Garima noticed the throne hall. It was almost the size of a medium sized mall. Walls with intricate patterns. The floor was white. It looked regal–But Garima didn't slow down.
She walked forward with measured steps. After Crown Prince Caelum.
Don't trip, Don't trip. She kept chanting it in her mind like a mantra.
Priestess Ava and Priest Dylan followed her.
When she reached the centre. She saw them.
The king Cirius Renaldin sat upon the throne. Blond Hair, greyish blue eyes. Sharp and unreadable.
Beside him, Queen Raphine Eloder-Renaldin sat with her long blue hair and warm brown
eyes–but observant.
As she was checking out the royal couple. Crown Prince Caelum Renaldin took his seat to his father's right.
Beside him sat his younger brother, Fourth Prince Elian Renaldin
The seats beside the queen were empty which were meant for First Princess Danya Renaldin and Fourth princess Miriel Renaldin.
Yet a small figure, peeking out from behind the pillar. Cute
Garima bowed.
"Your Majesties, Garima Arora, as summoned. These are my attendants–Priest Dylan and Priestess Ava".
Ava and Dylan bowed.
"Saintess," King Cirius acknowledged.
"It is an honour to meet you" the queen smiled. "I am Raphine"
"The honour is mine," Garima said.
The king gestured slightly. "Please be seated"
The arrangement was deliberate. Not below. Not Equal. A subtle move to display power.
Garima noticed. But didn't react. she sat. She belonged to a middle-class family. She didn't feel slighted at all.
Priest Dylan and priestess Ava sat down below her.
"We summoned you here to express our gratitude" the queen said "Thank you for saving out daughter"
Garima inclined her head. "I only did what was necessary"
"We also heard about your speech too," the king said dryly.
The queen shot him a look.
Garima smiled faintly. "That was necessary too"
"You are modest" the queen said
"Depends on who is asking," Garima replied.
"Did you really stop the crowd with one word?" Prince Elian leaned forward.
"I suppose, I did," she said.
Prince Elian looked at her excitedly.
"Can you use Magic? Can you make this palace explode, my tutor said you can do it" Miriel suddenly popped out.
" No," Garima blinked. The little princess deflated easily.
Servants entered and dishes filled the tables.
And the little princess ran to her seat excitedly
"I heard you were hungry during the meeting," King Cirius smiled. "So I prepared a feast"
"Thankyou, I will enjoy it" Garima replied
"Where is Danya?" the queen asked.
A servant hesitated "Her highness has refused to attend"
The air turned cold.
Queen Raphine's expression tightened.
Prince Caelum sighed softly.
Unaware of the situation Prince Elian and Princess Miriel continued to stuff their faces with food.
"Call her" the king said "it's an order"
Garima said nothing. She looked at her Priest Dylan and priestess Ava. Both looked nervous. They looked at her worried
Garima shook her head. And gestured to them to eat. She just observed.
She picked up something that looked like a cake. And took a bite.
"Is it good?" The queen asked.
Garima nodded, her cheeks full. "What is it called?"
"Cloudcake, it our kingdoms speciality" the queen said
"Oh, it does have a soft and fluffy feeling" different from a sponge cake. "It's tasty," Garima smiled.
Then the doors opened. And First Princess Danya Renaldin walked in. Blond hair, blue eyes. She was beautiful. With this world's beauty standard she truly deserved the title of one of the most beautiful women. And she was only a supporting character. Garima dreaded meeting the main characters. Their beauty might just kill a face-con like Garima.
Princess Danya looked annoyed. She didn't greet nor did she sit. Just walked forward and bowed to her parents. Completely ignoring her existence. But Garima didn't mind. She was not a noble to feel ignored. And her character setting was Garima's fault too.
"I am here," Princess Danya said flatly.
"Yes, I can see that, Sit"the queen said.
Danya didn't. She crossed her arms
"I don't understand, why I had to come"
Garima remained silent. But King Cirius's patience thinned
"Danya–"
"I am here, what else do you want me to do?" Princess Danya continued. Thank some so-called Saintess from who knows where!"
"Danya!" King Cirius and Prince Caelum shouted at the same time.
"Danya, she is our benefactor she—"
"Do you actually believe that mother, she must be with that thing? Whatever it was?"
Garima watched quietly. It was interesting.
"Danya, what type of behavior is this, you can't treat our guests like this?"
"Oh, then how are you treating her father? You are sitting above her. You placed her seat below yours. You have your doubts too. Or are you just demonstrating your power ?" She asked.
Garima's lips curved slightly. She almost laughed out loud.
"Danya! Enough, trust me she may seem sketchy but she is not bad" Prince Caelum shouted.
"Oh, it really looks like she got you. Like those nobles who keep praising her"
"Sister, she saved you" Price Elian spoke nervously.
