Chapter 7

After hours of poring over ancient tomes, deciphering cryptic scrolls, and cross-referencing dusty records, the four girls regrouped at a circular table near the heart of the grand library. The soft glow of enchanted lanterns overhead cast a flickering light on their weary faces and the chaotic piles of books and scrolls surrounding them. Despite the fatigue weighing on them, the urgency in the air was undeniable.

Sianna was the first to break the silence, her tone sharp and precise, though a flicker of unease crossed her golden eyes. "The kingdom's history is… unsettling," she began, carefully placing a piece of parchment on the table. "This place, Eldoria, has faced centuries of chaos—alliances formed and broken, betrayals toppling dynasties, and wars that reshaped its borders. But here's the part that sends shivers down my spine: peace never lasts. Some force always disrupts it. And based on what I've read, it's not a matter of if but when it will happen again."

She slid the parchment toward the others, the ink still fresh, detailing an ominous prophecy tied to the kingdom's survival. It spoke of a "fracture in the crown and the awakening of old powers."

Zia leaned forward, her violet eyes narrowing as she traced the prophecy with her fingers. "This ties into what I found," she said, holding up a book embossed with glowing sigils. The title shimmered faintly in the light, written in an ancient script. "Magic here… it's tethered to divine forces—actual higher beings that govern this world. They don't just watch from above; they influence events, choose champions, and punish defiance."

Her voice dropped, uncharacteristically grave. "The terrifying part? These divine forces aren't united. Some want to protect this world; others want to destroy it. And if I had to guess…" She paused, her gaze flicking upward. "They're probably watching us right now."

Sianna's expression hardened. "Divine forces… they might be the reason we're here."

"True that," Zia muttered, her tone uncommonly subdued.

The silence that followed was broken by Rish, who let out a dry chuckle as she tossed a stack of hand-drawn illustrations onto the table. "You think that's bad? Wait till you see this."

The others glanced down, their stomachs twisting as they took in the grotesque sketches. Twisted limbs, glowing eyes, jagged fangs—each creature looked more terrifying than the last.

"These aren't myths anymore," Rish said grimly, her voice low. "They're real, and they've haunted this kingdom for centuries. They don't attack randomly; they're drawn to magic—especially the powerful kind. And guess what? They're waking up again after decades of dormancy."

She tapped on an intricate drawing of a dragon-like beast. "This one's a 'Maelthyr.' It nearly wiped out an entire province before one of the legendary heroes killed it. And, fun fact, there's evidence these monsters are tied to those same divine forces Zia mentioned. Some might even be their creations."

"A dragon?" Zia's fascination was palpable.

"No way…" Sianna murmured, disbelief etched on her face.

For a moment, the group sat in heavy silence, each lost in thought. It was Sianna who broke it, her tone lighter but probing. "Let's set aside the heavy stuff for a second. Mauie, did you find anything?"

Mauie shifted in her seat, her soft voice steady. "The Royal Academy," she began, "isn't just a school. It's a proving ground for the kingdom's elite—not just nobles, but anyone who's… special. The trials there are brutal. They're designed to push us to our limits—and beyond. Failure isn't just embarrassing; it's fatal."

Her crimson eyes locked with the others'. "But if we want answers—real answers about why we're here and what we're supposed to do—that's where we'll find them. The Academy is the key. Everything converges there: history, magic, monsters… even the divine."

The weight of her words settled over them. For all their discoveries, the path forward felt more dangerous than ever. Yet none of them wavered.

Sianna folded her arms, determination blazing in her golden eyes. "Then we keep learning. Ignorance isn't just dangerous—it's a death sentence."

Zia smirked, her earlier seriousness replaced by her usual mischievous glint. "Fine by me. Let's see how deep this rabbit hole goes."

Rish cracked her knuckles, her expression fierce. "If there's a fight coming, we're not losing. Not to monsters, not to those goddamn divines, not to anyone."

Mauie closed her book with quiet resolve. "We'll face it together."

The bond between them solidified as their determination burned brighter. But just as the silence stretched into contemplation, Zia muttered, "Dude, I want to smoke."

Rish snorted. "And I want to play billiards."

Sianna's golden eyes narrowed as if an idea had struck her. Without a word, she rose from her seat, moving with purpose.

"Where are you going?" Rish called after her.

"Just follow me," Sianna replied, glancing over her shoulder.

They trailed her through the castle's winding halls until they arrived at her bedroom. The space was a blend of royal elegance and personal charm—golden silks, ornate tapestries, and a faint floral scent in the air. Yet it was the cluttered desk by the window that caught their attention.

Sianna strode to it, sweeping aside loose papers before holding up a stack of neatly drawn sketches.

