously, offering him a glass of champagne.

The prince accepted with delight and greeted her, "Happy Birthday, Your Highness," while his eyes remained fixed on Auden.

Eve was not surprised by the Prince's interest in Auden; it was as if she knew everything. With a smile, she replied, "Thank you."

The Prince then turned his attention to Auden, addressing her as Crown Princess.

Auden was taken aback as Eve came to her aid, introducing the Prince of Aerasia. "May I present to you, Your Highness, Prince Elias Zyphr of Aerasia, the Land of Air, though I do not know if 'land' is an appropriate descriptor for such a realm," Eve announced regally.

Auden found herself momentarily stunned. The man who had rescued her from the abyss and vanished without a trace was none other than the Prince himself. She could not take her eyes off Elias, feeling a mix of surprise and intrigue at this unexpected revelation. Should she trust him, or should she not? Perhaps Auden herself didn't know, all she knew this man standing in front of her was the answer to all she asked.