The Aldean Chronicles: Hidden

Keri and I run through the lines, the processions, everything. The day after that, I pick a dress for the event.

The one I settle on is an ombre ball gown with an off-shoulder neckline. It starts as purple and morphs into a light shade of pink on its way down. I don't wear any jewelry to the event as is custom for the family.

Kat and aunt Freya will wear their necklaces, Grey his bracelet and Seb his ring. I will be picking a piece of magical jewelery, I still don't know which.

They say you pick on the spot, that the right piece will make itself known. I'll probably just get something small and inconspicuous.

The ceremony will be broadcasted all over Illyria and will be attended by about a hundred people. Council members, friends of the royal family and prominent politicians.

Kat usually brings Jamie as her guest. Since she can't this year, Mika will be attending. Grey is inviting one of his friends and I invited Tristan.

The night before the event, I video call Sara and Michelle. "Are you ready for your big day?" Sara asks.

"No," I answer honestly.

They laugh. "You'll be fine, we'll be cheering for you from our respective houses."

That morning, I wake up before dawn. The main ceremony doesn't start till 12 and I don't go into the cave till 3. I take a quick shower and start getting ready.

I step into my dress and my hair falls in a very straight line. I go downstairs and find everyone else ready to go. We ride to the palace, there are photographers everywhere.

"This thing doesn't start for another five hours, why am I ready so early," I complain to Kat who is also already dressed.

"Because we have things to do before the ceremony." She says, scrolling through different articles.

I spend the next few hours giving early interviews, helping Kat with some preparations and trying not to look at the tabloids. We leave the castle in a procession of open carriages.

Since it's my first time, I'm riding in the first carriage by myself. Behind me is aunt Freya and Seb. Then Kat and Grey, then Lilian and Uncle Max.

We arrive at the venue by 11 but don't take our seats. I try my best to calm my nerves as I'm waiting for noon to finally come. The ride here wasn't too bad though, lining the streets from the palace gates to the edge of the forest are citizens waving Aldean flags.

It's finally noon and we walk in a line to our seats. They're set up in a semi-circle around the stone. The closer I get, the more powerful I feel, the air feels charged. Seating behind me is Tristan with a supportive smile on his face.

I take my seat and soon the long ceremony begins. Speeches are given, old letters from past monarchs are read along with statutes and various laws. I try my absolute best to look interested. I can't be caught absent, or worse dozing off.

The cameras are positioned at various angles watching our every move. I want to look back and talk to Tristan or at least talk to a member of my family, this is so boring.

Soon, it's time for the royal family to take the pledges. First is Grey, then Kat, then Seb, then the queen. It's timed so that at approximately 2:55 I can walk up to the cave.

I get to the mouth and take off my shoes, it's time. The cave is pitch black so I light a little flame in my hand for light. The place is a labyrinth, I would have gotten lost if not for the magnetic pull drawing me closer.

I see a light at the end of the tunnel and walk towards it. The closer I get, the brighter the light grows. When I'm directly in front of it, sconces light up.

On the wall is various pictures depicting how the first king asked for possession of the fryma e dragoit. It showed the words he had to say and how the dragon blew the power into his body.

I use my finger to trace the words and repeat them in Native Gilliamic. Nothing happens and I'm scared I said it wrong or I'm a fraud but then my breath gets caught in my throat. I feel something in the pit of my stomach, it soon starts to spread and before I know it, my veins are glowing.

I feel myself getting stronger, more powerful, the feeling is like nothing I've felt before. The closest I've come to this was at my thirteenth birthday, but even that was just a spark compared to this. I feel strong enough to burn this country to the ground, is this how my family feels every second of the day? No wonder they're so erratic.

Soon the power starts to settle closer to my heart and I feel lighter. I feel it residing there, ready to unleash itself when I will it.

One of the sconces goes out and I light it back. The wall where the sconce was disappears and in this space is a hole. A stone tray comes out containing different glowing pieces of jewelry. I see numerous rings, bracelets and necklaces. At the top of the tray is two wire tiaras. The metal is thin and twisted around in a pretty pattern, a single Chrystal lays at the front. Nope, too flashy.

I try to pick a simple ring but it's glued to the board. I try for another and the same thing happens. I reach for a necklace but they're all glued to the slab.

I pick up the tiara, as soon as my hand touches it, I feel a jolt of power. The stone begins to close and I'm left staring at the tiara in my hand. It's so tiny, I'm not even sure if I can call it that. I place it on my head, it sits there comfortably.

