Chapter 64: Royal Selection (1)
In a majestic land, golden roads stretched beneath soaring towers that pierced the skies. Lush fields bloomed with life, and among them walked radiant people with gleaming wings, their laughter carrying through the kingdom like music. At its center stood a grand castle—and before it, a familiar face.
"What are you doing standing idly like that?," A voice rang, "The ceremony is about to begin."
Laura’s head turned to the source of the soft voice and a smile blossomed on her face.
"Hello, Aunty Mirelda, how are you doing?"
A soft chuckle left Mirelda’s lips as she approached, her silver hair fluttering effortlessly. "I should be asking you that. You’ve barely spoken a word since returning from your guardian duties, and you barely watch the Star Stream either."
Laura’s expression faltered for a moment before she replied, "I’ve just been tired. With the Crivornian attacks increasing and preparations for the royal selection tournament, I haven’t had time for myself."
Mirelda’s eyes softened. Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, she straightened the emerald tiara on her head. "If it’s too much, your sisters could help, and I’m always here. Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?"
Laura nodded, smiling, and followed her aunt toward the castle entrance, lined with guards in bright red armor. A golden rug glowed beneath their feet, and the low clack of swords echoed through the courtyard.
Her golden gown, adorned with sparkling gems, flowed majestically as she entered the hall.
Mirelda smiled proudly, watching Laura settle beside her mother on the throne, then took a seat of her own just a little farther down.
’Your daughter’s grown well, Caira,’ Mirelda spoke telepathically, "She’s hiding her nervousness pretty well, too"
’And what makes you think she’s nervous, Milda?’ Castilla replied, her eyes never leaving the entrance where five more ladies clothed in similar attire entered.
’Her left finger twitches when she’s nervous.’ She replied flatly.
’....The ceremony is about to start.’
A tactical retreat.
Her face betraying her emotions, Castilla calmly stood up and addressed the number of people present in the hall.
"Today is a special day for the people of Aetheria. The royal tournament will begin soon, the treaty between our neighbouring kingdom— Tharvos, will be signed in a few years and one of my daughters— Yamira, has broken through to the upper level of SS rank."
Cheers erupted in the hall and excited whispers from the people present heightened the atmosphere.
’You could’ve only told them one, that way it would heighten the excitement even more when you drop the rest much later on,’ Mirelda teased in.
’I don’t want a party when we’ve yet to solve the bigger issues at hand.’ Castilla defended as she signalled the head guard to quieten the guests.
’Good thing I’m not queen, hehehe~’
Castilla’s face didn’t show any change, but if one looked very closely, you could see her lips twitching slightly.
’Go fall down some stairs.’
’Hehehe, you’ve grown weak dear sister, it would seem ruling has drained your combat power~’
’....How about we have a real battle?’ Castilla replied as she instructed the six women to come forward.
’....You should focus on the children first.’
A tactical retreat.
A faint smile formed on Castilla’s face as she addressed the women.
"I’m sure you all know what this tournament entails?"
"Yes, Queen Castilla." They replied at the same time.
The hall had long gone quiet and only the calm yet authoritative voice of Castilla could
be heard.
"For the guests: The tournament will have four stages. The first tests theoretical knowledge of running a kingdom. The second tests poise and handling real-life scenarios. The third evaluates response time in negotiations with our strategists. The fourth—"
Her eyes swept the room. "—is combat. A queen must defend her kingdom effectively after all"
"Low hums of approval came from the crowd. Castilla continued, "One elimination will follow each stage. Eliminated contestants may not re-enter."
The ladies’ faces turned serious and their eyes shined with determination as they prepared themselves for what was to come.
At least the five of them.....
Laura was in her own world.
’I’ve been feeling extremely uneasy these past few days, I hope Clark’s doing okay’
’Mom doesn’t want me watching him through the system because of what happened last time, but I have this nagging feeling that there’s something more to it’
’Wait a minute. Am I seriously questioning my mother? Maybe I should get some rest after all’
"Do you—"
’Yet again, why wouldn’t she at least tell me anything regarding his well being if nothing’s wrong?’
"L—"
’Maybe she’s been busy? But the record keepers could bring out his system view at her request’
"Yamira—"
’And she always dodges the question anytime I ask her when I can go back or does she? Or am I just overthinking things?’
