Selene

16| Unknown [UNEDITED]

Unknown person's age: Nineteen

"Helen should be our first target," I said. "Because that is Selene's weakest point."

Aria lowered her head. "...Weak point? Selene Yami doesn't have one."

"You must understand you were associated with the wrong people! Your father and hers had horrible relations; your ally, Hikari, was her biggest enemy. But Helen Hikari is someone else."

"You'll see today." Aria looked up at the grand platform. "I do miss The Hooded Girl. She halted her visits suddenly." Aria sighed. "We're done for."

Trumpets were blown, announcing the arrival of the Crown Princess.

"A very good evening to all of you present here." A silky voice rang in the citizens' ears. "I, Selene Yami, greet all my subjects." She bowed.

Selene hadn't brought any soldiers or her Lady-in-Waiting or the maids.

Vulnerable, she seemed. A monster, she was.

Her face radiated authority. She smiled, and I could swear I saw Eric Yami there for a moment.

"Thank you all," she continued, "for attending my Birthday – and my Coming-of-age ceremony. From now on, I am eligible to be crowned and rule over this peaceful land."

I disliked the way she said 'peaceful'. Aria blinked several times – perhaps contemplating the same.

"Why is she up there?" Aria asked, trembling. "No, no... I think it's Hel—"

"But it is not only my birthday." Selene extended her hand towards the entrance on the stage. "My sweet little sister was born today as well."

Sweet little sister?

Aria's jaw dropped. "Who was The Hooded Girl, then? Maybe it was intentional..."

I didn't understand a word Aria was saying, I didn't even know what went on in that head of hers. I was her follower and I would ensure our beautiful Princess' singing skills weren't wasted.

Helen Hikari stepped into the light. Her green eyes were gleaming, her brown hair was tied into an elegant braid decorated with jewels.

Protected all their lives, the Princesses would be easy to bring down.

The Kingdom hadn't even seen a funeral for the late Empress and Grand Empress.

But here were the Princesses, celebrating their birthday.

This had led to an uproar. Half the crowd had yelled in anger, for they were Hikari's previous inhabitants and didn't want the Yami family to rule over them. The other half, of course, submitted themselves to Selene, happy about there being no ceremonial ceremony for Hikari's previous Empress.

Therefore, the Revolution, now not under The Hooded Girl, wasn't going well since no sparks had been lighted among the people. The Revolution was falling apart, and with Selene's official entrance in the High Society, the people of Yami didn't have a reason to rebel anymore – for they were 'moral'. Only Hikari and Uta would rebel, perhaps even Kirai if the Emperor won in War... or so it was hoped.

In these situations, Selene should have done something to please both sides. Perhaps having the burial after coming to power officially.

But Selene had no interest in the people of Hikari or Uta. She didn't even grace them with a look.

However, her smile towards Helen was angelic and warm – affectionate even – and people knew just who Selene favored, just who they were to strike.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Selene knew about the Revolution. It would be guaranteed to reach the ears of the Emperor if that was the case.

But, of course, the people were wary of the Emperor's mad assassin. That person's gender, location and skills were unknown. But he – or she – had conquered Uta and Hikari overnight.

Aria claimed that Selene herself did that. But with no witnesses, because they were all dead, Aria's words were ignored.

If the Imperial Crown Princess truly knew about the Revolution, she didn't act against it.

As if she wanted the Revolution to happen.

What a chilling thought.

The Royals were known to be kind and generous, but Eric Yami had twisted the word 'manipulating' into 'good-natured'. That was what made him superior and qualified enough to be the Emperor. The people knew this, and yet they prepared to rebel. Because the Emperor was in War; because the current Crown Princess wasn't good at Magic. Selene Yami. An imperfect candidate for the throne of Yami – or so it was thought once upon a time. They were underestimating the girl. After all, that blood-stained seat her father sat on was made just for her.