"Can you do this?" Ceres asked Comet early that morning, showing him the Aetherscroll Peanut had left behind for her. The Aetherscroll, a magical version of an iPad, was surprisingly intuitive, and Ceres had no trouble navigating it.
She had woken up before sunrise, brimming with excitement for the surprise she was planning, a Tea Party. But not just any tea party, this one was for Pixie, lovingly prepared by her Mama. And the best part? Special guests from the Aquilonian orphanage would be joining.
She showed Comet the details of the venue arrangement she had planned using the Aetherscroll. Balloons in soft pastels, charming tables and chairs scaled to children's sizes, handcrafted souvenirs, and several activity stations, face painting, bicycle rides, roller skates, treasure hunts, and more.
Comet examined the scroll, nodding approvingly. "Yes, Your Highness. I can handle most of these. Except…" He paused. "The garments for the boys."
Ceres blinked. "Why not?"
"You see, for the last one hundred fifty years, the Regent has been the only child in Velrathis. All of Mistress Nugget's royal designs were made for her. They're all for girls, not boys."
"I can transform some of Lady Pixie's dresses into boy's garments, if you can provide the design," Seiryu offered from nearby, his voice brimming with eagerness to help.
"You can really do that?" Ceres looked at him, a bit worried. "There won't be any issues, right? I don't want them suddenly reverting back mid-party and embarrassing the boys."
"There will be no problem, Your Highness," Seiryu reassured her with a gentle nod. "I'll make the transformation permanent if you wish. That way, the boys can keep them after."
Ceres looked to Comet, who gave her a smile and handed her a small velvet ring box.
"Mistress Nugget left this for you, in case you ever needed it," he said. "It's a dimension ring. Inside are all the outfits, shoes, bags, accessories, and jewelry she made for the Regent."
Ceres opened the box and stared at the delicate ring inside, it didn't look magical at all. It looked dainty, unassuming, like any ring a child might wear for play.
"How do I use it?" she asked, slipping the ring onto her pinky.
"Once worn, you'll be able to see its contents in your mind. To retrieve anything, simply will it, choose what, and where you want it to appear," Comet explained.
As soon as the ring slid into place, a soft warmth spread from her finger. And then, just like that, her mind lit up with the view of an entire boutique. Display windows. Racks of clothing. Shelves of shoes and accessories. It was like standing inside a private, magical fashion house.
She focused on one area of the garden and willed the entire collection of dresses, shoes, and accessories to appear. Then she spent the next hour designing boys' garments, stylish tunics, tiny coats, miniature armor sets for roleplay, and costume sets for each of the games. Seiryu used his magic to bring them to life, each creation tailored from the transformed dresses in the most tasteful and boyish manner possible.
The palace buzzed with excitement. The kitchen staff moved like clockwork, following Comet's precise instructions on how to prepare the special dishes their Empress had requested, colorful tea sandwiches, candied pastries, fresh fruit juice, and soft cakes shaped like magical creatures.
"Empress," a familiar voice greeted behind her.
Ceres didn't pause her work, still busy checking off items from her list on the Aetherscroll.
"I was told you rose early today," Aurelian added, striding closer. Aurora followed quietly behind him, her expression unreadable.
Aurelian leaned in, about to kiss her cheek in greeting, but Ceres subtly gestured for him not to. Her hand lifted slightly, polite, restrained. Not harsh, but clear.
She didn't even look at him.
She simply continued arranging the details for the treasure hunt.
Aurelian's jaw clenched. His hand curled into a quiet fist by his side. It was starting.
She was beginning to pull away.
"What can I do for you, Duke?" Ceres asked without looking up. "I'm quite busy today."
Her voice was formal. Regal. Detached.
Aurelian exhaled. "We received a message from Vaelundis," he said.
Aurora stood silently at his side, carefully observing the exchange.
"About?" Ceres finally looked up, but only briefly, before returning her focus to the layout glowing on the Aetherscroll.
"The team Vaelundis sent to investigate the Black Tower," Aurelian began, "they saw the Leviacron arrive in Aquilonis. And now they want to come here, to question us, especially since we already informed the other family we won't be attending the Summit."
"I don't see any problem with that," Ceres replied without looking at him, her tone casual but cool. "Weren't you going to send them an invitation to the banquet in Velrathis anyway? They're just arriving early, that's all."
She knew exactly what Aurelian was doing. He was deliberately making her take all the decisions, hoping it would make her realize how dependent Aquilonis had become on her. He wanted her to feel indispensable. Wanted her to stay.
And judging by the expression on Aurora's face, Ceres knew she saw it too.
Neither of them looked impressed.
Aurelian pressed on. "Once they arrive and see how closely we're working with Velrathis, the infrastructure, the products, the tech, they'll demand something in return. Let's not forget, they've been feeding Aquilonis for the last two years."
That caught Ceres's attention. She paused, thoughtful. He was right.
Vaelundis had a point. And not just because they had sent aid. On paper, and to the rest of the world, Ceres was still the First Princess of Vaelundis. Her existence tied the two kingdoms together, and now that Aquilonis was thriving, they would come to collect their dues. Even if she had been discarded and thrown away here like she was nothing… to them, she was a symbol. A claim.
