Chapter 30

The morning sky was about to disappear when Lillian had found Clara. "You weren't in your room this morning. Everything okay?"

"Yeah just wanted to watch the sunrise. It looks so different here than home. Either of my homes," Clara smiled as she stood up. Still dresses in the silk pjs she had slept in, she was now looking at Lillian who was already perfectly dressed. "I guess I am a little underdressed."

"I just choice to get dressed early so I could help you get prepared. I want you to be comfortable, I'm used to this and you aren't. Plus this is so much for only being here a year and being knocked out for four months of it." Lillian held out her hand for Clara and she took it. "Let's get you ready."

"Okay," Clara smiled as she let Lillian bring her to a different room.

It was Lillian's room. A room as large as Clara's back home and a closet just as big too. It was set like a studio apartment, a sitting area with entertainment, a small cooking area and her massive bed. Included was a closet the size of most people's home office in the other world. "I have dresses that will fit you. I know we look very different sizes but I kept plenty of my old dresses from when I was your age. I didn't want to waste them so they'll become yours," Lillian pulled out a floor length red dress that had lacy flowers on it. It was meant to make Clara look older because royalty is supposed to be more mature than their age.

It fit Clara very well given her somewhat skinny state from the poison. Lillian's magic though had helped fill out some of her features though and she was eating more and more as she was finding herself snacking. No maids came in as Clara took her pjs off and Lillian helped put the dress on. "It's traditional for a mother to dress her daughter as she is getting her ready to be officially crowned as a princess around your age. I may never have children but I want to do this for you."

"Thank you Lillian. So the flower crown that I wore yesterday wasn't just a fun thing to add but a symbol of who I am?" Clara smiled as she turned to Lillian. The dress fit perfectly just as Lillian had expected. It was very flowy and soft, like silk and another material combined. Clara loved how it hung on her even though she was never a dressy type of girl.

"Yes it was. I didn't want to pressure you and even had you denied, you would still always have a home here and wear one when you visit. It's an apprentice princess crown. For a girl who has yet to decide but should receive the respect," Lillian swiftly moved to her closet. Her movements were so graceful and elegant, everything Clara believed a Queen to be. She was so pleasant to be around, soft spoken and very calm.

Lillian returned with a true crown. One of pink and gold that was very detailed, but it was old. "This is the princess crown. Every newly crowned princess wears it at her coronation," Lillian smiled as she set in on the makeup table near by.

Clara was awestruck at it. She realized it had probably been centuries old and priceless. The jewels were all pink and the main part of the crown that sat on the head was made of gold. It wasn't heavy though, rather light for something full of gold. It rests on all sides of a person's head, perfectly round and identical on both sides. "Lillian I couldn't possible wear that." Clara looked at it with a rather admiring yet scared look. "It is a traditional piece for traditional princesses, which I am far from."

"Nonetheless I want you to wear it which is all that matters," Lillian had begun working on Clara's hair. Making sure it was up in a high ponytail that would sit in the center of the crown. Next Lillian made it into a bun but it wasn't tight, rather large and took up a lot of Clara's head.

"Alright then. I will wear it for you," Clara smiled as she looked in the mirror. Next Lillian placed the crown over the bun. It all fit perfectly together so there was nothing out of place. The pink complimented the red of the dress. Clara definitely felt like a princess and looked like one. "I know you have your reasons for doing this but I am grateful for the extra home. I hope it'll never come to that though."

"Me too Clara. I know you are adjusting to your biological family but you love them all the same. Plus you have your friends," Lillian smiled as she held her hand out for Clara. "Time to go."

"It's still really early though," Clara looked out the window and the sun was still low in the East. It was just past the sunrise sky.

"Yes but everyone is already up and in the ceremony area. It's a day long celebration for the new princess so we do the ceremony very early to celebrate even longer," Lillian smiled as Clara took her hand. Made a bit of sense but it worried Clara about how much attention would be on her. She always seemed to have it though and made the choice to keep the spot light on her.

They arrived to a full city centre, not a face Clara had recognized except for the councilmembers standing on stage. She couldn't find her family, or even her friends. "Where are they?" Clara whispered to Lilian as they had began to go up the stairs. The stage set with white and pastels to make Clara stand out even more.

"To the left, just out of your view. There is an order of sitting in the front area. Sorry, I should have warned you," Lilian offered Clara her elbow, to lead her up the stairs, up to the next chapter in this never ending adventure.

"Ah okay," Clara took Lilian's arm and smiled bright as they went up the stairs together. The crown felt a little heavy now, knowing that it was to change to a different crown.

Waiting at the top was a book, a very very old book. The top was barely legible as the Fairy Law, but the leather binding remained in good shape otherwise. It was older than those in the library, Clara could feel that and because of that feeling she knew it was an original book. "Clara, do you swear to protect the people of this Kingdom, of this forest and enforce fairness along this land. Swear to follow your heart but also those of your people as you help me rule this Kingdom," Lilian was smiling as she picked the book and held it between them. "Swearing to uphold these laws but also to propose change to those that seem outdated." She nodded at Clara once she finished.

