Princess Aurelia was playing with her older brothers, Prince Ansfrid and Prince Aelfhere, in the palace gardens. Ansfrid and Aelfhere were chasing each other, playing a game of tag, while Aurelia was giggling and clapping her hands, watching them with fascination.
Suddenly, Aelfhere tripped over a rock and fell into a fountain, soaking his clothes and splashing water all over Ansfrid. Aurelia burst out laughing, her chubby cheeks dimpling with joy.
"You little rascal! Watch where you're going!" Ansfrid scolded his brother, trying to shake off the water. "Now see what you've done? I'm drenched!"
Aelfhere looked sheepish, his wet hair plastered to his forehead. "Sorry, Ansfrid. It was an accident."
Aurelia crawled over to them, still giggling. "Haha, funny!" she babbled in baby talk, patting Aelfhere's wet sleeve.
Ansfrid rolled his eyes. "Yeah, it's hilarious. Now I have to go inside and change my clothes. And you, little missy," he said to Aurelia, lifting her up and tickling her belly. "Are you ready for your afternoon nap?"
Aurelia squealed with delight, wiggling her arms and legs. Nap, no!" she protested, trying to squirm out of her brother's grasp.
Aelfhere chuckled, ruffling her soft brown curls. "Sorry, Aurelia. It's nap time for you, whether you like it or not."
As they made their way back to the palace, Aurelia continued to babble and coo, happy to be in the company of her beloved brothers, even if they sometimes got into silly mishaps. Ansfrid sighed, secretly amused by the chaos that his younger siblings brought into his life.
"Next time, Aelfhere," he muttered under his breath. "Leave the fountains alone."
I played with my younger brothers, Ansfrid and Aelfhere, until we grew tired and they decided to take an afternoon nap. The truth was, I wasn't truly tired. It had been a day of reckoning, as she had been reminded of her duty as a princess and the expectations that came with it. Yet, instead of demoralizing me, it only fueled my determination to master my magical powers, something that I had been working on in secret for months now. As they left my bedroom, I settled into bed, but the thought of sleeping in the middle of the day was unappealing. Instead, I decided to practice my elemental magic.
Magic was not forbidden in my kingdom, but it was not commonly used either. My family, however, had always been able to wield elemental powers. My mother could control water, my father could manipulate fire, and my elder brother Ansfid had a talent for air and water, while my brother Aelfhere can control fire and earth. My own powers were more varied. I could control not only the four classical elements but also some of their derivatives, such as lightning and ice.
I focused on my breathing and closed my eyes, letting my mind wander as I summoned my powers. I started with earth, picturing roots growing from the floor and wrapping around my feet. Then, I moved on to the air, imagining a breeze blowing through the window and rustling the curtains. Next, I conjured a small flame in my palm, feeling the warmth and light emanating from it. Finally, I called forth a drop of water from a nearby vase, watching it dance and swirl in the air.
Satisfied with my control, I decided to experiment. I combined elements, creating a miniature storm that raged in my room, with lightning flashing and thunder rumbling. Then, I switched to ice, freezing the moisture in the air and forming intricate patterns on my walls.
The sound of a knock on my door brought me back to reality. I quickly extinguished my flames and let the storm dissipate, erasing all traces of my magic. She paused to take a breath and heard sounds outside—her brothers' footsteps approaching. Quickly—almost guiltily—she flicked the flame out and resumed her position on the bed. Ansfrid cleared his throat behind her.
I whirled around, the flame flickering out in surprise. "Ansfrid! What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," he said, raising an eyebrow as he stepped further into her room.
I could feel my heart pounding in her chest. She had kept her practice a secret from her brothers for so long, and now she was caught. She knew she had to say something, so she stammered out, "I... was just practicing. My powers, I mean."
Ansfrid crossed his arms over his chest, a small smile playing on his lips. "So I see. And what is this fancy trick you're working on?"
I hesitated before taking a deep breath and summoning a small flame into her palm once again. She concentrated, making the flame grow bigger and bigger, shaping it into a flower. It flickered out after a couple of seconds, but Ansfrid looked impressed.
"Not bad," he said, nodding his head. "You certainly have a talent there."
"Go to sleep, Aurelia," Aelfhere said, pausing at the door. Ansfrid gave her a small, encouraging nod.
"Goodnight," she replied, biting back a triumphant smile.
Once they had left, she resumed practicing. Quickly, she managed to create one flame again, and soon she was conjuring several at once. She tried to make them into different shapes and even different colors. It took effort, but she was slowly realizing that the pyromancer within her was a part of her.
