Cruel Star

Chapter 6- Tedious Ceremony

After learning our points yesterday, we were told to go to the classroom first thing the next morning. It was annoying, but I made sure that I was one of the first people there, seeing as I still wanted to make a good impression.

We started filing into the room, with Thalia and Julian arguing about something, while Alec and Chris watched. Iris was talking about her siblings to a not-very-interested Demi, Kyra was playing rock-paper-scissors with Katherine and Iason simultaneously, and Kora and Robin were quietly discussing something. When we were all eventually gathered in the room, Andreas arrived and stood at the front.

"Good morning, Children of Aster. Today's lesson will be short, as I just want to go over a few things."

When are we going to have an actual proper lesson then?

"Tomorrow will be the day when you are presented to the palace. There will be a ceremony in the throne room, and it will be the first time you are officially seen as Children of Aster. It will be an important day for you, as well as for our kingdom."

Tomorrow? Why didn't they tell us earlier? Why on such short notice? Things like this were quickly starting to become annoying.

"You won't have to do much at the actual event, as you'll only have to go up when they call your name, utter a few words, and sit back down afterward."

Suddenly, Thalia raised her hand again, I'm guessing with another question.

Andreas sighed. "What is it, Miss Demo?"

"Will our families be in attendance?" she asked, resting her hands on the desk.

Andreas nodded in response. "Yes, those of you from Altair will have your families attend, but those from the other cities will not, as it's on such short notice."

Thalia nodded. "Thank you for answering my question."

"Moving on, all your personal servants have been tasked with preparing your outfits for tomorrow, and you'll all be dressed in similar attire," he went on, looking like he just wanted to leave. "The ceremony will only be approximately an hour, and as well as your families being in attendance, the king's court will be as well. It'll be the first time that most of them will see you."

It looks like I'll have to make a good impression again, and looking at everyone else, I could see that they were thinking the same.

"Another event that will be taking place is a ball in two months, to celebrate all of your birthdays."

I had almost forgotten that we all had the same birthday. Not to mention that it seemed like it was going to be a big deal. All my previous birthdays were celebrated with a bit of extra food on my plate, and before I knew I was a Child of Aster, the upcoming one was going to be celebrated with me becoming a slave.

"As it's your first birthday at the palace, it will be a big event, even bigger than the ceremony. Foreign lords and ladies will be in attendance, and the ball will be very important to the royal family. You are to be on your best behaviour." He stared us all down as he said this. I wonder what would happen if we messed around.

Andreas picked up some papers that he had found on the desk and sorted through them. "Now, moving on, I have papers for all of you. This is to help you understand your magic better. You cannot look at anyone else's. If you're caught looking, you will be punished."

He then got up and proceeded to hand out the pieces of paper.

When he dropped mine on my desk, I reached forward and studied it.

My name was at the top, and the date was from four days ago. From when I first arrived. Underneath my name, there was a heading titled "Power." I sucked in a breath and looked at what was written.