Elite (on hold)

Prologue : Coronation

"You have no idea how proud I am of you."

A voice pulled Adèle from her thoughts. She had been too busy looking at herself in the mirror to notice that her mother was now standing behind her.

Her dress fit her perfectly—it had been hand-sewn-specially for her, after all. Ripples of blue satin flowed around her like gentle waves on the ocean, and the gold detailing reminded her of little flowers dancing across the water. The light from her window hit all the right spots, the same would happen to her crown when she would receive it later today.

Adèle's mother, Madelaine, had Lucy, the Clairière family's tailor and seamstress, listen to every one of her requests. And, as per usual, Lucy delivered beautifully.

It was perfect.

Life was perfect.

She had loving parents and a fun brother who she loved, amazing friends who went to the fanciest parties in the land with her, and a precious kitten to keep her company in the huge castle she called home.

Adèle had everything, and she knew that. Though she tried not to take it for granted, the comfort of her life could sometimes get to her head, as it did her parents. It was her grandparents who tried to keep her grounded. They taught her the truth about the Great Nuclear War that divided the lands. But after they died, years ago, Adèle seemed to forget about the unfairness in life.

Still, she never enjoyed seeing The District from the mountains where she would go riding with her brother. They had to worry about everything; what they would eat, what they would wear, even where they would sleep. She was told it was fair, but to her, it didn't feel right.

Though, being part of one of the richest, most important Elite families, Adèle would have power someday. Which means that she could make a difference.

But now wasn't the time to worry about the future. She was only turning eighteen today, and until her parents died, she couldn't do too much. Now was the time to think about her coronation.

An Elite's eighteenth birthday was the most important day of their life. It's the day they became a true Elite, the day they received their Blood-Crested Crown. All Elites wore crowns throughout their childhoods for important events, but the Blood Crown was by far the most important. It symbolized their power and family status. Adèle's would be gold, with dark teal and royal blue gemstones, they were the Clairière family colours.

The crown got its name from the blood-jewel centrepiece it would receive during the coronation. When a single drop of blood from a mother, father, and child was combined, it would glow. The mixed blood would be placed over a fire for it to crystallize, and after a few seconds, it was placed at the center of the crown. The brightness of the jewel was said to represent the trust, loyalty, and strength of the child.

But only blood relatives could receive the crown jewel. The blood needs to glow for it to crystallize, meaning that if even just one drop of blood was not from the same bloodline as the others, it would turn black, showing that they were not related.

Luckily, it has only happened once in Elite history. It wasn't anyone from Adèle's bloodline, and it was thousands of years ago.

"You look beautiful, Adèle," her mother said. She looked into her daughter's dark blue eyes through the mirror as she stood behind her, her hands resting on her shoulders.

"Thank you," she said. "The dress is perfect."

"You are perfect," she said confidently.

Adèle smiled at her mother. The compliments that came from that woman never ended.