Chapter 1: The Princess in the Tower

In the Empire of Crystalia were many palaces. One of them was the Sapphire Palace—one of the grandest and most beautiful palaces built in the empire. The architecture and gardens were inspired by the realm of Sapphiria, a close friend and ally of the Crystalian Empire. It was beautifully embellished with gold and jewels, but mostly sapphires. Anyone who visits is in awe of its majestic beauty. The Sapphire Palace was where the former King Aurelius resided whenever he came to Crystalia. Now, it is the current residence of Princess Eternia Seraphina of Sapphire, princess of Crystalia. 

Princess received her name from her father, King Aurelius. Her name meant eternity and fiery. Despite being born a girl, her father gave her a name fit for an empress. She wasn't first in line for the throne. She had two older siblings before her. There was a Prince named Octavius and another named Cassian. Unfortunately, the heir died at birth, and the other just a year after its birth. Desperate, the king and queen tried for another and Eternia was born. She was poisoned, unfortunately, and was only saved thanks to her father's magic. 

The King and Queen divorced shortly after. It was said the reason for their divorce was the fact that the Queen was unable to give the King an heir—a male heir to be specific. Once the settlement was done, the King left his beloved daughter in the hands of his ex-wife, Queen Marcella. He would've brought her with him, but the law states that she is to remain with her birth mother until she's twelve. 

Eternia was the very image of her father. She had a pair of sapphire-blue eyes and midnight-black hair. She even had the same star-like birthmark on the back of her shoulder. She was the painful reminder of the Queen's first marriage, and for that, the Queen neglected her. And so, the sweet princess was given to an army of maids and knights to tend her in the Queen's stead. Days turned into nights and months into years. The princess grew up to be a healthy five-year-old. 

"Princess!" called the maids worriedly. Today was a very important day. It's the annual visit of King Aurelius' emissary. If the King found out his daughter was missing, it could start a war. The King, after all, has no heir but the princess. It seems that the current queen of Sapphire is also unable to give him an heir. 

All the maids and knights scoured the palace. Of course, Queen Marcella was already notified, but she couldn't care less about her daughter's disappearance. The Queen was too busy doting on her youngest. Little did she know that the emissary was no emissary, but her previous husband, the King himself. 

Aurelius stepped out of the carriage in disguise as a common knight along with his friend and guard, Sir Magnus. They were received by the Sapphire Palace immediately and were thrown into a drawing room to wait. 

"My King," said the secretary, Sir Theodore, "Have you heard? No one knows where the princess is."

Aurelius' eyes were cold and empty like a bottomless ice pit. It immediately sent shivers down all their spines. He knew this would happen. That at some point, the court of Crystalia would fail to protect and take care of his daughter once he's gone. That enraged him. 

"Shall we look for the princess ourselves?" asked Magnus, "I'm certain we could find her easily."

"Wasn't the Queen notified of her daughter's disappearance?" asked Theodore. 

Magnus sighed, shaking his head. "I have been coming here every year to check on the child and not once was the Queen present at the visit. I doubt that her grace cares for the King's daughter."

Hearing them babble about made Aurelius' mood sour even more. The reason he came here was because of the spy he planted in Crystalia. He says that the princess was in deep neglect and often shoved in the palace. On top of that, he heard rumors of assassination attempts on the child. "I'm going to search for her," he said, standing up. 

"We'll search as well," said Theodore, "Surely if the princess is missing, we'll be the only ones capable of finding her."

"Do what you want," said Aurelius, dismissing them. Exiting the drawing room, he noticed the many changes that had fallen on the Palace he once called home. It appears that furniture and portraits that were from his marriage were thrown out of the main palace and brought here. He stopped in the hallway, staring at the portrait before him—his wedding portrait. Although it hasn't been that long, it sure felt like a lifetime ago. They were young and happy in a way he couldn't explain. The smiles on both their faces were proof enough that they were at some point in love. He shoved the memories at the back of his mind and continued the search. He walked until another portrait stopped him. Well, it wasn't a portrait. Rather, it was the cloth that they carried Prince Octavius in. 

