A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.
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"Dad, I'm alright! Please, let me go~ I need to get ready for the party!"
Princess Lorreign rolled on the bed, whining. The King is by the bed, watching her.
Duchess Selene felt her twin is in need so she asked the servants to take her where the Princess is.
The servants announced her presence.
"SELENE! Ugh, finally!"
Princess Lorreign bounced off the bed and ran to her twin. They screamed and jumped in circles in each other's arms.
"RUN!"
The twins, while the King's guard is still down, didn't let the chance go to waste to run away together. The King was dumbfounded and he could hear their victorious laughter echoing from the halls.
Until he laughed, too, and left the guest room. He called for a servant, "Take the paper bags in my carriage and bring them to my daughter."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The King nodded and walked away. He don't know where to go. He's just wandering around the halls. Unlike ladies, preparing himself for the party won't take much time. It's past 11 am, and the party will be on 6 pm, yet his daughter wants to dress up already. But he understands. His daughter is just a little girl.
And as he look at the scenery past the windows, he found the Xirquits outside, having lunch in the gazebo.
"MOM! Ohms took my steak!? That's my steak!?"
"Don't fight! Here, take mine. Gosh."
The King smiled to himself. The family she created...is so beautiful. He could only wish in his wildest dreams that it was him and not Voltage Xirquit. But hearing the name 'Franchetti Xerene Dragunovv' isn't as pleasing as calling her 'Xirquit'.
The King finally looked away with a deep breath.
When the clock hits noon, that's when he have decided to go back to his room and change. He's doing it all by himself. Then a thought crossed his mind: Is she tying her husband's neck tie by now? Is she helping him wear his coat, clipping his pins on him, and styling his hair---like she used to do on him during their brief time as husband and wife?
The only Dragunovv that's alone in the world.
His daughter got her twin sister. She's close with her mother and everybody. While him, they're wary of him and that's understandable. But he have nobody to call a friend. He got nobody on his side. He's alone, like a phantom that he is.
He looked at himself in the mirror. He turned half of his face into a Veil. Seeing himself like that, he remembers the newborn Princess.
"I should see her," he said and it made him smile.
He picked up his regal coat on the bed and left to see the Princess, just in time because the servants that changed her just left. When the corners are clear, he went inside and found her in her crib.
"Baaa?"
He peeks over, and the Princess instantly beamed her gummy smile on him. She raised her hands, wanting to be carried.
"Wanna go out?"
~
King Liorei took the Princess to the greenhouse, one of the places she's never been before. He showed her the flowers they are growing, the butterflies and the even the bees. And when his legs felt tired from walking since morning, he decided to rest for a moment in the swing with a roof.
"You're very small, Princess," he told her as he rub his finger on her soft and smooth cheek.
"My Princess used to be as small as you, too," he said while smiling. Though he wasn't there, he could see his daughter on the Princess. Very smiley because she's a sunshine. The only good that's ever happen to him.
"I think I love you. I will be your coolest and bestest Uncle ever," he said like a promise and kissed the Princess's cheek. She giggled. Surprisingly, she locked his face between her tiny hands. They looked at each other's eyes, and the King could see his reflection on hers.
"You're very beautiful, Azarese Elyzena." He kissed her cheek again.
"GERSON FUCKING LIOREI! MY DAUGHTER!!"
Both them flinched from the startling surprise they heard from the King's wrathful shout. King Liorei shuddered in a laughter.
"That's your Dad. Your Dad is a dragon. A very bad dragon."
The Princess chuckled and nodded like she agrees with him.
"We should go back. Hope we'll see your Mom first before him. Pfft."
But when he's about to stand, a mysterious light begins to glow faintly in the sky, like a distant star flickering into existence. Slowly, it grows in intensity, outshining even the brightest celestial bodies. The light takes on an eerie, otherworldly hue, shifting between shades of deep indigo and ethereal silver, casting an unnatural glow over the land.
