"But I don't want to wait until I'm five to learn magic," Elara said, expressing Elena's true desire.
Consort Valeriana stopped and crouched down, looking at her daughter. "Elara dear, listen to Mama. The Luna Temple in the east wing of the palace has a very wise librarian. Mama will arrange for you to study secretly with him. But for the official evaluation, we must be careful."
Elena nodded, there was hope in this light. "Is Prince Orion also dangerous?"
Consort Valeriana smiled a little. "No, he is the son of the Second Consort, Her Majesty Astraea. Their family—Viscount Starfall—has a good relationship with our Luna family. He could be a potential ally for you in the future."
"And Princess Estela? She doesn't seem to like me."
"She is like her mother—proud of her status. Keep a polite distance, never be provoked. And most importantly..." Consort Valeriana lowered her voice until it was almost inaudible, "never show your full magic abilities in front of the Solaris family before the time is right."
Elena nodded seriously. Court politics was more dangerous than she had imagined. But she also gained valuable information from this meeting—she knew who the potential allies were, who the threats were, and that her extraordinary intelligence had attracted unwanted attention.
"I understand, Mama," she said determinedly.
Consort Valeriana kissed her forehead. "You are a smart child, Elara. Too smart perhaps. But we must be careful. The palace can be a dangerous place for those who shine too brightly too quickly."
That night, when everyone was asleep, Elara sneaked onto her balcony and looked at the starry sky. The full moon shone brightly, illuminating the gardens of the Silver Moon Pavilion.
"So that's how it is," she whispered to herself. "The Crown Prince sees me as an anomaly that needs to be watched. Princess Estela sees me as a minor disturbance not worthy of attention. Princess Lyra... who knows, she's too quiet for me to read. And Prince Orion might be a potential ally."
Elena stretched out her hand towards the moon, feeling the faint energy flowing. The Water and Aether magic that was the legacy of the Luna family.
"I will learn to control this magic," she vowed. "Secretly, until the time is right to show it. But before that, I need more allies and protection."
A flash of thought crossed her mind. What if the situation in the palace became too dangerous? What was her backup plan?
Elena smiled a little. "Maybe I should also learn about the geography of the Yesetsa Peninsula that Mama mentioned. Where Grandpa is. Who knows, one day we might need to... make a strategic retreat."
With that thought, she returned to her bed. Tomorrow she would begin her secret search for the basics of magic at the Luna Temple, while continuing to pretend to be an ordinary little girl in front of the Solaris family.
The game of court had just begun, and Elena, even in little Elara's body, was determined to win it.
The following weeks passed quickly. As her mother had promised, Elara began to secretly visit the Luna Temple, hidden in the east wing of the palace. There, High Priestess Lunaris received her with open arms.
"I can feel a strong affinity with Water and Aether within you, Little Princess," the old priestess said after a simple test. "As expected from the true descendants of Luna."
"Can I learn to control them now?" Elara asked hopefully.
The priestess smiled wisely. "The channels for your mana have indeed begun to form, even though you are still very young. We can start with basic exercises—feeling the flow, not manipulating it."
Day after day, under the secret guidance of Priestess Lunaris, Elara learned to feel the flow of mana around her. How the Water energy flowed like a river around the temple's fountain. How Aether shimmered like fine soot in the air, especially during the full moon.
As the Spring Festival drew closer, Consort Valeriana was increasingly called upon for preparations. As the sixth consort, her position was indeed low, but because of her beauty, she was still involved in important ceremonies.
"Elara, the Emperor will attend this festival," her mother said one night while combing Elara's hair. "He rarely meets the children of the consorts, especially one like you."
"Will Father be happy to meet me?" Elara asked innocently.
Consort Valeriana paused for a moment. "The Emperor has many responsibilities and many children. Don't expect special attention, dear. But show your gentleness and obedience, that will impress him."
Elena understood the situation. The Emperor, with six wives and eleven children, certainly did not have a special emotional bond with the children of lowly consorts. However, this was still an opportunity to make a good first impression.