"What do you think?" she asked, a proud grin spreading across her face.

Mauie stepped forward, tilting her head as she examined the drawings. "These are… dresses?"

"Not just dresses," Zia interjected, plucking a sheet. "These are entire outfits—coats, boots, accessories. Sianna, you made all of these?"

Sianna nodded, her grin widening.

"Didn't peg you for an artist," Rish said, flipping through the stack.

"But why?" Mauie asked, her voice calm but curious. "What's the plan?"

Sianna smirked. "I'm starting a clothing store."

"A store?" Zia raised an eyebrow, setting down a sketch of a corset paired with layered skirts.

Rish crossed her arms. "Here? In Eldoria? How are you gonna pull that off?"

"Simple," Sianna said, placing a hand on her hip. "I'm the princess. If I wear these designs, people will copy me. I'll set the trends, and no one will question it."

Zia tilted her head, intrigued. "That… might actually work. People love to follow power."

"It's bold," Mauie admitted. "But it could succeed."

"I think it's brilliant," Rish said with a grin. "Now I want to build something too."

"Oh, do share," Sianna said, her tone playful as she leaned forward.

"A billiards hall," Rish declared confidently, a smug grin on her face. "Something this world doesn't have. Imagine teaching them the game, creating a whole new social scene—it'd be revolutionary."

"Of course you'd suggest something that lets you show off," Zia teased, smirking.

"Hey, it's practical and profitable," Rish shot back, her grin widening. "Win-win."

Zia chuckled before adding her own idea. "Fine, then I'll mass-produce cigarettes. No one here has seen anything like them, and trust me, they'd catch on fast."

Mauie sighed, already shaking her head. "Leave it to Zia to come up with something so reckless."

"What? It's a genius business plan," Zia replied with a smug shrug.

"You'd probably start an addiction epidemic," Sianna quipped, rolling her eyes.

"Maybe," Zia said with a wicked smirk. "But I'll also start an empire."

Sianna burst out laughing. "You're all insane. But I like it."

The girls eventually ended up sprawled across Sianna's massive bed, their chatter softening into giggles. Then Sianna lit up with an idea. "Hey, why don't you all stay over tonight?"

Their eyes sparkled at the suggestion. "Hell yeah! Let's do that!" Zia shouted, punching the air in excitement.

"That's actually a good idea," Mauie agreed. "We can brainstorm more plans while we're here."

Sianna clapped her hands together. "Perfect! Let's have our maids inform your parents."

The group stepped out into the hallway where their maids stood waiting, bowing as the girls emerged. Sianna addressed them with a regal wave. "My friends will be staying over tonight. Return to your residence and inform their family."

The maids, except for Larina, hesitated before bowing deeply. "As you wish, Your Highness," they replied before scurrying off.

Turning to Larina, Sianna gave another order. "Larina, inform my father that my friends are staying over. Then prepare us some snacks."

"As you wish, Your Highness." Larina bowed and left quickly.

Sianna looked at another maid and told her to prepare for bath.

Sianna turned back to the group, smirking mischievously. "Let's wash up first." 

Soon, a maid arrived to announce that the bath was ready. Sianna instructed the maids to step back, insisting they could manage on their own. The maids hesitated but eventually complied, waiting outside the bathroom.

Inside, the girls relaxed in the massive tub, which was practically the size of a small pool. The warm water and luxurious surroundings made them sigh with relief.

"Ahhh… this feels amazing," Rish said, leaning back.

"Stop that, Rish. You sound like an old man," Sianna teased, splashing her.

Zia and Mauie burst out laughing as the water fight began. They played and splashed until exhaustion set in, eventually retreating to Sianna's room to change into their gowns.

Sianna turned back to the group, smirking mischievously. "Time for dress-up, darlings." She winked, grabbing their hands and dragging them toward her expansive closet.

The other three gaped as they stepped inside. Sianna's closet was three times the size of theirs, filled to the brim with gowns, dresses, and accessories.

"This is insane," Mauie muttered, wide-eyed.

Sianna rummaged through racks and shelves, finally handing each of them a nightgown. "Here! Try these on."

Rish held up her pink gown with a grimace. "Ugh, pink? Zia, switch with me!"

"Nope." Zia grinned smugly, holding up her blue gown. 

"Just wear it, Rish," Sianna teased. "It actually suits you."

"I hate you guys," Rish grumbled, earning laughter from the others.

Despite Rish's initial protests, the pink gown fit her surprisingly well. The others couldn't stop teasing her about it, much to her annoyance.

As the night wore on, the room was filled with giggles and plans for their empire-building dreams. One by one, they drifted off to sleep, Rish's pink-gown-induced scowl softening into an unintentional smile.