As the light intensifies, it starts to pulse rhythmically, sending waves of energy cascading across the sky. These pulses create ripples in the atmosphere, like the surface of a pond disturbed by a thrown stone. The ripples coalesce, forming intricate patterns that twist and turn, gradually shaping themselves into an enormous magic circle.
"Dad, we can't start the party yet! Azarese is still missing!" Prince Izaac stressed when he saw the magic happening over them.
"It's not part of it..." The King mutter as he watch the magic circle expands with a deliberate, almost ominous grace, its edges stretching wider and wider until it spans the entire continent.
As the magic circle reaches its full expanse, the runes begin to rotate and shift, activating the spell's final phase. A faint, almost imperceptible mist descends from the circle, shimmering as it touches the ground. Those caught within its reach feel an irresistible compulsion to look up, their eyes reflecting the luminous patterns above.
"Find the Princess at once! Izaac, a barrier! That is not part of the celebration! EVERYONE, DEFEND YOURSELVES!" The King ordered. His senses are tingling. Something is not right!
But when he turned around to see if everyone is moving to do what he told them to, his eyes widened when he found them just standing there, looking up. Their eyes are glowing, reflecting the light of the magic circle.
"Dad, it's beautiful," Prince Izaac smiled.
King LIFE smiled in disbelief, "That's how much your Dad loves you, Princess. He even prepared a show like that." He shook his head and looked at the Princess who's looking at him.
Princess Azarese raised her hands to hold his face once again.
Without warning, a surge of magical energy pulses outward from the center of the circle, flooding the minds of the continent's inhabitants. Thoughts blur, memories fade, and a new, singular purpose takes root: unwavering loyalty and obedience to the unknown entity that orchestrated this grand enchantment. The night sky, once a canvas of stars, now bears witness to the silent subjugation of an entire continent, all under the watchful gaze of the ever-expanding magic circle.
King Liorei turned around and covered the Princess with his physique when the light came to burn their eyes. The light came down like a tsunami, but leaving everything as is. Seconds later, the King corrected his posture and looked around him.
"Shit. He's going to kill me for real! Let's go, Princess! Smile at your Dad once he draws Excalibur out, alright? Save your poor Uncle."
The Princess, swaddled in fine silks, cooed softly, her tiny fingers curling around the King's thumb.
As they approached the palace courtyard, the faint murmur of voices grew louder, crescendoing into a grand celebration. Banners and streamers adorned the walls, fluttering in the gentle breeze. The King's heart lifted at the sight, thinking that the people were celebrating the birth of the true heir. But as he stepped into the heart of the festivities, his blood ran cold. A crowd had gathered around the grand staircase, where a golden infant lay in an ornate cradle.
"Welcome to the world, Princess Azarese!"
The King's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
The King pushed through the throng, his grip tightening protectively around the true Princess. His voice, usually commanding and authoritative, now trembled with a mixture of anger and desperation.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of comprehension or recognition.
A hush fell over the crowd, their faces turning toward the King with expressions of confusion and, disturbingly, irritation at his interruption. And from his peripheral vision, he found a suspicious man disguised beneath a cloak. When the man lifted the hem of it slightly to show his lower face, the King felt his anger rose to the top when he smirked at him devilishly.
.
.
.
Everyone gasped with widening eyes when their senses returned to them. They see each other in what seems to be their astral bodies, with the world in complete darkness. Yet they could see the form of the whole arena in astral lines just like theirs.
A ball of golden and white light traveled to Watts Xirquit. A pair of hands stretched out from it and cupped his face.
"Do you want them to see her from your eyes?"
The thumbs forced his eyes to shut. Once again, the truth immersed them one more time, seeing things in Watts Xirquit's point of view.
.
.
.
"My love, are you feeling well?" Grand Duchess Xerene left her seat to go beside her son. She cupped his face, worrying so much for nothing.
