《Cyra》 Cynthalia ''Your mother had the same eyes as you,'' Luminea says. ''You would have seen it if you hadn''t killed her,'' says Vega. Vega is one of my 9 siblings, the 5th eldest, known as the Astral Dreamer: Vega has the ability to shape dreams and visions within the Starlight Kingdom, providing celestial guidance and insight to its inhabitants. At times, I feel like the terrible dreams I get at night are a doing of his but he says he would never even waste his powers and effort on me (which seems very wrong because he takes every chance he can to mock me) But anyway, I am reminded by the memory that I have to face each day. I killed my mother; if not for me, she would be here with all my other siblings, and I wouldn''t have to go through all this torture if only she had been here. I leave for my room, and Luminea comes with me. She goes everywhere I go, special orders from father to never leave me alone, no matter where I am. I don''t understand why he cares so much about where I am when he hates me for the same reason all of my siblings do. Luminea stares horrified as I take my brush and swoosh it over my head, and luminous Nebula blue hair drapes all over my shoulders till my waist. Suna runs up to me and starts curling up at my feet. I never understood why she hates silver hair like everyone else on me but melts whenever I have my natural hair on. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. ''Cyra, you can''t have your natural hair out while the blinds are open in broad daylight,'' says Lumi. ''Relax, Lumi, no one can see me in a tower above the clouds with you and Suna in my room.'' ''You never know when someone is watching,'' says Lumi. ''Enlighten me with your most peculiar vision now, then, Lady Luminea Seraphina Asteralwind.'' I say. Lumi glares at me for using her full name but sighs and closes the blinds. ''Watch out for why and to whom you say that name, always.'' I understand what she means. The Asteralwind family is known throughout the kingdom for their most amazing powers; they are the most favored nobles by the king himself, my father. They have such extraordinary powers that no one has ever known the full extent of their abilities. Lumi is the eldest daughter of the Asteralwind family, and I have never seen her powers. She was the best friend of my mother and the only one willing to be my nanny after finding out that I was born with no powers and Nebula blue hair. She says she fell in love with me the moment she saw me. If only I hadn''t killed her best friend, would I have believed her. Entwined ''Swooshhh Swishhh, Clank'' Our swords wind across the fencing grounds, slicing through the air. Luminea wears her fencing attire and adorns it with her bracelet - a family heirloom and a beautiful dragon ring made exclusively for the highest ranked noble children in the whole kingdom. It is known to only enhance powers because the dragon holds the gem from the Celestria kingdom specially made from the metal from Mount Aetherium. Mount Aetherium, a celestial sentinel in the heart of Celestria, rises like a crown of purity. Veiled in perpetual mist, this sacred peak harbours ''Stellargem,'' an ore whispered to enhance innate power. Its snow-capped summit glows with an otherworldly radiance, beckoning seekers to ascend, unlocking a connection to celestial forces. A mountain where purity meets power, and every whisper of the wind carries the promise of extraordinary strength. This ring is crafted from Rhodium for the dragon''s body and stellargem for its eyes. ''Stop staring at my ring and focus on your blows and stance'' ''I am trying'', I say while panting and trying to land a blow on her. With a kick, I land hard on my back, and she holds her sword on my neck. ''If this is trying, how will you ever get the dragon ring?'' She glares and I look down, she walks the other way and I scream behind her ''I don''t have unusual powers like you do, I HAVE NONE, you used them to get where you are today, I can''t ever use them'' She glances back at me. ''You don''t know anything, Cynthalia Elara Nocturnus, YOU KNOW NOTHING''. she leaves, and I am left with the harsh reality of not knowing anything about her. I rarely ever go to my father''s room, I can remember the exact times I went. His room is on the exact opposite of my castle, and from that, I understand. He never wants to see me. I walk to his room, and the