"Lady Elara, your meeting clothes are ready," said Madam Hilda, entering Elara's room with a beautiful little silver-blue dress.
Maulana—in Elara's body—looked at the dress with a mixture of curiosity and a little apprehension. Today was the day he had been waiting for and also worrying about: his first meeting with other members of the royal family, especially his siblings from the Emperor's other wives.
"Mama said I will meet my older siblings?" he asked, trying to get more information before this meeting.
Madam Hilda nodded while helping Elara change clothes. "Yes, Little Lady. Today you will attend a tea party with the Main Empress and several senior Princes and Princesses."
"Which older siblings?" Elara asked again, feigning innocence.
"As far as I know, Crown Prince Solaris will definitely be there. Also Princess Estela and Princess Lyra from the Main Empress. Then maybe Prince Orion from the Second Consort."
Maulana noted this information in his mind. Crown Prince Solaris, the heir to the throne. Princess Estela and Lyra, sisters from the Main Empress who certainly had great influence. Prince Orion, who seemed to have a fairly high position in the hierarchy as well.
"Are they... nice?" Elara asked, biting her lower lip.
Madam Hilda paused for a moment, her hand stopping as she brushed Elara's bluish-silver hair. "They are honorable members of the royal family, Lady Elara. Be polite and careful with your words."
A diplomatic answer that only confirmed Maulana's concerns. Palace politics must be ruthless, even among siblings.
"Should I bring a gift?" he asked, remembering the etiquette.
"Your Highness has prepared an official gift. But if you want to bring something personally, it could make a good impression."
Maulana thought for a moment. "I want to bring flowers from our garden. The white ones that smell good."
Madam Hilda smiled. "Starlight Lily. A good choice, Lady Elara. The flowers are indeed beautiful, and they grow best in our pavilion area. It could be a small but meaningful gift."
After getting ready, Elara walked with her mother, Consort Valeriana, towards the Rising Sun Pavilion, the residence of the Main Empress. Along the way, Consort Valeriana gave her last advice.
"Let the older ones speak first. Don't speak unless you are asked. And don't show your intelligence too much," she whispered.
"Why shouldn't I look smart, Mama?" Elara asked curiously.
Consort Valeriana glanced around before answering in a low voice. "Intelligence can be considered... threatening, Elara dear. Especially from the daughter of the sixth consort."
Maulana understood now. His mother's status as the last and lowest consort made their position very vulnerable. If Elara appeared too smart or had too much potential, it could be seen as a threat by the higher lineage.
"I understand, Mama," he replied.
The Rising Sun Pavilion was far larger and more luxurious than the Silver Moon Pavilion where they lived. Its walls were decorated in gold and red, with sun symbols everywhere. Guards in red armor lined the entrance, standing tall and alert.
They were led to a beautiful inner garden, with a crystal fountain in the center. There, under an open pavilion with marble pillars, the Main Empress Solene sat gracefully, surrounded by some of her children.
"Consort Valeriana and Princess Elara," the guard announced their arrival.
All eyes turned to them. Maulana felt the atmosphere change, becoming colder, more judgmental. Consort Valeriana bowed deeply, and Elara followed.
"Welcome, Consort Valeriana," the Main Empress's voice was melodious but full of authority. "And this must be little Princess Elara. We are glad to see you have recovered from your accident."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness," replied Consort Valeriana. "Princess Elara is very excited to meet her family today."
The Main Empress Solene was a beautiful woman with golden hair and sharp brown eyes. Her face was flawless, but without warmth. She gestured for them to come closer and sit in the seats provided.
"Elara, introduce yourself to your older siblings," Consort Valeriana instructed gently.
Maulana stepped forward, bowing perfectly as he had been taught, then raised the small bouquet of Starlight Lilies he was carrying.
"I am Princess Elara of the Silver Moon Pavilion. It is a pleasure to meet you all. I brought flowers from our garden as a gift," he said, his voice clear despite being small.
A handsome young man with golden hair just like the Main Empress raised an eyebrow. He must be Crown Prince Solaris, about fifteen years old, with facial features similar to the Emperor in the paintings Maulana had seen.
"Unusual flowers," commented the Crown Prince. "Starlight Lilies only grow in the Silver Moon Pavilion area, don't they?"
"That's right, Your Highness," Elara replied. "They grow best under moonlight and near water. Our pavilion area meets both conditions."
A teenage girl in a bright red dress snorted softly. "Of course, fitting for your family name. Luna—always associated with the moon and water."
"And it's a very thoughtful gift, Princess Elara," said the Main Empress, giving a warning look to her daughter who had just commented. "Bringing something that represents your family's uniqueness. Thank you."
Maulana understood even from this brief interaction that there was tension between the Solaris (Sun) and Luna (Moon) families. It might be related to the opposing magic elements he had learned about—Fire and Water.
