Chapter 1: The Pink Moon
Seraphina's POV
We were the model royal family for dinner.
How sweet. How fake.
The servants arranged the silver plates, and the golden chandelier light poured down on me like I was supposed to be smiling. But mine was stuck to her.
Isolde. My little sister. The sweetheart.
She smiled, soft and kind, a smile that made people bow down, write songs about her, and kiss her hands.
It infuriated me.
Isolde — favorite princess of Caelora, jewel of the kingdom, angel of the palace. Nice-looking. Intelligent. Sweet. An angel, people say.
And me?
Dark short hair, black eyes, pale complexion. Dull.
And black eyes. Why did I get black eyes when both my parents have blue one ? Was I cursed at birth? Or not wanted by the universe itself?
"Mommy," Isolde said in her soft, perfect voice, "is the Pink Moon tomorrow?"
"Yes, dearling," Mother said, shining as though she had swallowed a star. "We'll dress up for the ballet. You'll be the most beautiful girl, as always."
Father added: "Isolde is always beautiful."
I lifted my head. "I will dress up too."
Silence.Mother pretended not to hear. Father smiled obligingly, as a servant. And Isolde—oh, lovely Isolde—she leaned forward with that lovely pity in her blue eyes. "Phina… if you wish, I'll help you with your hair…"
I scowled. "What, do you think I'm garbage? That's it?"
"No, I didn't mean that…"
I stood up, slapping my napkin on the gleaming table. The crash sounded like a slap. "I don't need help."
As I closed the heavy door behind me, I could hear my mother sigh. "Why did I have to give birth to an ugly, impudent girl? People laugh at her behind my back."
I didn't scream. I didn't cry. I just walked.
I was used to it.
—
The next day, music filled the palace, candles, perfumes… ballet had begun. And I was within my room, tearing apart old gowns. Black. Old. Hideous.
I threw all of them, rage burning in my heart. "I just want to live Isolde's life!"
I walked out onto my balcony.
And that's when I saw it.The Pink Moon. Enormous. Soft glowing rose against the darkness.It only comes once a millennium.
For the first time in years, I smiled.
And then pain hit. Fast. Cruel.My hands clutched around the balcony railing as my head spun, the world whirling in a blur of pink light—
I fell. Everything was black.
—
Then...
Voices. Whispers. Alarm.
I awakened to have people crouched above me. Mother's fingers clasped around mine. Father's face pale with fear.
Wait. Fear? for me?
I sat up—my legs wrapped in silky softness.Pink. Glittering pink.
I looked down. light brown, flowing long hair. Pale white fingers.
What?
I blinked at the odd reflection of a silver serving tray before me.
Then—
"Princess Isolde… are you okay?" one of the princes whispered softly, his lovely face scrunched in concern.
Princess Isolde?
No. No, no, no.
That's when it struck me.
I wasn't me anymore.