"Keep quiet Elian, take Miriel and go to your room, it's not safe here"
"What rubbish are you sprouting girl?" The queen slammed her fist at the table.
"I am preventing you all from being manipulated. It seems Caelum already is "
"Sister" Elian tried
"Take Miriel and leave" Danya cut him off.
"Hahaha" Garima laughed amused.
It seems manipulation won't work anymore. Then fear? She had an idea.
She put her hand inside her pocket, and pulled out the artifact. She thought about Cosmo. And felt the familiar vibration.
Danya looked at her. For the first time making eye contact. "I am not like them."
"No" Garima said calmly "you are not".
she said "you are honest about your fear" she paused then added "And your jealousy"
"Jealous? of you?" Danya scoffed "I am the first Princess"
"Yes," Garima said lightly, "but also a healer,....who admired the previous Saintess"
Danya froze. "What the hell are you saying?"
"What was your title?" Garima continued. "The Saintess of Restoration?"
"You liked it didn't you? You think I will take that from you?"
Danya looked away.
"Your Holiness, please—" Ava whispered. Garima raised her hand to stop.
"Your Majesty," she said calmly, "Why is everyone in your family so afraid ?"
The Queen stilled. Prince Caelum frowned and Princess Danya's jaws tightened.
Even little Miriel looked confused. And Elian timid as ever looked down.
"Don't say something you shouldn't Saintess" the king said.
Garima smiled "Then allow me to say something I should"
"Ha! What a farce!" Danya snorted. Garima ignored her.
It's not working. Then maybe she would force them to act out. Loose control?
"Your Highness, the King. What is this farce?" Garima asked.
Danya and the queen looked shocked. Elian trembled.
Ava's hand started trembling.
"Your Holiness, please don't say anything" Dylan begged.
"Careful, Saintess" the king warned.
Garima smiled. "Allow me to be precise"
"Your Holiness," she said quietly.
The room stilled
" It's basic courtesy, If respect is given" she continued "It should be returned."
Cosmo, they are getting agitated. Anytime now.
"Your Holiness!" Ava and Dylan's face turned ashen.
Prince Caelum looked with a grimace.
Danya was smiling.
The king was angry.
The queen sighed and gestured to Prince Elian to take Miriel away.
Then she looked at Garima "Your Holiness, you are my daughters benefactor but that didn't mean you could—"
"So your daughter may insult me,your husband could play childish power games?" Garima interrupted softly. "But I must remain silent?"
"Your Holiness, please stop" Dylan begged.
"Your Highness please punish me on behalf of her Holiness" Ava begged. Almost dropping to her knees. Garima held her tight.
"King Cirius" Garima said with a calm voice "Kingdoms don't fall from war… they fall from pride."
"Are you threatening me?"
One more push.
"No I am not, but if nothing changes the ones who should not die shall perish first." Garima said. "Your youngest children will not survive what's coming"
"What the hell are you saying?" The queen stood up.
The king stood up too.
"Is this your stupid revelation?" Princess Danya asked.
The King stepped forward. And Priest Dylan and Ava blocked his path. Dylan drew his sword. And Ava stood beside him, her hands glowing with concentrated energy.
"Your older ones survive," she said.
"You are still speaking," the king shouted. "And you both aren't you kids of Viscount Rubban, do you want to die?"
"Gaurds!" Danya shouted.
Such a stupid argument. Did you hear Cosmo? Help me out. Maybe because of the vibration of the artifact she didn't feel fear. But she felt her throat go dry.
"Hurry, Cosmo" Garima whispered under her breath.
"Arrest them" the king shouted.
Then suddenly the sky split open. A deafening roar shook the entire palace. And before anyone could react— a bolt of lightning tore through the wall. Blinding and Violent.
It struck the ground right in front of Garima. The stone shattered. A jagged line carved itself on the tiled floor. Black. Heat rippled the hall. The smell of burnt filled the air.
Screams erupted.The guards stumbled back, dropping their weapons. The Queen froze. Prince Caelum instinctively pulled Princess Danya close to him
But Garima didn't move. The lighting didn't touch her. Not even her clothes.
A second rumble rolled across the sky. As a warning.
Garima inhaled and straightened.
The king looked at the floor then at her unable to say anything.
"Divine…protection" Ava dropped to her knees. Dylan followed.
"If I wanted power," she said lightly. "I wouldn't be sitting below you"
Her gaze met the king "I would have taken it already"
Then she smiled "So everyone is done with your tantrums?" she asked lightly. Then her gaze moved towards the scared Queen, the silent Prince and Princess and the king.
King Cirius's grip on his sword loosened.
No one answered.
Garima turned back as if nothing happened and walked back to her seat. Sat down and picked up her untouched cup.
"Now shall we begin?" She said completely composed. "the actual discussion?"