The Festival day arrived. The entire palace was decorated with spring flowers, colorful lanterns, and fluttering silk fabrics. Nobles from all over the empire came, making the palace complex much more crowded than usual.
Elara was dressed in the finest gown she had—light blue silk with silver flower embroidery and a small crescent moon. Her hair was styled with real Starlight Lily flowers, making her unique among the other princesses who mostly wore the bright colors of their families.
The festival began with a grand parade. The Emperor and First Empress sat on high thrones, while the consorts sat on lower podiums. The royal children lined up according to their status. As the daughter of the sixth consort, Elara was almost at the very end of the line.
When it was her turn to pay respects to the Emperor, Elena was finally able to see her "father's" face up close.
Emperor Aurelius was a middle-aged man who still looked dashing. His hair was black with a few gray streaks at the temples, giving an impression of authority. His golden eyes were sharp and full of calculation. As Elara bowed deeply before him, those eyes widened slightly.
"Princess Elara of Consort Valeriana," the guard announced.
"Ah, the little princess who fell from the stairs," the Emperor said, his voice deep and authoritative. "I'm glad to see you have recovered, young one."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty," Elara replied in a clear voice. "I am very grateful to be able to attend this beautiful Spring Festival."
"Your eyes..." the Emperor noticed. "Like your mother's. But there's something different." He stared intently, making Elena a little nervous. "There's an unusual depth in them."
"Elara loves reading very much, Your Majesty," Consort Valeriana quickly explained from her place. "Perhaps that's what you see."
The Emperor nodded, though he didn't seem entirely satisfied with the explanation. "Knowledge is power. Keep learning, Little Princess."
With that, Elara was allowed to continue the line. But Elena could feel the Emperor's eyes following her for a few more moments. Just like the Crown Prince, it seemed the Emperor also sensed that there was something different about Elara.
Throughout the festival, Elena observed the dynamics of the royal family. The Emperor interacted more often with the children of the First Empress. The Crown Prince was always near him, clearly showing his position as heir. The other princes and princesses competed for attention, albeit subtly.
Suddenly, in the middle of the crowd, someone tugged at her sleeve. Elara turned and saw Prince Orion.
"Hi little sister," he greeted her friendly. "You look bored."
"No, Your Highness," Elara replied politely. "I'm really enjoying this festival."
Orion chuckled. "No need to be so formal when it's just us. You know, my mother—the Second Consort—was very close to your mother back then."
This was new information for Elena. "Really?"
"Yes, before court politics separated them. Viscount Starfall and Viscount Luna were old allies in the Council of Nobles."
"I didn't know that," Elara replied honestly.
Orion lowered his voice. "My advice, little sister, don't attract too much attention from the Crown Prince. He's... not always kind to siblings he considers 'interesting'."
Elena was immediately alert. "What do you mean, Brother?"
"Just friendly advice," Orion smiled, but his eyes were serious. "Ah, I have to go. See you again, Princess Elara."
After Orion left, Elena pondered his warning. It seemed the Prince from the Second Consort was genuinely trying to help her. But why? What would Orion gain from protecting the daughter of the lowest consort?
The Festival night ended with a spectacular magic show. The court mages combined their powers to create an illusion of a giant dragon flying over the garden, followed by a shower of real flower petals falling to the ground.
Elara stared in amazement. "One day, I will be able to do even greater things than this," she vowed in her heart.
As they returned to their pavilion, Consort Valeriana looked restless. "The Emperor noticed you," she said. "That could be good or bad."
"The Crown Prince also kept watching me," Elara added. "And Prince Orion warned me not to attract attention."
Consort Valeriana stopped. "Orion warned you? That's... interesting. The Starfall family has always been wary of the Solaris family's ambitions. But still, it's strange he cares about you."
"He said Viscount Starfall and Viscount Luna were old allies?"
