The Mis-Fits Among the Mis-Fits

Emalyn's POV

"Prince Tiberius Calore VII. Princess Isabela Calore. Prince Maven Calore. Princess Emalyn Calore." We walk onto the stage, side by side, in order of birth. Cal is the oldest at age 16. I'm the youngest at age 13. I look nothing like my siblings. Cal and Maven have black hair and dark eyes. Bela's hair changes color at her will but it's black to match our brothers hair right now. Her eyes change with her emotions. They are an emerald green right now as she was nervous. My hair is bright red. My eyes are a dull grey, brighter than my brothers eyes. Me and Bela are the first daughters born to house Calore since the time of Caesar Calore. We held a competition like Queenstrial but for all four Calore children. This meant that each house had two participants, a male and a female. Our father (King Tiberius Calore VI) and me and Maven's mother, Bela and Cal's step mother (Queen Elara Merandus) chose Cal and Bela's betrothed for they are the eldest children. Me and Maven get to choose. My mother finishes her speech and my father's ends just as soon as it begins. As is tradition with the ceremony, the youngest begins. I step up prepared to ask for my best friends twins hand in marriage, "Lord Thomas," My mouth almost twitches but my many years of training to be the perfect princess prevents my face from moving, "in the eyes of my royal father and the noble court, I would ask for your hand in marriage." I recite the words drilled into my head by my brother Maven, "I pledge myself to you, Thomas Merandus. Do you accept?" I feel my heart rate increase as a small silver blush creeps up my face. My mother had told me a silver does not marry for love, they marry for the benefit of the house but I can't help but feel a strange emotion as I await his response. "I pledge myself to you Emalyn Calore. I accept." I knew exactly what he was going to say but I release a breath I didn't know I was holding anyway. I step away and return to the line. Next, my brother Maven asks for Aya Merandus's (my best friend) hand in marriage. After she accepts, my sister Bela asks for Jacob Iral's hand in marriage. Each of us said the same words simply interchanging the names. When it got to Cal's turn he had a fancier speech but the meaning was the same. He asked Evangeline Samos for her hand in marriage. I never liked the house Samos. They're always so stuck up. "I accept." Even those words sounded so boastful. I scowl in distaste at mother and father's choice. If it weren't for the silent stone head band I wear at all times, I'm sure the room would be scalding hot. I think Maven notices my scowl as he brushes his hand lightly against mine. I immediately return my scowl to a blank expression as Lady Blonos told me to do. I am snatched from my thoughts as my mother gives her closing speech and "invites" each of the houses to the banquet celebrating our betrothals. She instructs our betrothed to meet us in the hall behind the stage. As soon as we're out of sight, I quickly take off my headband and all my pent up heat makes even mother flinch. I see Jacob, Tom, Aya, and Evangeline walking towards us and I quickly place the headband back on my head. "Why are you always wearing that headband Emma?" Aya asks, knitting her brows together in frustration. "You." I respond blandly. The house Merandus and their ability to get in my head always scared me and at a young age I began wearing a headband made of silent stone as my close cousin Aya began visiting more and more often. We quickly became best friends. My overwhelming fear of whispers was not the only reason I wear my headband. Sometimes in the royal court, I lose my cool but the silent stone lets me hide the overwhelming heat that radiates from me when upset. Each of the Calore children moved to stand beside their betrothed and, I noticed, Tom, Maven and I all blushed as we stood beside each other. Tom's hand lightly brushed against mine as we walked and my blush deepened. My mother was explaining something but I hadn't been listening. I suppose I'll ask Tom later. Assuming he's listening. "Due to Queenstrial you were exempt from lessons for the last week or so but tomorrow lessons will resume. You shall return to your rooms now in order to prepare for the banquet. Evangeline, Thomas, Aya, and Jacob, you will be escorted to your new rooms in the royal wing." Mother quickly dismissed the others but pulled me and Maven away to speak with us, "Did you choose a dress Emalyn?" I sighed not wanting to explain it again, "Yes, mother. It is a simple black dress with ruby and silent stone embroidered into the silk." Maven looks at me with curiosity before asking quietly, "Why silent stone? Doesn't it hurt you?" I looked down and murmured, "I've been wearing it since I was 6. I'm used to it. I, I'm going to go get ready. I will see you at the banquet." I quickly walked to my room to prepare. I heard mother and Maven speaking as I walked away but I didn't bother to listen. As soon as I enter, my red servants help me into my dress and I ask for a Skonos skin healer to remove the bags from under my eyes. I had makeup to cover them before but it wears away too easily. I hear a knock on my door and invite whoever was outside into my room. Aya walks in and watches as Sara Skonos removes my bags. As soon as Sara leaves I begin doing my own hair. I've never allowed others to do my hair. I pulled my red hair into a lazy braid as Aya watched seemingly waiting to speak. I sighed, "What do you need?" She shakes her head before responding, "I was hoping since you didn't have your headband on I could see what was in your mind.' I scoff, "Of course you would want to get in my head. I'm surprised you didn't immediately notice the silent stone on my dress." My dress had a simple black silk base with flames made of ruby along the bottom and intricate silent stone patterns leading up, almost like smoke. Aya's dress was the navy blue of house Merandus with pearl patterns from the bottom all the way up to her waist. "Your dress looks wonderful. Did your reds make it?" Aya shook her head, "Partially. I helped with the dress itself and they made the pearl patterns." I chuckle at Aya's kindness. "You know they're there to do whatever you need them to." Aya scowls at me in distaste. "We should go. We need to get Bela and go to the banquet."

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Hello~ There will be an authors note at the end of each chapter from the author. Emalyn's story will be written by me, Sare. Yes, I use an alias. I'll try to keep each of my author's notes short. Just so you know, I'll try to update on Wednesdays, but that will start next week. Well, see ya next time~