"Maren, it's time to go." Leah, her maid, spoke softly, ensuring she cracked the door open only slightly so as not to disturb the Princess.
Across the marble floor, beneath the vaulted ceiling, and within the grand windows and towering walls of the Carbouran Palace annex, sat Maren Windsor — the only child of Lara and Wilton Windsor. She gazed at her reflection, her lengths of gold-spun hair cascading over her slight frame, spilling across full, feminine curves wrapped in intricate cerulean fabrics. Her face had been delicately powdered, her full cheeks and lips painted and brushed in rosy pink shades by attentive maids. Though Maren preferred muted shades, her maids assured her these colors were chosen to compliment the striking azure of her eyes that gleamed like a thief had plucked a star right out of the night sky.
Bright, gleaming eyes were a mark of a Starblessed Princess. The Starblessed were never meant to be hidden. They were cherished, and beholden for all to see.
Four hundred years ago marked the first recorded Starblessed Princess, and from that moment on, the Princesses were woven into the royal lineage of Carbouran. Since then, there has never been more than one at a time. A single Princess was born only after the previous Princess passed. Royal blood was not a requirement. To be Starblessed was enough.
Maren was living proof of that.
Her thoughts drifted to the Amethyst Princess who had ruled in her great-grandparents generation— a bastard child, banished at birth and sent to an orphanage. Princess Adelise. Though Starblessed, she was treated with the same cruelty and neglect that had banished her to begin with. But Adelise endured, and from that suffering, she reshaped the system for the Starblessed. She founded a higher governing court named The Star Court — a table of the children of the previous rulers, whose job it was to ensure no Starblessed Spirit is ever treated that way again.
Bastard or trueborn.
Princess or pauper.
"I'm just finishing up." Maren responded, her voice level, though her chest burned with anticipation.
But Princess Adelise's laws could not shield the future Princesses from everything.
Fate was often cruel like that.
Maren glanced down at the dull blue gloves on the glass vanity, and then back at her pale, manicured hands, marked with a cerulean shade birthmark of twisting, and curving lines, similar to that of a vine but its movement was not nearly as organic as the plant itself. For this was not a simple tattoo. This was magic.
Maren let out a long sigh.
Today was important.
After twenty years, today was the day that the Star Court would reveal its decision about the future Empress of Carbouran. And what would follow were the Starlight Trials— a series of six trials to test a Prince Candidate from each of the six royal families, from the six regions that made the Empire of Carbouran.
Inaha, in the North.
Garyn, in the South.
Wildburn, in the West.
Macon, in the southwest.
Forsyth, in the East.
And Avelle (Ave-elle-ey), in the Northeast.
Each of these families would send a son or relative to compete for the hand of the Starblessed Princess, who would join them in divine matrimony and rule over Carbouran together.
Maren gazed down at the gloves, her fingers clenching into fists on her lap as she hardened her resolve. Maren couldn't let the other Princess walk all over her forever.
She spent too long in the shadows.
Too long trying to blend in.
Too long covering up the essence of her birthright.
Whether the Kingdoms liked it or not, Maren was a Starblessed Princess. And today, she would start dressing like it. She stood from her vanity chair, letting the bounds of dreamy, blue iridescent fabric fall around her, dragging as she walked out the door without another hesitant look back at the gloves.
"Are you ready, Princess?" Leah smiled at her, her hands tucked behind her back.
Maren forced a somber smile, and a nod. The gentle tap of heels on marble flooring echoed around them as the two made their way to the Star Court Center of the Carbouran Palace.
Maren had been here as long as she could remember, with the knowledge that this Palace would be her home for the rest of her life, but nothing about this place had ever felt homely. Every wall that met a ceiling was massive, covered top to bottom in grandiosity, intricate designs and wealth. Every room could fit at least a hundred people, and each kitchen could feed a town.
It was so large it was lonely.
Maren's official title was Princess but she knew she was nothing more than an exalted Lady from the Northeast coastal Kingdom of Avelle. She often wondered what her life would have been, were she not Starblessed.
When any child is born bearing the traits of the Starblessed, they are immediately investigated by the Court of Stars, who's hold strong is within the Great Palace. The family of the Blessed is brought to the Observatory — part of the Star Court Center — and the child undergoes the examination.
