13-11-1706
…
I don't understand. My body is back to being the shape of a human trollop. Every purification is like this. Why won't my body listen to me…why won't my soul?
…
I lay in my bed. The curl is still there. It's a muddy human blonde. Was that what I was before? Human. It should be impossible. But my mother already admitted that I wasn't always an Elf.
I get up and go sit at my desk. I look at the spell water ray. Practically a word for word copy of light ray except for the words light is replaced by water. Not very imaginative. Is there any way that it could be changed? Speed, size and intensity. If I add a convert to fire, could I add temperature? I write one with high heat and one that removes heat. I make sure convert fire only pulls enough mana for the temperature change. I do another that adds lightning. Perhaps one with a steady stream. Would that require pressure? Is that different then intensity?
There is a knock at the door. I opened it to find G girl.
“You're late for breakfast.” She smiles at me, “Not so boring.”
I hadn't realized. “Sorry, I lost track of time. I'll be out in a minute.”
The door closes and I get dressed.
-----
I muddle through my salad while getting opposing looks. One is my mother's glare, annoyed at my current state. The other from G girl who seems to prefer I be unique. It's uncomfortable to say the least. I push another leafy green around. It makes the rounds on the plate instead of entering my mouth. Mother finishes and leaves. Not even an infusion to return to my lithe state. Is she giving up on me? I just stare at my salad.
“You're eating less.”
I look up.
“Yet you look more hale, it doesn't make sense.”
I returned to the salad. I sigh. The fork placed down, I pushed away from the table.
-----
The matron has an annoyed look on her face. My arrival came with G girl. There were no words said between the two. I simply stand and look downwards, waiting for whatever new impositions the unpleasant woman has.
“Since you have demonstrated enough standing poise, it is time to work on your walking. Pull your aura in, I'd not have you repeat your chicancery."
She has a cup and saucer at the ready. It goes on top of my head. The water was three quarters filled. She points to a line and I walk it. The cup does not move. The movement is far easier than it would have been a week ago. The woman is rather silent in it all. Her eyes shine with four pointed blue stars. She has me continue back and forth for the rest of the lesson. The turning is the most precarious. I feel time slow every time I do. But I continue to keep the cup still. Her adding liquid to it meant nothing.
“Good.”
“Thank you, matron.”
-----
My walk to the library was interrupted by G girl.
“My understanding was that you were failing at her lessons.”
I turn and look to her, “Maintaining poise is easier with more stats. My curse clearly was holding me back.”
“What exactly is your curse?”
“It denies me access to my system voice and my stats.”
She thinks on that, “Never heard of a curse like that, what's its name?”
“I don't know.”
The girl grows annoyed, “Fine, do you know who cast it on you?”
“I don't know.”
“Do you know anything?"
“I...I…I just assume it's part of why I am a [Princess].”
The girl squints at me, “That would imply it is the [Empress] who cursed you then.”
I am shocked at that. My mother cursed me…that can't be right. Could it. My head hurts.
-----
…
14-11-1706
…
Another missing memory. I had finished my etiquette class and then woke up.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
…
15-11-1706
…
G girl wasn't at my meals or Lincor class. Perhaps I had done something terrible that caused her to leave the castle. I ended up making only one new green black crystal yesterday. Our class moved on from dodging practice.
Lincor was excited to see my work. He asked if I had received any skills or level from the writing. My answer in the negative caused a frown. He said he would attempt to make new casting triangles from these.
…
16-11-1706
…
I was alone yesterday. Nothing was said from my mother. She was clearly agitated but it was not my place to say anything. I went to read by myself. It was my usual way of passing the time but this time.
I am so alone. Why am I a princess? What did I do? What crime deserves this curse? Why?
…
-----
“Dawn.” A word I understood but I couldn't recognize the language, “How bout spending a bit of time with me.”
I look at my mother from my full salad plate. I smile and give a nod. Her own plate is empty. She gets up and I follow her. She leads me to her room. There is a bed, a desk, a dresser with a mirror and a chair. As with her meal of choice, her room is rather barren.
She opens the desk and pulls out some cloth and needle. She hands me a set while she gets a bit for herself.
“I know it has been a difficult time for you. How bout I teach you some embroidery.”
She proceeds to show me a rather complex stitching. I follow it all and mimic her movement.
“Good, morning dew, I see that you are a natural, let us pick up the pace.”
Her hands move faster. Time slows as I follow her movement and do as she does. It's nice, calming even. We just work in silence.
“This is my house's heraldry. Well I suppose it's all Elves heraldry. It is yours now too.”
