The summons was public.
That alone told Aelira everything.
A formal notice, delivered at noon. Sealed. Witnessed. Impossible to refuse without consequence.
Princess Aelira is to attend the afternoon court session.
No explanation.
No choice.
Aelira dressed carefully.
Not in mourning black. Not in soft pastels meant to signal obedience. She chose deep blue—royal, restrained, unmistakably deliberate.
The ring on her finger pulsed faintly as she fastened it.
Steady, she reminded herself.
Controlled.
The throne hall buzzed with quiet anticipation.
Nobles filled the benches, their murmurs rising and falling like the tide. Curious. Hungry. Eager for spectacle.
At the far end of the hall, Queen Seraphine sat beside the king, her expression serene, pleased.
Kael stood at his usual position near the throne—still, silent, watchful.
His eyes found Aelira the moment she entered.
She felt it.
Not reassurance.
Warning.
Aelira took her place before the dais and bowed.
"Princess Aelira," Queen Seraphine said warmly, her voice carrying through the hall. "Thank you for joining us."
Aelira inclined her head. "Your Majesty."
The queen gestured lazily. "We've been… concerned. Reports of unusual disturbances, broken wards, frightened servants."
A ripple of whispers followed.
Aelira remained still.
"In a kingdom built on magic," the queen continued, "ignorance is dangerous. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes," Aelira replied calmly. "Ignorance often is."
A faint smile curved the queen's lips.
"Then you won't object," Seraphine said, "to a demonstration."
The word landed like a blade.
A court mage stepped forward, staff glowing faintly. "Princess," he said, "please place your hand on the crystal."
The testing crystal sat atop a pedestal—ancient, invasive, designed to draw power whether its subject wished it or not.
A trap.
Aelira felt the ring warm sharply against her skin.
Kael shifted.
Just a fraction.
Enough for her to notice.
Aelira stepped forward.
The hall held its breath.
She placed her hand on the crystal.
For a heartbeat—
Nothing happened.
The queen's eyes narrowed.
Then the crystal flickered.
Dim. Uncertain. Straining.
Aelira focused inward, keeping her breathing slow, her emotions flat. The ring dampened the surge, muffling the truth.
The crystal glowed weakly.
A murmur of disappointment swept through the court.
The mage frowned. "Minimal response."
"How unfortunate," Queen Seraphine said lightly. "It seems our concerns were… exaggerated."
She leaned back, satisfied.
But Aelira did not withdraw her hand.
She lifted her gaze slowly.
"Your Majesty," she said, voice steady, "may I speak?"
The hall froze.
The queen hesitated.
Then smiled. "Of course, child."
Aelira removed her hand from the crystal.
"I understand the court's doubts," she said. "After all, I have never displayed magic worthy of notice."
Her gaze swept the room.
"But power is not always loud."
Silence.
Even Kael stilled.
"I ask only this," Aelira continued. "Judge me by my actions, not by what others fear I might become."
The words were measured. Careful. Impossible to condemn.
For a moment, the queen said nothing.
Then she laughed softly. "Very well," she said. "You are dismissed."
Relief rippled through the hall.
Aelira bowed and turned to leave.
As she passed Kael, his voice reached her—quiet, dangerous.
"That was reckless."
She did not look at him.
"So was testing me in front of the court," she replied softly.
His gaze followed her until she disappeared through the doors.
On the throne, Queen Seraphine watched in silence.
And for the first time—
She did not smile.