-Victoria-
"You're making a habit of this."
That was the first thing I heard as I regained consciousness. Bleary eyes looking over at Zekora once again sitting beside my bed. Smiling gently, she helped me to sit up, placing a tray of food on my lap.
"Eat." She ordered, "You need it."
I followed without argument. In all honesty, I was starving. I didn't get to eat anything at the ball, what with all the drama. Speaking of the ball.
"What happened with the ball?" I asked between bites.
"Well, once you hit the floor, the entire affair was cut short." Zekora explained with amusement, "Kills the mood when the guest of honor faints."
"What happened with Inuvius?" I asked.
"He's dead." Zekora told me, a serious look covering her face.
"What?" I jerked towards her, almost spilling my food, "How?"
"We're unsure." She said, "Seems he was dead before he left the ballroom."
"Those shadows." I whispered, eyes wide.
"Shadows?" Zekora sat up straighter, "What did you see?"
"While Inuvius was questioning my parentage and right before he attacked," I explained, "I saw these shadows come out of the crowd and join with him."
"Interesting," Zekora leaned back in her chair, "I was watching him closely and I didn't notice anything. Perhaps it has something to do with your kingdom magic."
I just shrugged taking another bite of food. Zekora just stared at me deep in thought. I ate in silence for a while until Zekora heaved a sigh.
"Nothing to be done about it now," She said with a shrug, "The man's dead and his son has retreated to the far reaches of the kingdom."
"My father let Alafaris leave?" I was shocked.
"Of course," Zekora looked at me curiously, "His father may have tried to kill you but the son stopped him. He accepted the demotion of his family and left with dignity. He remains in your father's favor and could be a valued ally."
"I wouldn't count on it." I mumbled.
"Saving the future Queen's life gives him a lot of leverage," She raised, "He showed good intentions towards the future of the crown."
"Unless it was all a ploy." I countered.
"And what would give you that idea?" She pressed.
"I saw one of those shadows join him as he left the ballroom." I confessed.
"And you didn't just tell me first." She shook her head, "You really are just like your mother."
"She did raise me." I laughed.
"Unfortunately." She gave her own laugh standing up and taking the empty tray from my lap, "Now I'll leave you to sleep. In the morning, we return to Pelmora."
Sleep claimed me quickly and the next morning I awoke to the smell of fresh coffee. Suni pulled back the curtains to let in the light.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Suni said, "I've brought you some breakfast. Professor Zekora should be here shortly to return you to Pelmora."
"Thanks, Aunt Suni." I smiled at her.
"I've also taken the liberty of having your uniform altered." She informed me.
"I didn't know it needed to be altered." I said, stretching and standing from the bed.
"Seeing as you are the heir to the Varezian crown," Suni explained, "Your robe is to be embroidered with the crest of our nation. Plus some extra flourishes."
I picked up the uniform to examine it. The same crest that was on my cape last night now graced to the back of the robe. It was in the same silver as before. Swirls of silver lined the outer edges and along the cuffs.
"Azax and Ustrea never had this on their uniforms before," I pointed out.
"It was the King's decision to omit the design from Princess Ustrea's uniform," Suni told me, "And the Headmaster felt it would be unfair for the Prince to receive it if she was unable."
"So this isn't anything new for her." I whispered.
"What was that?" Suni looked to me.
"Why the change now?" I asked her, "Shouldn't we keep it the way it is."
"It's your right," She said, looking confused, "Prince Azax's robe was also altered this weekend so the two of you will look like the royalty you are."
"But it was Ustrea's right before me." I argued.
"That was the King's decision," She brushed the issue off, "You'd need to take it up with him."
"Won't get very far with that." I mumbled.
"Come and eat your breakfast," Suni gestured me towards the table.
That's what I did. After eating, taking a shower and dressing, Suni escorted me down to meet Zekora. To my dismay, she wasn't alone. Ustrea stood just to the side of where Zekora and my father were talking. All three turned and I suddenly felt self conscious, tugging on the freshly embroidered robe. I noticed Ustrea clench her fists, her head bowed to hide her face.
"My dear," My father pulled me into a hug, "I wish we could spend more time together but your schooling is more important. I've asked Zekora to work on your magical stamina so we can avoid anymore fainting."
"Sounds good." I smiled.
"It's wonderful to see you wearing this robe," He pulled back from the hug, looking me up and down, "Truly a wonderful day to have our country's symbol once again walking the halls of Pelmora."
I watched as Ustrea's head shot up. Sorrow filled her eyes as she bit her lip. Her fists clenched ever tighter. She must've seen a look of pity on my face because her's changed in an instant. Anger taking over the sorrow as she crossed her arms and looked away.