Aurelius could remember that day vividly. He was so happy and grateful to be a father. The baby was small and had a powerful cry. Unfortunately, the baby died in his arms. The physicians say it's due to it being born prematurely. The baby didn't develop enough to survive in their world. He was crushed beyond words could describe and his wife was devastated. Aurelius wiped the stray tear falling from his eye, again shoving the past where it belonged. 

"Y-you're majesty!" one of the maids recognized him, immediately bowing at his feet. It was none other than Lady Jessica, a friend of Marcella. Jessica was appointed to care for Eternia once the divorce was finalized. 

Aurelius met her gaze and he walked towards her. His hand clenched his sword tighter with every step he took. With one swift move, his sword landed at the base of her neck, cutting her skin lightly. "Some nerve you have to show your face to me knowing you've failed at your job severely," he said through gritted teeth, "Friend or not, you've committed treason by failing to care for and protect my child."

"Y-your majesty," she says, "Please forgive me. I assure you that the princess is safely in the palace. She often disappears due to the lack of attention from either of her parents. I assure you, she emerges once she intends to be found."

Aurelius sheathed back his sword, allowing Jessica to stand. "Lady Jessica," he says coldly, "Allow your Queen to know that his Majesty, the King of Sapphire, is here to ensure that his daughter is safe. Tell her I'm more than prepared to go to war if she doesn't show her face."

"Y-yes, your majesty," she said before running off. 

He shook his head. After searching the palace through and through, he still found nothing. Then it hit him. There was still the tower. It's highly unlikely for a child to be there since the tower is sealed and only magic-wielders of a certain lineage can enter. Sighing, he entered through the hidden door in the wall. The tower was dark and was only lit up by a few candles and blue flames. Endless books and artifacts were scattered everywhere like a whirlwind had gone through it. Then he heard it—a giggle of a child. His pounding heart then started to calm as the giggles grew louder. 

Midnight-black hair and blue energy. His eyes darted at the little girl who was playing with a spirit fox and a spellbook. Soon, her sapphire eyes met his and her smile dropped into a feeling of shock and slight terror. 

"Eternia," he called out. 

The little girl stood and gave the king a low curtsy. "Your majesty," she greeted, meeting his gaze. She was incredibly well-mannered for her age. 

"Do you know who I am?" he asked, kneeling to level with her. He held her hand to assure her no harm would be done to her. 

"Yes, Your Majesty," she replied, "You're my father, King Aurelius of Sapphire, former King Consort of my mother."

Aurelius wasn't at all pleased at what he saw. She was a small and skinny child. She should be healthy as a princess and heir. This—her health and appearance—is of a peasant. "What are you doing in the tower, little one?" he asked finally, "and who's this you're playing with?"

"I come here," she replied with a grin, softening her father's heart. "I come here when I want to be alone. I mean, I'm always alone, however, I come here to practice magic. This is Whisper. I called upon her."

"Do people know you come here often?" he asked, "It's dangerous in the tower, you know? Some say there's an evil spirit hiding here."

"Do you mean Adrian?" asked the princess. 

"Adrian?" the King asked. 

"He's the little boy in the tower. I met him when I followed him here," she explained, "He's not evil. He's just a kid."

Nodding, the King picked her up in his arms. As expected, she was incredibly light. "Everyone is looking for you, Princess. Adrian and Whisper can follow later. Right now, we have to go and talk to your mother." That said, they appeared in the drawing room in a flash. Aurelius placed her gently on the chair and immediately asked the servants to bring in some tea and cakes. 

"Your grace," Theodore greeted, "You found the Princess."

"Who else would find her but her father?" said the King, shaking his head in disbelief, "Eternia was in the tower of all places."

"The home of the evil spirit?" asked Magnus. 

"That's Adrian!" said the princess, "He's my friend. He's just a kid like me!"

"The monster has taken the form of a child, I believe," concluded the King, "Anyway, when shall the Queen arrive? I'd like to have a word with her regarding my daughter's safety and well-being. All of this is unacceptable."

As if on cue, the doors flung open and the Queen entered. She looked the same as the day he last saw her—bitter and full of rage. "King Aurelius," she greeted, shaking his hand. Her eyes then darted at her daughter, "Princess."

"Good day to you, Mother," Eternia smiled. 

"Leave us," the King ordered and everyone vanished leaving the family alone. Here it is. The confrontation. What lie and excuse could Marcella have to get away from this now?