[Pt. 1] | The Princess & The Possessed

Things To Keep In Mind

• This story is in an ongoing draft state. This means that (minor) updates to posts may occur at any time, as needed. Major updates will appear in highlighted text, in addition to having a blog post explaining why.

  • The final versions of these stories will be published and available for purchase when completed. Thank you for your patience!

• Terms that have additional information on them will be underlined the first time they appear and can be found in the footnotes of this post.

A heavy head and melancholy eyes. It was a description that often fit the first son of Eldorum. As one of Solaris’ closest allies, his family's prompt arrival to the Solstice Festival was as expected as the House Guilds.

Xander's presence was often specifically requested at Crowe Castle upon arrival, today being no different. Never one to fuss over figureheads or formalities, it usually made the week-long visiting event more taxing than it ought to have been.

He was the princess’ best prospect, and his parents would see to it that he behaved as such — even if the request was coming from her elder brother.

Unlike him, Caesar was a tyrant of a prince. Or at least he was within his realm of control. And for whatever reason, probably because he was likely to marry his sister, Caesar thought Xander was part of that realm.

And you loathe it.

Xander frowned at the intrusion into what was already a trying day.

We should put him in his place.

The voice hissed and echoed in his temple. He closed his eyes from the passing views of the carriage - breathing steady, heart rate erratic.

“Be sure to find her for a chat afterwards,” came the grounding voice of his mother, helping to quiet the other. Xander’s eyes opened to meet hers, which held their usual misplaced optimism. “She lights up when she sees you, you know.”

He forced a smile he hoped felt warm. A life of royalty was often one of duality. Of both tremendous power and absolute humility. Of both expansive knowledge and non-experiences. Of both limitless options and seemingly none.

His mother was a product of said duality, and it manifested in her as the word of advice in a conversation Xander didn’t want to have.

“You needn’t chaperone me, mother,” Xander scoffed, annoyance already softened by her warmth. He leaned back against the velvety carriage seat, letting his cheek lean into his propped fist. “It isn’t as though I don’t enjoy talking to her.”

“No?” His mother couldn’t help but perk, her guilty conscious just as intrusive as Xander’s.

“You know it isn’t,” he sighed in a chuckle, a soft roll in his eyes as he looked back out of the window. “Saphora is perfectly pleasant.”

The corners of her lips tugged downward, but her next attempt was cut short by a large hand coming to rest on hers.

“You’re fussing over him, Lea,” his father cooed with a gentle squeeze, the amber of the signet ring on his finger catching Xander’s matching eyes in the passing streaks of sunshine.

And while he was grateful for the distraction, Xander couldn’t help but feel he needed one from them both, his father’s conscious the loudest of the lot. He was the one who agreed to the arrangement.

If you agreed to mine, you’d have your pick.

Dripping with venom, the voice made Xander’s skin prickle, his hand rubbing into the back of his neck to chase the hives away. Grit teeth bit back a growl of frustration as he forced himself to trudge through reason, refusing to let it win.

Saphora was pleasant. They got along well. She was smart, honest. Beautiful. She was just as fitting a princess as Xander was sure she would be a wife. He could be content with her.

But would he be happy? His mother seemed to be.

“I’m not,” she insisted, pulling her hand from his father's heavy one. “She’s going to be busier than usual this Solstice. He’s going to have to be diligent if he wants to spend time with her before the ball.”

She wasn’t wrong. With this Solstice Festival also welcoming the princess’ first eligible season, Saphora was sure to be less available — which meant fewer opportunities to make a lasting impression. Innocent enough coming from his mother.

“I’m sure we’ll catch a glimpse of the other prospects as the week goes on. What’s a little mirroring to increase the odds?” his father chuckled, signet hand coming to rest on his belly. Xander felt his lip curl at the comment, the voice echoing his father’s laughter. Lea slapped at his leg with a pout, agreeing that the humor was in poor taste.

“Edmond,” she scolded.

“It’s true,” he and the voice harmonized.

Increase the odds, it chimed, giddy. First we mirror. Then we feast.

“Enough,” Xander finally barked, bringing the conversation to a grinding halt.

Anger bloomed in his chest as he met his father’s cautious but challenging gaze. But it withered when seeing the wounded one of his mother. Shoulders slumping, his eyes closed, the burning amber in their irises dulling behind his lids as he reeled himself back in.

“Forgive me … It’s … persistent today.”

His parents’ expressions seemed to meld into one of solemn understanding as they glanced to one another. “Maybe we should visit later in the day,” his mother offered, voice a wary whisper. “Mitigate the stress.”

“Turning the carriage around now would raise questions,” his father grimly denied.

“He’s going to want to spar with him, Edmond. You know that’s why we’re going,” Lea pressed, brows pinching as her hands clutched themselves in her lap. “He shouldn’t —”

“He’ll be fine,” he insisted, eyes locked on Xander’s borderline glowering ones. “Won’t you, lad? Caesar’s always annoyed him,” he scoffed, folding his arms over his broad chest. “The time of day will do little to change that.”

Xander frowned. He was reluctant to admit it, wanting to hold onto his mother’s shielding embrace. But his father was right. There was little anyone or anything could do to remedy his mood when in Caesar’s presence. And if he could choose, he’d still rather not have the meeting looming over him. He did at least want to try to enjoy the festival.

“He’s right,” Xander reluctantly reassured, smiling and bashfully raising a hand to a passing trio of waving maidens. “Let’s get this over with.”

Terms To Know

---

Solstice Festival

The Solstice Festival is an annual, week-long festival held in the Queendom of Solaris in which its citizens and visitors alike gather to celebrate both the founding of the nation and mourn the loss of their beloved first King.

It is held during the last full week of the calendar year, from Monday to Sunday.

House Guilds

Solaris is divided into five House Guilds, each of which specialize in different subjects and studies, contributing to the overall makeup of the nation.

They are as follows:

Crowe - Royal House. Known for their arcane prowess and magical might. They specialize sorcerers, warlocks, witches, and wizards.

Heart - Healer House. Known for their healing magic and moral compass. They specialize clerics, paladins, and priests.

Ivory - Wilds House. Known for their knowledge and control of the wilds. They specialize barbarians, rangers, and rogues.

Lotus - Nature House. Known for their protection of and connection to nature. They specialize bards, druids, and seraphs.

Pearl - Spirit House. Known for their expression and fortitude. They specialize bards, monks, and warriors.

More information on House Guilds coming soon!

Mirror, Mirroring

To mirror or to be mirroring someone is when a Chimera has shapeshifted to mimic someone else's appearance.

Thanks For Reading!

So excited for you all to meet Xander! 💖