soldiers outside of it stare at me in confusion, but don''t try to stop me. I walk in and see him with Aurora, my eldest sibling, responsible for safeguarding the celestial energies and maintaining the radiant glow that envelops the Starlight Kingdom. Stolen novel; please report. And the heir to the throne. She has such tauntigly cold eyes that I could die just by gazing into them for too long. She is the only one who has never blamed me for our mother''s death, as if I ever even see her. She tends to stick to the father''s side and learn everything from him, and she is one of the few people who know about my actual hair and eye colour. Heck, she is the one who got the magic embedded into my comb from the Artorium - Kingdom of Craftsmanship. Artorians possess unparalleled craftsmanship skills. They can shape and imbue materials with magical properties, creating exquisite artifacts and structures. The kingdom''s advancements in technology and magic make Artorium a hub of innovation. The pinnacle of their ability allows the crafting of sentient creations, from animated sculptures to enchanted constructs. Father stares at me as I enter and tells me to sit beside Aurora, I glance at her, and she stares at me with a hint of confusion, quickly turning neutral again. ''What brings you here?'' Father says. ''A request,'' I reply. He waits for me to present it. ''I want Luminea to go on a break and stay without her for a while.'' I speak slowly, taking in his reaction from what I just asked. Without a beat, he says, ''NO''. I feel my eyes stinging daring to leave, but I stop myself for crying. ''But why?'' I say. ''You can''t present the request for her. When she comes and asks for it herself, I will think of it, and even then, I will have someone come and stay with you all the time.'' he says ''Don''t make me have Cae come for that'', he adds. Caelum Solaris, a bell rings in my head and I am reminded of the time he would take care of me, the only time Luminea had to leave on a mission that my father thought only she could do. Caelum belongs from the Solaris family and is the eldest of 3 siblings. He, as well like Luminea, holds the Dragon ring. He is whispered to be a formidable force in combat, a master of mist manipulation, capable of bending the elusive vapour to his every whim. His prowess is unparalleled; a phantom in the shadows, he strikes with such swift precision that before an opponent can blink, they find themselves defeated. His movements are an eerie dance, so silent that not even the wind dares to reveal his presence. ''Do it'', I say. Father looks at me confused about how i would have my sworn enemy to come rather than having Luminea. But I am well aware of what I am doing. ''Be it,'' he says. I leave feeling dread pouring over me for when Luminea hears this was my decision. Odyssey I adjust my silver contacts to conceal my ombre blue eyes and transform my hair with a swish of my enchanted brush before heading to my third oldest sister, Lyra. Lyra, renowned as a Starweaver Artisan, meticulously crafts ethereal fabrics adorned with constellations, contributing to the kingdom''s artistic and celestial ambiance. Her work transcends mere craftsmanship, embodying a celestial symphony woven with threads that resonate with the enchanting energies of the cosmos. Lyra''s artistic prowess adds a touch of magic to the everyday lives of Starlight citizens, making her an indispensable artisan in the kingdom''s rich tapestry of culture and mystique. She employs her powers to design clothing, weaving and sewing even the most challenging of threads and beads. Lyra, however, prefers creating dresses exclusively for royals and the Asteralwind Family. Upon entering her room, I observed three pairs of threads being sewn in an intricate pattern, seemingly moving on their own with Lyra''s magical touch. Another pair of needles works on creating jewels, but it pales in comparison to Lyra''s multitasking ability. The annual competition of sewing held across kingdoms, initiated by Lyra''s request, demonstrates her unparalleled skills. In the final competition, where the task is to make the best dress from start to finish, Lyra summoned 500 needles to work simultaneously, securing her victory. Unable to find Lyra in her room, I call her name and receive a response from the closet. As I open the door, I find Lyra selecting fabric for a dress. She looks at me with a peculiar expression, "You are wearing an artisan''s piece." ''This was made by Nessa Elysium Artorian'', she is the best weaver in the Artorium Kingdom. She was in second place after Lyra. ''Fine, whatever. Why are you here?'' she says. ''I am sure you know why I would come to you,'' I reply. Lyra scrutinizes me, "Aren''t you the same size as before?" I stare at her in shock, "Lyra, I was 15 when you last made me a dress." ''And now you are?'' she inquires. "You would have known if you kept track of my birthdays; I''m 19," I retort. "Fine, I know you''re 19, but I didn''t know the last time I made a dress for you, you were 15," she admits. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Lyra swiftly takes my measurements, creating a sketch with magical pens. Within moments, she hands me the sketch, and the measurement tape moves away from me on it''s own. Lyra assures me that the dress will be delivered by the next morning. "Thanks," I say, turning to leave. "Come to me for all your clothing next time," she adds before I exit. I smile back at her, saying, "Thank you," and leave, relieved to have fulfilled my father''s request for a dress to welcome Caelum. Back in my room, Suna, my loyal companion, approaches me, and I understand her silent request. "Suna, I''m really tired, and I have the rest of the day to deal with this hair. Relax," I reassure her. Suna retreats but soon returns with my brush. As I change my hair color, I watch her calm down, content with the familiar shade of blue. I lie on my bed until hunger prompts me to search for food. Luminea has been distant lately, but I don''t dwell on it. In the kitchen, Chef Fernandez gazes at me, initially puzzled. It hits me¡ªI forgot to change my hair color back to its usual silver! Remaining calm, I approach him and ask, "Do you like my new hair color, Chef Fernandez?" He bursts into laughter, clapping his hands in approval. "Marvelous, princess, marvelous!" he exclaims. "If you actually had this color, it would have looked so beautiful and extravagant. But we Celestrians all have silver hair and eyes due to our powers." "Oh Fern, if only I could tell you," I think to myself. "I wish," I reply. Fernandez informs me that Bliss Delight is on the menu, a delicate confection made from ethereal ingredients found in the celestial gardens. As he mentions that it''s a recipe from my mother, Luminea''s favorite, memories flood my mind. ''Mother''s recipe huh'' I say because I remember Luminea telling me she used to love that and would always bake it for father on their anniversary. ''Your father says he hasn''t ever tasted something quite like that, so i tend to make it once in a while to remind him of her,'' he says. "§±§à§Õ§ã§Ö?§Ñ§ê §ß§Ñ §ã§Ó§à?§å §Þ§Ñ?§Ü§å. §ª§Þ§Ñ§ê ?§Ö§ß§Ö §à§ã§à§Ò§Ú§ß§Ö." (Written in Serbian Cyrillic) he speaks in Aethrian to make it sound more meaningful. "§·§Ó§Ñ§Ý§Ñ §ä§Ú, §¶§Ö§â§ß§Ñ§ß§Õ§Ö§Ù." I reply. I smile at him. I do resemble her more than my siblings, so I understand where that comes from. ''Alrighty, a few delight''s are being stolen.'' I take some and run as I hear Fern laughing behind me. It feels so good to be friends with someone even if it''s our own chef and I missed speaking the Aethrian language, unique to the Celestria kingdom, which is said to resonate with the celestial energies that flow through the realm. A lanuage lost in time but now only known by few, one of the few secrets I kept from Luminea. I learnt it from books in the library and only Fernandez knows about it because he too helped me when I would take the book and refuse to let anyone in, but when i get very hungry, he would always knock gently and feed me my favorites. He accidentally found my book once and asked me about it. I still remember the exact conversation. ''Where did you find this from, Princess?'' he said. ''From the library, Fern,'' I reply while not looking up. ''Which one exactly?'' he said. I looked up at him, and he looked like he saw a ghost..... Watchers gaze I stand quietly beside Sirius, my second eldest sibling after Aurora, and beside him stands Altair. Sirius, a Celestial Wayfarer, is one of the kingdom''s greatest adventurers, always exploring the realms beyond Starlight to uncover cosmic wonders. His stories bring celestial beauty back to the kingdom, captivating the people with tales of far-off worlds. He¡¯s only home for a short while