"In the past, yes," Consort Valeriana sighed. "Our families—Luna, Starfall, and several other viscounts—once formed a balancing faction against the overly dominant influence of the Imperial Solaris family. But now that power has faded."
"Is that why Mama was positioned as the sixth consort? Because the Luna family is no longer strong?"
Consort Valeriana looked at her daughter with a surprised look. "You are too smart for your age, Elara. Yes, politics is the reason. But that's enough about that. This is not a conversation for children."
But Elena had already gotten the information she needed. Court politics was deeper and more dangerous than she had imagined. Factions, old alliances, deep-seated grudges—all of that formed a complex web around her.
And now, for some reason, she felt increasingly unsafe in the palace. The attention of the Emperor and the Crown Prince was not a good sign. Prince Orion's warning and her mother's anxiety only strengthened that feeling.
Elena began to understand that she might need to leave the palace for a while, until she was strong enough to face these dangerous politics. And as her mother had mentioned, the Yesetsa Peninsula might be the right place to take refuge.
"Mama," Elara called as they reached her room. "May we visit Grandpa in Yesetsa someday?"
Consort Valeriana looked surprised by this sudden question. "Yesetsa is very far away, dear. But someday, maybe. Why do you ask?"
Elara smiled innocently. "I just want to see another place. The palace is very big, but sometimes it feels... cramped."
Consort Valeriana stared at her daughter for a long time, as if seeing deeper than what was shown. "Yes," she said finally. "Sometimes the palace does feel like a golden cage. We'll see, okay?"
That night, Elena made plans in her mind. She would continue to study secretly at the Luna Temple. She would keep her head down, not attracting any more attention. And she would find out more about the Yesetsa Peninsula and the Luna family's relationship with that place.
If the situation worsened, she had to have a way out of the palace. And if she did have to leave, she would make sure that departure became an opportunity to grow stronger, not a defeat.
The game of court had just begun, and I will play it my way, Elena thought before falling asleep.
A few weeks later, as Consort Valeriana had feared, Elara was called for an early magic evaluation by the Council of Court Mages. A suspiciously great honor, considering she was only three years old.
"Remember, dear," her mother whispered before they entered the Mages' Tower. "Show talent, but not too much. Make them interested, but not suspicious."
Elena nodded. She had prepared herself for this test. Thanks to secret practice with Priestess Lunaris, she could already feel the flow of mana well, even manipulate it a little. But she would be careful not to show her full abilities.
The evaluation room was filled with old mages in colorful robes, representing various magic elements. In the middle of the room, a large, clear crystal was placed on a marble table.
"Princess Elara Luna, please come forward," said Archmagus Thalion, the leader of the council.
Elara stepped forward, making herself look a little scared—not difficult, considering the situation was indeed intimidating.
"No need to be afraid, Little Princess," said a female mage in a blue robe—a Water mage. "We just want to see your potential."
Archmagus Thalion explained the procedure. "You will touch this crystal. If there is magic talent, the crystal will react according to your element. It's that simple."
Elara looked around the room. In the corner, she saw Crown Prince Solaris and the First Empress watching closely. Their presence confirmed that this was not just a routine evaluation.
Carefully, Elara reached out and touched the crystal. Immediately, a warm sensation spread from her fingertips. The crystal began to glow softly, initially with a silvery-blue color—a sign of the Water and Aether elements, a typical heritage of the Luna family.
But then, something unexpected happened. The light in the crystal changed, showing a small spark of gold in the middle of the silvery-blue. Several mages gasped.
"Interesting," murmured Archmagus Thalion. "As expected, dominant Water and Aether. But there is a trace of another element there."
"Fire?" asked the Crown Prince, his voice sharp.
"Perhaps," Archmagus replied cautiously. "Or perhaps just a reflection. It's too early to be sure."
Elena herself was shocked. She did not expect the gold color—a symbol of the Fire element that was a hallmark of the Imperial Solaris family. How was this possible? Was this an effect of Elena's consciousness in Elara's body?