The Starblessed are only ever female and are born with distinct markings. Of course, since anyone can mark a child with the intent of seizing power for themselves, there are two other defining traits of a Starblessed.
Glowing eyes…
…And innate magic.
The Sapphire Princess is the rarest to be born and the hardest to identify, since many people can be born with striking blue eyes and the early markings of the Sapphire Princess are often faded or pale in color. When Maren was brought to the Star Court, they were presented with a serious problem. A second Starblessed Princess, one that shouldn't even be possible, and one born as an ambiguous color. The only other identifiable trait of the Sapphire Princess is the magic coursing through their veins.
In written history, there were only two other Sapphire Princesses on record, before Maren. The only test a person is unable to cheat is the test of the child's blood. A member of the Star Court would take a sample of the baby and feed it to the magic stone. If the child is indeed Starblessed, the crystal above the stone will glow the color of the child's blessing.
That is what was done to Maren.
Down the hall, Maren identified the incoming sound of distinct footsteps instantly. Her stomach twisted with dread. Her nostrils flared with adrenaline and panic, but she kept her expression even. Maren tensed her entire body, preparing herself for her presence.
Even her walk is willful and aggressive, she thought. Best to avert my eyes and only politely acknowledge her if she decides to make small talk.
Maren stood in front of the grand doors, waiting for them to open and signal her entrance. With every echo of those footsteps, Maren's calm facade began to melt away with the pressure that built inside her little body. And then, without looking, Maren knew she was there, standing beside her.
A shiver ran down her spine at the sensation of Princess Coralynn's burning energy. She spared a glance at the Princess beside her. Coralynn's long, red hair spilled down her tall, lean body. She was scantily dressed, her gown, nothing more than a thin layer of cloth that covered the most important areas, making sure to expose the vibrant, crimson, Starblessed marking on her back.
Maren's breath caught in her chest whenever Coralynn was near, and it wasn't just the hot energy of the Ruby Princess that burned around her, and made Maren shrink back. Coralynn Valentyne was the Ruby Princess of the Southern Kingdom of Garyn, and a true royal.
Coralynn was born first, and like every Princess before her, the world thought no others would bless their lands until the day of her death.
That was, until Maren was born.
Her parents were petrified, but Maren was so obviously Starblessed, they couldn't keep her a secret. They did their best, but word eventually reached the Star Court and she was summoned for a full examination. When they confirmed Maren as a Starblessed Princess, Coralynn was ordered for reexamination.
This caused a severe uproar in high society and the Followers of Starlight — the religion that was built around the Starblessed. Coralynn's parents were furious with the Star Court and asked Alvin Manore, the Emperor Regent to intervene, but he refused. Alvin was notoriously in love with his deceased wife, Eleanor Manore, the previous Emerald Princess. Ultimately, they had no choice but to comply with the investigation.
As for The Followers of Starlight, this uproar was far more volatile. Previously, the Starfollowers believed that the Starblessed Princesses were the embodiment of the many-faced goddess, Ia. They believed that each Princess born was the herald of a new age, for no color or temperament of the Princess was the same for each era, and each era was vastly different than the next.
That is why, for a Ruby Princess and a Sapphire Princess to be born at the same time was cause for concern. For a Ruby Princess to be born, the terms generally used are "fast-paced change," or "exciting new age." But this was the kind way of saying a war, or significant upheaval is highly likely. And so, when Coralynn was born, officials began investing in weapons, soldiers, and the people started spending their money sparingly.
But when Maren, the Sapphire Princess was confirmed, the country came to a halt. Nobody knew what to do. The economy was at a stand still, for the birth of a Sapphire princess was meant to herald a time of peace and prosperity. A time for slow-action and a study of knowledge.
Since her birth, the world had been quiet, awaiting the day the Princesses come of age and the Star Court announces its decision.
"You're looking sickly today, Maren." Coralynn sneered, a strand of red hair falling from her bare shoulders. "You really should have stuck to covering up more. That pale color reminds people of sickness and death."
Maren's mouth tightened in a quiet grimace but she promised herself she would talk back to her. "Your comments are not appreciated."
Though she looked straight ahead, she could feel Coralynn straighten beside her. She could feel the shock and unease that her own words ignited in Coralynn. A smile played around Maren's lips, excitement and anxiety toiled within her.
