A couple of days later, at the Palace of Iberica;
The Palace grounds were buzzing long before sunrise. Guests had poured in from every corner of the world for the third princess's 16th birthday, an event far grander than a simple celebration.
The Age of 16 means it is the age of adulthood. It is the age when a royal woman could finally choose alliances and marriage. And rumors of Eliora's beauty had spread like wildfire, drawing in young nobles, rich heirs, and even a wealthy prince from the moon.
But while the banquet hall glittered with laughter, perfume, and polished jewelry, the princess herself was nowhere near it. She was, instead, at the ancestral temple, deep within the palace grounds, following the old traditions as every royal child before her had done.
Because the royal family of Bat-El had ancestors with celestial bloodlines, every descendant will have to go through this ritual so that they can be assured that they didn't awaken the bloodline.
And right now, Eliora is at a crossroads, where one road leads her to death, while the other leads her to a possible political marriage.
The hall was quiet, almost heavy at the moment. Her maternal uncle stood at one side, while her two cousin brothers remained a respectful distance behind him. Princess Eliora Bat-El knelt before the founder's statue, interlocking her fingers tightly.
Around them, hooded priests stood, and they started an incantation at the same time. Their voices filled the room as a servant in white robes stepped forward, holding a golden platter. Resting on it was a small white orb, which was glowing faintly.
Priestess Isabella took the orb, dismissed the servant with a flick of her wrist, and faced Eliora. "Your Highness, I will activate the founder's treasure now. It will unlock whatever power sleeps inside your blood. Steady yourself."
Eliora nodded. "Yes, Master."
From behind her, Prince Samarth leaned toward Arjun and whispered, trying to hide his curiosity. "Do you think our cousin will awake the bloodli— I mean, hidden powers?"
Arjun didn't move his eyes from the princess. Arms loosely folded, he muttered back, "Not likely. No one in our family has awakened anything noteworthy in a century, except for great-aunt."
Samarth frowned. "Still, she's our first cousin. Our line has seen a few, you know."
Arjun shrugged. "It's not like she is the eldest princess. She is the third in line. The bloodline had already been diluted by the time of her birth. Moreover, her element is trash."
Up front, Priestess Isabella pressed her palms around the Orb of Seraph. A soft yellow glow burst from it as she poured her mana inside. Light slid from her hands into the princess's head like a beam.
For fifteen long seconds, nothing happened.
The Duke let out a shaky breath of relief. "Good. For a moment, I thought..."
He paused mid-sentence, spotting a bright halo, slowly forming above Eliora's head.
Feathered wings as white as untouched snow tore out from her back with a sound like cracking lightning. Her skin was enveloped in a thin layer of divine light.
Samarth's jaw dropped at the scene. "What?"
Arjun's brows drew together, "Angelic wings… Sh*t..."
From the servants' line came a series of hushed gasps.
"Hey, she awakened the celestial bloodline… We haven't seen one in twenty years."
"People with celestial bloodlines are marked for death!"
Governor Theodore's hand clenched around his sleeve as his face drained of color. "What do I do now…?"
Meanwhile, Eliora's face was also drained of blood, becoming as pale as a ghost as he glanced at her wings behind. "I'm a celestial..."
*
After a while;
In the cold prison cell that stank of rust and damp stone, Eliora sat curled on the floor, hugging her knees close to her chest. Her golden hair, once brushed to perfection, now seemed all messy as if it had been pulled by someone.
Her lips trembled as she stared at the wall in resignation. "Why was I born cursed…?" she whispered.
Her father had vanished before she was even born, and no one knows why.
Her mother had died giving her life, leaving her with no memory of parental love.
At twelve, she had gained a spark of hope. Her awakening ceremony had given her an elemental core, something every noble child dreamed of. It showcased her potential bright future.
But the moment the light core revealed itself, hope died all over again. She awakened the element of light. In a world where healing potions were sold on every corner, her element meant nothing. She became a joke among her relatives.
And now this.
She awakened the celestial bloodline of Angels, but she was sentenced to death instead.
If she had been normal, she would have lived as a princess. She could have married a prince, travelled the stars, lived in luxury and applause.
But now, just like every other celestial bloodline, she is going to be erased.
Eliora clenched her fists until her nails dug into her skin in frustration, but she knew that she couldn't do anything with her powers sealed completely, and the execution is slated to be tomorrow. She couldn't fight, couldn't flee. She was nothing but a lamb awaiting the butcher's knife.
Above the dungeons, in the warm, polished halls of Iberica Palace, Governor Theodore sat alone in his chamber.
His wine had gone cold, untouched for hours, yet he kept the goblet clasped in trembling hands. His heart felt as heavy as stone. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Eliora as the little girl who used to cling to his robes, laughing with a joy that felt like a lantern in the dark. And now she was down there in chains...
But what choice did he have?
If he broke the law for her, he would condemn not only himself, but every person sharing his blood. Too many had witnessed her awakening: nobles, priests, guards, and servants. There was no hiding it. No turning back. And the Empire's law was brutally clear.
Celestial bloodlines must be erased.
Sovereign Xyrian might never trouble himself over a single girl from a backwater planet like Earth, but his Raiders stationed on the planet were different. They enforced the laws of the galaxy without hesitation.
By morning, they would come for Eliora.
Theodore rubbed his forehead in tension. If he resisted, his children and the rest of family would be marked for treason. Yet if he obeyed the law, he would be sending his own niece to slaughter. Either path only hurts him. And the governor felt like he was being punished instead of his niece.
Having no other choice, he prepared himself to execute his dear niece, choosing the rest of his family over his niece.
*
Midnight arrived quietly. The city of Iberica lay silent; some people whispered prayers for the princess they could not save, while others didn't care. A team of rebels infiltrated into city to protect her.
And in the darkness of her cell, Eliora sat alone, knowing dawn would end everything. She didn't dare to sleep as she was going to sleep.
But then, as an hour had passed into midnight, Eliora saw the bodies of two guards stationed outside her cell suddenly fall without any warning. "What?" Her eyes fluttered in surprise as a silhouette came into her view.
And then slowly, the silhouette came into her sight, widening Eliora's eyes further, "Priestess?"