Chapter 21: Entering the Celestial Court

**Chapter 21: Entering the Celestial Court**

The grand entrance of the Celestial Court loomed before them, an intricate masterpiece of celestial gold and shimmering stardust woven into its towering gates. Alina took a deep breath, steeling herself for the inevitable chaos that awaited. She had barely recovered from the insanity of the Enchanted Labyrinth, and now she was about to step into the very heart of interstellar politics.

Zephyr, ever the source of amusement, leaned in. "Bet you five gold coins that someone tries to assassinate us within the first hour."

Alina rolled her eyes. "That's not even a gamble at this point."

Lysander scoffed. "Assassination attempts are only a problem if they succeed."

Kieran grinned. "Ah, but where's the fun in easy survival?"

Before Alina could decide whether to smack Kieran or ignore him, a booming voice echoed through the air.

"The honored guests have arrived! Welcome to the Celestial Court!"

The gates parted, revealing a dazzling hall lined with floating lanterns and celestial beings dressed in flowing robes that sparkled like galaxies. The energy was suffocatingly thick with power, nobility, and, most of all—political scheming.

---

### **The Court's Grand Welcome**

As they stepped inside, a group of officials approached. A tall man with silver hair and piercing jade eyes stepped forward, his expression unreadable.

"Lord Solis," Adrien murmured. "The head of the Celestial Tribunal."

Lord Solis examined Alina, his gaze sharp. "You have caused quite a stir, young one. The High Council eagerly awaits your presence."

Alina gave her best polite smile, resisting the urge to flee. "That's… nice to hear?"

Behind her, Zephyr whispered, "Translation: They are either going to praise you or throw you into an intergalactic prison."

---

### **The Court's Games Begin**

Seated in the grand hall, Alina quickly realized that the Celestial Court was more than just a gathering of powerful individuals. It was a battlefield of wits, influence, and hidden motives. The nobles whispered among themselves, glancing at her with everything from curiosity to outright hostility.

"A mortal-turned-powerful-entity? Absurd."

"She survived the Labyrinth? Impossible."

"Does she pose a threat to the balance of power?"

Alina let out a slow breath, already exhausted. But before she could even contemplate an escape plan, a melodious voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Well, well, what a delightful surprise."

A woman stepped forward, clad in an elegant robe of twilight hues, her long hair braided with strands of moonlight.

"Lady Evandra," Adrien murmured. "One of the most influential figures in the Court."

Evandra smiled, but Alina could see the calculation in her eyes. "Tell me, dear, what *are* you planning to do with all the power you've gathered?"

Alina forced a grin. "Oh, you know, keep it away from people who ask that question."

Silence.

Then, Zephyr choked on his drink, and Kieran outright laughed. Even Lord Solis' lips twitched in amusement.

Evandra arched a brow. "Clever girl."

---

### **The Prince's Unwanted Declaration**

Before the tension could settle, Lysander stepped forward. "Since it seems everyone is so interested in Alina, let me make one thing clear. She is *under my protection.*"

The hall erupted in murmurs, and before Alina could protest, Kieran added with a smirk, "And mine."

Adrien, sipping his tea, casually remarked, "It would be rude if I didn't claim some responsibility as well."

Alina groaned. "Oh, *come on.*"

The nobles, now thoroughly entertained, watched the scene unfold with delight. Lord Solis merely sighed. "This Court meeting has become quite the spectacle."

Evandra chuckled. "Indeed. Let's see how our young guest handles herself in the coming trials."

Alina stiffened. "Trials?"

Lord Solis smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Why, of course. We cannot simply *accept* you without testing your worth. The Celestial Trials begin at dawn."

Alina sighed heavily. "Why am I not surprised?"

Zephyr clapped a hand on her shoulder. "Because, my dear, this is *your* life."

And just like that, Alina found herself once again thrown into a storm of chaos, adventure, and far too many handsome troublemakers.

** The Celestial Trials Begin**

The moment dawn arrived, Alina knew she was in trouble. Not just the usual 'I'm stuck in an interstellar court filled with political schemers' kind of trouble, but the 'someone might actually try to kill me today' kind.

She sighed, adjusting her robes. "How bad could this be?"

Zephyr, stretching beside her, grinned. "You say that *every* time, and every time, it gets worse."

Before she could throw something at him, a trumpet sounded, and an official in ceremonial attire appeared before the assembled competitors in the grand coliseum of the Celestial Court.

"The Celestial Trials shall now begin!" he declared. "First trial: The Gauntlet of Divine Endurance!"

Alina's stomach dropped. "That sounds unpleasant."

Kieran, smirking as always, crossed his arms. "You *did* want adventure, didn't you?"

---

### **The Gauntlet of Divine Endurance**

The competitors were led to a sprawling labyrinth filled with shifting floors, floating platforms, and mystical beasts. Alina barely had a second to process the insanity before the floor beneath her vanished, and she plummeted into the trial.

