The Stones of Jade

chapter 4

Oh, how so many things can change within seconds. Reminds her of a story her mother used to tell her before bed when she was younger.

A young girl, searching for food in trash bins and wearing torn fabric as coverage, suffered for what felt like years. She was never given toys to play with, and she was too much of an outcast to play with the other children in the village. One day, the queen's chariot arrived at the small village. The queen was in search of this young girl, only to tell her that she was the lost princess they have been searching for all along.

Asteria begged to hear this story almost every night because of the thought that would keep her up late at night. What if her life changed so suddenly, what if everything was taken away from her? Even though the possibility of this was so slim, she would always ponder about how her life would change.

It seems that her younger self's imagination has come to play.

If this letter is true, Asteria must find out what is within that vault. It is the only thing that will uncover how she will defeat Oliver if anything comes of it. But how will she even know if she must venture to a kingdom somewhere north because of a silly letter that may not even have meaning? This dinner will make the decision for her it seems.

Time skip

A plate is placed in front of Asteria, syncing with the other plates being set down in front of the council and her brother. On the plate is a beautifully arranged chicken thigh immersed with gravy and an assortment of vegetables. Too bad that the pit in her stomach has come back and is terribly worse.

Picking up her fork, attempting to eat some sort of food, she is interrupted by her brother's words, causing her to set down it down.

"Lovely evening, isn't it? Everything looks beyond great. I could get used to this." Oliver pokes at a piece of broccoli, putting it in his mouth.

Asteria only returns a smile towards the members of the council.

Three men, roughly over the age of 50, and two women around the same age sit on either side of the table. Leaving Asteria on the end, facing her brother. All dressed in suits and dress attire. Asteria has never been more intimidated by members of the council until now. Everything is up to them, and them only.

"Shall we start?" One of the men on the left side of Asteria begins.

"Of course."

An older woman, older than her partner, starts. "Now, it has been brought to our attention that Prince Oliver Jade has returned to his former residence in the Jade Kingdom."

Oliver's face brightens with the mere mention of him.

The lady continues. "We understand that Princess Jade has been more than equipped to take on her role as queen within these last few months. Now, it is our duty to tell you both, the eldest blood child of the deceased Queen and King is to take the crown."

With an echo, a fork crashes to the ground.

"How may he claim the throne when he has none of the experience a real king has. Oliver has been absent from this castle for the past 15 years. His own parents stopped looking when they realized he would never come back. He has no idea what goes into the role of a king." Asteria's fists curl into balls in her lap as her voice rises at the thought of her brother holding her power.

"Little sister, have some respect." Oliver leans forward on the dark wooden table, shooting his sister a look, only to be ignored.

"Your highness, he is blood either way." Mrs. Swan's words echoed. "He will be rightfully trained and put through tests to challenge his ability to take the throne. If he fails this, you have every right to take your position back." The lady reasons.

Silence fills the room until Oliver cuts in.

"A lot is going to change, Asteria. This place," he gestures to the castle, "Is going to change. Maybe you'll find your way back to me and assist."

Like hell, if I help you. Even if it means my life.

Asteria suddenly stands from her seat, pushing the wooden chair back with her legs.

"Excuse me." She snaps, walking towards the dining hall door.

"Princess- "

Asteria cuts whichever member of the council talking by slamming the door closed.

She begins to head to her room. Her footsteps heavy against the floor, the echo filling the whole castle. She knows what she must do.

Get her things and find the vault.

Opening the door to her room, she steps inside, knowing exactly what she needs to take with her.

Walking to her wardrobe, she grabs a cloak, throwing it on her bed next to her bag.

Kneeling in the doorway of her wardrobe, she pulls a box out from under her, it holds her essentials that she takes nearly everywhere with her. A canister, a lighter, and spare change. She sweeps the items into her bag that she pulled from her bed.

I'm forgetting something, I'm sure of it.

The necklace.

Her eyes roam her room until she spots it, sitting on her vanity. She walks over and stashes it into her bag.

Hot tears welt in her eyes, one single tear falls down her face immediately being wiped away. She cannot cry now, she has far more important things to do.

She stands in the doorway asking herself if this is even real. It most definitely is, and she is the only one who can fix it.

She stands with her bag and cloak flung across her shoulder, weighing her down a bit. Before closing the door shut, Asteria moves her hand, letting the light from her room vanish, before making her exit.