Viridian

Chapter 2

"So you not only get to sit next to Queen Shyama," Sera starts, rummaging through her closet like a crazy person. "But also Prince Cato? Damn girl, wanna switch?" she laughs. "Yes," I respond, clearly not joking. "Oh come on girl," she says turning towards me. "He's hot. Like ridiculously hot." I roll my eyes, as she makes her way towards me, flopping down on her bed next to me. "He's a Prince of Darkness, Seraphina," I remind her. "I know," she smiles, nudging me. "Just imagine all of the things he can do in the dark."

"Sera!"

"What?"

"Just—" I struggle for words, trying to hide my smile from her. "Have you figured out what you're gonna wear?" Reluctantly, she pushes herself up off the bed, back towards her closet. "I'm so sick of wearing red, Adhi. Like I get it, that's our colors or whatever but everyday?!"

"You can wear other colors... "

"Yeah, so long as there is a little bit of red in it!"

"Like your parents would actually enforce that."

"Says the girl wearing pink, even though she's in my kingdom," she says, motioning towards my workout shorts.

"They're comfy," I shrug. "Besides, I'm wearing a white tank with it."

"But you're still wearing your color."

"Rebel another day Sera, this is a royal ball remember. We have to represent our Province. Especially the two of us because we are both next in line."

"SERAAAAAA," Hestia, Sera's youngest sister calls and she barges into her room and plops on the bed next to me. "Sure, come right in," Sera mumbles as Hessy starts making a fit. "Ember and Cyra are looking for dresses for the ball but they said they won't let me look because I'm not going," she wails. "I hate being 12!" Hestia growls. "Hessy, I didn't go to my first ball until I was sixteen!" Sera says, walking over to her sister. "Besides, you're not missing much anyways. Nothing fun ever happens at these things." Hessy crosses her arms, refusing to meet Sera's eyes. "Do you want to help us pick out our dresses?" I ask, immediately getting her attention. "YES!" she screams, jumping over to my arms, causing us all to laugh. "Okay," she starts, jumping off the bed and running to Sera's desk to retrieve her enchanted sketch pad. "We'll start with Seraphina," she begins, turning in the desk chair to face us. "Obviously red," she remarks, winning a scoff from Sera before she continues. " And I'm thinking a nice A-line dress. A flowy skirt at the bottom with curled layers and a tight V neck bodice of... velvet! Two shades of red in one dress!" Sera smiles, saying "you always were a fashionista, Hessy." Hestia says a few more things to the sketch pad before the final sketch appears of Sera's dress. It is breathtaking. Good. The more eyes on here, the less on me.

"Doesn't matter what you put me in, babe," Sera whispers, sensing my thoughts, as Hestia starts talking to the pad about shoes and a crown to match the dress. "You'll still catch Cato's eye," she jokes as I jab her in the stomach. That's the last thing I want.

Moving on from Sera's dress, Hestia begins talking about mine. After a few different options we decide on a simple form fitting, two piece, halter in a lighter shade of pink with a slit on it's right side that runs to my mid thigh, allowing for easy access to the dagger I will have strapped there. She pairs it with rose gold heels and a drop crown.

We spend the next couple hours playing with each other's hair and makeup, deciding which would be the best way to wear it for the ball. By the time we're done, Hestia is fully satisfied with her work. We laugh and talk until we decide to watch a movie. Seraphina and I make it to the kitchen while Hestia goes and picks out a movie, which will no doubt be a sappy romance so I tell her to grab some tissues too.

"I almost forgot what it was like to be a girl after living with two guys," I laugh, as I rummage through her kitchen cabinets for candy. "Any time you want to trade," she laughs, holding the bag of popcorn with her heated hands as it begins to pop. "I'll take your brother to three sister's any day of the week. Besides," she continues the popcorn almost fully popped in her hands. "I know you don't see it, but he's hot." I gag as she laughs. "Relax, Adhi. It's not like I can actually date him. I have to marry someone from Alburnia to keep the magic untainted." That rule always confused me. Wouldn't the magic combine? Wouldn't the child be more powerful if they had both province's magic rather than one? Or would the Predecessors strip the child of one to keep the checks and balances of the world? "Adhi?" Sera asks, snapping me back from my thoughts. "Ready for the movie?" she implores. "Of course!" I reply, grabbing the candy from the drawer and following her back to her room.

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How we doing guys? Do we like Seraphina? Are we confused? Do we have questions? Are you bored out of your mind? Are we wondering what is the point of existence if we will never be able to control fire or electricity and instead we have to deal with the pointless existence of quarantine and covid and.... It's fine guys, I'm fine. 

 - Nicole Winters