ILLUSION || Jason Todd

FORTY-EIGHT

❝I PLAY IT COOL❞

FIFTH HARMONY, SLEDGEHAMMER

Lorelei stood with her head held high as she focused on her breathing. Inhale, hold for four counts, exhale, hold for four counts, and repeat. In less than five minutes, the young royal mage will be making her first speech as a royal. Lorelei had always prided herself in being a confident person, someone who rarely - if at all - stuttered or became flushed was much attention.

But she was, in her core, human. Partially, minus the magic, at least. And with that humanised side of her came anxiety.

The inner trembles that didn't quite make the surface yet somehow still rattled within her. Heat rising uncomfortably within her body that brought the trapped atmosphere, along with the need to get out of clothes or anything that was deemed a sensory overload. A sheer line of sweat that would form on her skin as tears threatened to fall with the closing of her throat.

Lorelei understood panic attacks, she wasn't unfamiliar with their dry tastes. It was only natural her nervous system would become alert with the importance of her speech. She couldn't mess up, her life in Centia could forever be tainted if she said the wrong thing.

The plan itself was simple. Archmage would make a short introductory statement of her return before bringing her out to make her own speech. With how short notice the announcement of the announcement - it being decided just yesterday - it was effectively decided that the best move forward would be a live recording of the moment.

There would be no live crowd or watching eyes. Just a camera crew, a microphone, and the staff within the castle. That didn't make things any easier for Lorelei's anxious state. The tape would live longer than Lorelei would, haunting every move she would take if it were to end badly.

It wasn't like there were no crowds, either. She could hear them, outside the castle walls, awaiting their Archmage to make some big announcement. There would be no eyes for her to see but it didn't matter. They would all see her. On every television, every news station, perhaps even the radios would be broadcasting her voice. A crowd wasn't hindered by the glitz and glamour of being a physical body.

Lorelei understood that through her times with social media in Jason's realm. Though her realm was far behind on its technology - one would say it resembled a vintage status - and phones were restricted to landlines and social media was nonexistent, she held no doubt her speech would be forced into physical pressings of maybe types.

The weight of her words not only rested within her reputation but the hands of her Archmage. One wrong move and her plan was ruined.

"You will be perfect." Archmage stated, bringing himself to face his daughter with a hand adjusting her slightly lopsided tiara.

His words pulled the young mage from the focus she held on her breathing, a scoff leaving her lips. "You do not have to coddle me." Lorelei panned, moving away from his reach with a quick glance to the camera crew.

A small, nervous smile was sent to the man behind the camera, though he was not paying attention as his assistant chewed his ear off for a matter not concerning the young mage. He was not close enough to hear, a content thought as she prepared herself for what was to come. She could do this. A little bit of talking and acting like a happy family. She could do this.

"You are nervous, little Screams, just preparing you." He replied, dropping his hands to his sides .

"You would be nervous in my shoes, too." She let out, her head lowering to the grass shifting under the light breeze within the air. A first royal speech was a big deal within the family. The realm held expectations, as did the family. The connotations that piled onto your name afterwards was an unspoken definitive rule.