Crystal trudged her feet through the school gates, her mood already sinking. Princess Ruby was coming. And Crystal absolutely loathed royal visits.
“Ugh. I still haven’t recovered from the last one,” she grumbled. “Frozen noodles for three weeks straight, thanks to that Nivear princess turning the entire cafeteria into a popsicle factory.” She shuddered. Star noticed it.
“Come on, I know it is going to be bad, but at least I packed lunch today!” Star chirped with false cheer.
It wasn’t just the food—it was the fake smiles, the sudden sparkle themed lectures, and the way everyone acted like royalty visiting was some sacred event instead of a full on school apocalypse. Star totally agreed with Crystal. Star brought her own lunch with Crystal’s set in case Princess Ruby did anything to the school.
Star sat beside Crystal in the back row of the healing classroom, quietly wrapping their lunch sets while Ms Rosy droned on about plant-based healing techniques. Crystal aimlessly poked at her notes with her pen, completely zoning out.
“Think she is going to ruin lunch?” Crystal whispered.
Star gave her a warm yet sarcastic look.“That’s why I packed double. I cannot let you starve because the cafeteria is turned into aesthetic crystals!”
Before Crystal could reply, the classroom doors swung open with dramatic timing no one asked for.
In walked Princess Ruby. Gleaming white fur. Accessories shining. A gentle breeze followed her like it had been personally trained for dramatic entrances.
The teacher paused mid-sentence.
Half the class straightened up like they were on parade duty.
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Crystal groaned internally. Of course she had to arrive mid-lesson. With that sparkly energy.
Ruby gave a polite, practiced smile to the teacher and slowly made her way to the royal-designated seat—front row, center stage, soaked in sunlight like the school installed it just for her. Students are whispering excitedly and the classroom suddenly got loud.
“Everyone! Silence!” Ms Bluebell bellowed. The chatting immediately stopped.
Star leaned over to Crystal and whispered,
“Wow, all those glitter are unnecessary, and look. Ten seconds in and she already has a fan club.”
Crystal didn’t reply. She was too busy side-eyeing the sparkle trail that Ruby somehow left behind. This is going to be the worst day of the year at school. She jotted notes about the plant based healing while Ruby still sits there gleaming like a spotlight magnet. Soon, after the class, Ruby called some girls out. She remembered overhearing that those girls are going to be the new royal healers.
Soon, those girls gone to the palace while Crystal watch them leave. They waved at their class before going, now dressed in fancy clothes that look expensive. Argh. There is still one more period of water plant-healing techniques class after that. She grumbled internally. Star was not in the same lesson as her now. She unknowningly daydreamed. Just imagine a world were they are allowed to train magic and the ability she will get.
She wished it’s plant-based. She really loved plants. She imagined herself with those thorns and vines punishing all the fugitives and maybe even the top fugitive Luna Citrine Amethyst. She wished she could use a thorn to let Luna Citrine Amethyst and Amaru Amber Firefall do good. She think if someone as strong as Luna is the commander of Celestara, Umbryth will be doomed.
“Crystal?” The water plant-healing techniques lesson teacher, Mdm Rosy exclaimed. “Can you answer the question I asked just now?” She said with her usual happy energy. I looked at the question on the board. “Identity the plant type on the board.” It wrote.
“That is a crystal coral, a magical water plant that removes rashes.” Crystal replied, voice dry. Mdm Rosy nodded and continued the lesson. All the classmates looked. They know she is infamous among for daydreaming. Crystal sighed in relief. She was tapping her pencil on the notepad out of boredom. She yawned as quietly as possible and she is staring at the clock waiting for recess while tapping pencils on notes during the lesson.The rest of the lesson dragged on like a snail with a limp.
She had resorted to doodling stars and plants in her notebook and practiced balancing her pencil on her nose. A classic move. Mdm Rosy’s voice continued in the background, humming on about photosynthesis and magical root extraction, but she was not tuned in.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOVQ0tSq29
When the bell finally rang for recess, half the class bolted out like they’d been held hostage. Crystal stood up slower, adjusting her scarf and nudging Star with her tail.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0plnhiZcV
“Come on, let’s go eat our non-crystal, non-sparkle-corrupted lunch before Ruby floods the cafeteria in glitter suddenly. And guess the lunch we prepared will be eaten as dinner now.”
Star giggled and followed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8oPcUhMEp
The school courtyard was the same as always—fountains glowing, trees enchanted to always be in bloom, and students lounging around pretending they weren’t stressed. Crystal sat with Star on their usual bench, opened her lunchbox, and sighed in relief at the blessed sight of actual warm food.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyt6SM7hfX
No frost. No gold leaf. No glamour spells.
Just a sandwich.Crystal was halfway through her sandwich when a nearby group of students suddenly gasped.
She glanced over. A digital scroll projection had popped up on one of the courtyard panels—school news alert. Most of the time it was just announcements about club meetings or potion sales, but this one had a red banner.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pAXiW8NWR
“BREAKING: Princess Josephine of Umbryth, currently known as Princess Jo, to undergo royal trials in two moons. Palace confirms throne succession ritual will proceed.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbyQaJ0i1h
Crystal stopped chewing.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDwJrVWa6Z
“Well,” she muttered, “guess someone’s life is going downhill faster than ours.” Star looked from her sandwich. “Being royal is always very tiring and boring. I wonder what new degrees Jo will establish when she take the throne.” Crystal continued.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPRiilMXmU
The royal palace of Umbryth has officially confirmed that Princess Josephine will undergo the ancient Umbrythian throne succession trials two moons from now.
The announcement was delivered by Queen Orchid Elizabeth March during the midday court briefing, stating:77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe32R0teNBr
“Princess Jo has been prepared. The Umbrythian throne awaits her resolve.”
The Umbrythian trials—designed to test strength, sacrifice, and loyalty—have historically shaped the fate of the empire’s rulers. Palace insiders hint that this trial may mark a shift in Umbrythian leadership not seen in over a generation.
The trail of loyalty is based on the decision the nominee will make. The decisions and willingness will show how willing the nominee is ready to serve Umbryth. The second trail of wisdom includes nominee to flip the game to win even when they are in a worse condition than the opponent. The third and last one trail of responsibility will observe what the nominee do in a day. Jo said she will be the first one to pass the trails perfectly, as declared.” The news continued. Crystal stood still.
“Bold.” She commented. The sun above shone in her fluffy white fur and brown spots, she was very annoyed today. Mostly as Ruby came today. Star sat quietly next to her and nibbled on the sandwich quietly. Crystal turned and gobbled her sandwich down.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6keAf88K8P
School passed quickly and before Crystal know, it’s dismissal time. Star then caught up with her. “Hey sis! Can we make pizza at home as a snack today?” She asked cheerfully. Crystal nodded.
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and then Add to home screen.