Maren didn't particularly hate the Ruby Princess, but she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Coralynn hated her. Maren didn't blame her. She knew Coralynn had been raised to hate her. Even with her innate patience, Maren didn't particularly like being around someone who constantly made them feel small.
Even without her sharp words and hateful eyes, Coralynn was intimidating. Standing much taller than Maren's whopping height of five-foot-two, Coralynn was slim and wildly beautiful. There was a fierceness to her features and an intensity in the gleaming ruby color of her eyes that Maren was both drawn to and terrified of.
Maren was a complete contrast to Coralynn, in body, mind, spirit and magical ability. Where Coralynn was flame and power, Maren was cool and healing.
Coralynn's eyes flared wide and just as she was about to respond, the doors creaked open. Maren and Coralynn both straightened at the sound of it, preparing for their entrance into the first day of the rest of their lives.
The Star Court Center was a large part of Maren's life, but she was never able to quite get used to its grandiosity. Light burst through the glass ceiling, casting the room in brightness so that she could see that each row was filled with royals, high officials, and honored lords and ladies of Carbouran. Maren gazed around the room, her eyes searching for her parents, but she could not find them among the mass of faces that stared down at her.
Each of them had traveled far and wide to hear today's announcement. An announcement that has had this country on its toes for twenty years since the day of Maren's birth.
Maren and Coralynn walked side by side, until they reached their pedestals in the center of the room. Across from them, the Star Court was already waiting, Thirteen heading the procession.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Thirteen announced, her voice booming with pride and enthusiasm. "We thank each of the six kingdoms and their congregation for joining us today. Twenty one years ago, on August 9th, our Ruby Princess — Princess Coralynn Valentyne of Garyn was born and the country believed that we entered the Crimson era. An era of passion, hard work, grit and new beginnings. Then, less than a year later, something happened that shook the very core of our beliefs."
Maren kept her head down, eyes averted as she pretended not to notice the violence that danced on her skin. The gaze of the crowd was excruciating.
"On March 13th, a second Princess was born. The Sapphire Princess — Princess Maren Windsor of Avelle."
Some of the crowd cheered but Maren recognized that the reaction was distinctly split. She knew that Coralynn Valentyne's birth was an exciting time for the royals, for many reasons. One thing Maren learned as she grew up was that they despised sharing their power with the common people. Maren was recognized as a royal, but with no magic and nothing else to offer them, her family was shunned by high society. Maren soon learned it was often like this with common-born Starblessed Princesses.
Coralynn's birth had meant that the royals did not have to taint their bloodline with yet another family of commoners. The Valentyne's were especially judgmental about common-born Starblessed Princesses tainting royal blood. Her birth meant that the royal families could dip their greasy fingers in her future and shape the country how they saw fit.
And then came Maren.
Thirteen continued, her voice less commanding, dripping with emotion and honesty. "We, as the Star Court, knew not what action to take. As the sons and daughters of the previous rulers, we had to question our own beliefs. We had to ask ourselves the hard questions. Do we honor the Ruby Princess as the first born and the true ruler of our land? And if so, does that mean we are cursing our people by rejecting a second blessing of the Goddess?"
She paused, letting their explanation hang in the air. "And so, instead of acting on impulse, we made the decision to let the Princesses grow up, and during that time, observe them. We thought, perhaps this was a test of the Goddess. To see if we, the Star Court, were worthy of raising and shaping the next ruler of our Nation. We thought that surely the true leader would reveal herself to us."
She paused, her head held high.
Maren held her breath, her cold fingers intertwining together, picking at the gloss that covered her thumbnail. She always wondered if she was truly meant for the throne or if her birth was a mistake by the Goddess. One she wanted to, but could not take back. Maren was petrified, and nearly on the brink of tears. It was only the familiar, warm embrace of Coralynn's energy that stopped her from completely falling to pieces. An odd feeling, to emotionally lean on the heat of her frenemies body, but in a sea of faceless, judging eyes, Coralynn was the only person she really knew. The two had practically grown up together.
"However," Thirteen said, her silken voice dipped low and regretful. "We were wrong."
Maren blinked, raising her head to look at Thirteen, who faced the two girls in the center of the room. Though Maren could not see her face, she felt as though Thirteen was gazing back at the two of them. Voices murmured in shock, bouncing off the walls, but soon quieted down, listening for Thirteen's explanation.
