"Do you believe mere material that cloaks our bodies is meant to prove our worth as fae beings?"
Her question intrigued me as I thought about it.
"Sometimes yes, sometimes no," I responded.
"How do you feel at this moment?" she offered.
"That these clothes of white shouldn't define my worthiness," I whispered as I scanned the stained clothes. "It shouldn't determine if I'm fit to be a Purely Divine. Clothes are meant to protect our flesh and to grant us the ability to express ourselves. I don't think it's fair to be judged immediately over circumstances out of one's control."
I watched as her lips lifted and she slowly bobbed her head as she rose up. The ice beneath our feet suddenly melted and her white heels fell into the mud. All of us seemed to gasp, but our surprise - and horror - only grew as Mother moved her hands and the splashing movement from before returned and twirled around Mother's body.
The swiftness marked her impeccable white attire, leaving it stained, and yet it seemed to create a stunning pattern that complimented the holy color. I surely couldn't be the only one gawking, our eyes taking in the stained dress that still looked stunning upon my mother's body. She twirled once to show the full view of the dress. Emma had even lowered the umbrella at some point to ensure mud got on it, too.
A white dress with random splatters of mud and a lace umbrella to match. Instead of looking dirty, it appeared that her dress had become a canvas for a painting fiasco, and the only color available was dark brown.
No matter the clothes that now matched my imperfection, my mother - the queen of these lands - didn't look short of perfection.
She actually looked more beautiful.
Everyone was silent as she turned her attention to the group of fae behind me.
"Xavier. As a prince, I'm sure your parents have taught you all about the Purely Divine," she began and narrowed her eyes. "Indeed, they did not state that the Purely Divine must keep their attire stainless to remain worthy of carrying such a title. Or did I miss the new memo in the curriculum I aided in creating and continue to enhance every school year?"
"Y-You didn't miss anything." Xavier spoke with a shaky voice, his previous confidence withering by the second. I had to turn around to look for myself, to see his insecurity after being called out by the queen. The rest of the kids were shaking like we were standing in the pits of a winter storm.
Mother just stood there until he added, "Your Majesty."
"Good," she replied with a deadpan tone as she scanned the remaining students, who immediately dropped to their knees.
"We're sorry, Your Majesty!" they declared
Xavier slowly went on one knee and bowed his head. "My apologies, Your Majesty."
"I'm unsure why you're all apologizing to me," she inquired and gestured to me. "Did you not push Rainer into this deliberately created puddle of mud to stain his completely white suit minutes ago?"
All their eyes widened in shock and I couldn't help but return my gaze to her as she carried on, "After pushing the prince down, you began to mock him about his circumstance and belittle his worth. He went from a prince who is fit to be a Purely Divine to a dark orphan not fit to be a 'true ruler,' am I right?"
She...she saw everything.
When no one spoke, she raised her hands to gesture to their very attire. "You accused him of staining your clothes that prove your divine worth when it was I who conjured up the power to splash all of you with the very substance you declared disgusting."
Her revelation made a few of them gulp as she crossed her arms over her chest while those cherry red eyes suddenly were darker than rubies.
Dark like blood...matching my dark red orbs.
"Doesn't that make you all imperfections now? I'm still shocked that you remain here, shivering under my critical gaze. Aren't you all supposed to go disappear? Why aren't you all shooing away?"
Xavier paled a bit, his hands in fists as he was clearly holding back his anger.
"Ah, I get it. So the boy who was pushed, mocked, and basically told he was worthless is a coward and needs to disappear, but the very bullies who chanted negative, hurtful words and stated that anyone with stained attire isn't close to the definition of Purely Divine can stand here and not apologize for the harm they've caused."
She tsked and tapped her lips in judgment. "Now that your queen is stained with the wonderful gift of nature, am I not considered Purely Divine?"
"N-N-NO!" multiple voices declared and bowed their heads to the floor. "We'll apologize!"