I take more deep breaths to calm myself down and the sconces start going out one by one. I light my palms and slowly make my way out of the cave.

A camera is shoved in my face as I walk out. I envy the people who did this before me, they didn't have 64 million Aldeans watching them. I meet my family, they smile when they see me.

My aunt notices the crown on my head and momentarily frowns. "That's a beautiful piece." She comments. I move to the large stone and open a very old book. I search the pages for the piece I'm wearing.

It's one of the rare pieces and it's only been worn by four royals before me. Since the election was implemented, no royal has selected it. I read more about the piece and close the book. I then get ready to take my pledge. I place my hand on the stone and say.

"I Cassandra Kaili Harrington, Crown Princess of Aldean promise to uphold the laws and fight for every citizen of this great country. I plan to uphold the results of the election no matter the outcome. I will respect the citizen's choice and will continue the fight to give each and everyone a better life. I have been imparted with a gift and will use it to preserve what's right, up till my last breath."

I gasp after saying this, it was like being electrocuted. Everyone claps when I'm done. Whoever drafted that deserved a raise. No wonder these people tolerate the royal family.

I walk back to my seat, twenty minutes later, the ceremony is wrapped up. Seb is the first to congratulate me. "Look at you, I'm so proud."

"Thanks." I hug him. There are photographers taking pictures everywhere. I find Kat and give her a hug.

She can't stop staring at my tiara. "I cannot believe you got that, during my time in the cave, I did everything to try and unstick it."

"I tried every piece before this. Stupid thing closed before I could replace it, it's so showy." I feel uncomfortable. "Can we switch or something?"

She laughs. "No."

After that, I talk to my aunt and she remains civil.

"Look at you," Grey says, pulling me into a hug.

"That actually went well. I was expecting something bad to happen."

He laughs. "You were chosen by a piece that hasn't wanted an owner in hundreds of years. The trouble will come."

I groan. Tristan appears behind him, Grey excuses himself.

"Look at you." Tristan says, coming closer to me. "I'm so happy for you."

I pull him into a hug and stay there. "Why did this stupid crown pick me?"

He pulls away but leaves his arms around my waist. "Because you're powerful and incredibly smart and the most caring person I've ever met. You know, when you're not the most selfish person I've ever met."

We both laugh. I look at the position we're in and clear my throat. He notices this too and lets go of me. "Do you really think that or are you just saying it to make me feel better?"

He looks into my eyes and smiles. "I mean it." I believe him.

After this, we ride back to the castle for the reception. Today and tomorrow is a national holiday, the whole country is up celebrating. The party at the palace is so formal and guests keep coming up to congratulate me.

The party doesn't break till eight, I can't wait to go home. Before I leave, I meet aunt Freya in her study. The room is massive and has a big desk on the opposite end. The windows are overlooking the front of the castle and the shelves are as high as the ceiling.

I take a seat in front of her desk, she looks very serious. She stares at me silently for a full minute.

"Is this about the tiara?" I finally say. "Cause if it is, I'll look for a way to return it."

She shakes her head. "No, it's yours. Fair and square, that is an Earth saying?" I nod. "Cassandra, what do you want?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know or you're too scared to say it." I don't reply. "Do you want to be queen?"

I think long and hard about her question. Do I want to be queen? "I don't think I do. Or maybe I do, I don't know."

She sighs. "When you have an answer, come tell me." She's not the first person to say that. I exit the room.

I enter a car with Grey. I decide to finally look at the articles, the good and bad. I see articles complimenting me and articles saying I shouldn't even be part of this because I'm illegitimate. I want to stop, but I don't. Can't keep running.

I read more articles, some are saying that I'm compassionate. One specific article brings up when I was crying at the funeral while my family just looked 'patriotic.' Another article blamed me for the whole ordeal.

I check social media to see what people are saying, I'm trending. Some people say that by confessing that I found it hard to make friends, they felt comforted. Some like my simple style. Others call me weak and a disgrace to such a powerful family. I keep reading.

Some articles say I'll make a good queen while some say I should go back to earth and stay there.

I pause when I see a particular picture. It's of me and Tristan. I click the article.

'Minutes after the ceremony ended, Princess Cassandra was caught cozying up to Tristan Oisin. First, it was Arin Hames now Tristan Oisin. Is this true love or another fluke?'

I can't help but smile. The picture is of Tristan with his arms around me. I'm staring up into his eyes with a smile on my face and he's staring at me with a smile on his.

I look so happy.