She landed on a moving stone bridge, barely keeping her balance. "Okay, that's just rude."

Lysander landed gracefully beside her. "Try to keep up."

A screech rang through the air, and a winged serpent with shimmering emerald scales descended from the sky. The other competitors screamed and fled, but Alina… well, she had other plans.

"Who's a good little murder noodle?" she cooed.

The serpent hissed, confused.

Zephyr, watching from another platform, sighed. "She's *talking* to it. Of course, she is."

To everyone's shock, the serpent tilted its head before nuzzling Alina like an oversized puppy. The officials watching from the stands collectively facepalmed.

"How… how did she—?" one noble stammered.

Lord Solis sighed. "At this point, I've stopped asking."

---

### **The Challenge of Wits**

After surviving the Gauntlet (and somehow acquiring a flying serpent companion), Alina found herself staring at a massive glowing door. Inscribed upon it was a riddle:

*I have keys but open no locks.*

*I have space but no room.*

*What am I?*

Alina frowned. "Oh, come *on*—another riddle?"

Kieran, appearing beside her, smirked. "A keyboard."

The door shimmered and opened immediately.

Alina gawked. "How did you—?"

Kieran shrugged. "I read books."

Zephyr leaned in. "What kind of books? The 'How to Annoy Alina in Three Easy Steps' kind?"

Lysander muttered, "That would be a bestseller."

---

### **Victory?**

By the time Alina emerged from the trials, bruised but victorious, the Court was abuzz.

Evandra clapped, clearly amused. "Well done, dear."

Lord Solis nodded. "You survived. That alone is impressive."

Zephyr draped an arm over her shoulders. "And she picked up a new pet."

Alina groaned. "If this is victory, I'm not sure I want it."

Lysander smirked. "Too late now."

As the sun set over the Celestial Court, Alina couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. And knowing her luck, the real trouble was yet to come.

**The Royal Banquet of Chaos**

Just when Alina thought she could get a moment of peace after the Celestial Trials, fate had other plans. The Celestial Court had arranged a grand banquet in her honor, a celebration filled with noble guests, excessive flattery, and, as always, potential chaos.

"A banquet?" Alina groaned, adjusting her ceremonial robes. "That sounds suspiciously like a setup."

Zephyr, lounging beside her, grinned. "Oh, it absolutely is. But hey, at least there's free food."

Kieran smirked. "And possibly poison."

Alina sighed. "Why am I not comforted by that?"

---

### **A Feast of Schemes**

The banquet hall was dazzling, lined with golden chandeliers and floating celestial lanterns that gave the room an ethereal glow. Exotic dishes from across the cosmos were served on silver platters, each dish more extravagant than the last.

Alina had barely taken a seat before the political maneuvering began.

"Lady Alina, you must tell us—what are your future plans in the Celestial Court?" asked Duke Valmont, his beady eyes studying her every move.

Alina swallowed a piece of starfruit and smiled. "Oh, you know, the usual—trying not to die, keeping my new flying murder noodle happy."

Lysander nearly choked on his drink. Zephyr snorted into his goblet. The nobles, however, were less amused.

"Ahem, Lady Alina, surely you must have ambitions beyond… survival?" another noble pressed.

Alina leaned in conspiratorially. "Fine, you got me. My *true* goal is to open an interstellar bakery. Ever heard of celestial croissants?"

Silence.

Zephyr smirked. "She's joking."

Alina grinned. "Am I?"

The nobles, thoroughly baffled, exchanged confused glances.

---

### **The Duel of Etiquette (And an Unexpected Brawl)**

As expected, things only got worse when a pompous noble named Lord Cassian decided to insult her.

"A mere mortal playing in the realm of gods? How quaint. I suppose even insects can find their way into palaces."

Alina smiled sweetly. "And yet, here you are, being bested by one. Must be *so* humiliating."

The court gasped.

Lord Cassian's face turned red. "Why, you—!"

Before he could finish, someone threw a bread roll.

Right into his face.

Silence.

Alina blinked. "…Who did that?"

Zephyr raised a hand. "Oops."

Kieran smirked. "Terrible aim. You missed the wine glass."

Chaos erupted. Someone else hurled a goblet. A duke tried to duel a waiter. At some point, Alina found herself wielding a serving tray as a shield.

"I *knew* this was a setup!" she yelled, dodging a flying chicken leg.

---

### **Escape Plan: Run Like Hell**

By the time the banquet devolved into a full-fledged food fight, Alina decided it was time to leave.

Lysander grabbed her wrist. "We need to go—before Lord Solis decides we're a public menace."

Alina groaned. "Too late for that."

Zephyr tossed an apple at a fleeing noble. "Ten points if it lands in the soup."

Kieran, wiping sauce off his sleeve, sighed. "Honestly, I expected worse."

As they ran out of the banquet hall, dodging flying desserts and angry nobles, Alina couldn't help but laugh. This was her life now.

Adventure, danger, and, most importantly—utter chaos.

And she wouldn't have it any other way.