-Victoria-
My head was pounding when I finally came too. I peeled my eyes open, grateful for the now dark room. The dim light of a candle beside me caught my attention. Zekora sat there reading a book. She caught my movement out of the corner of her eye. Placing her book down, she created an orb of light that slowly started floating towards the door before addressing me.
"You couldn't have dropped that crystal a little quicker?" She asked with a teasing tone.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, "Did you get in a lot of trouble?"
"It was just a lot of shouting, stunted greatly by his concern for you," She said, "So, thank you, for over doing it."
"No problem." I gave a light laugh.
"Gave us quite the scare," Zekora told me, "Especially your father and aunt."
"What happened?" I asked.
"Magic fatigue," She explained, "Very rare. Most people just can't manifest magic when their reserves run dry but you were able to pull from an outside source, extending your magic and causing too much strain on your source."
"But I didn't faint until after I dropped the crystal." I said confused.
"The King confirmed that you had been passively syphoning magic from the palace," She explained, "He wasn't alerted until you actively pulled at it."
"I didn't even know I was doing that." I said, "Why would I do that?"
"You just wanted to hug your mom." She told me with a soft smile.
That's right. I just wanted to hug her. I never thought about how much magic it would take for me to pull that off.
"Lucky for you I put that little curse on the crystal and tied it to your father's name," Zekora said, "Otherwise I'm not sure we'd ever break the link."
"I don't understand." I told her.
"Well that's because the class on rare magical artifacts is an elective at Pelmora when you're in 3rd year." She explained.
"Zekora." I said, trying to get her to explain further.
"I would recommend signing up for the class if you're so curious." She instructed me with a cheeky grin.
"Or I can find information on it in the library." I countered.
"As long as you leave behind Prince Azax," Her grin got wider, "After all, there wouldn't be any productive research going on if the two of you couldn't keep your hands to yourselves."
A bright blush covered my face, my mouth gaping like a fish. Knowing Zekora as I do know, it's really no surprise she managed to spy on us in that moment. Before I could formulate a response, my father came bursting through the doors to my room.
"Victoria!" He said, coming to kneel next to my bed, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." I assured him, "Just tired."
"It's no wonder after all the magic you used," He said, brushing some hair off my face, "You need to be more careful, especially when you're here and have access to the palace's magical reserve."
"I will be, I just didn't know what that energy was beneath me." I said.
"I know that," He assured me, "Just like I know Zekora cursed the crystal and that is why you dropped it."
I looked over to Zekora curiously. She just shrugged.
"I wasn't going to let you take the blame for cutting off the connection between a man and the only woman he's ever loved." Zekora told me.
"Either way," My father interrupted, "As punishment for Zekora's actions, she's required to teach you the entire history of the palace and royal family, along with all the laws and anything else you might need for becoming Queen."
"That doesn't sound too bad." I said, confused why that would be considered a punishment.
"It is Zekora's least favorite thing she has ever committed to memory." My father said, trying hard to contain his smile.
"It's just words," Zekora complained, "No magic. No spectacle. No adventure. Just book after boring book."
"Then why did you memorize it?" I asked, a tired smile forming.
"He was learning it and told me I couldn't remember it all even if I wanted to." Zekora scowled.
"She just had to prove me wrong," My father laughed, "And now she's stuck with it."
I could only manage a light laugh. Exhaustion was creeping in quickly. My father picked up on it right away.
"We should leave you to sleep," He said, standing, "I just wanted to make sure you were ok. Big day today."
"Ok." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Both left without another word. The curtains around my bed closing with a light breeze of Zekora's magic. It took only minutes for the world to fade once again.
I was pulled from sleep by the sound of a lot of people. Slamming doors and dragging things around. Bright light suddenly streaming into the room. I sat up, blearily looking at the room around me, not quite certain what I was seeing.
There was about ten women in my room doing various tasks. Some were setting up a makeshift dressing area in the center of the room. Some had covered my vanity with every possible makeup item ever made. In the center of it all, on a mannequin, was that awful, too tight, itchy, red and gold monstrosity of a dress.
"Um, excuse me." I said trying to get someone's attention.
"Ah, Your Highness," One of the ladies said, "Finally, you're awake. We have a lot to do. Come."
The woman dragged me out of bed and right into the chair in front of a mirror. My hair was a mess and there was a small line of drool off the corner of my mouth.
"Shouldn't I eat and take a shower first?" I asked.
"There isn't time." One of the ladies declared as she began viciously scrubbing my face with an ice cold towel.
Another came up behind me and aggressively combed out my hair. She didn't even put it up or use any products. Instead she left it down and frizzy as the makeup girl began plastering my face. Once they'd finished, I swear I looked like a clown.