"Well, I'm waiting," she offered. "You've not only contributed to upsetting me this evening, you've hurt one of your own peer's feelings and should apologize. It would be a shame to have the queen contact each of your parents on this fine Friday. It would ruin lots of plans that I'm sure many of you had in store, with the Spring Festival happening all weekend and into the following week, wouldn't it?"
All of their faces paled before they were rushing to me and bowing down to their hands and knees. "We're sorry, Prince Rainer!"
"So sorry!"
"It was wrong for us to call you names."
"We were being immature."
"Please forgive us!"
I scanned each of them before I looked at Xavier, who was giving me an intense glare while he bit his lip. I kept my expression blank, waiting for his apology. His peers looked back at him, all of them glaring while a girl spoke, "Prince Xavier! Apologize, this instant!"
He was clearly struggling to do exactly that, but one look at my mother forced him to say the words he didn't want to state.
"I apologize for my behavior," he declared.
"Now, now," Mother spoke up, her voice extremely cold. "Speak from your heart or I won't bother trying to protect you when Alicia decides to contact me about this very incident."
He gulped then and took a deep breath and let it out.
Lowering his head once more, he put his hand to his chest. "I, Xavier Rose, apologize for my misbehavior and lack of judgment. It was immature and I'll strive to be better."
"Rainer?" I turned my attention to Mother. "Do you forgive them?"
It was a question that I couldn't immediately answer. These individuals were only apologizing because of Mother's presence and the risk of having to bear the consequences. They would surely do this again when the opportunity brought itself, but Mother told me that some grudges weren’t worth carrying on your shoulders.
It weighs you down and over time, you won't be able to carry the important responsibilities adulthood delivers.
"I accept your humble apologies," I finally replied. "You all may rise."
They looked relieved as they rose up.
"Thank you!" they declared and waited for Mother to say something. Her eyes were still on Xavier's, and I looked between them, like the others.
"A king is a man who can bring his people together. Not pick and choose who is worthy of the finer things versus those who lack qualities that you selfishly deem as perfection," she said with power. "A king doesn't judge upon first glance but allows one to prove themselves and their worthiness. Do not judge a book by its cover, just like you should not judge a book by its past editions. We are all gifted beings, blessed by Mother Universe with all our resources around us. The mud that you deem as disgusting is the same substance that Mother Universe considers worthy enough to exist. No matter the appearance, every substance has life and purpose, just like you and me. Remember that you will never become a king worthy of respect if you can't acknowledge that everything in this universe has a purpose and deserves the privilege to complete that task in life."
She offered her hand to me, and I walked over to place my hand in hers before she pulled me into a tight hug. "I missed you, son!" Her perky voice was back, and she pulled me back to take a good look at me. "Hmm. You've gotten taller," she pouted.
I smiled and nodded. "Just a little."
"Well, we must celebrate your growth and utmost maturity. I'm very proud of you, son, for you h
ave stood in silence when you could have easily hurt or even killed these very individuals if you wanted."
I decided to peek over and see my peers’ pale faces as Mother added, "You know what I've always stated. If anyone disturbs your peace, you may deliver a punishment. This is our kingdom after all, and such mocking deserves consequences, which could even include death."
"I'll give them another chance, Mother," I suggested. "That's what a true king would do, right?"
"Indeed," she replied and looked down at me as her hand squeezed my hand. "A true king with a heart filled with kindness is not a coward, but a patient king. It does not mean you are blind and cannot sense lie versus truth, but you are wise and observant so that when comes a time of judgment, you will be ready to consider all the flaws and mistakes committed by the individual before finalizing your decision and attaching punishment."
She gave one last look to the group of individuals and added, "You all will be entering your teenage years in the next cycle of life. Be wary of your actions, for your teenage years will not be as forgiving if you are caught disrespecting royalty," she declared.
Her eyes paused on Xavier. "That includes royals disrespecting other royals."
