Chapter Four; Born Ready

My Tuesday wasn’t anything special. The best thing was being able to finally get to bed after hours of the coronation rehearsal. I don’t understand the point of a big production for me joining into a life of pure torture. If anything it should be a ceremony planning out my funeral. I was woken up by Elijah, who came barging in with a usual tray of foods. I had mostly eggs on it this time-a special request by yours truly-and more of those blue fruits Aura and I loved so much. We discovered with a quick ‘Ask Elijah’ game that they were in fact ‘blueberries.’ Whatever they were, they were amazing! 

“Are you excited for your big day?” Aura squeaked, nibbling on a blueberry I had given her. I shrugged. 

“I mean, it’s nice that people care, but it seems a bit much, you know?” I asked, popping a blueberry into my mouth. 

“I think once it’s all said and done with, you’re going to love it.” Aura predicted, finishing the blueberry. 

“I hope so. I just hope things can only improve.” I sighed, touching the purple necklace still dangling from my neck. I decided I would never take it off. I couldn’t let my mother get into the wrong hands.

“Once you hit rock bottom, you can only go up!” Aura flew up to the ceiling, giggling as she flew down next to me. At this point, I think Aura might be the only person keeping me sane. 

“I have this bad feeling though.” I admitted, rubbing my paws across my arms. 

“What do you mean? This is going to be the best day ever!” Aura cheered. I shrugged. 

“I don’t know. I just have this feeling today is not going to go as planned.” 

“Why is that?” 

“I had this weird dream last night.” 

“So?” 

“Well-” 

“Mariah, it’s stress.” 

“No, it isn’t.” 

“What was the dream?” 

“My grandfather is going to strike today.” Silence. 

“I’m sure that was just your imagination.” Aura said, a little shaken up. 

“Maybe. But it felt so real. His voice was just as I remember from a couple months ago. He seemed too serious for comfort.” I explained, shaking at the thought of the time he had appeared to me. 

“Perhaps you should tell your father.” Aura said quietly.

  “Xavier would think I’m mad.” I explained, ignoring the father comment. It wasn’t that I hated the guy, don’t get me wrong! It’s just-well- I don’t know the guy. I don’t think calling this guy ‘father’ is exactly right at the moment. Perhaps someday I can. Xavier said so himself he isn’t going to rush me on it. 

“Princess! You have one last runthrough of your coronation before your big day! A few of the servants will be bringing in your gown for tonight’s ball for you to wear during this rehearsal.” Elijah knocked. I sighed, and opened the door. Aura flew into my closet. Immediately, a fake smile covered my face. 

“Awesome, thanks!” I sarcastically said, starting to shut the door. Elijah quickly held the door open. 

“Princess,” Elijah began, but I cut him off with my paw. 

“Mariah, please. Just Mariah.” 

“Alright, Mariah. No, that’s weird.” 

“Just continue.”

“You’re going to be a fine princess.” 

“Right after I make a huge fool of myself at the ceremony?” 

“You’re going to do amazing, Mariah. I promise you. Nothing could possibly go wrong.” 

“And now you’ve jinxed me.” Elijah laughed, bowing and shutting the door after walking out. Aura flew out, spinning around me. 

“I can’t wait to see your gown! I’m sure it’s gorgeous!” Aura gushed, flying around. 

“I just hope it isn’t torturous.” I sighed, plopping onto my bed. There was a knock on the door. I rolled my eyes. I just sat down, dude! 

“Yes?” I called, walking towards the door. I opened the door to reveal three servants holding up a large bag. 

“Holy Mira that’s huge.” My eyes widened, moving out of the way to let them in. They all bowed their heads, laying the bag on my bed. Aura was already behind my pillows, watching from a small crack between them. 

“It’s a very heavy gown. I’m surprised it got finished.” One of the servants explained, taking the dress out of the bag. 

It was-and I have to say it-absolutely stunning. It was lavender and white with a beautiful star print on it. It had a very long trail, and it reached well to the floor. I heard a small gasp come from the pillows. I giggled slightly, knowing Aura was probably going to have a meltdown after the servants had left. 

“Your official tiara is placed at the altar of the ceremonial room. We won’t be using it for the rehearsal, however.” The other servant explained, starting to help the other servant pull out the gown. They seemed to be trying to find a zipper.

All the sudden, an ear piercing noise came through the castle. I screamed, covering my ears. Immediately, seven guards, three servants, Elijah, and Xavier came rushing in. Nobody else seemed to notice the alarm-like noise in the air. 

“Mariah! Mariah!” I heard Xavier shout, shaking me. Suddenly, the noise stopped. Slowly, I uncovered my ears. By now, half of the castle was filed into my room, with Lucy, Liam, and Olivia beside Xavier. 

“You didn’t hear that?” I exclaimed, standing up quickly. 

“No?” Xavier questioned. I rushed over to the window. 

“Mariah,” Xavier approached me, putting a hand on my shoulder. 

“I am not crazy.” I snapped, shoving his hand off of me. 