Consort Valeriana looked pale, but remained calm. "The ancestors of the Luna family sometimes showed a minor affinity for secondary elements," she said. "Maybe that's what we're seeing."
"Maybe," said the First Empress, but her gaze showed she was not entirely convinced. "Interesting potential, whatever it is."
After several other minor tests, the evaluation was declared complete. The decision: Elara did show promising early talent, but still had to wait until the age of five to begin formal education.
"However," Archmagus added, "considering her potential, an early introduction to basic theory can begin now. I will assign a tutor to teach Princess Elara for one hour each day."
Elena could barely hide her excitement. This was more than she had hoped for!
But her mother's worried look reminded her that this also meant closer supervision from the palace. The assigned tutor would surely report her every progress to the Council of Mages—and perhaps also to the Crown Prince.
As they left the evaluation room, the Crown Prince stopped them.
"Little sister with great talent," he said to Elara, his smile not reaching his eyes. "I will follow your development with great interest."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness," replied Consort Valeriana, bowing deeply. "Princess Elara will work hard not to disappoint the expectations of the royal family."
After the Crown Prince left, Consort Valeriana held Elara's hands tightly. "We have to talk to Priestess Lunaris immediately," she whispered. "That golden light... shouldn't have been there."
That night, at the hidden altar of the Luna Temple, Priestess Lunaris performed a deeper testing ritual.
"Little princess," she said after finishing, her face serious. "Your soul... is not like other children. There is something very old and very wise inside you."
Elena froze. Could this old priestess detect her consciousness from her previous life?
"What do you mean?" asked Consort Valeriana, her arm protectively around Elara's shoulders.
"I'm not sure," the Priestess replied. "But theFire element that appeared is not a genetic heritage. It's something more... spiritual. As if Princess Elara carries experiences from another life."
Elena felt her heart pounding. The Priestess could really sense her presence!
"Is this dangerous?" Consort Valeriana asked, now truly worried.
"Not dangerous, Your Majesty. But very interesting... and potentially very dangerous politically. If the Imperial Solaris family finds out that a princess from the Luna family has an affinity with Fire, they will be very suspicious."
"What should we do?" Consort Valeriana asked.
The Priestess thought for a moment. "For now, we focus on training the Water and Aether elements that are indeed dominant. Gradually, we will also guide Princess Elara to... suppress this Fire element during evaluations. Not eliminate it—that's impossible—but make it undetectable."
Consort Valeriana nodded in agreement. "And the formal lessons with the palace tutor?"
"Let them proceed as normal. Show progress, but not too quickly. And most importantly," the Priestess looked deeply at Elara, "never show any Fire affinity in front of members of the Imperial family before the time is right."
"I understand," Elara replied seriously.
On the way back to the pavilion, Consort Valeriana seemed lost in thought. Finally, she spoke in a very low voice.
"Elara dear, I'm starting to worry about your future in this palace."
"Because of the golden light, Mama?"
"That, and many other things. The Crown Prince's attention is getting more intense. Court politics are getting more dangerous." She looked at her daughter with a sad look. "Maybe we need to consider a safer plan."
"Like going to Grandpa's place in Yesetsa?" Elara asked, as if reading her mother's mind.
Consort Valeriana looked surprised, but then smiled a little. "Yes, dear. Maybe that's the best solution for now. Until the situation changes."
"When will we leave?"
"Not immediately. We need to plan this carefully. Maybe in a year or two, when the attention has subsided a bit."
Elena nodded, pleased with the direction of this conversation. Although she actually wanted to continue learning magic in the palace, her safety was clearly more important. And the Yesetsa Peninsula, from what she had heard, had many resources that she could utilize in a different way.
"Now, we focus on your lessons with your new tutor," Consort Valeriana continued. "And be careful with every word and action you take. The walls of the palace have ears."
