Their mother gave them all a stern look. “No misbehavior while we’re in meetings. Or mysterious pranks,” she directed at the twins, who smiled innocently.

“You’ll see the other children after greetings,” reminded Aharon, as if they didn’t follow the same routine every year. “I know you might be reluctant,” he managed not to look at Bryony, “but do your best to make friends. Understood?” When the girls promised in unison, he held out an arm to Tabetha and lead them to the castle. People parted for them, greeted them, while Bryony tried to keep breathing steadily and ignore the tight feeling in her chest.

One week. She could do this.

###

While passing through the portrait hall, Lavender looked back at Bryony, smirking. “I bet Sedrick will be happy to see you,” she whispered teasingly. “He was so sad last year.”

Bryony’s cheeks this time turned red with anger. “If he tries anything, I’ll kick him,” she hissed back. He wasn’t going to bully her again.

“Be silent,” Bluebell said from ahead. “Mother will hear you.”

Lavender rolled her eyes while Bryony glanced ahead, relieved to see her parents speaking to each other quietly and ignoring them. “No, you’d be too scared,” said her sister.

“Yeah, you couldn’t do it,” Juniper turned back to add, giggling.

Her cheeks still burning. Bryony couldn’t find the words to say in return as the twins turned away, pleased with their mockery. Holding back tears, she looked to the portraits instead, slowing down to focus on the last seven, the founders of Valoren, as she did every year.

Kind-looking Tiberius and fierce Isabeau, complete opposites but the best of friends. Mykel seemed expressionless, except for a small upturn of his lips. Liora looked down at her proudly, Jaicen looked sharp, almost untouchable despite being a gifted healer. And Nezera looked peaceful for the first time in her life.

And then there was Alyza, the first queen of Calyda, whose smile was so warm. Bryony looked up with awe. As Aharon said, she looked more like the long-gone queen than her parents, as if only a generation separated them instead of a thousand years.

Someone whispered her name, and she turned to see the throne room doors opening and Bluebell waving for her to hurry. Bryony raced forward, slipping on the smooth floor and bumping into Lavender before being able to stop. Lavender glared at her while nearby guards broke out into brief smiles before collecting themselves again.

“The royal family of Calyda; King Aharon, Queen Tabetha, Princess Azalea, Camellia, Hyacintha, Bluebell, Juniper, Lavender, Bryony,” the herald took a breath, “and Prince Sage.”

Peering around her sisters, Bryony saw almost all the other families were already here except for Rialtha, Sedrick’s realm. Reminded of Gwenyth’s story, Bryony looked to the back of the room. Seven golden thrones filled the wall, simple and none higher than the another, decorated only with their realm’s symbols. Those chairs weren’t used anymore, instead, six pairs of smaller chairs that were half gold and half silver sat around the round table in the center of the room. But Bryony’s gaze went to the gold throne of Zahara, the symbol of a burning sword over a shield where Nezera’s head once rested.