"I swear. I also swear to keep the relations between the Fairies and the humans open and remain unbiased in doing so," Clara added after she had set her hands in the book with a bright smile. The crowd around the stage area was cheering and it had filled Clara with a very powerful feeling.

The crown Clara had one was traded for a much newer one. It was more her style with the greens and turquoise blue. It was still made of gold, very light though as it set around the pony tail. "Usually the princess choices how her crown looks but you will be given many over the years. The first one is typically only worn for the first year, " Lillian smiled as she fully set the crown down and turned to the ever awaiting crown. "I know under traditional Queens, a human becoming a princess would never occur but I want to change traditions, especially those with our human friends. They need our help and we need theirs. Clara will represent this bridge and receive our protection as though she were a fairy herself. She has already proven her loyalty to both with the threat of the ogres yesterday and I know I will forever be grateful as she shielded me, and those important to her over herself." Lilian had address the crowd so wonderfully.

After her words, they all stood and either bowed or curtsied towards us with smiles. A few remained with a straight face, especially Duke of Nacra. Clara made eye contact and gave him a rather proud smile, knowing that now he couldn't change a single thing.

After the ceremony, the crowd moved to the court yard behind the castle which Clara had no idea existed. There were tables and tables of food, games every where that while the other humans knew how to play, Clara and her adoptive family were clueless. Clara did know how to play splotch though and it was set up. "I thought you might enjoy challenging some fairies to it. We can also play it, not as well though. You should try it against Xander," Lilian had a playful smile as she walked away into the crowd.

"That's the game you flung Avery against a wall with? It's paint balloons," her adoptive mom was next to her.

"Oh yeah but the point is not to get hit with it. Watch," Clara smiled as she grabbed a ball. "You are up Xander."

"This is entirely unfair Clara," Xander grumbled though as he went to the otherside.

"You could've picked me Clara. Someone who can actually put up a fit," Maddox was the one who said that as he came out of the never ending crowd.

"I gotta beat him once," Clara smiled as the match began. Clara played like she was playing against a child and she knew Xander could tell. He had seen the extent of her skill and just got so annoyed as he strained to keep the ball away.

Eventually, after giving him a good fight, Clara launched the balloon right into Xander's chest with her arms already in the air. "You are too good at that. Definitely try against your dad. That would be a worthy opponent."

So Clara went through game after game, struggling with some like Philip and Maddox, as well as a few fairies too. Xander explained that they had started training the skill and those where some of the younger ones. Clara's adoptive family had cheered her on but soon the others were cheering her competition on as they wanted someone to beat her.

After an hour or so of playing, Clara was too tired to do anymore having spent all of her energy. After wards, she kept to herself, not talking to very many people as she took in the world around her. Clara kept close to Xander, the knowledge he offered of the Fairy kingdom and the important people such as Dutchess of Lukicia was very supportive of the Queen's decision unlike the Duke was.

"So how many Dukes and Dutchess are there? I really need to start reading about this kingdom," Clara grumbled to Xander. She knew basically any fairy could hear her but she would learn.

"There's thirteen total. Five Dutchess and eight Dukes. Only the Duke of Narca and Duke of Salier had disagreed with this choice. Dutchess of Lukicia actually knows the full story, her and my Queen are childhood friends. My Queen entrusted her with the truth from the beginning." Xander was also talking in a low, quiet voice. Although we weren't close to anyone, who knew if the council would try to overhear this conversation.

Avery had wondered over after sometime and gave Clara a pleasant smile but there was seriousness behind it. "Hey I want to talk like this.. Is that okay?" Avery's voice filled Clara's mind and it made her jump a little. Xander noticed the movement but didn't say a word.

"Yeah that's fine," Clara opened the connection more and was relieved to find the soft and warmness of the connection. She hadn't realized how different it was connecting with a friend then the council.

"So we have to get used to him being around right? You'll constantly have 2 guards now," Avery sat on the ground and Clara joined. It was cool but it didn't cause Clara to itch like other grass she had sat in. It was very relaxing.

"Another change to my life is nothing new. Look, I'm sorry for not listening and taking so much poison but I had no choice. I couldn't reach home, there was something causing a block. I needed you to be okay and I would've taken the whole poison if I had to. I've never had friends to protect and I want to protect you all fully. I can do that," Clara let go of the bottled up feelings this time. The words she had kept to her heart, that she didn't understand friendship well and maybe it was more of a family protection that she was doing.

"I never should've acted like that though. You did save my life and took the pain for me. You made me safe. I'm surprised you invited me to this. When I saw you gone, I had never panicked so much. I thought that you had left for home and I wouldn't be able to reach you. That you'd move on and wouldn't need me as a friend," Avery must've also been keeping those feelings close. She could feel the hesitation as he spoke, as if maybe he was saying the wrong thing.

