Timeline: Present Day
Location: Private Reception, Palace in Silvermarc, capital of the Verdant Kingdom of Eldoria in the world of Aethalgard
Cal and Viv were led to a private reception chamber, a space that felt both regal and alive. The walls of preening heartwood glowed faintly, and a gentle stream flowed through the center of the room before disappearing beneath the floor. King Luc and Queen Nia sat at a dais, their expressions calm but questioning as they took in the sight of their son and their ward. Callum seemed tense and protective, Vivian looked disheveled in her torn remnant of a dress beneath the prince's cloak.
"Father, Mother," Callum began, stepping forward and bowing deeply. "I apologize for bringing 'Lady Alura' before you in such a state. We were attacked within the palace halls."
Queen Nia rose instantly, her eyes filled with concern as she moved toward Vivian. "Attacked? Are you harmed, my dear?"
Vivian managed a small shake of her head, feeling utterly out of place. "I am unhurt, Your Majesty."
"There is more to this than a simple attack, is there not, son?" King Luc's voice was even, but his eyes, the same shade of purple as Callum's, missed nothing. He had already noted the fierce, unfamiliar determination in the young woman's green eyes.
Callum took a deep breath. "Yes, Father. There is something we should have told you long ago." He placed a steadying hand on Vivian's shoulder. "The truth is, this is not entirely Ally."
Vivian found her voice, realizing there was no other way but to be direct. She met the Queen's gentle gaze and said, "Your Majesties, my name is Vivian. Alura and I… we switch places. Or rather, our consciousness trades bodies between two different worlds."
The confession hung in the quiet air of the chamber. The Queen's hand paused in its movement toward Vivian, her expression shifting from concern to apprehension.
"We do not know how or why," Callum continued, his voice earnest. "It has been happening since we were children. But today was different. Ally felt she was being forced to switch. Her last words to me before she switched were that Shadow-mages were looking for Vivian."
King Luc stood, his calm demeanor now hardened with the gravity of the situation. "They are hunting a girl from another world, in a body that is not her own, for reasons we do not understand? And they are bold enough to do so within the palace itself?" He looked at Vivian, his expression no longer just curious, but deeply concerned. "If your father were still alive… or Ally's father…" Then softly to himself, "Did Gis know?"
The Queen finally spoke, her voice soft but firm to Callum. "You know she cannot stay here." She looked at Vivian. "Dear, if they already know you are here and could get in once, they will keep trying." She turned to Luc. "We should get her somewhere safe, somewhere she can be protected." Queen Nia paused and looked thoughtfully at Vivian before she asked, "She can also protect herself like Ally?"
"No, Mother," Callum said, then turned to Vivian. "But I think she may be able to learn if we go to the Azmar. Ally's old mentor, Professor Aethelstone, may be able to teach her how to access Ally's magic even when Vivian. If anyone can help Vivian understand Ally's magic, it is him."
The King nodded, his mind already working through the political and strategic implications. "A diplomatic mission," he declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. "We will announce that Lady Alura is undertaking a journey to Azmar as a special envoy to strengthen our ties with the neutral realm. Then her absence will be expected." He looked pointedly at his son. "You will escort her, make sure that she has a strong guard detail, and then you will return to Silvermarc."
Callum met his father's gaze without flinching. "I will escort her to Azmar. But I do not intend to return until she does."
The King sighed, a faint smile touching his lips. It was a refusal he had fully expected. "Very well," King Luc conceded. "I know better than to argue against that look. Make the preparations. You leave by evening. The sooner, the better."
"Al… Lady Vivian?" asked the queen to call for Vivian's attention. "We have probably met several times over the years, yes?"
Vivian responded, "Yes, your Highness. And…" Vivian hesitated but felt compelled to add, "my earliest memories of you was of how much warmth and affection you both felt toward her family."
"Her family," Queen Nia said softly to herself. "Then, you know what happened to them?" Queen Nia looked sorrowful, on the verge of tears.
Vivian nodded and the Royal Family looked at Vivian as if still deep in sorrow.
"Did you think of them as your family, too?" Queen Nia softly queried.
"Yes and no. At the time, I thought this world was just dreams I was having. But when they were alive, it was always fun and unexpected. And I wanted to know about everything. I probably worried them unintentionally." Vivian paused with a small smile that turned into a look of guilt. "Actually, I… may… have… gotten Ally into trouble occasionally."
The mischievous information relaxed the room, the royal family expressing the fondness of nostalgia. Then the queen responded, "Ally was quite good at making her own trouble."
Both Prince Callum and King Luc nodded with wide eyes in agreement.
"I hope we can talk more in the future, but I know that you need to prepare for your journey," said Queen Nia. "May I ask one question before, though?"
"Of course, your Highness."
"Is Ally okay in your world?"
"Yes. I believe she is. My best friend Ben, who is to me like Prince Callum is to Ally, knows about the switching. Though, he tells me that Ally usually just hangs out in my house reading books and watching television," Vivian said to try to reassure them.
"Hangs out? Television?" the king asked with a sudden tone of interest.
"Sorry. Those are words from my world. I guess it would be accurate to say she stays at my home and stays hidden until we switch back."
"Nia," the king said to his wife. "You know that Ally is a powerful magic user. I doubt anyone could harm her. Right, Lady Vivian?"
"Well… there is no magic in my world." Vivian thought for a moment, then continued. "There, the things you do here with magic, we do with science, engineering and… innovation." Then Vivian added, "and I think Ally is rather fond of the food."
The king and queen both looked at each other and exclaimed in unison, "Lee mone cake!"
King Luc looked at Vivian eagerly. "Oh, we must talk the next time you are here with us. I want to know more about your world and this si-yents..."
"Father…" Callum said in a warning tone.
"What?" King Luc said sheepishly. "She is practically our daughter!" The king winked at Vivian. Vivian suppressed a snicker.
Callum once again tugged on Vivian's arm. His hand slid to grab Vivian's hand as he pulled her toward the door. "We are leaving now. Father. Mother. We have a lot to do."
The king and queen looked dejected.