As early as I can, I woke up, gathering all the courage and strength I have. Because on this day, I am sure something will happen other than announcing me as the first female heir to the throne of Dreich.
Wearing black silk long-sleeve floor-length dress and the same long coat that I wore yesterday, I made my way to the dining hall of the Dark Castle along with my maids. One maid knocked on the door. “Your Majesty is here.” Then they opened the door.
I saw the same faces yesterday, though there are some I haven't seen. I thanked the maids and walked going inside. Everyone stood up and bowed, paying respect. Headmaster welcomed me and guided me to my seat on his right.
“Good morning to you all,” I greeted them and bowed before sitting down.
Headmaster spoke afterward, “I want you to meet my only child and the first woman my heir to the throne, your Princess Ahrina.”
They all bowed and at once spoke, “Nice to meet you, dear Princess Ahrina.”
I gazed at Headmaster, and he smiled. “I-I'm glad too.”
“You are truly very beautiful, dear Princess,” one of the women here complimented. “And we know you're very smart too.”
“She really is, Vice-Governor Gremory,” he replied. “My daughter is the Top Female Magician at their school at Schiz Academy.” They were all amazed. “Also because of his talent, he wants to be Aurora's Chief War Strategist.”
Wait, what? Chief War Strategist?
I shot Headmaster a confused look and he mouthed at me. “I'll tell you later.”
“All right, Father.” But hey, Chief War Strategist? I don't have experience in anything and I'm not of legal age yet. My birthday is in November.
We all started having breakfast after all the dishes were ready. I was a bit surprised at the amount of food but yeah, I just hid it. I do not know. I'm used to dinners like this but I'm still surprised when so much food is served. And I was like, will it run out?
While eating, they were talking just about some matters that I didn't understand. But I think, it's all about Dreich and the upcoming Enchanted War.
And yes, while eating and while listening to them all, a thought flashed in my mind. Can I still get out of here?
After dinner, we went back to my room to prepare for the event later. After they bathed me, they started combing and styling my hair. They also sprayed me with some mist that I think is still perfume but the smell is very mild.
And then, I was mesmerized a bit by the gown that was inserted. Still in black color, yes, given that. Not so big yet the bottom part of the gown is also not so small. Its top is straight necklined and corset style. The skirt, on the other hand, is made of silk and has appliques, like vines of flowers crawling up.
The top of the gown hugged my trunk softly, showing my curves. Good thing it covers my chest fully, I can't see my cleavage. Because that's what I usually don't like about dresses or gowns, the ones that are so visible when I cleavage. Looks like I want to shawl.
One of the maids placed a mirror in front of me. Well, I'm still beautiful. Then we left my room and went down to wherever they would take me.
I looked at the balcony when we went downstairs and we turned to go there so I'm pretty sure I'll be taken there. And yeah, I'm right. This is where we on the balcony of the Dark Fortress went.
“Good morning to you, dear Princess Ahrina.”
I smiled at them all. “Good morning to you too.”
I stayed here for a few minutes until I saw them all bowing down. “Good morning to you, dear Chief of Hades.”
“Good morning,” he responded simply and smiled at me. “My child, you are so beautiful.”
Did I ever get ugly? “Thank you, Father. This gown is so beautiful.”
“Things for a very beautiful young lady like you.”
A servant approached him and they talked for a while. Then the waitress came out to the balcony and did something. Then, we heard him speak. “Pay homage to the dear leader,” that servant announced.
As Headmaster walked towards the balcony, I saw all the citizens of Dreich as well as the necromancers bow formally. Not really all, it's not a bit of a view from here inside. “Good morning to the citizens of Dreich. I have gathered you all to witness one of the most important days of Dreich, the official announcement of the heir to my throne.” And everyone applauded, some even made loud cheerings. “I can say my heir is capable of leading this town more than I and past leaders have done.”
A waiter bowed to me before heading to the Headmaster to hand over a black crown. Is this how you upgrade them with the successor announcement? I bet this is not what happened to Headmaster Hades so he is recovering from me.
“Do you want to meet my next heir?” All the spectators made noise. “In that case, pay homage to the first female heir to the throne of Dreich.”
One of my maids bowed and gestured that I can now go, so I did. As I stopped beside Headmaster, my eyes widened. The whole patio, I think, of the Dark Fortress is really filled. The needle is almost indestructible. And they are all bowing.
Then, I felt something around me so I lingered my eyesight and saw two students from Schiz Academy watching at the border. They are outside the dome protecting the city so useless if I tell them telepathically to leave. Headmaster smiled at me and gave me space for me to speak.
I took a deep inhale and spoke. “Good morning, citizens of Dreich.” They all looked up and looked at me. “Standing now before you are the next Dreich leader that I will inherit from my beloved father, Headmaster Hades Gromantia.” As I turned to Headmaster, he smiled at me and nodded. I faced the public again. “I'm Ahrina Tantiana Schiz-Gromantia, the Mystic Princess.” Everyone gasped and started mumbling like bees.