before he must leave again, and father ordered him to join Altair and me in welcoming Caelum. Altair, my steadfast older brother, is a Cosmic Navigator. He keeps the celestial pathways within the kingdom in harmony, ensuring that the cosmic energies flow smoothly and that the starlight never fades. Together, the three of us stand ready to greet Caelum, though the air feels heavier than usual. Sirius is the closest sibling to me. He¡¯s one of the few who has never blamed me for mother¡¯s death. That means a lot to me, especially in a family filled with so many whispers and unspoken truths. He has always been my protector, my companion on days when the world felt too much. He¡¯s the one who brings me presents from his journeys, treasures from across the realms. This time, when he returned a week ago, he brought me something special¡ªa watch from the Temporium Kingdom. The Temporium Kingdom is a sanctum of time, a realm where the river of time flows under the watchful eye of their Emperor. The inhabitants of Temporium have the rare ability to manipulate the threads of past, present, and future. The watch he brought me is an extraordinary piece, a gift from a collaboration between Temporium and the Artorium Kingdom. It can stop time for two minutes within a 100 km radius of its wearer, a remarkable power, though it¡¯s only useful for short moments. Once worn, the watch changes color to reflect the wearer¡¯s essence, almost as if it knows them on a deeper level. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. "Relax, Cyra," Sirius whispers near me, his voice soft but teasing. "I didn¡¯t know someone could make our blue sibling nervous, let alone it be Caelum." "I am not nervous," I reply quickly, though I can''t hide the uncertainty creeping into my chest. "Just a little unhappy," I add, my voice quieter. Sirius raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "I heard you asked for this from father himself. Why unhappy, then?" He¡¯s right. I did ask father to call Caelum here. And yet, the tension in my chest won¡¯t fade. Seeing Luminea distant and cold for the past few days, the lingering sadness in her eyes, has been eating away at me. Her last words before she left still echo in my mind, and I don¡¯t know when she¡¯ll return¡ªor if she even wants to. Sirius seems to sense my unease. He gently places a hand on my shoulder, a rare moment of tenderness for him. "Luminea is safe, blue child," he says softly, his voice laced with quiet reassurance. He calls me "blue child" because of my unusual hair color, and it¡¯s one of the few things that always makes me feel at ease, no matter how many times he teases me about it. I nod, but the unease doesn¡¯t leave. And then the doors open, and Caelum steps into the hall. The Weight of Unspoken Words The air shifts as the doors swing open, revealing Caelum. There¡¯s an almost ethereal quality to him as he steps into the grand hall, the light from the stained-glass windows catching the silver threads of his hair. He moves with an elegance that only those born of noble blood seem to possess, but his presence is far from overwhelming¡ªsubtle, yet commanding attention. Caelum¡¯s eyes lock with mine for the briefest of moments, and I can feel something stir within me. It¡¯s not discomfort, but something more complicated¡ªa quiet challenge, or perhaps a reminder of the burden we share, whether we acknowledge it or not. The weight of expectations and the pressure of family seem to hang heavy in the space between us. ¡°Lady Cyra,¡± Caelum¡¯s voice cuts through the silence, smooth and controlled, yet there¡¯s an edge to it¡ªan unspoken question. His eyes flicker toward Sirius and Altair, offering a polite nod of greeting before returning to me. I force myself to smile, the corners of my lips barely twitching upward. ¡°Caelum,¡± I reply evenly, though I can feel the subtle tension in my chest. He¡¯s here for a reason¡ªof that, I am certain. I only wish I knew what that reason was. Sirius steps forward, clapping Caelum on the back in his usual boisterous manner. ¡°It¡¯s been too long, Caelum! We¡¯ve missed you.¡± His words are warm, but his eyes seem to betray a flicker of wariness. It¡¯s not a look I¡¯m used to seeing on my brother. Caelum offers a half-smile in return, though it doesn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. ¡°The feeling is mutual, Sirius.