Magic flowed through the earth, the plants, and every living being like threads connecting them all.
It was midday, a few days after the trials, and since Clara had been chosen as heir by the gods, a decision that felt like a cruel joke. She had slacked off on her studies, and now she regretted it.
Clara stood in the Garden, accompanied by Atlas, Celia, their guards Lue and Ken, and the Court's Head Mage, Felix.
Felix was scrawny, with pale skin, and stood tall. He had long black hair that reached his neck and striking olive-green eyes. He wore elegant blue robes that marked his status as the court's head mage. A pair of thin glasses rested on the bridge of his nose.
Clara and Celia were both dressed in green gowns that were more casual than the elegant dresses they had worn the other day, yet still nicer than anything a commoner would don. Atlas wore a matching green tunic along with tan slacks and boots, while Lue and Ken were in their guard uniforms.
The Garden was their favorite spot for studying. A pleasant scent wafted from the red rose bushes in the planters while the surrounding hedges provided privacy. The soft green grass created a comfortable atmosphere. Numerous trees offered shade on hot, sunny days, and a nearby table with chairs was perfect for tea parties.
Atlas stood in front of Clara, glaring down at her. His jaw was tense, and his fingers curled at his sides.
"I can't believe the gods chose someone who can't even produce a simple flame," Atlas scoffed bitterly.
Clara huffed, "I can do something amazing; watch," she declared stubbornly. She put her hands together, one on top of the other, and opened them. Shoulders hunched, she focused on the tingling sensation she felt—a warm, fuzzy magic. Sticking her tongue out slightly, she pushed her magic to flow out from her fingertips.
Between her hands, small sparks ignited like glitter in the sunlight.
Celia furrowed her brows. "You've performed that same trick since we were kids..." she whispered mostly to herself.
Atlas stared at Clara's deadpan expression. "You're unbelievable," he said, scoffing. He then pointed his hand toward a tree, and with a flick of his wrist, his palm ignited. He launched a fireball at the tree, which hit, causing the bark to explode and the tree to catch fire.
Clara huffed and rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Whatever," she muttered.
Felix sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose before summoning a ball of water to extinguish the flames.
"That's power right there. The gods could have at least chosen someone better," Atlas added as the fire was put out.
"Hey!" Clara shouted, standing up straight and puffing out her chest as she squared up with Atlas, who towered over her. He stepped forward as if ready to accept her challenge.
Celia stepped between them. "Calm down. We can't change what happened... Fighting each other is going to get us nowhere," she said softly, gently trying to de-escalate the situation. She placed a comforting hand on Clara's shoulder and smiled at her.
Clara tensed for a moment before relaxing. She let out a sigh. "Yeah, yeah..." she said, crossing her arms and glaring up at Atlas.
"Tch," Atlas turned away and stomped off. "Whatever, I have better things to do than tutor a dud," he called as he walked out of the Garden.
Felix looked toward Atlas; no one stopped him. He then glanced at Clara. Lue and Ken, who were standing near the garden gates, stepped aside to let Atlas through.
"Do not fret. Magic isn't a gift everyone needs to harness. As long as you understand it, you should be fine," Felix spoke in a hushed tone as he approached a table where his suitcase lay. He opened it up.
Celia and Clara noticed Felix's movement. Clara relaxed her shoulders and let her arms rest by her sides.
"That's good to know, but knowledge isn't going to help me lead armies," Clara said, placing a hand on her hip.
"We're not at war, and besides, queens don't go to the battlefield," Celia replied while glancing at Clara.
"Well, maybe I'll be the first," Clara chimed, her lips curving into a grin.
"No, you wouldn't be the first," Felix corrected her. He adjusted his glasses as he pulled a book from his bag and stepped toward Clara. "Queen Gwenavior was the first after her husband fell in battle," Felix explained, offering the book to Clara.
Clara's grin faded, and she rubbed the back of her neck. She took the book and peeked through the pages.
"But that was centuries ago," Clara replied with a sigh.
"I'd rather hope you do not have to take a king's place on the battlefield, Princess," Felix said, placing his hands on his hips. "Anyways, this book will help you understand the basics. Read it, study it, and next week, I'll quiz you," he explained to Clara in a stern tone. He pointed at the book. "I mean it," he added before turning away to pick up his bag.
Clara sighed dramatically. "A week to read this behemoth of a book?!" Clara exclaimed in a whine, glaring down at the book as if cursing its existence.
"It's not even that big..." Celia whispered to Clara, frowning.
Felix ignored Clara's dramatic outburst. "One week," he called back as he, too, left the gardens.
Clara flopped onto the grass, the book resting in her lap, and groaned. "Magic is stupid," she stated.
Celia knelt down next to Clara, smiling softly. "You don't mean that," she said gently, reaching for the book with a tender touch.
"I'll help you, Clara. You know I'll always be by your side," Celia whispered, placing a hand on Clara's shoulder.
Clara glanced at Celia and felt a warmth bloom in her chest—relief and calm. She smiled and nodded. "Thanks, Celi[1]. You know... just because I'm heir doesn't change anything. You'll always come first," Clara said gently.
Celia smiled and nodded in response. "I know," she replied. She then sat with her legs crossed and opened the book on her lap.
Clara leaned onto Celia's shoulder, looking at the pages of the book. "It's just like back when we were kids when you'd read me bedtime stories late at night," Clara giggled, glancing at Celia with a wide smile.
"You mean when you would wake me up in the middle of the night and beg me to read? Yes, I remember," Celia replied, a smile on her lips as she flipped through the pages of the book.
"I didn't have to beg that hard..." Clara muttered, puffing out her cheeks and glancing down at the book in Celia's lap.
Lue and Ken were standing at the edge of the garden, still near the gates.
"How much are you willing to bet she flunks the test?" Lue whispered to Ken.
"You shouldn't bet against the Princess like that," Ken replied in a hushed tone. "But I'll bet 5 gold pieces that she flunks with only two correct answers," he added, shooting a glance at Lue before looking back at the girls.
Lue held back a snicker. "You're on," he replied with a smirk.
The sun dipped lower in the sky as the afternoon shifted into the evening, and shadows began to stretch across the grass from the trees. Clara and Celia were content sitting in the gardens; Celia helped Clara study for the day.
"It is time to return, Princess Clara and Princess Celia. Supper will be served soon," Ken announced as he approached the two girls, who were still sitting in the grass.
Clara sighed. "I guess it is starting to get dark," she said as she rose and dusted off her dress.
Celia closed her book and stood up as well. "We can continue tomorrow," she suggested with a smile.
Clara groaned and stretched. "Why not switch places? You could ace the test for me," Clara suggested with a cheeky smile as she looked at Celia.
Lue chuckled while Ken crossed his arms in amusement.
Celia shook her head. "That wouldn't work, and it wouldn't help you at all," she replied, giggling slightly before lacing her arm through Clara's.
"Let's go eat," Celia said, beginning to pull Clara along. Lue and Ken followed behind.
"Pff, fine," Clara replied, allowing Celia to drag her along. She knew Felix could tell them apart quite easily anyway, but the idea was worth a shot.
As the two princesses walked together, with their guards following them, servants cast curious glances at the sisters.
"Princess Clara has been more gloomy lately," one servant whispered to the other.
"She probably won't last long as queen; she knows it," the other replied, then turned back to finish sweeping the cobblestone path.
[1] Pronounced "See-lee"