"I am Princess Estela," the girl in red introduced herself, probably around thirteen years old. "Next to me is my younger sister, Princess Lyra, and over there is Crown Prince Solaris." She spoke in a high-pitched tone, clearly showing her higher status.
"And I am Prince Orion," another young man with brown hair and green eyes spoke. He seemed friendlier than the others. "From the Northern Star Pavilion. Nice to finally meet you, little sister."
Prince Orion seemed different from the other Solaris siblings. Maulana guessed he was the son of the Second Consort, who, from the servants' conversations, was known to be from a powerful Wind magic family.
"Let's enjoy the tea," the Main Empress gestured, and the servants immediately poured tea into expensive porcelain cups. "I hear you are very fond of reading, Princess Elara? Unusual for a child your age."
Maulana remembered his mother's advice not to show his intelligence too much. "I like the pictures in the books, Your Highness," he replied, deliberately adding a childish tone.
Crown Prince Solaris stared at him with a scrutinizing gaze. "Really? Teacher Theuvel said you can already read simple texts. That's an extraordinary achievement for a three-year-old."
Maulana felt trapped. Clearly the Crown Prince had investigated him. He glanced at his mother, who looked tense.
"Teacher Theuvel is very kind," Elara replied carefully. "He gives me books with big pictures and big letters that are easy to recognize."
"I started reading at the age of four," said Princess Estela, clearly not pleased with the idea of her younger half-sister from the lowest consort being possibly smarter than her.
"Every child develops at a different pace," the Main Empress interjected wisely. "What's important is that all royal children get the best education."
Maulana realized that the Main Empress, although seemingly cold, was quite fair in her attitude. She did not openly antagonize the children of other consorts.
"Does your head still hurt after falling from the stairs?" asked Prince Orion with genuine concern.
"Sometimes," Elara answered honestly. "But it's much better now."
"It's a pity the accident happened," said Princess Lyra, who had been silent all this time, suddenly speaking. She was probably around ten years old. "The stairs in the Moon Pavilion are indeed steep and slippery, aren't they?"
There was something in her tone that made Maulana wary. As if there was a hidden implication in her words.
"Yes, especially when it rains," Consort Valeriana replied diplomatically. "But we have installed additional railings to prevent similar accidents from happening again."
The conversation continued with light topics, but Maulana continued to observe the dynamics among his siblings. The Crown Prince seemed to be analyzing him, Princess Estela clearly disliked him, Princess Lyra was difficult to read, while Prince Orion seemed the friendliest.
As the event was nearing its end, the Main Empress made an announcement.
"Next month, the Emperor will hold the Spring Festival. All royal children are expected to attend, including Princess Elara, who is now old enough to attend official events."
"It is an honor for us," replied Consort Valeriana.
"And the following month, the princes and princesses who are old enough will begin basic magic lessons at the Academy," continued the Empress. "My daughter Lyra will start this year. The Crown Prince and Princess Estela, of course, are already at the intermediate level."
"What about Princess Elara?" asked the Crown Prince suddenly. "She is indeed still very young, but considering her... rapid reading ability, perhaps an early evaluation could be done?"
Maulana could hardly hide his excitement. An early magic evaluation? That was a golden opportunity!
But Consort Valeriana's face paled. "Princess Elara is still very young, Your Highness. Tradition says the age of five is the best time to begin magic education."
"Tradition can be flexible for exceptional cases," said the Crown Prince. His eyes did not leave Elara. "I just want to ensure every talent in the royal family is developed optimally."
The Main Empress seemed to consider it. "We can discuss this with the Emperor and the palace mages. If Princess Elara does indeed have extraordinary talent, it would be a waste not to develop it from an early age."
Maulana could feel his mother's hand tighten. Something was not right here. Why was the Crown Prince so interested in his development?
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness," Consort Valeriana said formally. "We greatly appreciate this opportunity."
As they took their leave and walked back to their pavilion, Consort Valeriana looked very worried.
"Mama, is the magic evaluation a bad thing?" Elara asked when they were far enough away.
Consort Valeriana slowed her pace and whispered, "It's not the evaluation that's dangerous, dear. But the Crown Prince's attention to you. He has never shown interest in the children of the consorts before, especially those so far down the line of succession like you."
"Doesn't he like me?" Elara asked innocently, although Maulana inside had begun to guess.
"It's not that he doesn't like you..." Consort Valeriana hesitated. "But the Crown Prince is known to be... wary of potential threats to his position. If he sees someone has extraordinary talent, he will..."
"He will what, Mama?"
"He will watch that person very closely. Or find a way to... control them."
Maulana understood now. The Crown Prince might see potential in Elara, and instead of letting her develop freely, he wanted to watch her closely, perhaps put her under his influence. Or worse, find a way to suppress her potential if it was considered a threat.