I continued to practice until the fire sputtered out. The adrenaline still buzzed within me as I lay in bed and tried to gather my thoughts. Nevertheless, deep down, I knew that if I could control my powers, I could do so much good for their kingdom, and I could prevent the tragic fate that is about to happen to me. With that thought, I finally drifted off to sleep, eager for the new day and the possibilities it held.
Days turned into weeks, and I continued to practice my powers in secret. I was getting better, becoming more in control of my abilities, and my confidence was growing. But it wasn't long before my brothers began to notice that something was different about their little sister.
Now that her brothers knew about her secret, there was no need for me to hide my powers anymore. I was relieved and excited to share my discoveries with my brothers—and, who knows, maybe even my parents.
I had made up my mind. I would tell my family about her magical powers. It was risky, as no one apart from my brothers knew about my powers, but I felt that my family deserved to know.
I spent the entire day struggling with my decision, going back and forth between telling them and keeping my powers a secret. But as the sun began to set and the family gathered in the grand dining hall for dinner, I knew that it was time to speak up.
"Father," I began, my voice shaking slightly as I addressed the Emperor. "I have something to tell you all."
Everyone at the table paused, forks and knives clinking against plates as they waited for me to speak.
"I...I have magic," I said, my voice growing stronger as I spoke. "Elemental magic, nature magic...I can control all the elements."
The room was silent for a moment as everyone tried to process my confession. But then the Emperor spoke up, his voice filled with wonder: "You have all the powers of the elements? That's incredible, Aurelia."
Everyone at the table murmured in agreement, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. My secret was out, but instead of being judged or shunned, my family was amazed by my powers.
"But how is this possible? Neither I nor your mother has ever come across someone with such abilities," the Emperor said, his expression curious.
"I don't know, Father," I replied truthfully. "I just...have these powers. And I want to use them to help the kingdom, to do good."
The King nodded thoughtfully and then turned to my brothers, asking, "What say you to all of this? Do you agree with Aurelia's intentions?"
Both her brothers nodded, clearly impressed by my newfound courage. "She's right, Father. Her powers can do so much good," Aelfhere said.
"And we can even use them to help us in our duties as princes," Ansfrid added.
Emperor Asjborn smiled, his eyes filled with pride as he looked at his children. "Very well. We shall let Aurelia explore her powers and see how she can use them for the good of our kingdom."
As the family continued to eat their dinner, I couldn't help but feel grateful. With my family by my side, the possibilities of what I could achieve felt endless. For once, I felt like I truly belonged and that my powers—something I had once seen as a burden—was now a gift that I could use to make a difference in the world.
The next morning, I was attended to by Nanny Maria as I was getting dressed for the day. Despite my excitement about mastering my powers, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness about the upcoming breakfast with my family.
But as I entered the grand dining hall, I felt the nerves dissipate. The entire royal family was already seated, and the Emperor and Empress were already engaged in a heated discussion about politics. My two older brothers sat on either side of her, both with sly grins on their faces.
"You know, Aurelia," Aelfhere began, his voice dripping with humor, "I heard that pyromancers make terrible cooks. Should we be worried about the kitchen?"
Ansfrid chuckled, adding, "Don't worry, brother. I'm sure she won't burn everything she touches."
I rolled her eyes as I sat down, trying my best not to get too worked up. But as I reached for the bread, I couldn't resist adding, "Well, unlike you two, at least I have a talent. What do you even do?"
Aelfhere chortled, "Unlike you, we have actual duties as princes. You're just a pampered princess."
"Excuse me?" I bristled, ready to fire back.
But then her mother chimed in, her tone filled with laughter: "Now, now, children. Can we discuss something other than each other's talents, or lack thereof, for once?"
I relaxed, grateful for her mother's intervention. As we continued to eat, the conversation turned to lighter topics, and soon we were all joking and laughing together. I even found myself joining in, entertaining them with tales of my clumsiness and the trouble I had gotten myself into.
At one point, Aelfhere, made a face as he bit into his toast. "I think it's too burnt," he said with a grimace.
I couldn't resist, "Looks like someone else wants a taste of my Pyromancy skills." The entire table erupted in laughter, with even the Emperor letting out a hearty chuckle.
As the days went by, I could feel my family's curiosity growing regarding my magical abilities. They couldn't understand how I could control all elemental and nature magic while the rest of them could only control one element. My parents and siblings kept asking me questions about my abilities, but I couldn't explain to them how I could control all these magical powers.
