Unmarked

Chapter 37

Lavina stood on her pedestal while the seamstress tended to her dress. The palace was all decorated and was waiting for the time that they would see Amilia crowned queen of Catalin. The palace was all decorated, with its vast amount of colors.

"There we are, your majesty." The seamstress said, brushing off her dress.

"This really is a toned-down dress, huh?"

"It is, I can say that Princess Amilia has definitely returned. Do try not to mess with your dress, yes your majesty?"

Lavina laughed, "I don't think I'll have a problem." The seamstress left the room, leaving Lavina alone by herself. She looked at the mirror, turning side to side, looking at the attire she was in. The dress had no ruffles, it didn't include a hoop, and her shoes were not as high as they typically would be. No gloves or insane amount of jewelry either. Lavina heard a knock on the door and turned around. The door opened slowly and Leo came right in. He shut the door behind him and then walked towards her.

"Wow, look at you." He put a tiara on her head.

"Oh did mom pick this out too?" She rolled her eyes.

"Oh what's the matter?"

"You see this dress? It's her coronation! She should go all out for it, impress the other kingdoms, show off her femanine side a bit."

Leo laughed. He walked across the room and sat in the chair, he patted his lap. Lavina walked over to him and sat down on his lap. He grabbed a hairbrush and started brushing her hair. "Why do you keep your hair so long, hm?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, from what I can remember, you've never actually cut your hair before, right?"

"I mean, I get a trim every now and again-"

"But you don't cut it." He grabbed her hair in his fist, right behind her neck.

"I guess, because mom always had it long."

"Not always."

"Well, no, but of the pictures I have seen..."

"Yes, well, are you going to cut your hair now that she's back?"

"I- no, I suppose not."

"Amilia has always been kind of a tomboy. And as you well know, she didn't grow up as a fancy princess like yourself. She had it harder, orphaned until she was fourteen. Not to mention the whole suddenly Marked thing."

"I know. I guess, I just expected a more frilly, girly, ceremony. I thought maybe grandma might have intervened."

"Oh, she tried. She did. But Amilia can be quite stubborn and single minded."

"Yeah, you're right. But then, whose tiara is this?"

"It's yours."

"Uncle Leo, I don't have a tiara of my own."

"Now you do. I made this one special for you."

"Made?"

"Yes, I spent quite some time with your father at his smithing shop. It's quite a hard job he has."

"Oh most certainly." Lavina stood up off of his lap and then he stood up himself. He fixed her tiara on her head. Then turned around when there was a knock on the door. It was one of Leo's advisers.

"Is it that time, already?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Well, dear princess, may I lead you to the ballroom?"

"Nothing would make me happier, Uncle Leo." She grabbed onto his arm and they left the room. They entered the ballroom and walked through the crowd. Leo let go of her and motioned his head.

"Go have fun." He winked at her. Lavina smiled at him and then ran off through the crowd. The first one she found was Anghi, dressed up in a nice outfit.

"Wow, look at you." She said, blushing.

"Yo- you look great too." He said, putting his hand on his neck. "You've even got a tiara."

"Huh? Oh yeah! I nearly forgot about that little thing." They laughed together. "Hey, I'm going to go find Ophelia, yeah?"

"Oh, alright. I mide as well wait here, I'll get too dizzy in this crowd."

She laughed, "Oh alright." Lavina combed through the crowd, but couldn't find her.

"Look at our little princess!" Cristel said, coming up to her. Her grandparents engulfed her in a hug.

"Hi, grandma, grandpa."

"Honey, what are you doing?"

"I was trying to find Ophelia. I wanted to see what she decided to wear." She paused. "But I can't find her."

"Huh," Yxeyhzfkx said allowed. He looked at Cristel.

"Yes, your right, Yxeyhzfkx, we haven't seen her yet."

"What? You didn't take her to her fitting room?"

"No, she never even left a dress to be fitted in. I suppose she might have wanted to put it on herself, but she is still only ten years old. It's hard to put on those fancy dresses when you're so small and young."

"Oh, well, I guess I'll just have to go find her."

"Before you go, Lavina," Cristel turned her around. "You look so much like your mother in that dress." She put her hand to her cheek. Lavina smiled and then turned away and ran off. She checked everywhere and everyone. And then she stopped and looked up at the thrones. Lavina had forgotten about the little hallways that led up to the thrones. So Lavina climbed the steps and checked in the right alcove. Then she made her way over to the left one. She heard some whispering and went a little into the hall. She saw a light around the corner of the hall and quietly made her way to the corner. When she snuck a quick peak around, she saw Unora and Amilia in the hallway.

"What the-" She whispered. Lavina tried to stay quiet and listen in on their conversation.

"Because Amilia, that's what needs to happen."

"But Unora-"

"No. You will do as I tell you, understood?"

"Yes, mother." She heard the pitter patter of heels coming towards her and she herself ran silently back down the hall. She ran back down the stairs and then they both came out of the hallway. Amilia smiled and waved as Unora descended the stairs. Lavina waved at her and she came to her side.

"Where have you been?"

"Oh, I just got caught up in that spell. It's a hard one, you know."

"Yeah, right." Lavina hesitantly smiled as the trumpets blared.