“What are you waiting for? A show?” By now, I was yelling. I could feel a sense of anger surging through my veins. 

“Her eyes!” A servant screamed, running out the room. All of the servants in the room did so. A few guards backed up, and Elijah was behind them. Xavier ushered his family out of the room, and stood in front of everyone. 

“Mariah, you need to calm down.” Xavier held his hands up. I looked into the obnoxiously large mirror. My eyes were pulsing a very bright green. I remember my mother’s eyes doing the same thing when she was angry-and she was always angry. I heard a laugh. It was a pretty familiar laugh. I remembered this laugh. It was dark. Evil. Powerful. 

“Oh my Mira-” I shrieked, running out of the room. 

“Mariah!” Xavier shouted, running after me. I halted at the large doors, locking the ‘secure lockdown’ on the castle. 

“What are you doing!” Xavier grabbed my arm, but I pulled it away. 

“Trust me! You need to go somewhere safe.” I demanded. 

“What’s going on?” Xavier grabbed my shoulders, forcing my eyes to meet his. 

“I think we have a big problem.” I explained, looking down onto the ground. 

“What’s happening? Mariah, you can tell me.” 

“I think there’s going to be a large attack on Jamaa.” 

“And what makes you think that?” 

“I just heard my grandfather firing the siren call. Only the phantom ruler has the capability to do so.” I muttered. Xavier’s eyes grew wide. A few guards stepped closer. 

“Look, I’m sorry for how I reacted. I really am. But you have to trust me on this. We might have a phantom invasion on our hands.” I explained. 

“Your coronation is tonight, Mariah. You’re most likely just stressed out. It’s going to be fine.” Xavier put a hand on my shoulder. 

“I am not stressed. I know what I heard, Xavier. Every phantom is alerted. I had read about it before, but I never heard the calling before. You need to believe me. Please.” 

“I’ll have the alphas armed. I’ll triple security. We’ll scan everyone who comes in. Will that help?” Xavier asked, looking into my eyes. I did the only thing I could think of. I nodded and gave him a big hug. 

“It’s going to be alright, Mariah. I am so proud of you.” 

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The servants seemed to forget what happened because they were all smiley and excited an hour afterwards when they were putting that large gown on me for the rehearsal. That, or Xavier had warned them not to bring it up or hold a grudge. He said so himself bringing a ‘phantom-jammer hybrid’ wasn’t going to be easy, but he didn’t care. It made me feel wanted. I didn’t know the correct word for it, but it gave me a warm, nice feeling inside. I tried thinking of the word once, but all I could come up with was ‘wanted.’ I suppose I’m not good with my ‘jammer’ side. 

“This is gorgeous! Joanne really outdone herself.” One of the servants beamed, zipping the dress up from the back. I turned to look at the mirror, and I almost teared up a bit. I looked-not hideous. 

“Stunning, absolutely stunning.” Another maid gasped, putting my hair into a quick braid. 

“We’ll do your hair much fancier for the real thing, princess. But I know you love your braids.” Another maid laughed, bringing one of the tiaras out from the closet. 

“This one matches fairly well. We can use this as your ‘tiara before officially a princess’ tiara. It’s a weird concept.” Another maid put a purple diamond tiara on my head. 

“King Xavier informed us that you’d like to wear that necklace to your coronation, is that correct?” I touched the necklace and nodded. He remembered-and he cared. 

“You’re expected to be in the ceremonial room in a few minutes. Let’s get you there.” The maids picked up the trail of the dress, and we were off. 

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“Absolutely gorgeous.” Xavier smiled, giving me a hug. I still didn’t understand why he forgave me. I mean, I did try to destroy his kingdom, and I also muted his daughter. I was the Destroyer-the one who would destroy all that is good and beautiful. Yet, here I am. I’m about to be crowned as a princess. Oh, if only you could see me now, mother. I was so much more than your little puppet. 

“Thank you.” I sincerely replied. I fixed my necklace and walked towards the back of the room. 

It was quite simple. I basically just make my way down the ‘royal carpet’ and to the front of the room. I stood there while Liza would read off whatever rules and stuff she had to (thank Mira they didn’t do it for rehearsals. They said it’s only for the real thing). Then, she would pick up the official crown and replace the crown already on my head. Then she was going to announce me with two literal last names handpicked by Xavier (I never got a middle name from my mom. I never knew they existed). 

Liza was standing there, this time, with a bright smile on her face. I noticed the other Alphas standing in the front as well. Xavier even brought them here for me? I mean-Liza had to be here now. But the other Alphas didn’t. He really did this for me? 

Go ahead and try to attack, Phantom King. We were born ready.”

( I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN THE DRESS I USED AS A VISUAL IN THAT PHOTO. I MERELY FOUND IT FROM GOOGLE. ALL RIGHTS GO TO https://www.viniodresses.com/ AND THEIR DESIGNERS. )

Do YOU guys think Mariah heard her grandfather siren off for an attack? Will her coronation go as planned? Jam On!