Elaria, a kingdom of magic. Led by King Valen de Sol and his wife, Ira de Sol, they have managed to keep the kingdom in relative peace and out of the path of war during their reign. How was such a feat accomplished? Ira was the master behind it all. Though Valen provided a kind face to the public, it was Ira's staunch negotiating and practicality that kept the kingdom, and the king, afloat.
One of her greatest feats was getting the nearby Empire of Almintri to leave them alone through trade negotiations. Though, it did come at a cost - her eldest daughter, Mira.
Being the first princess, Mira was bound to the crown prince of Almintri, Polit. Mira was desired by the empire for one simple reason - her magic. Mira was talented in a very simple, but useful magic; translation. It may not seem as commanding as manipulating fire or water, but her magic revealed truths long dead as it was not limited to the languages of the modern era, but those of the past, far beyond even what the most learned magician could decipher.
She had deciphered text that had stumped other translators for centuries at age ten, when her powers manifested. Almintri took notice of this and made their move when she became of legal wedding age.
A deal was made.
A life traded for that of the entire kingdom.
Mira accepted her duty.
However, on her wedding day, a little voice caught her attention in the room.
"Mira?" A quiet voice called out as her maids pulled her corset tight. Turning, all Mira could see was the bright purple eyes of her sister, Enid. Barely ten herself, her hair was perfectly braided, a simple pink dress that brought out the color in her cheeks.
"Yes my darling sister?" She asked with a soft smile.
"Why do you have to go?" Enid asked, clutching the skirt of her dress. "Can't the Crown Prince just live here with us?"
Mira's smile faltered for just a moment before she scooped up Enid, at the protest of her maids. They sat in front of the vanity, with Mira pushing a lock of golden blonde hair that had escaped the braid behind her ear. "You know, I asked mother that too. But sadly, his family very much wants me over in their home."
"Why?" Enid asked as tears welled up in her eyes. She played with a lock of Mira's long pink hair as the maids proceeded to do her makeup. "It's not fair. He's taking my big sister away from me. I don't have anyone else! And then momma and papa will be lonely when I'm married…" She whimpered as Mira smiled.
With delicate hands, Mira released Enid's hair from the braid, allowing the golden locks to fall freely.
"You, my dear, don't need to think of such things yet. I'm sure we'll see each other again. And maybe you'll have a niece or nephew soon enough!" She laughed, combing her fingers through Enid's hair. "And maybe they'll send you to me. Do you think you'd like to see the Empire?" She asked, brushing the locks behind Enid's ears as the young girl held back tears.
"It won't be the same…" She whispered.
"Things don't get to stay the same forever. If they did, we'd all still be babies!" Mira laughed, hugging her sister tightly.
"WHAT?! Don't be ridiculous! We have to keep growing!" Enid yelled, wiggling around in the hug.
Mira rested her chin on top of Enid's head, still smiling as she guided Enid's gaze back to the mirror. "Exactly, we keep growing. This is part of it." She mused standing up so she could fit into her dress.
It was an elegant dress, with sleeves that almost resembled fairy wings and colorful flowers stitched into the lace. After the dress and the veil were put in place, Mira turned back to Enid, stretching out a pinky finger. "No matter what, we're still sisters. I will always, ALWAYS, love you."
Enid looked at her pink warily, with an uncertainty for the future. But, looking at her sister's face, she knew it was what had to be done. With resolve, she clasped her sister's pinky on her own.
"Write to me when you can. I wanna know EVERYTHING."
"Of course. Now, let's go. I can't have the flower girl be late!" She laughed as they ran down the halls one last time.
Enid played her part well, scattering the rose petals across the aisle and up to the altar. She looked up at the crown prince, a man with silver locks that rivaled the length of Mira's own hair. Her own eyes locked with the ocean depth that was his own.
"Take care of my sister, or I'll be mad." She spoke simply, plainly, as if giving him an order. Polit laughed a bit, not at the request or at Enid, but because he knew that this was something that was going to happen. Mira had told him of how her sister was stubborn and protective.
As if copying Mira, he outstretched his pinky and got down on a single knee, getting to Enid's level. Whispers and gasps echoed through the hall, but he held up his other hand and silence waved over the audience.
"I promise, your sister will be safe. And you, my little macaron, will be welcome to visit her. Just let us know when and a carriage will await you the next day." His voice was gentle, a promise made from his heart was given to this young girl.
Enid took his pinky. "And I promise to be a good aunt." Enid looked around for a moment before leaning in and whispering in his ear. "I want to be the first to know when you and Mira are having a baby."
Polit simply laughed and squeezed her pinky harder. "Deal."
After this exchange, Enid took her spot next to her parents, with her mother playfully tugging on her ear. She may be a lenient mother, but she still showed a bit of discipline when necessary.
Suddenly, the music in the room swelled as the doors opened. Mira, bouquet in hand, walked down the aisle with a demure smile on her face. From the dress, to her hair, to the jewelry, she looked perfect. Enid even caught Polit blushing a bit when he saw her.
Finally, she reached the altar. The priest began to speak.
"Ladies, Gentlemen, we are here to witness the marriage of Polit Almintri and Mira de Sol under the watchful eyes of our deities, Solara and Nyxi as they guard the Veil of Eternity." Everyone stood and turned to the statue of the twin deities, placing hand to heart and a simple head tilt. After a moment of silence, everyone returned to their positions, with guests seating themselves. "Now, Polit Almintri, do you swear in the name of Nyxi, to protect Mira de Sol even in the darkest of nights? To provide for and love, in sickness and health? To remain faithful in even the most dire of times?" The priest asked as Polit nodded.
"I do swear."
With a quick heel turn, the priest addressed Mira. "And do you, Mira de Sol, swear in the name of Solara to guard Polit Almintri's heart? To provide a safe haven on the worst of days? To love and remain faithful, in sickness and in health?"
"I do," Mira spoke confidently as the priest turned back.
"Then, under the watchful gaze of Solara and Nyxi, I pronounce you wed in the embrace of the eternal veil. You may now seal this blessing."
With one swift move, Polit moved the veil back and kissed Mira. The entire audience applauded as he picked her up and raced down the aisle. Enid's jaw dropped at the audacity of Polit to pull such a move.
Having the ceremony ending swiftly and smoothly, on came the celebratory ball in the kingdom, a last night for Mira to spend in her own kingdom as a Sol.