Ace was slowly awakened from his sleep by the early light of the sun peaking over the horizon. "Today is the day." Ace sighed while hearing the birds singing the morning song. He sat up on his bed, leisurely raising his arms to the ceiling and straightening his back, as it slowly cracks in a satisfying way. Ace swung his feet over to the edge of the bed and let off a small giggle as he let his feet hit the cold tiles. The large trifold mirror reflected Ace's bedhead and his three outfits of the day. ๐ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ต๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ด๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ค๐ฉ. Ace thought while looking at the outfits in disgust. As much as he appreciated Beatrice's effort into the outfits, he couldn't stand changing into them. But today is the day, and he needs everything to go as planned. However, knowing his own luck, he knew it would not go as he hoped. The October breeze brushed past Ace's face as he opened the doors to his balcony and the cold air made Ace slightly shiver but the weight of his night clothes kept him warm enough to stay out for a while longer.
The view Ace had from his room was one of the best views he has ever seen in his life. Anyone standing on the balcony had the perfect view of the kingdom, especially at sunrise and sundown. He rested his elbows on the railing and admired everything. From the left he could see one of the castle towers that contained his father's room and other secret rooms that weren't opened to the wandering traveler. From the center, a wonderful view of the court yard and the trees embraced its autumn colours. To the right Ace could see the levels of the kingdom and part of the kingdom's walls, but it was blocked off by a part of the castle that belonged to the ballroom and its balcony. That cursed ballroom. Ace quickly distracted his protruding evil thoughts, before he got into a horrible mood, by looking back at the sunrise. It was too early in the morning for Silver City to be awake and the castle staff should still be asleep, so Ace knew he would have some time to himself.
"Knock, knock, knock." A familiar voice said as he peaked his head into the room. Ace turned around and smiled to see his favourite freckled, ginger friend; Chester. Much to Ace's surprise he saw Beatrice and Lilith enter as well, with their hands behind their back.
"Happy birthday!" The three cheered together as Beatrice pulled out a small, wrapped up box with a little bow on it and Lilith pulled out a small cupcake with a candle on it.
"You guys! You really didn't have to!" Ace smiled as he walked up to them and hugged them.
"Well we did! Plus, Clara and Rhoma worked all night making cupcakes for everyone to enjoy and you know damn well either of the two will kill you if you don't try it." Lilith said as Ace took the cupcake from her hands gently and blew out the candle. The three cheered together as the small flame was extinguished.
"Now eat it!" Chester demanded as Ace laughed.
"I didn't even get the chance to brush my teeth yet!" Ace exclaimed as the three gave off a small giggle.
"Please, you lead a rebellious group and you refuse to eat a cupcake before brushing your teeth?" Beatrice asked rhetorically.
"Ditto." Ace said as he sat back on his bed, took a bit of the treat, and let the flavour melt onto his tongue. "Hmm, is this... is this caramel apple?"
"Yes! Fitting for the season isn't it?" Lilith asked as Ace nodded his head.
"Now it's for the gift." Beatrice said as she sat next to Ace.
"I can't accept it from you guys-" "It's not from us noodle brain. Just look." Lilith interrupted as she and Chester walked up closer to Ace. Ace took the wrapped-up box from Beatrice and looked at the box where it said: ๐๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ด๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐บ, ๐ ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ. -๐๐ฐ๐ฎ
Ace gasped lightly as he tried to hold onto his tears. He couldn't believe it, even in death she still manages to surprise him. "Mom." Ace whimpered as he hugged the box, as if he wanted to feel her warmth and comfort again.
"Awe Ace, you're going to make us cry." Chester said as he walked over to Ace and hugged him, Beatrice and Lilith joined him.
"They're happy tears I promise!" Ace smiled while the group released him from the hug.
"Well go on! Everyone is making bets on what it is." Lilith urged making Ace smile. The paper was a cute grey, silver colour that looked like it was losing its pigmentation to years of preservation. The wrapping paper did, however, hold it's shape to the box fairly well. Ace made sure to keep the writing on the paper safe from destruction so he put it away in a safe spot. The paper revealed a paper box, and within that paper box was a simple bracelet. Ace took the bracelet from the box and looked at it in awe, along with the trio. The bracelet was decorated in tiny ruby beads with a few silver beads joined in. Ace unclasped the bracelet and quickly put it on in excitement. It was a perfect fit, like it was something straight out of a fairy tale.
"Thank you so much! I'll make sure to stop by the basement and thank everyone too." Ace said as he gave everyone one more hug.
"Anything for you buddy!" Chester said, giving him a light punch on the shoulder.
"We will always have your back, like you have ours!" Lilith smiled.
