5: Darken Star

1: Missing Family

"Are you sure i am ready Mother?" i asked her as our royal seamstress Carlisle Bellissimo fitted me in a tight, red ball gown with flowing sleeves and an embroidered bodice. 

"I have told you a million times dear, you're ready." she sat, drinking some tea. 

"you know, your mother is rarely wrong about these things." Carlisle pilled my corset top tight. "tomorrow you will be crowned queen. and i must say, you will be the most beautiful."

"Thanks, Uncle Carlisle," i said as i looked into the floor-length mirror, he was right, i did look beautiful. i turned to face him, "not as beautiful as Mother though."

mother stood and walked over to me, turning me to look in the mirror. "never compare your beauty to another. because in my eyes you are the most beautiful person here." 

"now that's just rude." Carlisle picked up the sides of his bright blue dress and did a twirl. "i thought i was to most beautiful person here."

mother and i both began to laugh, Carlisle joining in.

"dads not here yet." i paused, looking at my mother. "i thought he was going to be here sooner."

"i honestly do not know where he is right now." mother looked at Carlisle with worry in her eye. "i tried to contact him in the flames last night but it wouldn't work, im hoping he is just on his way with no access to fire."

"i am sure he is." i smiled, trying to reassure her but knowing i was failing at it.

"no frowns in my temporary studio." Carlisle clapped his hands in our faces. "James is on his way, and everything will be perfect for tomorrow."

i sighed, knowing in my heart that something was wrong. mother looked more worried than i have seen her in the longest time. the last i had seen her worried like this was when i around four, but i remember very little of that time.

"okay, its time we go meet with your uncle Alexander." Mother snapped out of her sadness. "get changed and meet me in his study, okay dear?" she kissed the top of my head and left the room.

"you heard to lady." Carlisle pushed me to the changing room. "you have a tight schedule these next couple of days."

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i walked down the hall after getting changed. looking around as i walked, i remembered how this palace was once was my home as a child. the familiar tapestries and paintings lining the halls, light shining through the large pitcher windows. 

i stopped at the simple wooden door.

"im scared there is something wrong." mothers voice spoke on the other side of the door. "Alana and Thorne have not arrived yet either."

"your worried over nothing sister." i heard my uncle speak. "they are probably on their way."

"You know damn well that i tired seeing through the water, the fire and even the starts to see them." mother sounded almost desperate. "i even tried looking into the future, there is nothing Alexander."

"that is worrying." he paused. "Astraea, i know you are out there, just come in."

i pushed the door open slowly. "im sorry, i didn't mean to listen in. i just, overheard and couldn't help...."

"its fine." my uncle put his hand to his head, rubbing his temples as he sat at his desk. "please sit."

i sat in a chair next to my mother. "what is going on?" i asked the two of them.

"we dont know." mother placed a hand on my arm. "but we have to go on with this coronation."

"why?" i stood. "we should be looking for them!" i looked at both of them, "both of your spoused are missing, you you both want to go on with this? we cant!"

"Astraea, please sit and listen." i did as she said. "there are some who would take advantage of the situation if word got out. we have to go through with this, or all i have worked for may be lost."

"mother, i..." i paused and thought. "i will do it. but after, we have to look for them."

"we will dear." mother tried to hide her worry. "no one messes with the Great Dragon." she looked at me. "go get some rest dear, tomorrow is a big day." 

i nodded, standing from my seat and walking to the door. i paused and turned back to my mother, "your not going to disappear on me, are you mother?"

 "of course not dear." mother smiled to me. "get some rest my sweet."

i left the room, closing the door behind me. 

"so, whats going on?" i nearly jumped when my twin showed up behind me. 

"goodness Alex." i turned as glared at my brother. "you scared me."

"are you going to answer?" he crossed his arms.

"i will." i looked at the closed door. "but not here."

i grabbed his arm and drug him with me to my room down the hall. 

we entered and closed the door behind us. 

"what is happening?" he looked worried.

"Uncle Thorne, aunt Alana and father are missing." i told my brother as i sat on my bed. "something big is going on and even mother and uncle Alexander are worried."

"then why are they not doing anything?" he started to sound mad.

"because they are worried that someone may take advantage of the situation." i told him. 

he looked at me, worried again. "what does that mean?"

"i think there are some who are waiting for mother to fail." i said as he sat next to me. "there's something that they are not telling us."

"mother could never fail though, right?" Alex started to fiddle with his hands. "shes the Great Dragon, shes all powerful."

"is she though?" i asked without realizing it. 

"what is that supposed to mean?" Alex looked back at me. 

i sighed. "remember when she came home with Alfie? she looked so broken, and the screams at night, years after the fact. even now she will wake up screaming at times."

"when did you have the chance to notice all of that?" Alex asked. 

"because i pay attention." i said. "there are things that even she is scared of."

"maybe so." he stood from his seat. "but tomorrow you are to be crowned queen. we both need some rest."

he walked to the door. "goodnight brother."

"goodnight sister." with that he was gone. 

i walked over to my window, looking out at the courtyard. even this late at night i could see some guests arriving for tomorrow.