Without a word, Ceres waved over five attendants from the garden. She calmly gave instructions for them to continue the preparations in her place and handed over the Aetherscroll. The staff accepted eagerly, even more so when she asked Seiryu to assist them if they ran into trouble.
Ceres gestured for Aurelian and Aurora to follow her to the shaded regular tables she had arranged for the adults, those who would supervise the orphans later during Pixie's tea party.
"Have you thought about Tuf's offer?" Ceres asked, glancing at Aurora.
Aurelian stiffened. "Offer?" he echoed, turning to his sister.
"Yes." Ceres kept her tone measured. "Since you have no plans of marrying, once I'm able to return to my family in Velrathis, Aurora will take the throne. But the government will shift into a constitutional monarchy. Nobles will no longer hold any power in governance. Only the Royal Family will retain title, and even that will be purely symbolic. They will not create or enforce laws. The Aquilon line will exist as a figurehead… nothing more."
Aurelian's jaw clenched. "Was this your idea?" He asked.
"Not exactly," Ceres answered honestly. "I originally planned to shift Aquilonis into a full republic, no royals, no nobles. But Tuf suggested this instead. A constitutional monarchy ensures a smoother and faster transition. The people are already loyal to the crown, this change will give them the voice they deserve without throwing the country into chaos."
She turned to Aurora again. "You already know the benefits. Tuf explained it well. But let me add one more thing. If you transition now, my title as Empress becomes ceremonial. It removes leverage from Vaelundis. If they come and try to assert authority as my 'family,' it's entirely up to you whether to acknowledge it. They cannot demand anything. And if they do…"
Ceres's gaze hardened, her voice sharpening like a blade.
"…you have every right to send them directly to me. I will take care of it."
"I've spoken to the people I trust," Aurora said, her tone even but heavy with responsibility. "They wanted to know what they'll get in return for fully surrendering their titles. They have families. As much as they want to protect the kingdom… they need to protect their own first."
"If I may, Your Highness," came a voice they hadn't noticed approaching.
It was Comet.
He bowed respectfully, standing a few feet from the group, but close enough to command attention.
"I believe I can provide them with a vivid example."
Ceres gave a small nod.
Comet remained standing as he spoke, voice clear and unwavering.
"The Velrathis Empire was formed from five former demi-human kingdoms. Malvakar, where the Black Tower now stands, was once the Demon Kingdom. Duskborn belonged to the Elves. Veyln to the Shapeshifters. Mor'Kael for the Night Dwellers. Emberwrought for the Dwarves.
The former royal families of these lands now serve as mayors of their respective cities. Though Velrathis remains a monarchy, the noble houses were granted something else, businesses. Ownership of industries. The dwarves manage the tech sector, from invention to distribution. The elves oversee medicine and potions. The night dwellers rule fashion and textile industries. The shifters run infrastructure development. And the demons control banks and schools.
These are just some of the many businesses thriving in Velrathis. Influence there is no longer political… it's economic. Wealth flows. Opportunity multiplies. And while they may no longer pass laws, they wield tremendous power where it matters now."
Comet turned toward Aurora.
"The same model will be applied here. Nobles who surrender their titles will be granted the rights to manage industries. The success of those ventures will be in their hands, how they expand it, scale it, or fail it. Of course, they will still pay taxes, half of which goes to the people, and the other half to the royal household.
In truth, their noble status isn't being erased. Only transformed. Their power is no longer inherited, it will be earned."
"And how will these businesses be assigned?" Aurelian asked, brows furrowed.
"The first to surrender their noble titles will receive top priority," Comet answered. "As instructed by Master Tuf."
Aurelian scoffed lightly. "He won't filter? Or at least assess who deserves which sector?"
"No," Ceres answered calmly, without looking at him. "They'll simply get the better slice of the cake, Duke, but not the entire thing. Other nobles will be given the same industries. That's what competition is for."
She looked at him now, gaze sharp.
"And that's another reason Vaelundis can no longer strangle Aquilonis and demand compensation. These businesses will be privately owned. If Vaelundis tries to collect payment for feeding Aquilonis these past two years, simply remind them of the agreement they signed. That their support came in exchange for installing me as Empress.
And in this constitutional monarchy… I am Empress in name only."
A heavy silence fell over them.
Aurora was clearly thinking, her eyes distant but alive with possibilities. Aurelian, however, sat too still. Ceres could almost hear the quiet grind of frustration in his silence. He was beginning to understand. Once this change was complete, he could no longer tether her to Aquilonis. No longer trap her under the weight of duty.
She would be free.
And he would be left behind.
"How soon will the Vaelundis royals arrive?" she asked suddenly, slicing through the quiet.
"Two days from now," Aurelian replied.
"Then you have until they arrive to decide."
Ceres turned her gaze to Aurora.
"This time, you'll have to leap before you look, or accept that Vaelundis will come asking for half of everything. And the other kingdoms will likely back them up."
She stood, her voice cool but commanding.
"If there's nothing else you need from me… I have a tea party to finish preparing. For my daughter."
And with that, the Empress turned and walked away, her steps quiet, but her departure echoing louder than any decree.