"Yamira!"
A loud voice jolted Laura out of her thoughts and she looked around only to be met with strange gazes and Snickers from her fellow sisters.
"Are you finally back with us?". Castilla’s voice rang, laced with dissaproval.
"I—i apologize".
A low murmur travelled throughout the hall.
"Is she really her daughter? She’s can’t even stay attentive for a minute"
"Shh...do you want your head to be cut off? She might be a little space–y, but she’ll wipe out your bloodline before you can ready your weapon". Another warned.
"Is she really that strong?" Another asked as he noticed the first guest’s silence.
"She’s stronger than that. I heard she battled against a whole troop of Crivornians by herself and won!"
"Tsk, I’m sure they were all fabricated to increase her chances of survival in the tournament" Another interrupted.
"How will that increase her chances, huh? You’re so dumb it makes me want to cry"
"Silence." A guard announced.
The hall fell into silence once more and Castilla announced, "That will be all for today, the date for the tournament will be announced soon. Thank you for coming"
No one lingered as they took calm steps and left the hall.
A few moments later, the hall was empty, only the five ladies, Mirelda who had covertly fallen asleep with her eyes open and Laura who had her face buried in her chest.
Castilla’s eyes scanned them in one sweep and she spoke, "You may retire to your homes, the Valeian organizers will handle inform you of your positions in the tournament, so prepare yourselves."
They all nodded and left the hall, each with different thoughts swirling in their heads.
"Yamira, stay back" Castilla called out after the rest left.
Laura’s steps faltered, her head turned backwards mechanically as she traced her steps back to her position.
"Mirelda, wake up. It’s over" Castilla called out flatly.
"Wha—? I–i wasn’t sleeping.." She stuttered, her lips forming a pout.
"Your left eyebrows twitch when you lie". Castilla rebutted.
A forced cough left Mirelda’s mouth, not willing to drag her reputation in Laura’s mind any further, she addressed her, "Yami~, tell aunty why you were so spac–ey today"
Laura’s body shook unnoticeably, brushing her hair with her hands, she answered, "I was just thinking of the tournament."
A perfect lie.
"That’s a horrible lie," Mirelda laughed, "Try again"
Laura didn’t know wether to laugh or cry, but she had to come up with a believable excuse and fast.
"I...was thinking about the Crivornian insurgence and how to tackle it". She spoke solemnly.
A small nod came from Castilla and she glanced at the smiling Mirelda and spoke, "She could’ve fooled us if she didn’t try to act serious."
"Right?!," Mirelda laughed louder , "Since when has Yami had a serious expression apart from the battle field?"
Laura’s face turned red as she’d been caught twice in a lie.
"Haa....I know why she’s like this." Castilla spoke.
Mirelda’s ears perked up and she asked her expression excited, "Come on! Don’t keep us waiting!"
".... It’s probably her incarnation"
The air went cold as soon as those words left her mouth, the atmosphere became exceedingly heavy and even the leaves dared not make any unnecessary movements.
"What?" Mirelda asked, her voice extremely low, sending shivers down Laura’s spine.
"Calm yourself, Milda," Castilla spoke nonchalantly, her cheeks resting on her fist, "If I perceived him to be a threat, do you think he’d still be alive?"
Mirelda’s expression changed immediately and a silly smile formed on her face, "Sorry, Yami darling, did aunty scare you?"
Laura smiled wryly as she replied, "N–no?"
"Awww, come to mommy~," Mirelda extended her hands with a pouty expression, "It’s just, I get so mad when I hear anything that could harm my baby"
"I’m her real mother, your daughter was here a few minutes ago" Castilla butted in, but her position never changed as she watched Laura bury her face in her sister’s generous chest.
"Her father pampers her at home~, and I’ve taken the liberty to pamper yours since you can’t shower her with the love she deserves."
Castilla remained silent, but her fists clenched just a tad.
Obviously, Mirelda noticed this but chose to ignore it.
With her lips curving into a smile, she spoke, "But you have to tell me about this incarnation of yours before I can decide whether or not he would live to see the next day."
If only she knew she would be granting his deepest wish by doing that.