Maren woke the next morning, excited to start the day. She'd been bedridden only a short while, and when the doctor finally cleared her, noting her quick healing, she was ecstatic. Luckily, Maren didn't sustain injuries that were serious enough to alarm the doctor of her fast rate of healing.
Maren learned early in life that while her instant healing powers didn't work on herself, her body still had expedited healing on its own, though slower than she'd like. When she and Cora had their discussion, Maren considered telling her the full truth, but if she was being honest with herself, she didn't trust Cora completely.
Cora had been raised with her in the Observatory and the Great Palace, but Cora's parents remained prominent figures in her life, outlining their expectations for her regularly. And those expectations largely centered around ensuring Maren was kept at arms distance from Cora. Ensuring Cora always saw Maren as competition, and not an ally. It was brainwashing at its finest. Maren, even as a young child, saw the cruelty in Cora's family, and how it twisted her personality.
She felt bad for Cora, in a way, but even still, Maren wouldn't allow herself to fully trust Cora. Trusting Cora completely would be reckless.
Maren was empathetic, not stupid.
"Princess," Leah knocked on her door, opening it slightly. "Are you ready?"
"Do I have a choice?" Maren said with a smirk as she turned, her bouncy light green gown swaying with her movement. The two made their way down the halls.
Today was important.
There was only a week before the Trials began, and the days leading up were treated with such precision, it was nearly clinical.
This tour --- no matter how they dressed it in beautiful colors, and romantic poems --- was nothing more than politics. And so, it had to be treated with the utmost care.
The trials could take weeks, and so little time is allowed from the moment the Princesses and the Prince Candidates arrive. The Princesses are first given a rest day between travel — the girls had already had that day. On the second day, the royal family of each Kingdom is to receive the Princesses in the throne room. Each member must be in attendance, with the exception of special circumstances. Then, the girls are to be walked around the castle, introducing them to the area.
On the third day the Princesses would have a one-on-one date with the prince candidate of that Kingdom --- separately, of course. This was meant to introduce the two in a more intimate, informal setting. That same day, the Princesses are to be fitted for a gown for the Trials.
On the fourth night, there is a small dinner between the Princess and the royal family of that Kingdom. A busy day, but doable.
But the fifth night is where the real action takes place. A party takes place with all the Prince candidates, and royals in attendance. Both Maren and Cora had been warned by Twelve — the oldest of the Star Court — that these gatherings regularly ended in chaos due to the competition between the Prince Candidates. They warned the girls that because there were two Princesses being offered as a prize, that the stakes were even higher.
Days six and seven were for the Prince Candidates to prepare themselves for the Trial, and so the Princesses were allowed to do as they pleased — but like everything in high society, these days serve more than one purpose.
The day is intended for a Princess to connect with a Prince Candidate that she fancies.
Twelve had informed them that choosing to meet with a Prince Candidate was up to them, but every action they took on this marriage tour was under deep speculation. To not choose to meet the Prince Candidate of that Kingdom would mean their first meeting was not remarkable enough to earn a second date.
But to choose a Prince Candidate from another Kingdom, without having already stopped in that Kingdom, was as good as an act of war.
While this was social bureaucracy, it was also a way of giving the Princesses some control over who they marry. To choose to meet another Prince Candidate in another man's Kingdom was their way of rejecting a Prince Candidate.
The two finally arrived in front of the doors where a group of Knights from their Kingdom received them.
"Where is Lady Lexington?" Maren asked, glancing between the Knights.
There was a moment of pause where Maren could visibly see the Knights glance at each other. Finally, one responded, "Lady Lexington had a prior engagement and could not participate in today's meeting."
Maren's eyebrows knitted together.
What could be so important that Lexi, the leader of these Knights, not participate in such an important event of mine? Maren thought, annoyance twisting in her gut. She better not be indulging in her…activities. If I find out, I swear I'll–
Then, a familiar clacking of heels snatched Maren from her thoughts. She turned, noting Cora's movements were more frantic than usual. As she swayed, her eyes met Cora's. She was practically being dragged along by Harriet. Cora struggled behind her maid, her hunter green dress was made of a material far thicker and heavier than she was used to, but the bodice surely still dipped low in her back, so as to show off her Starblessed marking.