Finally, one day, my dad suggested seeking help from the royal mage, who had an immense knowledge of magic. We set up a meeting with him, and I couldn't contain my excitement. I was thrilled to meet someone who could perhaps explain my magical abilities, which I couldn't comprehend myself.
The royal mage, Master Jamal, greeted us, and after the pleasantries, we got to the topic of my magical abilities. As I demonstrated the various forces I could control, he looked on with a curious, almost envious expression on his face.
He explained that my magical abilities were rare and special, and it was not something that could be easily explained or understood. He explained that only a few noble houses could control all elements and nature magic, and such houses would have produced their fair share of legends and heroes throughout history.
All I could do was listen to him intently, soaking in every word he spoke. He then advised me to keep practicing and harnessing my magical powers. He urged me to let my instincts guide me and to always stay attuned to the forces of nature. I felt a renewed sense of purpose after my meeting with the royal mage.
Even though we couldn't explain how I could control all these magical powers, I wasn't too bothered by it anymore. I was grateful that my family supported me and that I had been given the opportunity to meet someone who understood the complexities of the world of magic.
With the guidance of the royal mage and the love and support of my family, I knew that I could achieve great things and fulfill my destiny.
After my meeting with the Royal Mage, I continued to hone my abilities and powers. I know why I can control all elemental magic; after all, I have read it in the novel: Aurelia was blessed by a god. However, something was different this time around. I had come to learn that there was something unique and rare about the abilities that I had not fully understood before.
It was one evening while I was meditating in the palace gardens that I heard a voice. A clear, unmistakable voice in my mind It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. The voice introduced itself as the God of our universe by the name of Elior.
As I listened in awe, Elior explained that I had been chosen and bestowed with special magical abilities by him. He had blessed me with the unique ability to control all the elemental and nature magic, but more so, he had also given me the power of holy magic—a rare, sacred form of magical abilities.
As I listened to his voice, an incredible sense of awe came over me. It was incredible to think that such a powerful being had chosen and blessed me this way. I was suddenly aware that I had a purpose to fulfill, something bigger than myself.
With this newfound revelation, I began to understand why I could control all these magical powers. Elior was with me, guiding me every step of the way. I continued to hone my abilities and worked assiduously with my newfound knowledge.
As I practiced my abilities, I began to notice enhancements in the strength and power of my powers. Over time, I became confident in my abilities, knowing that I had been blessed by a powerful being to wield this amazing power.
With everything I had learned, I was more determined than ever before. I had found the reason why I was bestowed with such incredible abilities. My faith and confidence in Elior's guidance allowed me to push myself further than I ever thought I was capable of. And with his help, I knew that I could achieve great things and fulfill my destiny as the chosen one blessed by the God who created this universe.
It was a bright, sunny day in the palace gardens, and I was playing with my magical abilities. As I conjured up small balls of fire and water, I noticed a young girl walking toward me. She had long brown hair and wore a pretty blue dress.
"Hi there," she said. "What are you doing?"
"I'm playing with my magic," I replied, smiling. "My name is Aurelia. What's yours?"
"Oh, I greet the golden star of the empire; my name is Elvina, your Highness," she replied, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm here with my father, Marquess Holstein. I believed he had some business to do with the Emperor."
My eyes widened with realization. I couldn't believe it—fate had brought us together once again!
In my past life, Elvina had plotted against me and ultimately caused my death. I felt a sense of fear and discomfort being around her again, knowing that history could repeat itself if I wasn't careful. However, Elvina had no recollection of our past life. Maybe, just maybe, if I could do something to change the course of the story, then Elvina would be prevented from her obsession.
I showed her some of my magic tricks, and she was absolutely amazed. Then she showed me her own skills, which were pretty impressive for someone her age. She could control small gusts of wind and even make the tiny flowers dance. As we continued to play, laugh, and talk about our interests, I found myself struggling to trust Elvina. My memories from my past life made me feel uneasy and cautious around her.
We continued to play and chat—about our likes and dislikes, our families, and our kingdoms. We discovered that we had a lot in common, particularly our love for magical abilities. As the sun started to set, we realized it was time to head back to our families. We exchanged a smile and agreed to meet again tomorrow.
"I'm glad we met, your highness," she said. "You're cool."
"You too, Elvina," I replied. "I'm looking forward to seeing you again."
Despite my reservations, Elvina seemed genuinely excited to be my friend. She had a kid heart, and I enjoyed spending time with her. Deep down, I didn't want to believe that she would betray me again.