"I'll try to be worthy of carrying it." I told my father.
"You already are," He pressed a light kiss to my forehead, "Now go and enjoy your time at school. I'll see you soon."
With that he swept from the room, not even acknowledging his other child. She didn't even seem surprised.
"Shall we girls." Zekora said holding out her hands.
We both took a hand and in the blink of an eye we were back at Pelmora in her office. Ustrea released Zekora's hand like it burned her, storming out of the room without another word. Seconds later Azax entered, looking behind him at the angry girl.
"She seems upset." He stated.
"Well, it's pretty fair for her to be," I said, he looked at me confused, "Until I came around she was meant to be queen. She was entitled to wear a robe like these but wasn't allowed to."
"It was the King's decision." Both Azax and Zekora said at the same time.
"Doesn't mean it was necessarily the right decision." I countered.
That seemed to silence them both. While they thought on it, I got a good look at Azax's new robe. The designs along the edge nearly matched those on my own. The main difference being they were in gold. The Aivorian crest stood on the back, a wolf howling to the moon.
"Only the King can explain his reasoning." Zekora finally said, "Though maybe, if she's willing, Ustrea may have a story or two to share that may shed light."
"I hope so." I sighed.
"Nothing to be done if she refuses to share." Azax added.
"That is very true," Zekora clapped her hands, "So in the meantime, perhaps the Prince can show his Princess to her new room."
"New room?" I asked, my head swiveling between the two of them.
Azax just smirked, backing out of the room. I looked one more time to Zekora but she just waved me off. I followed after Azax without another word.
"What's this about a new room?" I asked coming up beside him, grabbing hold of his arm.
"It wouldn't be proper for the future Queen of Varezia to be kept down in the basement." He told me.
"Ok, so I'm moving into the Varezian dorms then?" I asked.
"Typically you would be," He said, "But because of our…unique history, the castle created a special room for us to stay in during our time here."
"For us you say," I nudged him playfully, "Does that mean we'll be sharing."
"Only the common areas are shared. We have our own bedrooms," He stopped us in the middle of the hallway, wrapping me in his arms with a playful smirk, "Though I'd be more than happy to share my bed with you anytime."
"I'm sure you would." I returned his smirk as he captured my lips in a kiss.
Before I could get lost in the moment, however, an intrusive thought bubbled up. I pulled back from the kiss causing a surprised look to come over Azax's face.
"When did the castle make this room?" I asked.
"The Headmaster manipulated the rooms in preparation for our arrival." He told me, still confused.
"In preparation for you and Ustrea." I clarified with a sigh, moving away.
"Well, yeah," He still looked confused, "She was thought to be the heir after all."
"Have the two of you been living there together this entire time?" I asked.
"Well, I believe she moved in there as soon as she arrived," He told me, "I choose to stay in the royal rooms in the Aivorian dorms. You know I have no interest in her. I never have."
"That's not it," I comforted him, "It's just…another thing I'm taking from her."
"It's what you're entitled to." He tried to assure me, rubbing my arm. I shrugged him off.
"But what is she entitled to?" I questioned, "She's a princess just like me."
"She is entitled to use the royal rooms in the Varezian dorms," Azax told me, "Seeing as you already have a room."
"Actually, sir," Itrix said, appearing from literally nowhere, giving me a heart attack, "Word from the Headmaster's office is the King ordered Ustrea to be housed with the rest of the Varezian students."
"You see!" I threw my hands up as Itrix vanished once again. "Even the things she should be entitled to she doesn't get."
"Why do you even care?" Azax asked me, "She was rude and unwelcoming from the start. She harassed you even after she knew you were sisters."
"I know that," I sighed, "But the more I see. The more I hear. Makes me think that her behavior has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the one person we have in common. Our father."
"She'll come around," Azax pulled me back into his arms, "And maybe then you can find out what actually happened during her childhood."
"Or I can have you ask one of your Aivorian spies in our court." I gave a half hearted smile.
"They are pretty handy," He laughed, starting to walk again, "After all, how else would I learn about the dramatic fainting that occurred…twice."
"The first time was in my private rooms," I looked at his retreating back, "How did they find out about that?"
"I have eyes everywhere." He said looking back with a smirk.
"Not in my room you don't!" I yelled, running after him.
He ran away laughing madly as I gave chase. It was good to be back with friends. I just hoped that Ustrea would open up to me over the last few months of school. If only I had known the very person I wished to be closer to was being led down a far darker path.