"Are you feeling sick? Are you hurt? Is the food not to your liking? Come, I will ask your Inang Titania to make you something---"
"Mommy, no. You don't have to."
Ohms Xirquit looked at him, "Maybe he have a bad tummy. Let him go, Mom. Good thing I brought this ointment. I know your tummy is very sensitive. Put this on your tummy, so."
He gave him the ointment he took from his space storage.
"T-Thank, Kuya. Please don't tell Ate. She will over react."
The Grand Duchess sighed and smiled, "Alright, I promise. Come back quick, hmm? The Princesses will be here soon." She gave him a sweet kiss to his cheeks and forehead. Ohms called for him so he went to his brother. He kissed his cheeks, too.
"I'll make you something better once we got home. Be careful on your way. Walk carefully, alright?"
"I'm not a baby."
"You are my baby. Go. Do your thing." Ohms smiled at his brother, a phenomenon rare as seeing the moons aligning.
The Lord walked as normal as he could while holding his right wrist. Until he found himself running He's twisting it, it's sparking.
"Wattroid, troubleshoot. Not now. We're in a party," he told to himself, to Wattroid, and looked around him. The sparks grew, so he had no choice but to hide behind the tall bushes. There are no people around, and there are no people taking this path, because they're all in the Diamond Palace's garden. It's on the East wing, and he's on the west wing.
The Lord twisted Wattroid's wrist and pulled it off him. He placed the hand on his lap. He stretched the fingers of his hands and put Wattroid's open wrist close to his face.
"What's wrong, Wattroid? Are the magnets loose?"
"Yes. The screws are loosened. Needs immediate care," Wattroid answered, programmed.
"I don't have tools with me."
The bushes on his right suddenly rustles. He looked for Wattroid's hand to put it back on, but his movement made the hand fall from his lap. It rolled away. And when he's about to take it, he heard a gasp.
"Oh, good Lord, you are hurt!"
His eyes widened and immediately looked at the person that came out from the bushes. There were leaves on her hair and twigs attached on it, but she didn't know that.
It was Moon, a Princess.
"Y-Your Highness!" Watts Xirquit stand up and bowed his head before the Princess.
"Oh, please. You don't need to, My Lord!" Her sweet, mellow voice panicked. She looked around, hoping no knights and servants are seeing them.
Watts Xirquit kept his head low, hiding his right hand behind him.
"But are you alright? Your hand... Are you hurt, my Lord?"
"N-No, Your Highness. Forgive me for invading your space. I must leave." Head still low, he turned around and looked for Wattroid's hand. He went to pick it up with his left hand, when he felt a pair of soft, tiny hands hold his right hand.
"Forgive me, but I think you must see Princess Aurora or Princess Diamanda. They're great healers. You are clearly hurt, my Lord,"
"Princess, I am not---"
His breath was taken away from the sight.
Moon panicked. Her hands were shaking, grabbing on his tight.
"Your wrist and hand are not even... My Lord, are you alright? I will call your Her Grace!"
Gradually, her silver hair began to shimmer, strands of gold weaving through the silver until it was entirely transformed into a radiant, golden cascade. The transformation spread to her eyes, which glowed a brilliant gold, as if the very essence of the sun had taken residence within them. Her skin, already fair, took on a subtle luminescence, giving her an ethereal, almost divine appearance, sparkling as if glitters were sprinkled on her skin.
When she let his hand go to run to bring his mother, the Young Lord saw how her appearance went back to gray. So, unconsciously, he grabbed her by the hand to stop her from running away. When she turned back, right in that moment, he saw her as she is.
"This...can't be..."
King Liorei looked around. He couldn't see the Princess. She's hiding from him again. They're not even playing! The party will begin soon, and he must find her.
"Princess! Playtime is over! Come out!"
"O-Oh! My Lord, quick, hide! I think you don't want to be found, so I won't tell anyone. I-I'm sorry... I shouldn't have... Please forgive me! I didn't mean to..."