"Oh Lilith! How was your venturing yesterday?" Ace asked mischievously. Beatrice and Chester directed their attention towards the girl who had a light tint of blush on her cheeks.
"Malakai was so sweet! He surprised me with a dinner he made, then some chocolate covered strawberries, and a very romantic night. After that I woke up to Clara and Annie waking me up to meet up with Beatrice." Lilith said, smiling as she played with her hair. "And trust me the group leaving tonight will be in safe hands."
"Awe Lilith! I'm so happy for you! Also, I'm glad to hear! I don't want another Durgon incident to happen." Ace frowned but quickly changed his frown to a smile.
"Oh, you go sweetie! Tell me all the details later, but I need to head back to the tailor shop before all the elites come with their 'last minute' repairs with their dresses!" Beatrice said as she hugged Ace one more time.
"Good luck with that! Would you like me to send anything to you throughout the day?" Ace asked as Beatrice pondered for a moment.
"Lemonade! That sounds amazing today!" Beatrice responded.
"Lemonade it is!" Ace said as Beatrice walked towards the door but it opened itself only to see King Oliver walking in all high and mighty.
"King Oliver." Chester, Lilith, and Beatrice addressed prompting them to bow.
"Oh." King Oliver said disgustedly seeing that the servants are already in Ace's room.
"Father! How was the trip?" Ace asked while discreetly trying to push the candle and paper box underneath his pillow. "It went well son. What are you three doing here so early? Did you disturb him from his sleep on such an important day?" King Oliver asked angrily.
"I was here to help Prince Ace get ready for his morning activities." Chester answered.
"I was here to make any final adjustments for his ball suit." Beatrice answered
"I was here because they looked suspicious and wanted to inform you of any irregularities going on here." Lilith answered.
"They also didn't wake me up. I was awake for a while now father." Ace answered.
"Hmm, well a little birdie came to me saying that there was a lot of noise coming from the basement. They also said that you were talking with the servants yesterday. Something about change?" King Oliver questioned. Ace heart rate instantly shot up. ๐๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ค๐ฉ ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ธ? ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ ๐ด๐ข๐บ? ๐๐ฉ๐ฐ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ข๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐จ? So many things started to race through Ace's head as he questioned what was happening.
"Prince Ace was yelling at us." Beatrice quickly lied. King Oliver usually tends to believe Beatrice; not only for her years of so called 'loyalty' but she has been given the title of being a human lie detector. That made her very valuable in multiple kingdoms. What they didn't know was she just didn't put up with anyone's crap and it was little movements, such as not making eye contact or fiddling, that gave way the truth. Yet it kept Beatrice some sort of immunity and spoke her mind a lot of the time.
"Yes! I was yelling at them! I was sick and tired of how they would fold my towels!" Ace tried to play along.
"Look at you! Attention to detail is perfect!" King Oliver praised as he walked over to the mirrors and admired the outfits. "Beatrice don't you have somewhere to be? Lilith attended to Lady Persephone. Chester, start the bath for Ace. You know he has a big day and you're standing around doing nothing." Oliver ordered and the three scurried off to do their jobs.
"Pathetic. I don't know why I keep them around, actually I do. That doesn't matter though, what matters is your birthday. I remember when I turned 21! Ace you are one of the finest men in the nation! All the girls swoon over you and you're the talk of the nation! Oh, you're going to be having so much tonight! Don't be afraid to indulge yourself in wine if you know what I mean. At the same time if you already have eyes on someone then indulge yourself on her. I see you and Persephone always talking and spending time together." Oliver rambled on as he nudged Ace's shoulder.
"Hey the tub- King Oliver, the bath is ready." Chester corrected himself as he positioned his hands behind his back.
"You better learn how to speak to higher ups. You're lucky Ace likes you." King Oliver snapped and Chester gulped in fear that he was about to be beheaded.
"Um Father I would like to start getting ready before being late for breakfast with the Elites!" Ace prompter earning another smile from his father.
"Excellent Ace! Independent work I raise you beautifully! You, Chester, better shape up. This is your last warning." Oliver said as he left the room. Ace and Chester both signed at once, relieved that he left.
"You don't think he actually means it right?" Chester asked shyly.
"I would take it serious if I were you." Ace said, making Chester laugh unsurely. "Alright buddy, take it easy. I'll see you in the afternoon." Ace waved off as Chester nodded his head and left.
Soon Ace would find out that nothing today would do to plan, everything was about to spiral out of control faster than 21 years of preparing. It started off at breakfast, and it through Ace through a loop of emotions. Ace sat at one head of a long, rectangular table, the elites sat at the side, and King Oliver sat at the end. Well, Oliver was supposed to be sitting at the other side of the table but he wasn't there. There were actually a couple missing people from the table. "Hello Heavens to Ace!" Kiki said, grabbing Ace's attention.
