Crescent Shaped Soul - Amethyst of Deception

Chapter 6: A Shot, A Shock

Maids were bustling around the grand palace in Solaris, everyone preparing something for the parade the Majesty himself hosted, so his peasants could be in awe upon seeing him, to be humbled by his might. Attendance is not voluntary, it is a citizens duty to worship their King. Atleast the sun was shining this time, unlike the past few parades that were held in the rain.

Even if most of them found it utterly ludicrous, a waste of the hard earned taxes they already paid. To them, they were under the rule of a delusional, narcissistic, alcoholic man. Nobody attended his glamorous parades out of free will, but its better than the alternative to pay a fine, too expensive for the average citizen. Everyone understood that, even the princess herself was no fan of those events, yet the only one that didn't want to understand it was the one that held them.

A new dress, like every month, was put on the princess, cause that one time every month, the king was proud of having a daughter, even if she was just to show off his greatness. This time, the new designer dress was a white, extravagant one. Like always, per the king's order. Luna didn't like the style, it reminded her too much of a wedding dress. The lace, the puffy, long skirt, she couldn't deny that part of her feared she'd be married off unannounced.

A disappointed 'tsk' pulled her out of her daydreams, coming from the maid that was zipping up her dress behind her. Tilting her head to the side, the woman looked up at her, "Princess, you need to eat more. The dress is a little loose on you, and the measures were taken a fortnight ago!"

The princess chuckled nervously, and just nodded in response. Glancing at the clock hung in the corner, she had around half an hour till the parade would begin. Hopefully it was just the parade, she thought. Another thought crossed her mind, if this time he would actually be sober? Only time would tell.

A pat on her shoulder was her sign to make her way to the hair stylist. But when Luna looked down, she couldn't even see her feet. With an annoyed huff, she lifted the chiffon skirt in her hands, not with the grace expected of a princess, but it did the job to get herself up the stairs without stepping on the fabric. She couldn't wait for this day to end.

☾

In Neolin, the royals were just as busy, albeit not for the same reason the others were up in the north. The castle was always like a beehive, always buzzing, ever so full of life. Yet a certain someone sat infront of the TV in her office, waiting, expecting.

Her head was turned down to her phone, she couldn't care less about what the news reporter was saying about some new poultry laws and regulations in The Greater Lands Of Nara. All she was waiting for was the news broadcast from the northern state. And, of course, his call.

Before Kalliopa could even notice, the programme swiched, and she found herself looking at the bustling main street of Solaris' capital, Bril. Music was playing, the crowd was cheering, although those likely were sound effects. The king, ever so polished and refined for this day you could think he is a gentleman,  was waving into the crowd with a noble smirk. Next to him was his daughter, who was waiving just as he was, even if a little more apprehensive, perhaps even a hint of annoyance or even apprehension on her face as she kept glancing at her father. Even if he didn't return the gesture.

"That old bastard..." Kalliopa whispered to herself as she took in the princesses dress. She looked beautiful in it, that was without a doubt. But what bothered the pale woman was the dress she wore, so akin to a wedding dress it was ridiculous. And she knew Leonard too well, he did this on purpose.

As the minutes passed and the commentators voice drilled on and on about this monthly spectacles' origin, Kalliopa grew annoyed, her patience wearing thin. The parade would soon be over, and still nothing happened. She was about to pick up her phone and ring him, when-