I knew this would be their reaction so I prepared for it. The Schiz family had a big impact on Dreich, so my successor would be a bit controversial and their reaction would be divided.
“I know some of you are not in favor of me as being your next leader, others accept me. I understand you.” I showed a smile. “Yes, I am a Schiz, I am the grandson of Geminid Schiz. But that is not the reason why I am here today, facing all of you and speaking boldly. I am a Gromantia, the family that ruled Dreich after the reign of Windsors to the present time. And if you ask me, being a Gromantia weighs more heavily than being a Schiz.”
There I felt everyone's enlightenment. Thanks so much for teaching me how to say sugarcoated words without the obvious.
“My father, Headmaster Hades, taught me everything I didn't know and didn't let me know. I'm the Mystic Princess, but why do they deprive me of what I should know in this world? So I'm very grateful that in a short time, I found out who my father really was because he was my guide in daily life under the disgusting system outside this town. And in exchange for his concern for me as his daughter, wanted I will fulfill his request for me to be the official heir to his throne.
“I don't speak at all especially and I have no leadership experience. But, my father is there to guide me as the next leader so I am comfortable that I can do my responsibility to you. I want to say to all of you thank you for your acceptance and I will do all I can to lead you beyond your expectations. Being Schiz and Gromantia is in my blood, so I know I can do what I want and need. Thank you very much.”
As I ended my speech, I finally heard applauses slowly getting louder and louder until they became cheering for support. I faced Headmaster and smiled.
A servant handed him the black crown and he faced me. I bent down to my knees. “Today, I crown my only daughter Ahrina Tantiana Gromantia as the officer who is my heir to the throne as head of the Dreich.” Then he placed the crown on my head, serving some kind of enigmatic yet superior feeling. “I'm so glad you chose Dreich, my daughter.”
I stood up and smiled. “I always choose what I think is right.” As we faced the public, they all created noises again and there were even fireworks and ravens dancing.
A party happened after the so-called coronation here still in the Dark Fortress. A festive atmosphere greeted me as we went downstairs. One of the guards, I supposed, saw me and stood firmly. “Pay homage to Princess Ahrina,” he announced, making everyone turn to me and bow.
I just kept smiling and talking. “All right, keep on having fun.”
People here are also a bit of a robot, what? They just move as ordered. Do they still have feelings? That kind of thing is also choking.
“Father!” I shouted when I saw Headmaster Hades who was also in black and had a very long cloak, longer than me and he was also wearing his crown.
They turned to me. “My child, I'm happy and you came. I thought you weren't fond of such pleasures.”
“I'm not fond of this kind of celebration, Father, but I think, I also need to attend such ones at least occasionally, right?”
He laughed and nodded. Another of his interlocutors spoke. “You are so beautiful, Princess Ahrina, and so powerful to look at. You are indeed the Mystic Princess the daughter of our ruler Hades.”
I smiled shyly, hearing his compliment, and bowed. “Thank you very much.”
They introduced me one by one. They turned out to be high-ranking officials of the Societas de Malae Tenebrae, a political organization here in Dreich of magicians who also raided the entire Magic World to become more powerful. Who is the headmaster of the whole Dreich is also the head of the Societas. What’s even more frightening is, that they don’t die. Unless they use soul extraction that only Headmaster Hades can do.
“Father, can I get to know everyone here? I want to thank them.”
They all smiled at each other and Headmaster nodded at me. “All right, if that's what you want. But your servants will still accompany you.”
“It's okay. So that they can have fun and somehow also share in this fun.”
“I didn’t quite expect him to be this good,” Head of the Intelligence Division Monoa uttered. “One of the most important qualities of a true leader.”
It's a good thing that they praise me so much.
I said goodbye to them and happily mingled with the people here along with my four maids who, even though they were few, just kept up. It was as if they were not allowed to leave the Dark Fortress. If they socialize, they are like children released after ten years for the very first time and no one knows around. Seems innocent.
I got mixed up and joined in the dances and dances of everyone here. My maids, on the other hand, just got on board.
They still had a traditional dance and then I had to come along, so I removed my cloak and gave it to one of the maids to have fun.
I threw my body on the bed, already in a state of low battery. The people here are all hyper! My maids didn’t join the celebration anymore so they just stood on one side earlier and watched me.
The door opened and Headmaster went here inside. “My child, you look very tired.”
“How can you not get tired, Father? Everyone was so joyous earlier.” They are like those who eat tons of chocolate. At first, it was easy but as time went on, it became very difficult to accompany them all.
Headmaster laughed at me. “But are you having fun?”
I sat up and nodded. “Of course! I enjoyed the celebration, as did they.” I threw a glance at my four maids who are still gasping now. “Isn't it?”
They looked at each other and nodded. “Yeah, we had fun too.”
“Good, then,” Headmaster replied. “All right, you all rest.” He smiled at me. “Sleep soundly, Ahrina. We'll take you around Dreich tomorrow.”
I smiled big and nodded. “All right, Father!”