"Hi, yes, I'm here Kiki. I was just wondering where Gwen and her parents were. Also do you know where my dad is?" Ace asked that commenced a bunch of whispering amongst the Elites started. Ace looked over to Persephone who was already looking at him. They both didn't understand what was going on, and it scared Ace.
"We were kind of hoping you wouldn't have asked that but-" "Thank you Sir Baxter but I'll take care of it here." Kiki interrupted. "I know you and Lady Persephone had grown up with, it pains me to say her name, Gwen." Kiki added as he pretended to gag, earning a laugh from the Elites. "But that little piece of disgrace has tarnished her family's name and betrayed the kingdom. She embraced the power of Satan, Gracelyn... that good servant, witnessed everything and showed King Oliver. Her Burning should be happening soon. Hopefully that can save her!" Kiki laughed.
Ace instant stood up from his seat, Persephone following his actions, and they both started running towards the courtyard. Persephone kicked off her heels and picked up the bottom of her dress to help her run faster. Ace apologized as he pushed the occupied castle staff out of his way. He never needed to stop a Burning so badly in his life before. He lost too many people, and losing Gwen would be the cherry on top for him losing his sanity. Ace could hear Gwen's screaming and cussing as she tried to convince then to take her down the more he ran towards the courtyard.
"STOP!" Ace yelled as he snatched the torch out of his Gracelyn's hand that was inches away from the pile of hay. Persephone followed close behind him out of breath and placed her shoes on again. It was a private Burning that consisted of King Oliver, Gracelyn, Gwen's parents, and two guards that Ace knew were not on the Defiance.
"Ace." Oliver stood in shock to see his son.
"What? You think I wouldn't figure it out? Kiki has the loudest mouth in the nation. Are you serious? A Burning today? How could you do it to one of my best friends?!" Ace yelled stepping closer to Oliver with each step.
"It's too risky to keep her alive! She could harm you!" Oliver said, trying to justify his actions.
"How dare you! She is our closest friend; she may be a monster now but at the very least don't do it today!" Persephone said in an exaggerated way making sure to pout her lips and add in a fake cry. This was one of her strengths, she could charm speak her way through almost any situation.
"King Oliver, I think that would be fair for them. Plus, I would like to say goodbye to my daughter before her departure." Gwen's mom said softly as her husband wiped her tears away.
"Now I'm your daughter?! I wasn't when I was about to be burned to death!" Gwen exclaimed bitterly as she spat on her mother. To drift away from any other tension King Oliver quickly orders the guards to put her in chains. The walk to the dungeons were so surreal. Persephone gripped onto Ace's arm weeping silently. ๐๐ช๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ค๐ข๐ฏ ๐๐ธ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ฅ๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐จ๐ช๐ค? Were one of two questions in Ace's mind, the other one was: ๐๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ฐ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐ง๐ช๐ข๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ?
The Elites were surrounding the entrance of the dungeon throwing food and drinks at Gwen calling her a "disgrace", "Satan's whore", and many other names to prove her disgrace to the Elites. Gwen stopped in her tracks and looked towards the group furiously. "You think I wanted this? Do you think I want to be like you pathetic snobs?! What is wrong with you people? Do you not see what's going on? You're justifying a false practice! Your God loves everyone! I have lived by your side for 20 years! I did nothing but help you and put up this faรงade. You think I enjoy wearing this bold, puffy dress, the exaggerated makeup, and the tea parties?! I don't! I just want to wear pants and a shirt, run in the fields! I just figured out that I had magic and you all were so quick to judge. Do you ever stop to think you're in the wrong? There's so much to life than tea time!" Gwen yelled out before she was dragged down to the dungeons. -
"Ace please, you need to grow up and understand why we are doing this." King Oliver said resting his hand on Ace's shoulder but Ace quickly shook it off.
"I'll see you when the ball starts." Ace huffed as he walked away with Persephone following him.
Ace and Persephone speed walked to the library as fast as they could where they walked over to a bookshelf at the far corner or the room. Ace tipped forward a small green book that had a tree of life on it and the stone wall next to the book self opened up a small passage with making little to no noise. "Quickly." Ace whispers to Persephone, knowing that they were probably followed. The secret passages of the castle were created by Clara, they also connect to underground tunnels that are only used in case of an emergency or an immediate escape. Only those who are trusted know how to enter the passages and how to navigate through them.
"Ace, what just happened!? Since when can Gwen do magic?" Persephone asked as they walked through the passages. It would be completely dark but self lighting stones can detect their presence and help them guide their way through the tunnels.
"I don't know, but I'm sure Clara can explain everything. We need to figure out a way to get her out of her before tomorrow." Ace said as he clenched his fists.