Ascending

Chapter Fifteen

My desktop protests though lagging as I open yet another tab on my screen

"Latinx customs," I murmur typing the words into the search bar.

Millions of links, web pages, and images pop up instantly. I prepare myself for the inevitable headache I will receive from scouring the worldwide database for Latinx holiday customs.

There has been unrest in the regions by the equator, again. We had enough trouble with the Canal region in June.

My mother proposed the idea that the Elders, John, and I should go to the regions of unrest and announce our engagement there. While will lead to a party at least three days long.

While we give the people a reason to celebrate they will be distracted, giving us time to send out members of the Guard to dismantle the organization attempting to upset the peace and arrest the instigators.

Just as I'm copying down a list of traditional foods to pin to my corkboard a red and blue colored box pops up at the bottom right side of my screen.

The official seal of Legibus is displayed in the middle of the box as I select it. Expanding into a page there is an official royal document. There is a short paragraph written on the top half of the page along with the insignia of each of the Elders. The seal is below their names and a small message declaring the page one hundred percent authentic.

My eyes flit over the message before my brows furrow and I read it more closely.

"A summons," I hear myself mutter. "What in the world?"

As I reach down to my feet to pull my coral pumps back on the door to my study opens revealing Kennedy.

They stand with their hand on the knob looking at me. "Emmalyne- I mean Princess, you've been-"

"Summoned," I finish. "Yeah, I saw."

"What does it mean?" Kennedy questions.

"I have no idea," I reply, adjusting my white shawl made of tulle and embroidered with flowers over my grey bodycon dress.

As I open the door from my chamber to the corridor I see Bobby poking his head out of his own door, looking confused.

Today is his last day in the palace, but that doesn't stop rage from boiling in the pit of my stomach the moment I lay eyes on him.

As I step out in the hall my lips pull to a frown I study his face. His eye is no longer purple but it's still red and slightly swollen.

"Tattled on me, did you?" I sneer. My arms cross my chest as I jut my hip out and glare at him. "Gone and cried to Grandfather?"

Before he can retort the door to David's chamber swings open. Stopping us both short. David walks out into the hall smoothing his hair in a boyish manner.

He looks up to see my and Bobby glaring at each other from ten feet away and give a small laugh. "You guys were summoned too?"

That kills my accusation of Bobby alerting the Elders of my violent expression of my opinion towards his actions.

Not soon after Juilet's door opens. She steps out into a hall wearing a pastel orange dress with golden jewelry glittering from her wrists and neck. The skirt on the dress could qualify as a ball gown and she must be wearing heels because her steps are clicking.

Seeing our gaping expression Juliet lets out a huff of laughter as she moves her bangs out of her eyes.

"I was having a fitting," She explains. "It had just finished when I received the summons. I thought it was best not to keep them waiting and take the time to change."