The Red Continent

Chapter 4

Corella sat on the edge western peninsula of Elisa, surrounded by the Frozen Ocean to the north and the Silver Sea to its south. The entire eastern border of the temperate country was shared with Terras, with whom they also share a tumultuous history. Imperial rivals for much of their histories the countries fought constantly for hundreds of years until the rise of Karak and Eiben in the centuries prior to unification. The rising powers' aggressive expansion doctrine's forced the rivals to band together to preserve the balance of power on the continent. Corella and Terras fought as allies during the Red war and that allegiance has endured in the century since. But on the Red Continent, your allegiances are only as strong as your ambition.

The sun had just begun to crest over the Carnelian Mountains as Alexia was finishing her morning run. The ten mile trek she began every morning well before dawn would take her across much of the 2,100 acre gated preserve surrounding the imperial palace of Adelina's Mount. Constructed 500 years ago by Queen Adelina Varela, the grand imperial palace sat nestled on the highest point of the preserve on the west bank of the Pence River with views of the mountains to the east and Pence to the south.

The final stretch of Alexia's run was her favorite part, as the sun peaked over the mountains, reflecting on the river as the morning fog pillowing just above the water. In a life filled with turbulence that seemed to find her even when she wasn't looking, it was these few moments she stole every morning when she found peace.

Penelope's coming of age ceremony was just 24 hours away and the palace was buzzing with final preparations. These ceremonies or more accurately the receptions that followed the ceremonies had become a form of competition among the sovereign houses with each successive celebration trying to top the one that came before. Christian was not one to be outdone so no expense was spared for Penelope's day. As the grand ballroom of Adelina's Mount was too small to accommodate the estimated 3,000 guests expected to attend, the reception would be held on the south lawn under a pavilion constructed just for this occasion. The pavilion was already adorned with over 5,000 white, cream and pink roses and the artist flown in from all over Elisia were putting the finishing touches on their paintings etched along the eves of the pavilion. For the past week all the kitchens of the palace worked around the clock to prep for the event. 8,000 lobster tails, 4,000 pounds of beef filet, and 5,000 pheasants had been delivered for the occasion and that was only a small portion of the menu.

As Alexia passed the pavilion on her way to the palace she spotted Christian and Penelope inspecting the preparations. Penelope hadn't conversed with her beyond a grunt in two weeks so she decided to go over and pretend to be interested in the party preparations.

"Wow," Alexia said upon entering the pavilion. "This is going to blow away Sofia Gramonts reception."

Penelope didn't acknowledge Alexia and stuck her nose up with a huff.

"It better for what it's costing," Christian said.

"Will all the sovereign houses be in attendance," Alexia asked as she admired the roses.

"They will," Christian said. "If we're lucky Penelope will receive multiple offers by the end of the evening."

"She's 18 Christian, nobody gets engaged at 18 anymore," Alexia said.

"If they receive a preferable offer they do," Christian pointed out. "Chloe Laurent entered an engagement to Fredrick Croy on the night of her ceremony 6 months ago."

"And how did that work out for her?" Alexia sneered.

"Mind your business Alexia," Penelope said, briskly turning her back on her sister. "So Christian...will all the available princes will be here?"