They, once again, pulled me from my seat and in front of the large mirrors they'd set up. The stripped me of my pajamas before I could think and began lacing me into a corset before I could get a word in. They left it loose, at first, but quickly realized the dress was not properly sized and started tightening the ropes.
It was just getting to the point of being unbearable when my door flung open. Everyone froze, looking like deer in headlights. There stood, like a knight in shining armor, my Aunt Suni holding a tray of food and looking pissed. Behind her was Anna's mother with a black garment bag and the three women who'd helped me prepare for my first public appearance.
"What, in the name of the ancients, is going on in here?" Aunt Suni demanded.
"W-we were just assisting her highness with getting ready for the ball." One of the women said.
"And who told you to do that?" Suni asked with a glare that could cut steal.
"His Majesty, the King?" One said with absolutely no confidence.
"How strange, considering the King put me in charge of the Princess's welfare while in the palace." Suni reminded them.
"Look," One of the ladies, clearly the leader, step forward, "I have served the royal women in this palace for close to two decades now. I know what is best."
"And my family has served the royal family for close to a millennia. I am the best." Suni countered.
"Truly there is only one person whose opinion on this matters," Anna's mother chimed in, "And that would be the Princess's."
All eyes turned to me, waiting for my word. I was ready to tell all these random women to hit the bricks but I just couldn't catch my breath. I began gesturing towards the back of the corset and Aunt Suni immediately understood me. She signaled one of the ladies behind her to come over and loosen it for me. Once I could, finally, breathe I addressed everyone.
"I appreciate everyone's interest in assisting me," I started, trying not to make people mad, "However, what Suni said is true. She was appointed to look after me by my father and I trust her judgement. I ask the rest of you to leave."
"Your Highness," The leader said, coming to stand closer, "I think you'll find our services far superior to-"
"I told you to go." I said, my voice loosing all warmth as I tried to channel the confidence I'd seen Azax use, "Either you leave on your own or I have you dragged out of, not just my room but, the palace. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Highness." She said, eyes wide with shock as she dropped into a low curtsy.
The rest of the ladies followed suit as they all shuffled their way out of the room. I released a deep sigh once the door closed behind the last one.
"Well done." Aunt Suni said with a proud smile.
"I've got a splitting headache now." I whined, causing everyone to laugh.
"I'd bet given the unnecessarily rude awakening you were given," My aunt said while handing me a really fluffy bathrobe, "Why don't you go take a nice hot shower and clean off all that makeup while we get this room back in order. Then we'll get you ready for the ball, properly."
I nodded my thanks and did exactly as she suggested. I washed away all the stress that accumulated in that short amount of time and emerged feeling a thousand percent better. I was allowed to eat as the ladies gently brushed and styled my hair into a simple bun held together by a silver clip. They did my nails and makeup in a far more subtle way finishing it with a simple set of ruby earrings set in silver.
Finally, Anna's mother came forward with the dress. She laced me into a custom built corset, designed for me. The top of the dress was embroidered with silver which enhanced the curves of my chest before branching out into the skirt. The skirt was full but light, made up of layers of soft satin. From my shoulders hung a cape, which draped to the floor. On the back, in silver, the seal of Varezia, the fox and crown, hung proudly.
"Now you're ready." Anna's mother declared.
"Just one thing missing." Suni said, coming over with my tiara in hand.
Securing it to my head, she stood back to let me take in the full image. As I stood there, I finally felt like the person everyone told me I was. I felt like a Princess.
"Thank you, all, for your help." I told them, sincerely, "Let's go."
Suni came with me back down all the stairs to a room just off the ball room. Waiting there was my father in his full kingly regalia. A military uniform embellished with gold and a sword at his side. His cape was adorned with that same symbol as mine and the crown sat proudly on his head. He smiled when he saw me, taking my hand in his.
"You look beautiful." He said, pressing a kiss the my hand, "You're mother would be proud."
"Thank you." I said with a nervous smile.
"Ready?" He asked.
"As I'll ever be." I told him truthfully.
He nodded to the men at the door who knocked three times. All conversations stopped behind the door as three bangs were heard.
"Presenting His Majesty, King Udel and Her Highness, the Princess Victoria."
We entered together. The people before us lowered their gaze and dropped into deep bows and curtsies. A sea of unknowns stood before me. The one person I could pick out was Ustrea, glaring up at me. I felt bad that she wasn't up here. She was part of the family.
I continued to scan the room as people straightened up, I saw Zekora dressed pretty similarly to her everyday look. Something caught my eye, however. Way in the back, dressed in clothes not nearly as nice as the rest of the nobles present, was a family containing one familiar, friendly face.
No one ever told me Ani was a noble.