The Mystic Hearts Series

Chapter 3- Nora

5 years later (at 15)

I wake up that morning, ready for my first day of Chieftess training. I wonder what the world & my parents will have in store for me today. I... had remembered always looking up to my parents as a young child, though my perspective on them has been tainted by my realization of their actions... Regardless, I look to the role of Chieftess with excitement & hope, longing for the day when I will have the power to take over & make the town a better place, for all types of beings.

I excitedly slurp up my porridge & everyone at the table looks at me questioningly, Calida included. She used to not be included in mealtimes, but after much arguing years ago, my parents gave in. She looks at me now with her inquisitive dark brown eyes, so dark they shine in the light... you could just get lost in them for ages...

"Hello~ Nora?" She waves her dark hand in front of my face & I blink back to reality.

"Oh, sorry..." I blush, looking away & focusing on my food. "I was just... zoning out... Thinking about today... It's the big day..." I chuckle nervously & she smiles sideways at me, cocking 1 eyebrow questioningly.

"Yeah... feels like just yesterday you were talking about how you were going to be 'queen of the village' one day..." She laughs & I blush.

"It's a bit of an oversimplification of the power dynamic we have going on here in this town, but you know what I meant..."

She & Amery chuckle, just loving to lightly tease me. She covers her mouth when she laughs, a gesture I find supremely adorable, & I blush, eyes drawing to hers, then looking away again before anyone stares, back to my porridge.

. . .

I realized some years ago that... I liked Cal as... maybe more than a friend... at around 13, which is just a great age to question yourself, really... I mean, I had puberty going on already, did I really need to figure out that I was romantically interested in my best friend too?

Not that I'd ever tell her that... I... it could make our friendship awkward or... she could think I was weird, or feel uncomfortable... It was best to just let it pass, as hopefully it would someday... which is what I've been telling myself for the past 2 years...

But some moments, I seem to forget myself & catch myself staring at her, despite the rational parts of my brain screaming to keep my feelings hidden... I just... hope she never finds out...

"-& this is where you will begin to meet the candidates for your Chieftain when you turn 18!" I hear my mother exclaim excitedly, pointing to a raised dais in the center of town with 4 seats stationed side by side like a throne room.

I look at my mother suddenly, eyebrows raised & mouth opening & closing. "Wait- what?"

She smiles. "Oh, well... Every Chieftess must have her own Chieftain, right? I mean, we haven't had that many female rulers, but I'm sure you'll be able to lead much better with him at your side."

I frown slightly. "'Him'?"

She chuckles, smiling brightly & lightly swatting me on the arm. "Your husband, or course, silly!"

"Wh- have you already picked 1 out for me already?!" I feel some tension build near my heart & Cal looks at me, seeming a bit alarmed &... worried?

My mother smiles reassuringly, as though this piece is supposed to help somehow. "Don't worry, we won't start doing that until after you're 18, darling. & you can help pick who he is, if you like..."

I laugh nervously, trying to contain my inner horror at the notion of being forced to marry a man, feeling numb for the rest of the day... Even if I have a smile on my face the whole time...

Oof, the absolute gay panic™ in this chapter, am I right? Like, oof. Can relate to that, for sure... Like, Nora just wants to marry her sweetheart Cal over here, but society is just getting in the way, ugh... Don't worry, people, it'll work out somehow... You just gotta hang in there ;)

Welp, that's all for now. I'll see y'all later. Bye :3 <3