Chapter 18: The Rival Queen
The morning sun cast a warm glow across the castle courtyard, but today the air felt tense. Elara walked with the crown glowing softly on her head, its golden pulse steady and reassuring. She had trained tirelessly with Arion, mastering her control and learning to merge her mind and heart with the crown's magic. She was stronger than ever.
But today, something felt different. She could sense a disturbance—a faint, unsettling presence at the edge of the castle grounds. The crown pulsed slightly faster, almost like a warning.
Arion noticed her pause. "Do you feel it?" he asked quietly, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon.
Elara nodded. "Yes. Someone… is here. Someone powerful."
Before Arion could respond, the castle gates swung open with a dramatic crash. A figure rode in, regal and confident, atop a black stallion. Her armor gleamed, and a crown rested atop her head, smaller but equally striking. She carried herself with authority, her eyes sharp and calculating.
"Elara," the woman called out, her voice loud and commanding. "I have come for what rightfully belongs to me."
Elara's pulse quickened. She recognized the tone—authority, ambition, and no intention of negotiation. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice steady despite the unease rising in her chest.
The woman dismounted gracefully, her eyes locking onto the cursed crown. "I am Queen Selene of the Eastern Kingdom," she said proudly. "And that crown… it should be mine. It does not belong on the head of a village girl."
Arion stepped forward, his stance protective. "She wears the crown because it chooses her," he said firmly. "It obeys her because she is the Chosen Queen. You will not take it."
Selene smirked, her eyes flashing with determination. "We shall see," she said. "I am not afraid to fight for what I deserve."
Elara's pulse raced, but she remained calm. The crown pulsed warmly, as if sensing her courage. We are ready, it seemed to whisper. We will defend ourselves.
Selene raised her hands, and golden energy erupted from her crown, forming sharp, dangerous constructs that flew toward Elara. The air crackled with power as the two crowns faced each other—one controlled by experience and authority, the other by courage and the Chosen Queen's unique bond.
Elara raised her hands, guiding her crown's energy. Shields expanded, orbs moved to intercept the attacks, and streams of golden light flowed around her, responding perfectly to her thoughts. Each of Selene's attacks was blocked or deflected.
Arion's eyes narrowed. "Stay focused," he said quietly. "She is skilled, but she cannot control the crown as completely as you can. Trust yourself."
Elara nodded, her pulse steadying. She imagined the crown moving with her, protecting, striking, and responding to every threat. The golden energy flowed around her, forming defensive barriers, moving shields, and floating orbs that could react to Selene's unpredictable attacks.
Selene lunged forward, trying to grab the crown directly. Her hands glowed with energy, and she reached toward Elara's head. Elara reacted instantly, sending a wave of energy outward that pushed Selene back without harming her. The golden light shimmered like a living thing, protecting its wearer fiercely.
"You cannot take it," Elara said firmly. "The crown chooses who it obeys. It obeys me."
Selene's eyes narrowed. "We shall see," she said, raising her hands again. This time, she summoned sharp, spinning constructs of energy, aiming to overwhelm Elara.
Elara's pulse quickened, but she remained calm. She guided the crown's energy to create moving shields, floating orbs, and streams of light that intercepted every attack. She was fast, precise, and controlled. Every move she imagined the crown executed perfectly.
The courtyard shook with the force of their battle, but Elara kept her focus. She remembered Arion's lessons—focus, clarity, courage, and heart. She was not just defending herself; she was protecting the crown, the kingdom, and her destiny.
Selene tried a new tactic, sending a wave of energy from her crown that spread across the ground like a tidal wave. Elara leaped into the air, guiding her shields and orbs to intercept the attack. The golden light flowed seamlessly, absorbing the force and sending it harmlessly into the sky.
Arion watched with a mix of pride and caution. "Excellent," he said quietly. "You are controlling the crown perfectly under pressure. Keep your focus and stay aware of her movements."
Elara felt a surge of confidence. She had trained for this, practiced every possible combination, and learned to merge her thoughts with the crown's magic. She could sense Selene's attacks before they arrived, anticipate them, and respond instantly.
With a deep breath, she raised her hands and imagined the crown forming precise constructs—bars, shields, and streams of light—that moved in perfect harmony, protecting her while surrounding Selene. The energy was beautiful and powerful, flowing like liquid gold.
Selene struggled to break through. Her attacks were strong, but the crown's magic obeyed Elara completely. Every attempt to grab or destroy the crown was blocked. Every attack was met with flawless defense.
"You… how can this be?" Selene shouted, her voice filled with frustration. "No one can control a crown like this!"
Elara's chest swelled with determination. "I am the Chosen Queen," she said firmly. "This crown obeys me. You cannot take it."
Selene's face twisted with anger, and she prepared one final, powerful attack. Dark energy and golden light collided in the courtyard, creating a shockwave that shook the stone walls. Elara guided the crown carefully, merging every bit of her strength, focus, and courage. The attack was neutralized, absorbed, and redirected safely.
Selene stumbled back, exhausted and defeated. She glared at Elara, breathing heavily. "You… survived," she said through gritted teeth. "You are… stronger than I imagined."
Elara lowered her hands slightly, the crown's pulse steady and warm. "I survived because the crown chose me," she said quietly. "It obeys me because I am the Chosen Queen. You cannot take it from me."
Arion stepped forward, his expression calm but firm. "Leave now," he said. "You have been warned. Do not return seeking the crown. It is bound to her, and she will defend it without hesitation."
Selene glared at them both, then turned and stormed back toward her kingdom. The clash had ended, and the courtyard was quiet once more. The golden glow of the crown pulsed softly, almost like a heartbeat, as if acknowledging the victory.
Elara took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the battle and the adrenaline slowly fading. She had faced a queen, powerful and determined, and had defended the crown successfully. She had proven not only her skill but also her courage and control under extreme pressure.
Arion stepped beside her, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder. "You have done well," he said quietly. "You faced a rival queen, defended the crown, and maintained control. Few could have done what you just did."
Elara smiled faintly, though her chest was still racing. "Thank you," she said softly. "The crown… it guided me. I only followed its lead."
Arion shook his head slightly, his eyes softening. "It is not just the crown. It is you. Your courage, focus, and heart. You are the Chosen Queen, and today you proved it."
Elara touched the crown lightly, feeling its warmth and pulse. We are ready, it whispered. We are strong. We will face any challenge.
For the rest of the day, Elara reflected on the battle. She had faced danger, tested her control, and defended her crown against a powerful rival. She had learned that the crown responded not just to skill, but to courage, focus, and the heart of its wearer.
As the sun set over the castle, casting golden light across the walls, Elara felt a quiet sense of pride and determination. She was the Chosen Queen. She had survived the cursed crown, healed villages, defended herself against nobles, trained under the king, and now defeated a rival queen.
We are ready, the crown whispered one last time that day. We will rise. Together.
Elara smiled faintly, feeling both exhaustion and exhilaration. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new lessons, and new tests. But with the crown and Arion at her side, she was ready for anything.
The journey of the Chosen Queen continued, and Elara knew she would face it with courage, skill, and heart.