The Ruler's Rift

To Change or Not to Change

"Yes, it's fine, you can bring your people here," Celeste assured Excuptero with a yawn. She slouched on her throne, watching the sun set.

"The whole of Leafleff will be at the gala, I promise you that!" Excuptero exclaimed with a little hop.

"Yay..."

"What a wonderful outcome! Oh, thank you, your majesty! This is second only to hosting the gala on Leafleff itself!"

"Yay."

She watched the skittish god scramble out of the throne room, but she only exhaled once he was gone - when the doors shut after him, breath flew out.

Celeste jolted when they flung open again. Her heart ran through her ribs, but it settled at the sight of Amber. Again, the queen sighed in relief. "What are you doing here? I thought you took the day off?"

The Frostylian reached the throne. She smiled up at her niece and declared, "I did. This is personal."

"Oooh," Celeste trilled. She leaned down and rested her chin upon her hand. "Got some juicy gossip for me?"

"No, not this time," Amber laughed. "I want you to remove the enchantment."

Celeste's deviousness melted. "Oh..." She hummed and left her seat. "Thank you." With a few steps, she reached her aunt. When the demon offered her hand, Amber's composure faltered. She hesitated, but placed the back of her hand in Celeste's palm.

"Relax, it'll be quick," Celeste assured as she raised her free hand, fingers outstretched, over Amber's.

Amber winced. "Will it hurt? I can take it, I just want to know."

"Not at all."

Warm light shimmered from Celeste's eyes and hand. The pink, blue, and purple hues mingled. Then, matching energy streaked through Amber's veins, down her wrist then to her palm, and lifted out of her hand in a cloud of particles.

Energy faded, and Celeste released Amber's hand. "Done," the sorceress said.

Breathing fast, Amber hugged her niece. Celeste returned the gesture, squeezing the assassin tight. "I'm so sorry I ever did that to you," she whimpered. "You were right to take me down at Chestorran..."

"It's okay, Celeste, just keep improving yourself." Amber pulled away with a smile.

"Heh, like you are?"

"Like I'm trying to." Even as Amber said that, she grinned. She truly wasn't who Celeste remembered from all those years ago, and each day, she felt the pain less. Was forgiveness budding?

Vengeance and hatred had grown old, withered. More than anything, Celeste wanted only to make peace with this woman. "We aren't so different," the empress whispered. "We're tormented by her. We're compared to her. I know that you acted out of necessity...I just..."

"I understand, Celeste."

The queen paused. "Me too."

In the awkwardness of healing, in the ugliness of their scab, they were silent. Finally, the two parted ways for the evening; Celeste was determined to give her aunt the full day off and not bother her. Nova intercepted Celeste on her way to her quarters, informing the queen of the recent updates for the gala. Apparently, the tents were complete and decorations were being placed on the planet's stunning, white trees. Nova boasted that the reinforced safes now had airtight doors to keep the riches from rusting, a detail that Celeste rolled her eyes at.

When she managed to shake the fox off, Celeste retreated to her personal quarters and attempted to read the tome about dragons. Her thoughts drifted off, however. Amber had changed, but Celeste wasn't sure if she would.

Among her turbulent brain lurked another scornful thought. Even if some had the capacity to change, the masses did not. The Gala of the Promised was intended for both her and her subjects, but she knew it was only for them. They would be collectively ungrateful. People always were.

For her whole life, misanthropy throttled Celeste. Maybe, Amber started to change that.