With those words, she sighed. "Emma, let us head back to the castle. I'm exhausted, and the king is waiting for our arrival. I don't want to worry him. Always gives me anxiety when he worries that head of his, and the weather is far too delightful for me to unintentionally make it rain."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Emma bowed and with Mother's lead, we began to walk away. We turned the corner and walked a few steps before our entire surroundings shifted like we'd entered a spinning vortex.
Three steps later and we were on the castle grounds and heading up the golden stairs.
"Children. Unbelievable," Mother huffed as Emma closed the umbrella.
"They are troublesome, indeed," Emma acknowledged.
"Troublesome is an understatement! How dare they try and belittle my son. A boy sculpted of the finest liquid and with the precision of the Universe, herself. They lack self-worth if they can go on and bother a boy who waits peacefully for his mother's arrival. To think my dear Rainer endures this on a daily basis is insulting. I should visit more often."
I looked up to see her mischievous eyes, which only told me she was going to keep to her words if I didn't say anything.
"It's okay, Mother. I can handle it," I voiced as we reached the top step. She paused to smile at me, her tall figure crouching down just so we could be at the same height. This was one of the many things I adored about my mom. She respected me enough to be on the same eye level.
That respect was earned, and it felt good to have maintained such standards.
"It's not okay that my son is being bullied. Bullying is never okay. It may not show now, but words have lingering consequences. Ones that will plant roots in your heart and grow as you grow older. They spread when you least expect it, reminding you of past situations you expected to have forgotten, and it will be harder to forget them because you start to believe their truth.”
She reached up to pat my head.
"As much as our kind loves to stress on our perfection, we have many imperfect qualities which include belittling those we believe aren't worthy to stand amongst us. These individuals may be from different lands, may not look like us, or may be new and lack the knowledge and guidance we've been gifted by being born in our world of magic and prosperity. Regardless of their situation, they deserve to be accepted and respected like any other creation of Mother Universe. Remember that, son, and you will go far in life."
"What if there comes a time when people think I'm not worthy of love?" I inquired. "Because...I'm an orphan."
Her eyes saddened as she glided her hand from my head to my cheek.
"Being an orphan does not hinder you from being worthy of love, Rainer," she whispered. "I love you like my very own, no matter if our blood is not a match in the microscopic realms of DNA. No matter who we are, when a blade cuts our flesh, we all bleed the same red liquid."
She lifted her other hand to press against my opposite cheek, cupping my face as she smiled. "As a woman, I was blessed by the Universe with you. I was previously mocked for being unable to carry children and prayed day and night to the Universe to grant me an opportunity to raise a child. Just one child. Lo and behold, that day came when I heard the cries of a babe in the caves of ancient magic. A cave that is deemed as full of darkness because of the thick black rivers. Little does anyone know that the light element hides in the incantations of those walls."
She let go of my cheek to press her hand against my chest.
"Just as they're unaware of the balanced qualities you possess in your heart. One is Pure while the other is Deadly. You're the best of both worlds, my dear, and that's an underlying advantage that none of them will realize until you show them how powerful you are."
"That won't be now but when I'm an adult?"
"Yes." She nodded her head. "When you are ready to attend school and begin your journey with your destined rose."
"Won't I have to choose which academy to go to?"
"I already know which one you'll attend." She winked and rose up. "However, I'll give you the opportunity to decide which side you'd like to receive knowledge from. The Purely Divine or the Deadly Divine. That time is many years ahead, so do not worry your pretty head."
Instead of letting her offer her hand once again, I lifted mine and waited for her grasp. She giggled, the sound pushing away my worries as she placed that soft, warm hand in mine.
"My son is going to be a wonderful prince who steals a woman's heart," she sang.
We began to make our way down the halls of sparkly gold cement and red tapestries.
"I can't really steal it when my love is chosen, Mother," I acknowledged.