¡± His gaze flicks to me again, lingering just a moment too long before he turns toward Altair. ¡°Altair,¡± he acknowledges, his tone respectful but distant. Altair nods in greeting, his expression as unreadable as always. There¡¯s something about the way Caelum looks at me¡ªsomething almost expectant, as if he¡¯s waiting for me to say something, to make the first move in whatever game he¡¯s playing. But I remain silent, unsure of how to respond, unsure of what to say when everything inside me feels out of place. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Altair clears his throat, his voice calm and steady. ¡°Father awaits you, Caelum,¡± he says, his words carrying the weight of an unspoken command. Caelum nods and takes a step forward, but before he moves too far, Sirius¡¯s voice stops him. ¡°Hold on a moment. Cyra¡¯s been waiting to see you for a while now. We¡¯ve all heard of your recent adventures.¡± Sirius¡¯s tone is teasing, but there¡¯s an edge to it, a hint of something deeper that I can¡¯t quite place. Caelum raises an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between Sirius and me. ¡°Is that so?¡± he asks, his voice quiet but sharp. There¡¯s a flicker of something in his eyes¡ªcuriosity, maybe, or something more guarded. I shift uncomfortably, suddenly aware of how much tension lingers in the room. ¡°I heard you¡¯ve been to the Arcturus Realm,¡± I say, attempting to steer the conversation. It¡¯s a realm known for its strange, shifting landscapes and its dangerous creatures. Few venture there and return with tales to tell. Caelum nods, his expression becoming more focused. ¡°Indeed. The journey was¡­ enlightening.¡± There¡¯s a brief pause, and then he adds, almost casually, ¡°But I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard all about it from Sirius already.¡± Sirius smirks. ¡°I try not to bore Cyra with too many of my tales,¡± he says with a wink, but I can tell there¡¯s something more behind his words. Sirius is protective of me¡ªof that, I¡¯m certain. He wants to shield me from whatever the world may throw my way, and yet, in this moment, I feel like I¡¯m being drawn deeper into something I don¡¯t fully understand. Caelum doesn¡¯t respond to Sirius¡¯s comment, instead turning back to me with a small nod. ¡°I trust you¡¯ve been well, Cyra?¡± His voice is neutral, but there¡¯s an undercurrent of something else¡ªan unspoken history between us, one that neither of us is eager to address. I open my mouth to respond, but the words get caught in my throat. I want to say something¡ªsomething meaningful, something that will bridge the distance between us¡ªbut all I can manage is a soft, ¡°I¡¯ve been¡­ well enough.¡± Caelum¡¯s gaze lingers for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a final glance at Sirius and Altair, he turns and begins walking toward the hallway, his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet of the palace. ¡°Let¡¯s not keep Father waiting,¡± he says, his voice carrying back to us. We follow in silence, the weight of the moment settling over me. The unease I¡¯ve felt for days grows heavier, as if the air itself is thick with unspoken words and things left unsaid. And as we walk in step behind Caelum, I can¡¯t shake the feeling that this visit¡ªthis brief encounter¡ªis only the beginning of something much more complicated than I ever anticipated. Shadows of the past The corridors of the palace stretch endlessly before us, bathed in soft starlight filtering through the high-arched windows. The glow of the cosmos outside shimmers against the polished marble floors, casting elongated shadows as we walk. The silence between us is thick, filled with words left unsaid. Caelum leads the way, his posture straight, his movements calculated. His presence feels both familiar and distant, like a memory I can¡¯t quite grasp. I wonder if he notices the way my fingers tighten around the strap of the watch Sirius gave me, or if he senses the hesitation in my steps. Sirius, ever the disruptor of uneasy silences, finally speaks. ¡°So, Caelum, what made you decide to answer Father¡¯s summons this time? Last I heard, you were avoiding the palace altogether.¡± His voice is light, teasing, but there¡¯s an edge beneath it¡ªan unspoken challenge. Caelum barely glances over his shoulder. ¡°Perhaps I simply ran out of reasons to stay away.¡± Sirius chuckles, though it lacks real amusement. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like you.¡± Caelum stops walking for a fraction of a second, so briefly that anyone else might not have noticed. But I do. He exhales softly before continuing forward. ¡°Or maybe it sounds exactly like me.¡± Something about his words unsettles me. Before I can dwell on it, the large doors to Father¡¯s chamber come into view. Two royal guards stand on either side, their armor glimmering with embedded stardust. As we approach, they step aside in unison, pushing the doors open without a word. Inside, Father waits. The High Lord of Starlight stands before a celestial map that hovers mid-air, its swirling constellations shifting and pulsing with energy. He barely acknowledges us as we enter, his attention fixed on the luminous patterns of the universe. ¡°You took your time,¡± he says, his voice deep and commanding. Caelum bows slightly. ¡°I came as soon as I was able.¡± Father finally turns to face him, his piercing silver eyes assessing, measuring. I¡¯ve always found his gaze unnerving, like he sees more than what is simply there. He gestures toward the map. ¡°Tell me, Caelum, what do you see?¡± If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Caelum steps forward, his expression unreadable as he observes the shifting celestial patterns. Silence stretches between them. ¡°The balance is off,¡± he finally says, his tone thoughtful. ¡°Something is disturbing the alignment.¡± Father nods, seemingly pleased by the answer. ¡°Good. You still understand the flow of the stars.¡± He moves to the edge of the room, where a small, ornate table holds a crystal vial filled with a substance that shimmers like captured moonlight. ¡°Do you know what this is?¡± Caelum¡¯s expression darkens slightly. ¡°Starlight Essence.¡± Sirius whistles lowly. ¡°That¡¯s rare.¡± Rare is an understatement. Starlight Essence is among the most powerful celestial materials in existence, capable of stabilizing cosmic rifts¡ªor destroying them entirely. Father picks up the vial, rolling it between his fingers. ¡°There is a disturbance at the borders of the Starlight Kingdom. An anomaly unlike any we¡¯ve seen before. It threatens the very fabric of our realm.¡± Caelum¡¯s gaze sharpens. ¡°And you wish for me to investigate?¡± Father¡¯s lips curl slightly. ¡°You always were the most perceptive.¡± He places the vial down and steps closer to Caelum. ¡°But you will not go alone.¡± I feel it before I hear it. The shift in energy. The weight of my father¡¯s decision settling over me like a heavy cloak. ¡°Cyra will go with you.¡± The words land like a blow. My heart clenches. I glance at Caelum, expecting resistance, some form of protest. But he doesn¡¯t react. He merely inclines his head. ¡°As you wish, my Lord.¡± My throat tightens. This was not what I wanted. I had called for Caelum, but not for this. Not to be sent away from the kingdom on some dangerous task with him by my side. ¡°Father, I¡ª¡± His gaze silences me. ¡°You have spent too much time in the safety of the palace, Cyra. It is time for you to understand the world beyond these walls.¡± I swallow hard. ¡°And what of Altair?¡± I ask, my voice quieter. Altair steps forward then, his expression unreadable. ¡°I must remain here. My duty is to the celestial pathways.¡± Sirius shifts beside me, his usual lightheartedness fading. ¡°And I suppose I¡¯m not invited on this little adventure?¡± Father gives him a pointed look. ¡°Your duties lie elsewhere, Sirius.¡± Sirius sighs dramatically. ¡°Of course they do.¡± He turns to me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. ¡°Then at least promise me you won¡¯t let Caelum bore you to death with his brooding.¡± I manage a small smile, but my mind is already racing. I don¡¯t want to go. Not with Caelum. Not when there are still so many things left unsaid between us. But it¡¯s not a choice. It never was. Caelum turns to me then, and for the first time since his arrival, his expression softens. Just slightly. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure she returns safely,¡± he tells Sirius. It should comfort me. It doesn¡¯t. Because as I meet Caelum¡¯s gaze, I realize something. For all the uncertainty I feel, for all the reluctance that coils in my chest, there¡¯s one truth I cannot deny. Something is pulling me toward this path. Toward him. And I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m ready to find out why.