She bit her nails and stepped back. He's still standing there, as if frozen by time. She looked down, refusing to meet his gaze, and ran away.
"Boo!" She spread her arms over her head to scare the King. But she didn't scared him at all. He put his hands on his waist, looking at her impatiently.
"You're all dirty again! Look at yourself!"
The Princess chuckled and hugged the King's leg.
"Sorry, Your Majesty! There's a very cute squirrel, so I followed it."
Wattroid sat down to hid his master from the King's sight. But the King already felt his familiar presence.
"Who's there?"
The Princess was alarmed.
"Your Majesty! I'm hungry! Cupcake! Cupcake!"
From his leg, she climbed on him until she's on his shoulders.
"Cupcake!"
"Fine, fine! Tsk. You're so stubborn, Princess."
He turn back around and started to walk. The King suspiciously looked back. The Princess noticed it so she turned his head straight to look at their way.
King Liorei and Moon were seated on the far right, kind of isolated from everyone. The King watched the Princess enjoy her tart. It didn't matter to her if nobody is talking to her. She's happy that her birthday is being celebrated with the other Princesses. But then, she saw how happy Sun is with the family she stole from her. She post her appetite and the King felt a needle poke his heart.
"Princess, are you ready to see my gift to you?" said the King to distract her, but Princess Lorreign came and pulled him with her.
"C'mon, Dad! I want that toy! Get it for me, please?" The Princess's smile radiated and pulled her father to the stalls they built.
"Hep! Payment first before you play!" Duke Paris reminded and held his hand out to them. His stall is a shooting range with lots of valuable to simple prizes behind.
The King then forgot Moon now that he's with her daughter who wanted to enjoy and spend the day with him.
"How much?"
"Since you're a King, hmmm... 50 gold coins for you!"
"What the---Fine. How many turns?"
"Three!"
The King grabbed the gun and paid the Duke thrice his prize.
The Duke hollered and showed Emperor Maxism his wealth.
"Come here next, dear customer! My stall is better than his! You'll get a limited edition condom!"
"Dad! That's nasty!" Prince Maxigaufeas winced and slammed the toy hammer on his father's head.
The Young Lord pulled his attention away from the King and turned to Moon who was left alone. But despite her loneliness, she chose to smile at the King who is with his daughter. Seeing him happy makes her happy, too. The King is the happiest when he's with his daughter, and she would never dare think of taking him away from Princess Lorreign.
King LIFE called everyone to proceed to the gift giving. They made the Princesses lined up in front to receive their gifts. But Moon isn't on the same stage as the others, so he called her and brought her to stand with them. He clapped his hands for Moon who shyly beamed a gummy smile to him.
Princess Aeverie pushed Moon away from her lightly.
"Don't touch me!"
Helverica laughed, "Kids, they're so silly!"
But King Liorei didn't find it silly at all. She stopped and feigned ignorance.
"Happy birthday, Princess. Thank you for being born," King LIFE told his daughter and gave her a porcelain doll handcrafted by the Matriarch herself. It was one of her millions of possessions and it's just right that it goes to his daughter.
"D-Daddy, this is really mine?" The tearful Sun accepted the valuable toy in her hands.
"Of course. The Matriarch divined her generosity to me. She wanted it to be yours, too."
And with that, Sun bawled her eyes out and hugged her father.
"Thank you so much, Daddy! I love it very much!"
King LIFE kissed her head and gently rocked her side to side.
"Anything for my Princess. I will give anything to my Princess."
Then after her, he gave the twin Princesses a set of magic pens then skipped Moon.
"Sister, magic pens! I love it! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Princess Aeverie hugged the case of his gift. She wanted one for herself ever since she saw Sun using them. When she asked the Grand Duke if she could have the same, he ignored her wish. Little did she know he gave her sister Eowyne what she wanted instead.
Princess Eowyne smiled sweetly at her sister. She's happy that her sister is happy.