Chapter 5: Fairy

At the center, Luna saw a group of people. Seven were women. Each one possesses extreme beauty and tall. They wore flowing dresses each a different color from the other. Their hair glowing, their skin pale and luminescent. Gems adorned their head. Some shaped like flowers, others like teardrops. They were so richly dressed. The air around them was filled with arrogance and royalty.

Talking, or rather arguing with them are much taller men, garb in the same richly manner as the beauties. However, it was evident that the men were much older than the women. They have long beards hanging from their faces. Same luminescent skin but lined with age.

Luna can see that they did not notice their arrival, for the group continued arguing.

Then the man in a dark blue robe started shouting. "You cannot mean to welcome her here, Princess Lamea! I object as well as the other Elders! What you are saying is outrageous!"

"And why not, Juren?"

The woman in emerald green with blond straight hair, probed.

"You question our choice to welcome her here? It is not because she is our father's daughter? And deny as you may, she still bore his markings."

"Is that reason enough to let her in the castle? We know little to nothing about this child. Why not house her at the other dwellings first?" The bald man with bad posture reasoned as he turned to face the woman in gold.

But a red-haired princess beside him answered instead.

"Again, because she is a princess! Oh, Bathala. Are you even listening? How many times should we repeat that fact? She has the right to reside here in the castle!"

"Don't you dare raise your voice at us Alta. We are only thinking of the kingdom and our people."

Alta faced the old man. "That would be Princess Alta to you Juren. And-"

"Enough! Both of you!"

Lamea's ears are already ringing after hearing her sister Alta and Juren bicker. Being the oldest among the seven princesses can be tiring. With all the Elders and other royal blood forever reminding her to take a husband to help seal her reign. But Princess Lamea only listens with half ears. She will marry when she feels it is the right time.

There was no hurry. It was true, until their father's untimely death.

How tragic that day had been when they found his lifeless body beyond the forest of Atmond. The muscles in her smooth face tightened remembering that day. She vanished that memory and moved forward to stop Alta from saying more. A slight nod towards Luna, brought their attention.

Their guest has arrived.

The group spun looking at Luna with varying expressions. From curiosity to full hatred. Hatred coming from the man named Juren.

Luna involuntarily shivered. And the hands around her tightened. The old man gives her the creeps. Other than that, she does not know what to feel. She overheard their conversation. She may be dense but she was sure that they were talking about her.

Did she hear it right? She is a princess? And what are they saying about her father? Isn’t her father Luncio? A normal human being. For one, he does not have their skin. Two, he is usually tan because of his work. So, what is this she is hearing? And why does this Juren hates her even before meeting her?

By this time, General Wolf had gotten off his horse and brought her down. Luna never took her eyes off the princesses from the moment the lift had stopped. It was not easy to tilt her head the fact that she even barely reached the general's torso. Now she strained her neck to looked up at the general. Her eyes full of questions. He did not say anything and held her shoulders turning her to face the group.

They were unnaturally silent. But she noticed that Juren's face no longer bears hatred but shock. Utter shock. Those of the princesses were amusement.

Frowning she begun to take a step forward. Not according to her will but because she cannot ignore the giant's push. It is either she comes forward or she falls face down on the floor what is with his shoving her.

"Will you please stop pushing me already?! Okay? I am walking. See?" She said through gritted teeth. Her eyes flashing. She vows to deal with him later. This brute man!

In steady steps, Luna walked towards the group. For the first time coming here, she felt scared. Scared of not knowing what will happen next. She had her gifts for most of her life. It was an integral part of her. It was just always... there. That was what she thought, that it would be constant. But she never imagined this day would come.

Luna's slippers glided on the floor.

Princess Lamea walked forward to meet her. Her yellow gold robe shimmered as she moves. Opening her arms in welcome.

"Come Luna our sister, I know you seek answers to your questions."

The others followed behind Princess Lamea. Luna noted that their colors resembles a rainbow.

"Sister...?" She asked stopping from her tracks.

As if only just remembering that they were not alone. Princess Lamea looked around and ordered everyone to leave except for her sisters. Luna saw Juren's face contorted with rage. "But Princess La-"

"Now!" Princess Lamea ordered without looking back at Juren. The old man is angry but he cannot go against the princess. He may be an Elder but Princess Lamea is the future ruler of the Kingdom. For now...

He turned and left together with the others, disappearing behind a golden door. But not before he directed another hateful glare to Luna.

"Please do not heed Juren's words." The princess reached for her, holding her hands.

"Welcome to the Kingdom of Constancia, Luna. I am Lamea."

She then proceeded to lead her to the others standing in a loose circle, waiting.

"And yes, we are your sisters. We share the same blood. Our father, King Castor or Luncio as you know him, is the same person."

With immaculate grace, she lifted her arms and began to introduce the others.

"This is Morga..."

Luna turned to her left and saw a woman in ruby red dress. Her head was adorned with drops-of-blood-like gems. Creating a striking contrast against her shocking white curly hair that fell past her shoulders. Morga gave her a small nod as a sign of greeting.

Princess Lamea then looked at the girl next to Morga.

"The one in blue is Alta..."

Luna remembered her earlier as the red head who was strongly arguing with Juren. The girl grinned, eyes shining; one hand raised waving at her. "Hello, Luna."

Luna gave her a small smile in return thinking; at least someone seems glad to meet her.

"To your right is Jamin... Descia... Porthia..."

Wearing dresses in emerald green, lilac and sunny orange respectively, each gave Luna a perfunctory nod like Morga. From their heads dangles all sort of jewels that matched the color of their dresses. Soft jingles accompanied their movements as gems sways hitting each other. Luna cannot help staring.

Then all of a sudden, something caught her eye.

"Ah...!"

Startled, Luna let out a loud scream, stepping back. A girl wearing a flowy gown tinged with pink had suddenly appeared beside her! Out of thin air?! She was so surprised that she involuntarily took a few steps back. One hand on top of her fast beating heart.

When she finally calmed down, Luna heard the muffled giggles of the princesses who were trying to hide their amusement. All except Princess Lamea who cleared her throat to get everyone's attention.

"And that beside you is Kirrin, the youngest." Her voice laced with reprimand as she pointedly looked at the girl.

Kirrin bowed her head and with a gentle voice began to apologize.

"I beg your forgiveness. I did not mean to scare you."

"Yo- you... h- how did you d- do it?"

How embarrassing, she was still flustered that she started stuttering! Well great! Just great! She lost her sight and now she has a stutter.

"I understand that all of this must seem so strange to you. I do not have all the answers. But I will try my best to enlighten you." Lamea spoke interrupting her musing.

After hearing what Lamea said, questions in an instant filled Luna's mind. How can they be sisters? What are they...? She does not know anything about them.

As if to answer her silent query, Lamea continued. "We are fairies, Luna. And you are one of us."

Wait, did she just tell her she was one of them? Meaning, a fairy?!

Her? A F-A-I-R-Y?!

Written all over Luna's face was disbelief. How can she be a fairy?!

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A/N:

Bathala - a god in Philipine mythology