The Marked Phoenix: Little Red Bird - Chapter 4

Emerine nervously glanced around as her bottom lip rolled into her mouth. She anxiously bit on it and looked up at her father. He was so tall that she couldn’t see his face properly. The sun beamed down upon him, casting a shadow over his face and subsequently her. She couldn’t see past his bright smile, so wide and large, it seemed almost passive-aggressive.

King Augustus patted her on the head again, as one would towards a fond pet. “Who is it, darling? Who could be so foolish to gossip during their work time?”

Emerine couldn’t catch on to his hidden threat. For all of her life, she had only known the gentle side of him. Finally, she uttered two names, “Marie and Jenette.”

Kalesin squeezed his eyes shut. Their fate was sealed, set in stone, and ruined. Perhaps they deserved it for bad-mouthing the Princess, or perhaps they were simple servants like him, on their break time. He wondered why he was angered the King was going to deliver the punishment, when a moment ago, he was infuriated by these workers.

Kalesin questioned if he would ever be safe in this palace. He was the Princess’s valued friend, but how long will it take until the Princess accidentally determines his death date? How long will it take until the King decides those who wander too close to the little Princess should be punished? How long will it take until the King realizes Kalesin’s life goal?

He wished with all his might that the Princess will forever and always share the late Queen’s, rumored, gentle and forgiving heart. He prayed she would never become like the King. And when Kalesin glanced up for the final time, he could not help but lose all hope. This palace was harsh and she would soon receive the worst end of the stick.

Twelve years later.

“Papa, papa, there are traveling merchants who’ve come from the South. Do you think it’d be alright if they’re invited to the palace? I wanted to buy a brooch that matches this flower,” Second Princess Kora Lynette Kastrel opened her palms and from her hand sprouted an exotic hibiscus that was a harmonious blend of white, yellow, and light pink.

Despite being only twelve years old, her magic affinity was powerful and astounding, so much so, that many have praised her to be a genius. Like every child, her magic was revealed at age three and from then on, continued to develop until it mirrored her father’s.

“Now, now, my dear child, you already have many brooches. Why don’t you acquire one from Emerine’s vanity?” King Augustus replied, chuckling in amusement at his youngest daughter’s excitement.

In the large dining room was the picture-perfect example of the ideal family. A loving father at the head of the table, a dutiful wife directly across from him, and two lovely daughters decorating each side. Except, it was only perfect at first glance, which was what the servants were used to, but Princess Emerine knew better.

“But Emerine’s brooches never look like flowers!” Princess Kora complained, throwing a glance towards the quiet Emerine. Her words didn’t seem to mean harm, but it was a direct slap to what Emerine’s greatest insecurity.

“Dear, it’s Emerine’s birthday. If Kora wears something Emerine has worn before to the banquet, wouldn’t it disrespect our daughters?” Queen Kamilla always tried her hardest to not fall into the cliche of a vengeful step-mother. She truly loved the King and did not marry into the family for the sake of being the Queen of the West, but it was for the sake of supporting him. But then again, actions spoke louder than words.

Stationed in the dining room was no more than four guards on each side of this large, rectangular room that was ravishingly decorated with all sorts of assorted plants. These enormous vases of plants weren’t simply decor. They were dusted with crystals that gave the royal family a source to sprout magic from.

Emerine grounded her teeth, her fingers turning white around the spoon. Never one to hide her emotions, everyone could see how cloudy her face was. She was like an open book and it was her greatest weakness. “Father, I—”

“Papa, please?” Princess Kora interrupted without flinching at her mistake.

“Well, darling, it’s Emerine’s birthday and the only one receiving gifts should be her.” King Augustus tried his best to remain neutral to both of his daughters, but how could such a thing be possible when he instructed Emerine to call him “father” and not “Papa” anymore? How could he claim to be neutral when only Kora was allowed to call him “Papa” from now on? How could he claim to be neutral when Emerine’s face was forever to be covered with a veil while Kora didn’t need one?

“But Papa, Emerine is always receiving gifts!”

That was a lie and everyone sitting at the table knew it. Before the King remarried Queen Kamilla and announced his engagement at his firstborn daughter’s birthday banquet twelve years ago, Emerine was showered with gifts. But after the birth of Princess Kora, all of his love, attention, and devotion suddenly shifted. While Emerine received one gift a week, Princess Kora received one gift a day.

“If you’re so adamant on being a greedy little brat, can you take it elsewhere? The rest of us still have a meal to finish here. The faster we can eat it, the faster you leave my sight.” Emerine snapped, placing her spoon down with a sharp thud. Her cloudy face had brewed into a thunderous storm. She never had much patience in the first place, this much was evident to Kora who always took advantage of it.