"We, the Star Court, realized that it is not our decision to choose our future Empress." She continued. "The Goddess blessed us with two Princesses, and to choose between them would be to reject the Goddess herself. The Star Court has decided that both Princesses will become Empress."
Maren's breath caught in her throat.
Both of us? She thought. Does that mean I'll…marry Cora?
Her hand flew to her chest as her breathing turned shallow, the murmur of the crowd rose around her with restless energy. Images flooded her mind — vivid, and intimate — of what married life with Cora might look like.
Maren was well aware of her attraction to both men and women. In fact, private fantasies of Cora had taken hold of her on and off for much of her life. But she had always pictured herself married to a man — a future Emperor. That was simply how things were done in Carbouran. She had been trained for it since childhood: how to be an Empress, how her duties would compliment her husbands, as well as how to perform the quiet, wifely obligations expected of her to please a man so as to secure a dynasty.
But now, those studies and their images began to take another shape. Her mind wandered to what those same duties might look like with her instead — with Cora — and heat flushed through her body at the idea.
"SILENCE!" Three's voice thundered across the space, commanding the crowd to behave, pulling Maren from her heated fantasy that left her dizzy and confused.
She hesitantly spared a glance at Coralynn, her face burning. To her surprise, Coralynn's reaction was different than usual. Though she gazed straight ahead at Thirteen, still as stone, her eyes seemed far away. Maren noted that her face burned with the same pink that had flushed her own body, and Maren knew they'd jumped to the same conclusion.
When they were done, Thirteen cleared her throat. "Make no mistake, there will still be a Prince Candidate."
Maren blinked again, snapping out of her heated reverie.
"The Starlight Trials will commence as expected, but this time, the boys will be fighting for the hand of not one, but two Princesses. As always, if more than one Prince Candidate remains victorious — or if the trials come to a tie — the Princesses will have to decide on one husband for both of them, so as to ensure royal lineage."
The crowd began to settle down, their raised voices lowering to nothing more than resentful mutterings.
But where the crowd began to calm, Maren's fantasies only began to further twist and turn as the images of her lessons began to grow wild and burn with more ideas and more flesh than she had ever anticipated. Maren's whole body was alight, and she felt as if she were about to faint from the heat that grew. It was as though steam had practically begun to release from the top of her head.
Beside her, Coralynn was no longer flushed, but she still stared ahead, her expression unwavering.
When they released the procession, Maren and Coralynn were excused first, walking across the threshold as a pair. Maren's flurry of wild, intimate fantasies had exhausted her, and all she wanted was to escape to the solitude of her room, but Coralynn had other plans.
Once the doors were closed, Coralynn gripped Maren's arm and dragged her to her room, down the opposite hall where Maren's room was.
"Excuse me!?" Maren cried, fighting back against her. "What do you think you're doing!? You can't just grab me!"
Then, Coralynn released her, practically tossing her through the doors that shut behind her with a tight click. Maren stumbled into the room of gold and red embellishments, and black satin sheets that mirrored her own room. She had been there a few times before, but only if she was ordered to do so by the Star Court. But now, Maren was forced inside by invitation of Coralynn herself.
Maren found her footing and straightened, staring at Cora's expressionless face. Her cheeks burned hot, glancing at the bed. She didn't know what to do or how to feel. She was unnerved after hearing the Star Courts decision. They were to be married to the same man, but what that meant for the two of them, she was unsure.
"Cora-" Maren began, still glancing between the floor and the bedding, but stopped when she realized how close Coralynn suddenly was.
Cora towered above her, staring down at her with an expression so confusing, Maren didn't know what to make of it. Her eyes were rebellious and hateful, yet her face burned with that familiar pink flush Maren knew disturbingly well. The heat that burned from Coralynn's body was so hot and so close as it lapped at Maren's flesh that she thought it may leave her skin pink.
"Do not think for one second that things have changed for us," Coralynn said through gritted teeth. "You are not my friend, and you are most certainly not my wife. This is a forced decision by the Courts, and anything that happens between us from here on, is not a reflection of how I feel about you. You may be Starblessed, but to me, you are nothing more than a commoner with magic and a broken leg I can never cut from my body. Remember these words, Princess Maren."