They all left after saying goodbye to me. I changed into my pajamas and went back to bed. As I stared at the ceiling, I couldn’t help but wonder how they were doing Crimson at the Academy. I miss them, to be honest. Especially Mommy. Yes, I hate them but...I miss them all.
Just be patient, Ahrina. You can be with them after all of this.
*****
After wearing the crown, we left my room because I have a schedule this morning which is to tour the whole of Dreich. According to their map here, Dreich is small so we won't spend a whole day tour.
In an open vehicle, we rode. Two necromancers are sitting behind us while the driver is in front of us. When everything was okay, the car started and we also got out of the gates of the Dark Fortress.
I turned backward and peeked at the Dark Fortress. It was also big, just smaller than the Chamber of Light which is divided by two by the Royal Castle of Demetria. These are literally what we see on the internet as fantasy-inspired pictures of villainy castles or fortresses.
While on the way, people were bowing, and Headmaster greeted us. I just kept smiling and greeting back while the chameleon next to me just nodded.
“By the way, my daughter, I want to introduce you to something.”
I was immediately surprised. “Who is it, Father?”
He just smiled and faced. “Let's go to the home of Chief War Strategist Regalia.”
“Regalia?” I inquired to Headmaster, with eyes widened. “Are you referring to Tyson Regalia, Father?”
“She's the only Regalia here so yes, my daughter.”
He is Dreich's Chief War Strategist. If we go back to the contributions he made for Aurora, I can conclude that he is indeed a genius man. However, he misused his intellect.
At a house on the seaside, we stopped. When I got off, a girl immediately ran towards me so the two servants in front of me immediately blocked. The girl was scared. “Let her go,” I said to the two so they stepped aside to give way to the kid. “Good morning to you.”
"Good morning to you too, dear Princess Ahrina!" God, she’s so cute! “I just wanted to give you a little gift.”
“All right, I'll accept whatever it is.” She raised the ring of flowers she was holding and bowed. I smiled at the child and caressed the flowers. "Is this really for me?”
She raised her head and nodded. “Yes, dear Princess! I did that for you last night.”
I shotted a gaze at Headmaster and he nodded, permitting me to do what I want. I faced this cute little girl again. “What is your name?”
“Damaris, dear Princess Ahrina.” Shocks, she’s so cute as well as her name!
“Then, Damaris, can you wear it on me?”
I almost laughed at his reaction. She was so happy. Her mouth was still wide open, smiling with her eyes widening. "Y-Yes!" Because she was still small in height, I bowed down, and then she placed the flowers on my neck. “You look so beautiful, dear Princess.”
I looked at the flowers and they colored my black dress. “These are exquisite flowers. It's like I want to pick them up like this and teach you how to make them.” I smiled at the kid and caressed her smooth, blonde hair. “Thank you so much, Damaris.”
“Thank you very much too, dear Princess! It's something for you!”
“Thanks again. Go back to your home, I think your parents are already looking for you.” But before she leaves, I thought of something very rapidly. “Damaris, can I hug you?”
“Hug me?” Curious but happy she asked.
”Because I can't give you a gift in exchange for it now so I hope even if I hug you, I will reciprocate what you offered me.”
Gladly, she nodded. “All right.” She went to me nearer and hugged me. I hugged her back and began whispering her a spell. When she hugged me, she spoke again. “It is an honor for me to embrace you, dear Princess!”
“It's real because I can really feel the fun from you. All right, you have to go back to your home now.”
“I shall obey you, dear Princess.”
“Be careful, Damaris, and thank you very much again.” I stood up and waved my hand at her. She bowed and waved her hands at me too before running to a couple standing from afar. They bowed at me with smiles almost reaching their ears. I did the same to them before facing Headmaster who looks utterly happy right now. “Let us go?”
“I'm glad Amber raised you as a good kid. Let's go inside.”
Just at the door, I saw Tyson Regalia. He was wearing a gray shirt and black pants, looking like he was doing some work. He just greeted us and ushered us inside. “Are you Amber's daughter?” I nodded. “Nice to meet you, dear Princess Ahrina.” As I looked into his eyes, I saw hints of agony and guilt.
“I'm also happy to see you in person, Chief War Strategist Regalia.”
He laughed a little and looked at the necklace I was wearing made of flowers. “Given to you?”
“Ah yes. A girl gave me out of your home.”
“Very beautiful. It suits you, dear Princess.” Then I saw the Headmaster nod, agreeing to Tyson Regalia. “Wait a minute, I'll prepare you something to drink and eat.”
Headmaster smiled and spoke. “Thank you very much, Tyson.”
“You don't have to thank me.” He stood up and bowed in respect and then went to his open kitchen.
Headmaster looked at me and spoke. “What is the feeling?”
I smiled at him, caressing the flower necklace I'm wearing.
“Fulfilling.”
So, this is how it feels like to be a Princess: highly respected. It’s almost untouchable. But then, somehow, Damaris lessened all the worries I had earlier by simply giving me this flower necklace. Ah, about the spell I whispered to her, it will take effect after a few hours. Just a gift in return for this.