King Augustus’s serene and gentle expression morphed into utter disappointment at his eldest daughter’s bratty and insulting words. He regretted spoiling her all these years. It had caused her to be bad-tempered and ill-mannered to the point where the other aristocrats gossiped about her. “Emerine Elaine Kastrel, you have crossed the line! You can’t wrongfully insult your sister just for voicing her wishes!”

“No, father, eleven years ago you crossed the line and gave birth to the wrong thing!” she screamed, her voice rising to an octave loud enough for the servants outside to hear. Without waiting for her father’s reply, she stormed out of her chair and left the room, leaving behind an awkward atmosphere.

“P-papa…” Princess Kora stumbled to collect her jumbled thoughts. She only wanted to tease Emerine, but didn’t expect such an explosive response. Her eyes snapped to her mother who stared at her with a disapproving smile. She, too, had crossed the line.

– – – – –

“Princess, how many times have we been over this? You can’t just yell out the first insults that come to mind.” A smooth voice spoke up from behind Princess Emerine, whose beauty outshone nearly every flower in the Kingdom. Flowers that could never sprout from her hand, but could sprout from her father’s hand. Flowers so beautiful, yet to her, was a mocking sight. It was a constant reminder that she did not have a magic affinity— that in a world where everything was powered by magic, ranging from crystals to barriers, she was powerless. Powerless like the lowest rank in the hierarchy of this world, even below that of a peasant: serfs.

Emerine hated the title, the word, and its implied meaning of a slave. The idea of slaves was outlawed in the West, but at times, Emerine couldn’t help but question the title of the lowest servants who served the aristocrats. If they’re not slaves, why were they bound by chains with nowhere to go?

“The King is furious by your actions today, Your Highness.” He towered over the Princess, but unlike the King who used it to intimidate her, Kalesin did it in a protective manner that cared for her safety and well-being.

“If you’re here to reprimand me, get out.” Emerine coldly responded, never once turning to face the man. She sat on her plush window seat and stared down below.

Carriages of all sizes and colors were rolling through the grand palace gates. Aristocrats from far and wide were traveling to celebrate Emerine’s eighteenth birthday. Today, she was turning an adult, but she didn’t behave like one.

In the near-distance, Emerine could see the archer’s tower. Her curtainless window was a constant reminder to her that she was always under the close-watch of her father. King Augustus was always paranoid about the wellbeing of his daughter. Thus he decided to set up protective towers near her windows. Archers sat in the towers and their only duty was to watch the window and ensure the princess’ safety.

Kalesin dramatically placed a hand on his chest, feigning offense. “But Princess, how could I, a mere bodyguard, dare to have the audacity to reprimand her royal highness, Crown Princess Emerine Elaine—”

“Oh please, stop being so fake.” Emerine groaned, finally turning around to face her longtime childhood best friend. Despite the annoyance that laced her voice, a smile was finally beginning to form on her face.

Kalesin mirrored her actions and a relaxed smile rested on his face upon seeing she was less upset than before.

It pained him to see her so gloomy and detached from the rest of the world. He couldn’t help but be reminded of the days of a little girl running through the palace corridor, squealing and giggling in an attempt to escape her reprimanding Governess, Miss Lizbeth.

His smile slipped when he suddenly recounted an image of her huddled in the corner of her room, on the verge of tears, but none had slipped out. He didn’t know what actually happened that night, but he had an inkling of a suspicion that the King had something to do with it. Because after that day, Emerine swore to always wear the veil, even in her sleep. And she had stopped calling the King, “Papa.”

Kalesin always found it quite peculiar that the Princess never cried. Despite her small frame and bratty behavior, her shoulders were strong and unwavering, and her eyes were always dry. She didn’t have magic as her defense. Worried for her safety, King Augustus had employed people to teach his daughter archery— as if that could ever protect her in close-range battles. Surprisingly, she was very well-versed in archery, almost as if she was made for the skill. Rumors had it, the late Queen used to excel in any sport she picked up, and Emerine happened to inherit those traits.

“What are you spacing out for?” Emerine waved a hand in front of Kalesin’s face. “Are you so mesmerized by my beauty, you’ve lost more brain cells?” She laughed when he rolled his eyes. “Oh wait, you can’t lose what you don’t have!”

“Says the Princess who failed in the geography of the Western Kingdom.” Kalesin retorted with a shake of his head. “Seriously, how do you fail to name the cities of your own Kingdom?”

“That… that’s only because I’ve never been outside the palace walls!” Emerine weakly responded. “And besides, you were supposed to teach me about the cities you traveled to while training to become my bodyguard!”

Kalesin struggled to maintain his playful nature. He couldn’t tell her the only reason why he didn’t teach her was because King Augustus would have his tongue for attempting. The King believed only a scholar would be able to educate Emerine, even if that scholar lacked the knowledge which Kalesin possessed.