Two days later, the promised tutor arrived at the Silver Moon Pavilion. His name was Magus Lyrien, a young mage specializing in Aether with a pale purple robe. From the way he introduced himself, Elena immediately knew that he was a spy for the Crown Prince.
"It's an honor to teach the talented princess of the Luna family," he said with a smile that was too wide. "The Crown Prince himself recommended me for this position."
Of course, Elena thought.
Formal lessons began with an introduction to the basics of magic theory—something that Elena had actually studied in more depth from Priestess Lunaris. But she pretended to be an enthusiastic student who was just learning.
"Princess Elara has a natural talent," Magus Lyrien reported after a few weeks. "Especially for the Water element, which is indeed typical of the Luna family. She quickly grasps the basic concepts."
"But not too quickly, right?" Consort Valeriana asked carefully.
"No, as expected for a gifted child her age. Nothing... suspicious."
Consort Valeriana sighed in relief. Their strategy was working. Elara showed impressive but not extraordinary progress, not enough to trigger any alarms.
Meanwhile, in secret lessons with Priestess Lunaris, Elena learned much faster. She began to be able to manipulate water droplets in the air, create a thin mist around her hands, and even sense the usually invisible aura of Aether.
Elara's life in the palace continued relatively quietly for several months. Formal lessons in the morning, secret lessons at night, and playtime that was actually used to gather information.
However, that tranquility ended one morning when Consort Valeriana received a sealed letter from Viscount Luna, her father.
"There's trouble in Yesetsa," she told Elara after reading the letter. "Your grandfather is ill. And there is... political tension in the Peninsula."
"Is that bad, Mama?"
Consort Valeriana looked hesitant. "It might be our chance," she whispered after making sure no servants were nearby. "The perfect reason to visit your grandfather sooner than planned."
She seemed hesitant for a moment, then made a decision. "Elara, listen to Mama carefully. The situation in the palace is getting more complicated. There are rumors that the First Empress is arranging a marriage between the Crown Prince and a daughter from a powerful Fire mage family. This will strengthen their position in the palace."
"Why does that affect us, Mama?"
"Because as the position of the Imperial Solaris family gets stronger, the position of other families—including ours—becomes more threatened. History shows that in situations like this, children from lowly consorts are often... exiled to monasteries or sent far away to remote provinces."
Elena understood now. "Are we going to Yesetsa before that happens?"
Consort Valeriana nodded. "I will submit a request to the Emperor on the grounds of your father's health. With the current political climate, he will probably allow it. Maybe even relieved to see us go."
"When, Mama?"
"Soon, dear. Start preparing yourself in your heart. We may not return to the palace for a very long time."
Elena pondered this information. Leaving the palace meant leaving behind access to the vast library and her magic lessons. But it also meant freedom from the Crown Prince's surveillance and the dangerous politics of the court.
"I'm ready, Mama," she said firmly. "Whenever we leave."
Two weeks later, with the Emperor's permission granted too easily, preparations for the departure to the Yesetsa Peninsula began. Most of their belongings would be sent later, but Elara made sure to bring all her magic lesson books.
Priestess Lunaris gave her a final blessing at the Luna Temple. "The Fire element within you may develop outside the palace, far from the suppressing influence of the Imperial family," she said. "That's not a bad thing, but still, be careful."
"Will I find a magic teacher in Yesetsa?" Elara asked worriedly.
"The Yesetsa Peninsula has a strong tradition of Water magic, although it's different from the palace tradition. And Viscount Luna was a respected Water mage in his youth. You will find guidance there, though it may be different from what you expect."
The day of departure arrived. With a small entourage—only a few trusted servants including Lady Hilda—Consort Valeriana and Princess Elara left the palace complex. There was no farewell ceremony, no royal family members to send them off. It was as if they wanted the sixth consort and her daughter to disappear quietly.
In the carriage that took them out of the Imperial capital, Elara looked back once more at the palace towers that were getting smaller and smaller.
"I will return someday," she vowed in her heart. "Stronger, more prepared, and no one will be able to stop me again."