Cost of the Crown (UNREVISED VERSION)

Glass

One day before the coronation and Madara is busier then usual. The Duke and the Duchess arrived on Madaran territory and were welcomed warmly by the people.

"Your people are really nice, Sandra." Livette complimented as they rode to the castle.

"They're my family. Where do you think I got my benevolence?" Sandra told her.

"Uhuh... I noticed..." Henry rolled his eyes as sarcasm was present in his tone.

Not long, they arrived at the majestic palace of Madara. It was full of sunflowers and bright yellow flags. It did not look as harsh as the couple envisioned it to be.

Sandra got off the carriage first then stretched her arms. "Ah! My wonderful home, your dearest is back from her ten year exile."

The three of them went into the castle and Sandra was greeted by the king, the queen Sir Howard who was wearing quite flamboyant clothing that contrasted his everyday armor.

"Ah, Sandra Cassiopeia. Wonderful of you to visit... After ten years was it?" The king greeted.

"My sweet Pia, I missed you so." The queen smiled.

"It's nice to see you again, father..." Sandra curtseyed. "My quest is far from done, but I found these two while I was going back here."

"Who are they?" The queen asked.

"Mother, first, you reek of alcohol and smoke. Second, they are the duke and duchess of the Orient." Sandra introduced.

Howard glared at the couple then pointed his sword at them. "Why should we trust such people of high ranking from the east?"

"Calm yourself, Sir Howard. I found these two in the dungeon, they are much like menaces in their kingdom." Sandra explained.

"Very well... Before we continue this, Sandra, please change your appearance. You look just like your mother." The king told Sandra.

"Oh, she does look just like me, I am so proud." The queen clapped.

"Do I look much like a prostitute?" Sandra laughed.

"You mean brat!" The queen glared at Sandra's smug face.

Sandra closed her eyes then took a deep breath. She transformed back to her normal self. From her raven hair that reached her collar bone, to her black heels with yellow lace.

"Ah, that's better." Sandra sighed.

"With all that out of the way, why won't your acquaintances do us some good?" The king said as he ushered the duke and the duchess to the dining area.

Sandra was left in the throne room as she looked on the set of thrones. There were four thrones, for the king, the queen, Prince Eric and Princess Sarah.

"Tch... I was just away for ten years then I suddenly am forgotten. How pathetic can all of you be... I am the heiress to this throne and I shall rightfully govern." Sandra told herself as she approached the throne.

"Is that you, sister dear?" Sarah asked as she hugged her porcelain doll.

Sandra looked at Sarah with a menacing look as she felt uneasy.

"Is that how you greet your sister who you left when she was born?" Sarah raised a brow at her sister as she went closer.

"Sarah, it has been ten years..." Sandra smirked. "I missed you."

"Don't even, sister dear. I can see right through you. Just like glass, so transparent." Sarah smiled sinisterly at her doll.

"You're abilities are growing. How proud I am." Sandra's yellow eyes gleamed.

"How thoughtful of you to notice... Oh wait, I am looking at a mirror! A glass mirror." Sarah mocked.

"I now regret even going back here." Sandra told Sarah.

"If it weren't for Eric, I (you) won't even be here." Sandra and Sarah said in chorus.

"At least we agreed on something." Sandra felt relieved.

"Eric might be older, but he is naive and his heart is too big for him." Sarah shared.

"So you act oh so innocent and benevolent around him." Sandra raised a brow.

"Glad you noticed, again, I am talking to glass." Sarah laughed.

Sandra was pissed off with her younger sister's mockery. She turned her back on her sister then walked away.

"I don't think so..." Sarah snapped. Sandra stopped on her tracks much like she was paralyzed, she then slowly sled closer to Sarah.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Sandra yelled.

"I just wanted to make sure that you won't tell Eric about my true colours." Sarah threatened Sandra as her yellow eyes glowed.

"What good would I get if I told our benevolent brother?" Sandra refuted.

"Nothing."

"Exactly."

Sarah glared at her sister then she snapped. Sandra gasped for air as her little sister walked towards the courtyard.

"That little..." Sandra mumbled.

Sandra dusted her gown while going towards the courtyard. In the courtyard, the warriors were training and on the side were Hans and Eric.

"Another day, another taste of victory for me." Hans cockily told Eric.

"Ha! I don't think so." Eric laughed.

Just as they were going to attack each other, they saw Sandra on the corner of their eyes.

"Andreia!" Eric called.

Both Eric and Hans stopped what they were doing then Eric ran towards his sister to give her a big hug.

"It has been ten years!" Eric told her. "Last time I heard from you was through paper!"

Sandra smiled at her brother. She truly missed him and was really happy to see him again.

"Good thing you remembered me." Sandra chuckled.

"Good day, Princess Sandra Cassiopeia..." Hans bowed.

"Andreia, when you were gone, I became stronger and I got the chance to spar with people!" Eric was full of bliss and innocence that Sandra knew she would never have.

"Wait, wait, wait. Where did she get the name Andreia?" Sarah looked at her brother confused.

"Sandra Cassiopeia. Andreia. Sinple as that, Sarah, dear." Eric patted his sister's head. "Besides, that was her pen name."

Sarah rolled her eyes at the two siblings then she mumbled to her doll, "Only you can truly understand me... No?"

"Why not go back to sparring and I'll be watching you?" Sandra told her brother.

Eric nodded then they continued with their training. While Sandra was watching, she heard a constant mockery in her head.

"You are nothing but glass. Fragile glass. You are transparent and obvious, everyone can see through you."

Sandra shook her head praying that she will never hear the constant reminder again. As for Livette and Henry, they just made a deal with the devil.

"Are you sure that you want to side with us just to get your hands on the throne of the Orient?" The queen asked as she smoked.

"Positive." Henry insisted.

"Then I must ask you to take a vow of secrecy." The king told them as he sled a contract to them.

"Deal." Livette signed the contract without reading it again. Same with Henry. They both were enslaved under the throne of Madara.

The lights flickered then the king and the queen were gone into smoke. Their illusions came knocking into the couple's heads, much like their conscience.