"I will always need you as a friend Avery. Maybe we will fight but I think we both will always need each other." Clara smiled as she laid down fully on the grass. She was staring at the sky, it was a different blue here. Pale but there wasn't a single cloud.

"And what does that mean," Clara could feel Avery looking at her. She didn't even have to face him to know.

"Well who else is gonna tell you when you are being an idiot," Clara looked at him as she stuck her tongue out and both laughed out loud. Although Xander gave a quick look of curiousity, he looked away without a word as Clara looked him too.

"You are so nice to keep me on my toes. Ready for telepathic classes together again this term? I am gonna figure out how to talk to people as far out as you do. That's what the professor wants to try anyways. She thinks we have a connection that is rare between telepathics," Avery had a smile as he said that which floated through the communication link this time. He did it on purpose as it was an image.

"Rare connection? That doesn't sound weird whatsoever," Clara rolled her eyes as she got up. "Anyways enough secret conversations. I am hungry," she said that part out loud as she wondered over to where tables of food were laid out.

"A princess should never serve herself, " Avery joked, grabbing her plate and another one for himself. He didn't even bother to ask what food she wanted as he piled it on. Definitely more than she usually ate but it all was so good looking, her mouth was watering just looking at it. Avery must've been going by his eyes and not by his stomach for both their plates.

"That's so much!" Clara laughed when he finally handed her a plate. It was the fullest a plate could get but she was definitely ready to eat. She wasn't able to eat a lot because of her nerves earlier.

"I know you didn't eat much plus it's all food that we don't have in the human land. Gotta try it while we are here. The cooks should know your favourite food to prepare when you visit," Avery had a childish smile as he began to eat. He was enjoying it as he dug into eat different food. Clara joined as well but she ate them one at a time.

"He is right by the way. The cooks want to know your favourite foods to make sure they are always prepared. They are willing to make human foods too," Xander commented later on, hours after the comment. The party had passed and now, everyone was sleepy from all the food, dancing and just having fun.

"This was good for everyone. They've been pushed so hard because of me. This was good," Clara repeated as she looked down from the balcony. She decided about forty minutes ago to go to her room, alone besides Xander. The excuse was the games of splot that she had played. "They seem so happy right now but tomorrow, it will all come back."

"What will come back?" Xander was good company. While he respects Clara's status as princess now, he is willing to help her. He understands the mental part that he also needs to protect and Clara realized that's what he is doing. Being her mental protection.

"The worries. The worries I cause. Going to school and dealing with bullies worries and the fact that there are still people out there trying to kidnap me worries. There's too many, what if it breaks them?" Clara laid her head on the railing as she began to stare at the never ending forest and sky. The trees here were so large and ancient. It was like she could feel all the stories they had, as if they would soon speak them.

"Their minds are fragile Clara, yes but their hearts aren't. It won't break them," Xander reassured her but that didn't stop the thoughts.

"Worry comes from the mind Xander. Worry washes out of them and I think Emmett feels it but he wouldn't dare mention it to me," and it was like Emmett had heard her. When she looked down, Emmett stared right back at her with a smile that she never wanted to see fade away. Clara would forever remember this day, the happiness that her family and friends felt and the happiness she felt to expand her family. She returned the smile before looking back to the trees.

"He can probably feel your worry now Clara. You should be enjoying this time too, not just hiding here in some books that can wait. You'll worry them more," Xander had moved to the balcony doors and opened them. Clara moved into the unfamiliar room, it was the one she slept in last night but there was something off about it to her. Like something was lurking.

"He can't feel that worry. I can trick them remember?" Clara sat down on the cool, wooden floor. She grabbed on of the books and began reading. It was during the events with the sword, but there were three books from that era. One was Queen Susizz but the the other two were from a Princess Mya. Whoever had rewrote these books had neat, elegant handwriting with it looking almost like it had been typed.

"You shouldn't be doing that though. If he doesn't sense any emotion besides happiness and joy, don't you think he would get suspicious. Your family leaves in two days but you aren't making it seem like that to him," Xander had a good point. The closer the hour came for Clara's family to leave, the sadder she felt. She also had an incredible weight on her shoulder, to allow them to keep their memories or go back to living in ignorance of this world. One let's her visit as she pleases and the other, well that time with them ends here.

"Don't confuse my situation Xander. I'm happy for my family to get to go home. This isn't their place, their home. I find it hard to decide if I let them keep their memories or erase them. If I ask anyone, they'll express cons for one way and pros for the other. There's no perfect choice here either," Clara sighed as she stared at the books. She hasn't even read a word yet but still the idea of knowing haunted her. She learned knowledge was every thing but now, knowledge is terrifying.

"You'll know what to do Clara. Your family trusts you and so do My Queen and I. You'll make the right decision for yourself and your family. However hard that decision turns out to be," Xander sat down against the doors. It would hold them close but also allow him to relax a bit.