I opened my eyes just as the sun rose above the people of Vaelithor. The first rays of dawn glided across the city's winged towers and crystal bridges, while the air shimmered with a delicate sparkle of dew. I dressed quickly, for I knew this day would be unlike any ordinary, familiar day.
As I hurried down the spiral staircase, the scent of freshly baked bread and indescribably sweet honey was already waiting for me at the dining table. These delights were always prepared by Lavern – our butler, who had served the family since the day I was born. When I glanced to the side, I noticed the plate on the other end of the table already lying empty. Nareth, my eldest brother, always rose early, and we almost never met in the morning hours.Quite the opposite of my younger sister, Lia, with whom I nearly always shared breakfast. Yet now, her place was empty as well. A small, colorful ribbon lay beside her plate – the very one she never took out of her hair. That was unusual. I froze for a moment; suddenly the scent of bread seemed meaningless, and a restless unease nestled deep in my chest.
I rushed toward Lia's room, and even before I entered, I could already hear her cheerful, tinkling laughter. When I opened the door, I saw her standing there in a sky-blue gown that trailed to the floor, embroidered with silver thread, the bodice sparkling with tiny gemstones in the morning light. Her long golden hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders, and there, gleaming in place, was the blue ribbon our father had given her for her fourteenth birthday.
"Are you not getting ready for our brother's coronation?" she asked with a smile, her gaze sliding from the base of my wings back to my dress, which was plain and comfortable rather than suited for ceremony.
"Do you plan to appear like that?"
"I was just about to get ready," I replied quickly, at which Lia laughed and went on fussing with the folds of her gown.
I left her room in haste and made my way through the upper corridor to our mother's chamber. She was already waiting for me: her slender figure wrapped in a snow-white dress, her hair gathered by a silver band. When she saw me, she smiled gently and gestured toward a bundle of clothing resting in her lap.
"I knew you would need this today," she said as she slowly untied the silk ribbons.
In the light of the room, a magnificent garment unfolded: a deep-violet gown that reached the floor, adorned with tiny crystals that sparkled as though the stars themselves had been scattered upon it."It suits you so well," she added softly as she stepped forward to help me dress. As the silk settled against me, I felt as though the gown was more than just an ornament – it brought forth a new side of myself. My mother carefully adjusted my hair, then fastened a silver necklace around my neck, its center set with a softly glowing amethyst.
"Now you are ready to greet Nareth with dignity," she said with a smile.
The coronation ceremony was the mostevent in all the land. Not only nobles from every great house but also rulers and lords from distant provinces had come to witness the occasion. My father had always longed for a child like Nareth – a strong-handed, resolute heir. As soon as he reached his twenty-first year, my father decided it was time for his coronation.When I stepped into the throne room, my family was already there to greet me. They had each taken their seats of honor, befitting the gravity of the ceremony.
Little did I know then how swiftly my life was about to change.