one month later
I was sitting on the balcony outside of my room, and ever since we found out I was the heir to both sides, I was given freedom; Lady Lysa called the other former royals here to ensure that was the case. I could still sense the traitor hunters nearby, but they kept their distance for now.
I breathed outwards as Iona spoke from behind me," What are you thinking about?"
I shrugged," I wasn't out here to think, to enjoy nature."
She said," I assume you know what is happening later today?"
I nodded," Yes, a meeting with the former royals and the Elf Queen, along with her cabinet on neutral grounds."
Her voice changed with amusement," Meaning you get to wear your first dress."
My eyes widened as I glared at her, one of the few signs of anger I gave someone as she chuckled," There's that glare."
The glare intensified as she backed up, and I growled," I would run if I were you."
Iona paled," Alright."
She bolted as I resumed watching the sunrise before a servant spoke from behind me, having just entered the room," Princess Selena?"
I was not used to how they addressed me. I glanced behind me as the servant shuffled slightly," Please forgive me, but Lady Krista and Lord Daniel wish you to be ready before noon."
I breathed out, swung my legs over the railing, and quietly looked at the bed to see a silver dress. Picking it up, I gently placed it on my shoulder. Breathing out, I soundlessly walked into the restroom and got changed, walking out. I breathed out again. When I entered my room or the main part, Iona squealed," So beautiful!"
I blinked in surprise as I felt my face heat up. Unsure of what emotion this was, I held out my hand as an orb of blue-white flames appeared in my right hand, and the moment I shut my hands in a vertical grip, the shape of a recurve bow formed as Iona stepped back in shock as I pulled back the flaming string as an arrow appeared.
Iona whispered, still in shock," Selena, please release your hand; the emotion you are feeling is an embarrassment."
Slowly releasing my hand as the Bow disappeared, Iona smiled," We knew that you liked having your back bare, so we designed a dress for you."
I responded with another feeling coming to me while I felt my mouth quirk upwards slightly," Thank you, Iona."
She grinned," Your first little smile."
'So this is what a smile is. I will remember this.'
She stated," Come on. Mother, Father, Grandmother and everyone else is waiting for you."
I followed behind her as I heard squeals. I blinked, noticing Krista smiling; Christine was squealing, and Lady Vossen smirked and spoke," You truly have your Mother's grace."
I didn't know what to say as Matthew spoke impatiently," Hurry up, let's go."
Their father growled," Matthew shut up. Selena is over seventy years younger and showing far more patience."
Iona chuckled," He has a point."
They all walked out as I followed into a large carriage. I sat outside, looking out the window with a narrowed gaze as Iona sighed," This should be interesting... Mother and father try not to kill her right away. She is stronger than you."
Lady Vossen chuckled," We should be saying that to you, given what we know your older sister is going through."
"As long as she is alive, that is all I care for, but fair enough. Also, the grandmother released another indicator: she is Queen Artemia and King Ayo's daughter. The Bow of the Sun."
I looked at Iona and asked," Bow of the Sun?"
Christine sighed," Your history is coming along nicely but has yet to reach that point. The Bow of the Sun is the strongest weapon tied with the blade of darkness, which you should be able to manifest. Each high-ranked family has a special weapon handed down from one leader to another. Our oldest sibling, Leandra, has it currently, though it has been so long since we have seen it that I forgot what it looks like."
Iona shrugged," It is a sword. Not the most impressive weapon if you ask me."
I remained tense as a large building started to come into view. Four carriages rested on the right side of the door; each carriage symbolized one of the royal houses or one of the night houses. I tensed further upon seeing the large eagles the Queen and her cabinet rode.
The carriage stopped by the door and opened when a guard bowed," Welcome to the meeting ground."
I got out first. I waited for everyone while I followed behind them nervously. As the door opened, Sophia chuckled," About time you arrived, Lysa, Krista, Daniel, Christine, Matthew, and Princess Selena."
I heard shocked gasps as I took notice of the shocked cabinet. The Elf Queen sat down, looking at me as she growled," How do we know you aren't lying? Rosalind."
Sophia smiled coldly," You don't, but Lysa can prove it."
Lysa nodded to the others and gently grabbed my shoulders, leading me forward as she gently spoke," Turn around, please, Princess."
I turned around, and gasps of shock sounded from the cabinet members while they looked upon my family's crest, the true royal family, as Lysa chuckled," That is one proof of evidence. Selena, can you please show the family weapon?"
I nodded, turning back around, holding my hand out, and just like before, a blue orb of flames rested in my palm. Again, I closed it, and a recurve bow appeared."
Lysa continued," Second piece of evidence. Now release your magic power, please, Princess."
I nodded and closed my eyes as I heard a cabinet member's voice whisper," What is she doing?"
I heard Lysa chide," Dumb elves, she is amassing her magic power."
I could tell they bristled and immediately went silent while I opened my eyes; a thin layer of magic was around me before it exploded outward in waves of silver and gold, causing the room to shatter as I quickly brought it under control as Sophia spoke slowly," I knew it was powerful...but not that powerful."
Lysa sighed," Partially why I still go to their home. Her magic is coming along well. Granddaughter, would you mind telling us exactly how far she is with the exercises?"
Iona stepped beside me,'' To her raw magic power; we started her on the hardest ones possible; she could already take five steps walking in the air, which is remarkable for one so young. When Queen Ameria had her magic bracelets on with one bracelet off, it was fifty percent of her actual magic. Since we have been training her magic further, she is at her current point twice the power when both bracelets were taken off after grandmother took the curses you placed on her off."
I noticed Iona's hand was clenched while she spat out Queen and cursed angrily. I looked at her as she smiled softly, patting my head as Ameria noticed," I see, Iona of the second night. It seems my weapon took a liking to you.''
I froze as all the vampires growled while I whispered," Ameria, shut up."
Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked at me carefully," Selena, you know I am your Queen, right?"
I responded softly, fearing her coming back," No, you aren't."
She froze and looked at me, growling," I order you to come here."
In response, I held my hand out, and immediately, the Bow of the Sun appeared in hand, pulled back, revealing a flaming arrow, and aimed it at her head," No, Ameria, leave me alone."
Lady Rosalind gently whispered," Calm down."
I heeded her advice, and the Bow disappeared as Sophia gently guided me toward a chair and whispered," Let us do most of the talking."
I nodded as I sat down while the other former royals sat down beside me.