She laughed and nodded. "Good point, my dear, but you never know what fate has in store for you." She looked over at me and winked before she went right back to humming happily.
"Seraphine, would you like me to request dinner now or later?" Emma addressed to my mom. Within our home, she loved to be called by her name rather than by royal titles.
"A little later. I believe my sweetheart is enjoying a calming bath and you know how he loves to take eons." Mother sighed as we stopped right at the doors of the bathhouse. Two guards in complete golden armor stood at attention, bowing upon our arrival before waiting for my mother's gesture.
"Very well. I'll set out new clothes for you?"
"No need. Knowing Emmanuel, he has probably chosen my attire for the night." Mother rolled her eyes. "So controlling."
Emma laughed and nodded her head. "Then feel free to summon me when need be. I will ensure all the beds are made and that Prince Rainer has his set of clothes ready for the evening."
"Thank you, Emma," I voiced my appreciation, which rewarded me with one of her dazzling smiles as she bowed her head.
"You are very welcome, Prince Rainer. Excellent display of courage this evening. You should be proud."
With one final curtsy, she turned around and headed down the hall. Mother signaled the guards to open the door, and we walked right into the private royal bathhouse.
It was already full of steam, the large statue continuing to promote the flow of the clear water while the calming floral aroma drifted all around us.
"Sweetheart! We're finally home," Mother declared as she lifted her hands up and twirled. She slipped off her shoes and skipped towards where she knew my dad would be relaxing. She was right as always; Father chose to relax in the bottom right corner of the massive bath.
His bulky, large arms rested along the edge. His fitted chest was drenched in water while his long hair was up in a man bun. His tanned skin was somewhat like mine, a lot darker than Mother's, and he didn't hide the markings that blessed his flesh from his many deeds from the past to keep our realm and kingdom protected - scars from wars and magic incantations that accented his growing magical talents.
&
nbsp; He had originally had his eyes closed, but they opened to reveal his red eyes that peered over to Mother.
He hid his amusement, but I could tell in his eyes that her perky entrance always brought him great delight.
"Sera, if you skip like that you're going to slip," he calmly scolded.
Mother continued to skip around, her playful side now out to play after what I was positive was a long, strenuous day of meetings and paperwork.
"Honey! I have to get all the yucky seriousness of the day out of my aching limbs. Skipping alleviates stress you kno-EEP!"
And she slipped.
The lingering pools of water against the golden marble floors were now gathering at the speed of light as they caught her in their floating grasp.
"Oh?" She went from puzzled to happy as she looked over to Dad's unamused expression. "Thank you, my dear," she hummed.
"One day you're going to fall on your ass, and I'm not saving you," he muttered as he swirled his finger, which made the water holding Mother move towards the bath.
"You say that, but realistically, you'd never let such precious cargo hit those harsh grounds," Mother reasoned. "Only you can leave bruises on me."
"At least you're aware of my capabilities," he replied, though his stern expression lessened with the sweet comment.
Mother and Father had been madly in love since before my creation. No matter how many years passed, their romance only seemed to grow stronger, as did their connection. I was used to their comments, so they didn't make me cringe like they used to when I was younger.
"Why are you drenched in mud?" he inquired, more out of curiosity than disgust as he looked at Mother and then over to me.
"Ugh! Fae children, I swear," Mother commented and crossed her arms over her chest while she remained hovering over the body of water. "I'm thankful our Rainer is nothing like those selfish brats! How dare they try and hurt my baby? Do they know how much I struggled to be blessed with a smart, handsome son?!"
The water began to boil around her as she uncrossed her arms to shake her fisted hands.
"Emma and I arrived and there was my gorgeous son in dazzling white. He kept his attire stainless just for us and what do those insolate children do? PUSH HIM!" She pushed one of her hands outward, and the water accidentally moved to splash Dad completely.
Fae Rose Academy: Year Two (For The Purely Divine Book 2) Page 2