For Princess Charlotte, who could rarely see the outside world, her birthday party had always been a solace.

What is happening beyond the walls of the castle? What kind of lives do they lead? That was the question she had always pondered, her window to the outside world limited to the books she enjoyed reading and the parties. Years of isolation made her not quite able to express herself, however, her curiosity remained strong.

Every birthday party, she would look forward to the gifts she would receive, and this time, it was no different. Each gift from afar brought by the nobles was like a slice of the outside world, satisfying her curiosity for a moment before she would yearn for more. This party would double as her coming of age ceremony, and from now on, she would have to think of the kingdom's future.

"Princess Charlotte?" One of her maids asked. "It is time to wear your dress."

The dress looked simple, yet beautiful, a black silken lined with golden ornaments creating an exquisite contrast that would make most turn their heads to look at her. Charlotte nodded in approval and let her maids strip her down before they slipped the dress on her.

Said dress hugged her body comfortably, and she twirled in front of the mirror to look at herself.

"Charlotte? Are you ready?" a knock could be heard from the door, and from the tone of voice, it was easy for her to know that it was no one else but her father, the aging king of the Borealis Kingdom. The king walked into the room soon after. Despite the creases of aging that marred his face, he still stood straight, his expression aware and alert as he looked at his beautiful daughter. He was dressed in formal wear, and from the noises that could be heard from the first floor, it was clear that some of the invited guests have started the festivities.

A quick glance at the nearby window was enough to tell her that indeed, the time for the celebrations had inched nearer with every passing second. The sun had started to set, as well, dying the skies in beautiful orange and reddish hues

"Yes, father. I am ready. I just need to put on my shoes" Charlotte answered politely, as dictated from the daily etiquette lessons drilled into her. The maids, realizing that what she said was an implied order, quickly scrambled to bring a chair and a pair of medium-heeled shoes in the same color as her dress.

"You look beautiful, Lottie." Her father praised, using the childhood nickname she hadn't heard for so long. "From today onwards, you will have more responsibility. Are you ready?"

"I am." Charlotte replied. There was nothing else to consider, and for her whole life, she was prepared for this. Borealis Kingdom had weakened in the recent years, and as the time went on, some of the nobles had started to try openly rebelling for their independence.

Though the king and queen tried to shield her from the harsh reality of their decline and give you the best childhood, eventually the whispers of the situation reached your ears, even under the threat of punishment from the king himself to any maidservants who dared to whisper a breath about rebellions while they are inside the castle.

Outside, her mother has been waiting, and together, they descended down the stairs, stopping in the middle to address the guests that had started the festivities. There was loud clinking of glass and kitchenware, laughter from the conversing guests, and the footsteps of those who just came in. A soft classical music enveloped the room and gave it a calming feel.

While Charlotte had always relished the slices of the world she received as gifts, a part of her of course felt nervous. After all, ever since she was grown enough to be aware, parties were still an indirect contest of political movements.

Nobles would step and maim each other with words in order to receive the biggest slice of power, and the same applies even to the only heir of a crumbling kingdom. She would still be expected to pick up such duties in the future. That fate was set in stone for her, yet, deep in her heart, she wished to have the chance to explore the outside world and see what it has to offer.

Charlotte shook her head, getting rid of the stray thoughts, as her mother and father stopped in the middle of the steps, overlooking the crowds beneath. She tuned out the usual platitudes about her coming of age, knowing that within the next few weeks, she would have to deal with the more annoying dregs trying to butter her up. Even though she was sheltered, the life as a princess had made her painfully aware of her current situation.

After what felt like an eternity, the king's speech finally ended, and the noise replaced with the soft tunes of strings as the royal family sat on the designated seats. One by one, the nobles presented their gifts for the princess in front of the three.

Everyone knew, under this guise of gifts, each family would try to one-up each other, show off their allegiance to the king, or even give a discreet declaration of dissatisfaction. So far, one family had given her a pair of flower hair ornaments from outside the land, another had given her a custom-made necklace, and one even gave her a luxurious fur scarf.

One by one, they returned to the festivities after presenting the gifts, and the crowd of nobles waiting to present their gifts had thinned down to a few.

The last family representative finally walked over to present his gift, and as he walked closer, whispers could be heard from the crowd.

"Is that the Vulpes Family?"

"Did you not know the stories? They tried to revolt last year, and they were obliterated. Not even their children was spared!"

"That can't be! What is he doing here, then?!"

"How dare that thing come and show his face here!"

The man was covered in a luxurious dark blue hood bearing the crest of a white fox surrounded by icy blue chains, but his face were still visible, his handsome, pale visage undisturbed even as the comments from the other nobles stirred a no longer discreet discussion in the crowd. He walked with a confident smile, blue eyes almost gleaming under the light of the chandelier.

"Amon, from the Vulpes Family, I pray for the princess' health and the eternal peace and prosperity of Borealis Kingdom." The prince bowed and took something out from his cloak.

It was an small box that radiated the sweet scent of flowers, and Charlotte opened it, to see a beautiful, blue rose suspended in crystal. The crystal looked like it shifted in colors under the light, each slight movement making the flower gleam in radiance.

"Princess Charlotte, I present to you the exotic Azure Rose from the northern reaches of the mountain range, preserved in magical crystal." Amon spoke in a smooth voice as the Charlotte stared at the flower, still captivated. "The rose was known as an unrivalled symbol of beauty, but even it pales in comparison to you."

"I accept this gift, Amon of Vulpes." Charlotte replied, as she tried to contain her excitement. It was certainly a marvelous item, however, from the whispers; Charlotte could conclude that Amon did not have the best reputation around the kingdom.

But, his eyes did not reflect that, as his icy blue eyes were still brimming with confidence along with his gestures.

"I am glad to hear that." He bowed deeply once again, before seemingly disappearing into the crowd.

As the festivities went on, Charlotte was barely able to keep her eyes off the crystal flower placed on its pedestal, the way its color changes with the slightest movements captivating her thoughts. What was that flower? What kind of place could it be found in? The desire to get out and see the world she buried in her heart for so long had wriggled out every time she looked at it. Even the food the maidservants brought her tasted like ash and dust as she continued staring at it, to the chagrin of her parents.

As the night went on, with the party starting to subside, the guests had started to disperse. The brilliant silver moon outside had risen high on the sky, its stream of pale light entering the room from the windows and bathing everything nearby in beautiful shadows. As the moonlight hit the crystal, Charlotte stared, transfixed, as the glow reflected on the walls as a line of runes.

"Meet me in the tower."

Charlotte looked around; it was easy to slip away considering the amount of people around the door. Her parents were busy talking about the current situation to the nobles she recognizes as part of the loyalist faction, and no one was paying attention to her right now.

The tower was a mere few yards away from the castle, there was no way they would notice.

As if trying to make herself as small as possible, she slipped into the crowd that had gathered and left, her eyes transfixed to the old castle tower blanketed in shadow.