Another tradition of the trials is to have the Princesses wear the colors of the Kingdom they are touring. Forsyth was Emerald Green, and so the Princesses wore shades of the Kingdoms color that still complimented their personal colors.
"I apologize for our tardiness," Harriet bowed to Maren, her expression composed but holding back barely restrained fury. "Princess Cora had a difficult night's sleep after all the excitement."
Maren smirked. Harriet was always like this — parenting Cora.
But when she glanced at Cora, Maren instantly noted the paleness in her warm toned skin. She noticed how Cora slouched, the grim expression on her face, and could even see the haggard depth of her eyebags through the significant layers of makeup and powder Harriet forced on Cora.
Cora didn't just lack sleep.
Something happened, and Maren knew it.
"I just arrived as well," Maren said evenly, eyeing Cora. "Please don't worry yourselves."
Cora's tired gaze steadied on her. Maren wanted to reach out to her, take Cora's hand in hers, and allow the Ruby Princess to rest in her embrace. Maren's whole life, she wanted to reach out to Cora — to show that she wasn't an enemy. But she'd learned more times than she liked to admit; that only ever got her burned.
Maren lowered her gaze and turned to face the great doors.
Things were more or less resolved between them. Maren didn't want to startle Cora and destroy the progress they'd made on this trip.
Cora's heels clacked against the floor behind Maren until she stood beside her. The knights moved in practiced rhythm, opening the doors to the grand throne room of Forsyth.
"Later," Cora murmured beside Maren, her eyes staring straight ahead. "We need to talk about the stone."
Maren's gaze snapped up at Cora. She nearly considered at that moment that Cora had spent the night searching her room for the mysterious object as a way to say sorry for boiling her in the river. She smirked as she turned her head, but when Cora's eyes met Maren's in a gravely serious side-eye, her smirk faltered instantly.
Maren knew, whatever they had to talk about was much more serious than misplacing the stone.
The doors clanked open, startling Maren to the vastness of the throne room. The Princesses were ushered down the hall, every step forward more irritating than the last. Maren didn't care to know this Prince. She didn't want to wait to speak to Cora after. She wanted to speak to her now. She was concerned about Cora — about what could have made her look the way she did.
Finally, they stood before the royals of Forsyth.
In practiced unison, the Princesses curtsied, but in a quick once-over, Maren analyzed them.
Maren didn't know much about this Prince Candidate other than what Lexi explained about him. Prince Darrin of Forsyth was Lexi's senior at school. She communicated that, in his days at the Academy, he was like any other obviously handsome royal-born boy. Prince Darrin was charming, arrogant, but nothing alarmingly out of the norm, and — on occasion — could be a good laugh when he was trying to impress someone.
He stood before them, wearing his emerald green colors proudly. He was tall, with dark, washed and styled curls, and green eyes filled with confidence and pride. He glanced between the girls, his gaze lingering on Maren.
Maren snapped her eyes away quickly.
Though he was objectively handsome, she did not want him to get the wrong idea. Maren had no intention of marrying a prince candidate that she would have to submit all of her power to, or one that would clash with Cora. The three of them would be living together for the rest of their lives, and Maren would make sure there was no favoritism stirring up trouble.
Maren did not know this man well, but the sharpness in his gaze when their eyes met told her everything she needed to know. While he may one day accept Cora as an equal, he was the type that would use Maren to sate his desires in the meantime. Coming to this conclusion was a stretch, Maren knew that, but she had to be thoughtful and deliberate in choosing a partner.
She knew instantly this was not the man for them.
And though she knew little about him personally, she knew plenty about his younger sister, Selma. Selma attended the Academy with Maren and Cora, a year younger than the both of them.
Maren's gaze flicked to Selma, who had a particularly dismal expression, gazing at the floor quietly. Maren thought it odd.
Selma was a quiet girl, obedient and average in her studies. During their days at the Academy, she wasn't known for anything in particular, other than her great devotion to the Goddess Ia. Selma and her group were quiet but treated both Maren and Cora as icons — stealing glances and following them around, but keeping their distance.