I nod, I give her a small smile. She returns it. More cloth comes out and we make new patterns. After a bit, and a new blank piece of cloth, she motions to me.
“Sunlight, how bout you make a pattern and I follow.”
My hand freezes for a bit, I have no great artistic talent. But she looks at me expectantly, I make a long looping stitch and another next to it. At the bottom I add a small circle. Three lines first join the left side of the circle and then three more to the right side. I'm unsure what it is I made but it speaks to me. I smile at it. I look up at my mother, her eyes a critical glance at my work. Before I can undo my stitching she places a hand over mine. A soft smile on her face.
“Aurora, it's only your first day. Do not be discouraged.”
I didn't hear anything beyond the first word.
-----
…
17-11-1706
…
I had a nice day with my mother. I know she is busy, I'm grateful she took the time for me. I missed Lincor class but that's fine. I still had to handle Rin's thirst. I keep using the trinket right before I have my medicine. I only last long enough for a skill up before I have to stop it. A new crystal is filled every day.
Another page was missing from my diary.
…
18-11-1706
…
…
-----
My wooden sword crashes against Tona's. He is making a good show of it. He is slow but I am exhausted. Beyond exhausted. I continue to block his blows, each one making me think I will drop the practice weapon. He pulls back for a moment.
“So it seems I am to be your consort by default.”
His words give me pause, he moves to strike. Even distracted, the blow is blocked. He is too slow now. I consider that, it was a clear attempt to get me off my guard. He is not holding back. My stats are making this a comedy. He isn't laughing. Another parry. My arms can barely keep the sword up. It looks like he will get through my guard soon. He stops. I tilt my head.
“I prefer not to score a hit because you were unable to continue.”
“Sorry.”
He shakes his head, “I don't understand why Arccor exhausted you then have you do more.”
I shrug my shoulders as I slowly collapse to the ground. He gets some water and brings me a cup. I murmur a thanks as I drink it down.
“You always have those bracelets.”
I smile, a gift from my mother. I never take them off. The red gems are the same as the healing necklace.
“Mother gifted them to me so long ago, to be honest I can't even remember when.”
He nods at that, takes a big sigh and broaches what really was bugging him. “Are you going to be alright with me?”
It's a scary prospect, certainly one that I have been trying my best to not think about for the next two years. But he asked, “I have a duty to fulfill, the question is if you will be willing to assist me in that?”
He turns away from me, scratching his cheek, “I don't have anything against the idea.”
I give a small smile with my eyes down cast.
-----
…
19-11-1706
…
Another purification. Guess my body not changing further is at least something. Mother has brought me a tincture to both straighten and change my errant strand of hair to her silver. The color is slightly off and not shiny at all. My curse prevents body morphic magic from changing it. Though she did point out that blood magic could correct the issue, currently the only practitioner is Rin. Her skill level isn't high enough yet.
…
-----
“Hectonal here will lead you through a dance.” The matron explains why Tona was there.
She has not brought out a cup so perhaps this is not going to be so terrible. Tona steps up to me. Then the matron comes up as well.
“Left hand into his, right into mine. When the time comes it will be the [Empress] and not I who will be in my place.” She notices my interest, “This dance is in fact your wedding one.”
I feel like this is all happening too fast. She notices my panic. A rare smile creases her face.
“Worry not, there are still two winters till then, it is just the only dance that should be performed perfectly, as it involves the [Empress]. So best to get you started early.”
What proceeds is a bit of precise steps that first mainly focuses on my partner to my right while Tona is miming paying attention to an unseen partner to his left. Through all the moves my fingers are always touching Tona. In the end our parental partners spin us off into each other at which a few more steps are taken together. The matron is clapping to a beat and music she is making through illusion. It's a rather solemn tune. Our steps match the clapping. At the end she speaks.
“And thus you are wedded.”
I again panic which just elicits a chuckle from Tona, “That is just how the ceremony ends Sar, she is just teasing you.”
I spy the wicked grin on the matron. How she finds new ways to torture me I can not say. But she does. Expect a lengthy worded rebuke in my diary miss. She hears none of this but I swear I hear laughter answering my internal monologue. Her hand retakes mine.
“A good start, but as I said perfection is required. From the top.”
We continued the song and dance all day. Seems another instructor wishes to bring me to my knees in exhaustion. Though it is not ultimately me who falters but Tona.
“Its a bit frustrating that you surpassed me after lagging behind me by so much. I must endeavor to catch up.” He huffs from the floor.
I give a demure smile and a small nod. After all, the matron was still watching.