The Ruler's Rift

Replacement

Impulsivity had always haunted Celeste. Therefore, it wasn't surprising that she sobbed when she reflected on the gala's demise.

She truly intended only to scare the guests of the gala. But she became drunk on the dragon's power and, no different from her sadistic mother, she rained retribution on the masses. For far too long, Celeste hibernated in her indecisiveness. She wanted to be above all the unsavory hatred, but she also wanted revenge. She hated her subjects, yet loved them.

Amidst her burgeoning panic was when the annoying click echoed - Celeste huffed and turned to the direction of the door. "Nova," she growled. "What do you want?"

"Sorry, I," Nova started. "Your majesty, we need to discuss the, er, elephant in the room if you will?" The fox clung to the door frame of the royal office like a vampire awaiting an invitation.

"The only elephant in the room is you," Celeste snapped. "Can't you leave me be?"

"You need a new advisor, my queen." Nova stepped inside at last, softly closing the door.

"No," Celeste said.

"No?"

"No one will replace Amber. You don't know what she meant to me."

In the aching silence, Celeste could nearly hear each of their hearts beat. Finally, after her tail swished, Nova replied, "I don't. I thought you hated her, actually. But, it would be my highest honor to take up the position. I can do better for you! To serve the Xavierras family is all I want..."

Celeste slammed her hand on the desk. She felt every groove of wood dig into her skin. "No," she repeated.

"With all due respect, your majesty," Nova argued, "the letters about the dragon attack are exceeding all records. You've never been contacted this much. You need an advisor and no one is more fit for the job than myself."

Any good point would be smothered by any bad emotion. Celeste approached Nova, each step creaking wood. "You want to be my advisor? Even if I don't want you to be? Even if I think you'd make a better towel than assistant?" She snarled.

"Then I'll make you the finest coat of my fur," Nova challenged. "Be as cruel to me as you'd like. I always expected as much from your mother, and I'll accept as much from you."

The mention of Violet only served to heighten the demon's anger. Maybe she would take Nova as her right hand - for the same reason she gave Amber the role so long ago. "Tch. Consider yourself hired, then."

"Ah, your majesty," Nova sighed, "you won't regret it."

The demon scoffed and said, "but you will." She narrowed her eyes. "Organize the letters by galaxy. Keep the people calm for now."

"Right away," Nova hummed. Her tail brushed Celeste's ankles as she went to the doorway. "Oh, but don't you think everyone is overreacting a little? The fact you slept through the attack should say enough, haha! Wouldn't you agree, your majesty?"

Celeste paused. Slept through it - right. "I don't care, Nova."