The next day, Elvina arrived at the castle once again. As Elvina arrived at the castle, she was welcomed at the gate by two guards who recognized her from the previous day. "Welcome back, Lady Elvina," one of them said, "Her Highness is expecting you. Please follow me." The guard led Elvina to the main entrance and informed the butler, who then called for Aurelia's maid to escort Elvina.
Aurelia's maid, Beatrice, had received a message from the gatekeeper that Lady Elvina had arrived at the castle. She quickly made her way to Princess Aurelia's chambers to inform her of the news.
"Your Highness," Beatrice said, knocking on the door before poking her head inside, "Lady Elvina has arrived."
I looked up from my book, my eyes brightening at the mention of my friend's name. "Excellent, thank you, Beatrice. Please escort her to my private sitting room, I'll be there shortly."
Beatrice gave me a curtsy and left the room to fetch Elvina. I felt a flutter of excitement, thrilled at the prospect of spending time with my newfound friend once again. I quickly put aside my book, tidied my hair, and made my way to the sitting room, eager to welcome Elvina back to the castle.
Moments later, the maid arrived, introducing herself as Beatrice. "Greetings, Lady Elvina," Beatrice said with a curtsy. "Princess Aurelia is expecting you in her private sitting room. Please follow me."
Elvina followed Beatrice through the castle's grand halls, marveling at the exquisite architecture, intricate details, and beautiful paintings that adorned the walls. They finally arrived at Aurelia's private sitting room, a cozy space decorated with potted plants, cozy armchairs, and a small table, where they had tea the day before.
"Please, make yourself at home," Beatrice said, gesturing for Elvina to take a seat as she poured some tea. "Her Highness will be with you shortly."
Elvina thanked Beatrice, admiring her cheerful demeanor and dedication to her duty. She sipped her tea patiently, wondering what Aurelia would show her next. I arrived at the private sitting room where Elvina was already seated, enjoying a cup of tea. I stood up to greet her, giving her a warm hug. It was nice to see her again.
"Welcome back, Elvina. It's a pleasure to see you again," I said, beaming with happiness.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I'm glad to be here again," Elvina replied, a smile spreading across her face.
We took our seats, and Beatrice poured some fresh tea. We began discussing our hobbies, and I shared my love for magic and healing. Elvina talked about her travels, and I listened with rapt attention, captivated by her stories.
"I've always been fascinated by different cultures and customs," Elvina explained. "It's amazing how diverse the world is, yet how connected we all are at the same time."
I nodded in agreement. "I couldn't agree with you more, Elvina. Learning about different cultures and traditions is a great way to broaden your horizons and gain a better understanding of the world we live in."
As we finished our tea, I suggested that we take a stroll through the castle gardens. Elvina happily agreed, and together we stepped out into the warm breeze of the afternoon. We walked through rows of colorful flowers of all shades and smelled the sweet fragrances of roses, jasmine, and other flowers that lined the carefully trimmed hedges. I showed Elvina the castle's herb garden, filled with different plants used for medicinal purposes.
As we walked, I led Elvina to a small, hidden lake located deeper in the garden. The lake was surrounded by tall trees, with branches reaching out towards the water. I walked closer to the edge of the lake, admiring the clear blue water. But suddenly, I stumbled and lost my balance, falling into the lake with a loud splash.
As Elvina strolled by the side of the serene lake, she noticed Aurelia heading towards the edge. Suddenly, Aurelia slipped and tumbled into the water with a loud splash. Elvina's heart leaped as she rushed to the edge of the lake to get a better view. Aurelia was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh, my God!" Elvina shrieked, full of alarm. "What am I going to do?"
With great swiftness, Elvina hastened to the water's edge and shouted, "Help! Help! Princess Aurelia has fallen into the lake!" Her chest heaved with anxiety, and her pulse raced as she scanned the water for any sign of Aurelia.
Elvina panicked and tried to reach for my hand. But as she tried, something unexpected happened. My body suddenly started to glow with a bright, golden light, illuminating the entire lake. Elvina couldn't believe what she saw and shouted loudly for help.
Ansfrid and Aelfhere, who were nearby, heard Elvina's call and immediately ran towards the lake to see what had happened. When they saw me glowing, they were stunned. Without hesitation, they jumped into the lake and pulled me out to the shore.
"What happened?" Ansfrid said as they pulled me out of the water.
"She just fell in," Elvina replied, her voice shaking with fear.
I struggled to catch my breath as I gazed upon her two brothers, who had come to her rescue.
"What's going on?" Aelfhere exclaimed, noticing the light as well.