Maren was occasionally perturbed by her level of devotion, but was also aware that nothing could hurt from having someone adore both her and Cora. But this…this behavior was not like Maren remembered at all.
Maren moved her gaze to the King and Queen, her eyes meeting theirs, and what she saw sent shivers up her spine. Their expressions were one she couldn't place.
Satisfaction.
Greed.
Over-confidence.
The trials had not yet started, nor did their son have any sort of relationship with either Princess.
Maren completed her curtsy, and forced herself to maintain eye contact with the Queen as she spoke.
"Welcome, Princesses Coralynn and Maren." The Queen intoned, her voice resounding through the chamber. "We are most pleased to receive you."
***
After the introductions, Prince Darrin and a small group of his personal Knights gave the Princesses and their four personal Knights a tour of the castle. In front of them, Prince Darrin waltzed about, using wide hand gestures and a commanding voice to keep the girls' attention.
However, each of them were either far too tired or too lost in thought to lend him their full attention.
Maren felt a little bit better about the Princesses' introductions to the royals of Forsyth. She reminded herself that, regardless of the situation, she still had some control over who she marries. All she had to do was have a lunch date with Prince Ariel before the trial and Prince Darrin would likely take himself out of the running.
Then again, she also knew that could make Prince Ariel a target during the trial. As the prince jabbered ahead of them, Maren settled on simply not setting a second date with the Prince. She decided that she would go into town on those days and walk the streets of Forsyth.
Prince Darrin was strikingly handsome, but Maren simply did not like the way he measured her and Cora in that room.
Maren glanced over at Cora who with every new corner they turned, looked like she was ready to collapse. If Maren could get but a second alone with her, she could use her power to quell her exhaustion.
"And to my right here is the original Forsythian Vermis Library." Prince Darrin said, not bothering to stop. "It's rather old and unkempt so I won't force a tour of that old place on you both."
Maren's eyes brightened instantly. Where Cora specialized in physical studies and political outreach, Maren had a deep love for academics, and old things. The older, and more hidden or lost to the ages something was, Maren was all the more intrigued.
"I'd very much like to see Vermis Library!" Maren said, the words slipping from her mouth, her hands clapping in front of her.
Prince Darrin stopped and turned, "Ah, really? Well, I suppose I couldn't say no to such a beautiful Princess."
The door was bound in chains. Prince Darrin drew a set of keys from his pocket and worked the rusted lock free. His gloved hands closed around the cold metal handle, and with a firm pull, he dragged the heavy doors open.
Maren's eyes widened as the space opened up to them. The room was old, vast and built almost entirely of wood. Dust lay thick, covering every inch of every surface, and layered so deeply, the air seemed thick with it as well. The space was expansive, but the beamed architecture and the style of the carvings were outdated by generations.
It was as if the room had been sealed away and purposely abandoned.
To most, it may have given an eerie feel, but to Maren, she'd just stepped into a festival of the mind.
"Oh Cora," Maren mused, taking in every inch of the space. "Isn't this just amazing? The Observatory Library is quite new, but this is so historical."
Maren turned toward her.
Cora was rigid, her gaze sweeping the space, her skin paler than Maren had ever seen. Horror crept slowly into her expression. She stepped forward, her fingers grazing the back of a wooden chair that looked on the brink of collapse. She was silent, her gaze fixed somewhere beyond the shelves, toward the back of the room.
"Cora?" Maren asked, unease growing within her.
Cora didn't answer.
She moved past the Prince and the Knights, as if summoned by some unseen force. Maren exchanged a glance with one of the guards before following Cora down the rows of towering shelves until she stopped before a lonesome door.
Cora stared at it, unmoving. Her body shook, her breaths coming in fast and shallow.
"…Cora?" Maren tried again, her voice softer and unsteady.
"This…" Cora whispered, just loud enough that only Maren could hear. Her hand trembled over the door handle. "This is what the stone showed me. This door…"
Maren inched closer, reaching out to rest her hand on Cora's shoulder.
"Behind this door…" Cora continued, her voice quivering alongside her body. "There's something."
Maren swallowed. She could feel the fear emanating from Cora. Her words hung heavy in the dust-ridden air.
"...something horrible…"