The muffled sound of knocking pulled me from the depths of sleep. My eyelids felt heavy, and for a moment, I considered ignoring whoever dared to disturb me.
But the knock was persistent, followed by the soft shuffle of footsteps across my room's marble floor.
"Princess Xyra, you have to get up. Today is your university graduation," came the timid voice of a servant.
I sighed, the weight of responsibility settling over me like an unwanted cloak. Graduation.
Of course. I rolled onto my side, stretching languidly as the servant's words sank in. Top of my class, as expected there was no other outcome worth mentioning.
The achievement wasn't remarkable; it was simply another milestone in a life destined for perfection.
"Leave," I said, my voice cool and dismissive. "I'll manage myself."
The servant scurried out without hesitation, and the door clicked shut behind her. Good. I preferred solitude in the mornings.
Dragging myself from the silken embrace of my bedding, I padded toward the bathroom, my bare feet gliding across the cold marble.
The sprawling bathroom greeted me with its pristine fixtures, gold-accented mirrors, and a sunken tub large enough to swim in.
I stepped into the shower, turning the water to a near-scalding heat. As the stream cascaded over my skin, I allowed myself the indulgence of lingering.
The steam enveloped me, creating a private cocoon where the world couldn't intrude.
Graduation. Twenty-one years of life, and it felt as though I'd conquered every challenge laid before me. My mind wandered as the water coursed over me, tracing the path of my life thus far.
Two months ago, my twenty-first birthday had been celebrated with grandeur befitting my status.
The court had buzzed with praise for the opulence of the event, though I found their fawning predictable and dull. Still, the party had been exquisite, every detail meticulously orchestrated by me.
Today, I was set to graduate at the very top of my class, as anyone with my intellect and dedication would expect. That, too, felt inevitable.
My fiancé, Levan a strikingly handsome and utterly proper man would soon be by my side as we prepared for our wedding.
Once married, I would ascend the throne and become queen. The kingdom would finally have the ruler it deserved.
Perfection had always been my birthright, and I carried it with pride. People admired me, feared me even, and rightly so. Why shouldn't they? They were lesser little more than pawns in the grand game of my life.
I thought briefly of my brother, who had chosen to join the Human soldiers rather than attend my graduation. A childish decision, but I didn't care. His absence was a footnote, barely worth acknowledging.
As I stepped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a thick towel, another thought flickered through my mind, unbidden. Ren.
The prodigy. The genius girl who'd entered university at thirteen and graduated in record time. The one whose name had been whispered with awe and curiosity, only to vanish from sight shortly afterward. No one knew what had become of her.
For a moment, I considered her fate. Had she failed somewhere along the way? Was she living in obscurity, a fallen star whose brilliance had burned out too quickly?
It didn't matter.
I dismissed the thought with a flick of my hand, moving to the dressing area. My wardrobe loomed before me, a sea of silk, velvet, and embroidery.
Selecting a gown for today was a matter of precision. Pale gold seemed fitting a color that complemented my platinum blonde hair and radiated the authority I carried so effortlessly.
Once dressed, I allowed the maids to attend to my hair. They worked in silence, as they should, their fingers deftly weaving and styling until my hair shimmered like spun silver.
As they finished, I studied my reflection in the mirror. Perfection. My gown hugged my figure with elegant precision, and my hair was an intricate masterpiece. I tilted my head, admiring every angle before speaking aloud.
"I look absolutely flawless," I declared. The maids murmured their agreement, though I didn't require their validation.
The knock on my door announced it was time. I rose gracefully, dismissing the maids with a wave of my hand.
Outside, my parents waited, their expressions proud and expectant. My father, the king, looked every bit the regal figure, while my mother's smile held a hint of warmth beneath its formal surface.
"Xyra," my father said, his voice steady, "you've made us proud, as always."
I nodded, accepting the praise as my due. "Of course."
My mother leaned in, brushing a kiss against my cheek. "You've always been our brightest star," she said softly.
I offered her a faint smile, though my thoughts were already on the ceremony ahead.
The carriage awaited us, its gleaming finish reflecting the morning sunlight. I stepped inside, the air perfumed with the scent of roses a touch my mother insisted on.
As we set off toward the university, the grandeur of the day began to unfold around us. The streets were lined with banners, and the crowds cheered as the royal procession passed. It was all very… expected.
The ceremony itself promised to be a spectacle, but I had grown up surrounded by wealth and opulence. This, like everything else, was simply another stage on which I would shine.
I settled into my seat, letting the rhythmic motion of the carriage lull me into a calm focus. The world outside might see this as a day of celebration, but for me, it was merely another step toward my rightful place at the top.
And nothing no one would stand in my way.