I looked down at my body, my eyes wide with shock. "I don't know," I whispered, confused. The light grew brighter with each passing moment, leaving both brothers flabbergasted.
"What is that light?" Ansfrid asked, fear mingling in his voice.
Aelfhere shook his head. "I have no idea, but we must take her back to the castle immediately," he said.
They hastily carried me back to the castle, and the servants quickly took notice of the golden light emanating from my body. I felt frightened and overwhelmed, not quite sure what was happening to me, but I'm guessing what it could be.
As they laid me on my bed, Ansfrid and Aelfhere exchanged troubled glances, unsure of what to do next.
"We need to inform the royal mage immediately!" Ansfrid said, his voice filled with concern.
At that moment, I felt a sudden surge of energy and strength coursing through my body, and I realized that something extraordinary was happening to me—I knew what this was. Both Ansfrid and Aelfhere observed the light getting brighter and brighter.
"What in the world is happening?" Aelfhere exclaimed.
The royal mage quickly arrived at the royal bedchamber and immediately examined me. After a series of tests, he could not comprehend what was happening to me. He had never seen this type of phenomenon before, and he was at a loss as to how to proceed.
The royal mage had just finished examining me for any traces of dark magic. After a short pause, he turned to the Emperor and began speaking.
"Your Majesty," he paused and took a deep breath, "I have examined Princess Aurelia thoroughly, and I have not found any evidence of dark magic within her. However, I believe that her condition is beyond the reach of my abilities."
The Emperor furrowed his brow in concern. "What do you suggest we do, then?"
The royal mage hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I would recommend seeking the assistance of the High Priest. He has knowledge of ancient healing rituals that could potentially help Her Highness, Princess Aurelia."
The Emperor nodded thoughtfully. "Very well, we shall do as you suggest. Summon the High Priest here!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty," the royal mage said before bowing and leaving the room.
The Emperor turned to me and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Aurelia. We'll get to the bottom of this and make you well again."
I forced a small smile and nodded, grateful for his kindness. But inside, I couldn't help but feel anxious about what lay ahead.
The High Priest was sent by the Emperor to the castle to examine me after the Royal Mage had done so.
As I sat in the chambers of my room, the High Priest entered quietly with a small entourage of acolytes. He was an elderly man, with deep-set eyes and a serene expression that betrayed his great age and wisdom.
He greeted me respectfully and then proceeded with his examination. He placed his hands on my forehead and closed his eyes, and I felt a strange energy course through my body. It was different from the examination conducted by the royal mage. There was a sense of warmth and comfort that spread through my veins, like a soft glow that permeated my being.
When he withdrew his hands, he looked at me with a smile. "Child, you have been blessed by the gods."
I was taken aback, pretending to be unsure of what he meant. "What do you mean, Holy Father?"
The High Priest explained that the golden light I had been seeing was a manifestation of the holy magic being activated within me. It was a rare and powerful type of magic that was only given to those chosen by the gods. He then went on to say that my body was going through a process of adaptation as it tried to keep up with the heightened energy levels caused by the holy magic. It was a difficult and challenging process, but one that would ultimately yield great rewards.
"As you adapt, child, you will discover that your holy magic is not just a gift but also a great responsibility. You have been chosen to serve the gods and to use your magic to heal the sick, perform miracles, and ward off evil."
I sat in stunned silence, trying to process everything that had just been said. I was right; this is the part where Aurelia received her bestowment of holy magic from the god Elior. Recalling the novel that I had read, "Princess of the Stars," I came across the chapter that recounted how Princess Aurelia activated her bestowed holy magic powers when she fell into the lake.
As I recall, my imagination took over, and I could clearly envision the scene playing out before my eyes. Princess Aurelia, lost in thought, had wandered too close to the edge of the lake and accidentally slipped, tumbling into the water with a loud splash. Panicked, Elvina, who had been watching Princess Aurelia, ran to the edge of the lake and shouted for help. At that moment, it appeared that all was lost when suddenly, a bright golden light burst forth from the water. The light grew brighter, enveloping Princess Aurelia in a warm, protective glow that shielded her from harm. At that moment, Princess Aurelia realized that the golden light was a manifestation of her holy magic power, which had been lying dormant within her. It had been activated by her fall into the water.
However, what confuses me is that during that scene in the novel, Aurelia was pushed into the water by Elvina, but earlier, Elvina didn't push me into the water; instead, a dark shadow seemed to pull me towards the lake. That only deepened my confusion. Something was not right. What was that shadow? And why had the course of the incident changed from the original story, where Elvina was supposed to push me into the lake? It didn't make sense.