The Surge, will I really get it? The Surge is the physical awakening of a child’s magical potential, that can occur as early as the moment the child is born and up until they turn 6 years old. Anything with a spirit contains an innate amount of mana, though not all can experience the Surge. The Surge occurs when the mana is built up in the child to an excessive amount, to the point they expel a huge amount of mana to regain balance of the spiritual energy. This build up of mana is caused by the child’s high affinity for mana. Their affinity and lack of control of their spiritual energy, attract the mana from their surroundings to create this excess. The Surge is simply an explosion of energy but the significance of it is actually that it acts as a catalyst for the activation of mana gates. Mana gates are the points of energy that are located throughout the body that help with the flow of mana. Once these gates are activated, the body is in control of the mana flowing in and out. This allows the child to instinctively gain the ability to control their mana and thus being able to use magic. Magical ability is not common and is highly genetically determined, although there are the rare cases of a child developing magical ability in a family of no mages, it is more often for magical ability to be passed down lineages. Even in my family, although Armand is a highly renowned and talented mage, much like many of our ancesters, only two of his sons have managed to inherit the Surge, and that’s Ciel and Kalei. The twins, Alphonse and Ezra both didn’t get the Surge, though they made up for their lack of magical ability in other areas of expertise; Ezra being the most intelligent and promising alchemist in the Empire, and Alphonse being a prodigy as well but in swordsmanship. But Princess Mia lacked noticeable talent for anything except for her goodness. That was one of the reasons she was shunned by her father and brothers, she wasn’t special enough for them. That made my heart break for the little girl that was Princess Mia, who only yearned for love and affection from her family. How could they have such high unrealistic expectations of such a little kid?! And to think they didn’t even visit her once when she was dying from her illness.. And she did die. She will never come back. She’ll never know if she would get the Surge before turning 6, and if this would finally have gotten her the love she yearned for so much from her family. She’ll never know.. And this made me feel that it would be better if I never did get the Surge, that at least in that sense, she never missed out on what could’ve been. And I would be okay, I would find another way to survive, a way without magic, but at least this way her death would seem less...pitiful. I sincerely wished that to become true, and for the young Princess Mia’s spirit to finally be at peace, but life is well known for throwing curveballs.

After meeting the Emperor that day, I received the apprenticeship contract before evening as promised, after reading the details, I came up with a makeshift signature and signed the contract. And since, contracts in this world are magical scrolls bound by blood pacts, I also had to stab myself with a needle. I was still peeved that the contract debt was set at 999, 999 ruby crowns and 99 gold crowns, enough to make me want to wring the Emperor’s neck like a towel. Thank goodness no one I know can read minds, or else I’d be killed for treason. The contract was then sent back to the Emperor for his signature and blood as well. At least the contract will make him bleed also, that’s one silver lining.

That night, all the staff of my palace were informed of the sudden situation and were rushed to make preparations for the move. I was allowed to take 5 of my maids and one butler to accompany me at the imperial palace. I chose to take June, Linda, three other randomly chosen maids, and Paisley, the head butler. The Garnet Palace was bustling with life throughout the night as the maids transported my dresses, accessories, and other possessions to the Ruby Imperial Palace.

The next morning, I and my entourage left the Garnet Palace for the foreseeable next 13 years. Perhaps it was the previous Mia’s lingering feelings in her heart or the attachment I grew to have to the place in the past month or so, but I felt lonely as I left. It became a home to me at some point, and the maids and butlers were my friends. Upon arrival at the Ruby Palace, I was greeted with a formal welcome by the imperial knights. They stood in an orderly fashion, making two vertical lines towards the gate, and I walked passed them, in between the lines, they bowed to me earnestly. My entourage became flustered with the attention they received as a result of walking alongside me. Linda, being scatterbrained and easily-embarrassed as she was, bowed down profusely in return at the knights we walked past. I knew the apprenticeship would be a big deal but I didn’t expect the imperial knights would personally come to greet me. I’ve been here two times before and nothing like this happened, having power is a scary thing hehe. Inside the palace, we were greeted by the crowd of palace staff. The maids, butlers, kitchen staff, footmen, and others, all bowed towards me. The head maid stepped forward and introduced herself as Margot. She then showed me to my bed chambers, which were a 15 min walk away. Upon arriving, I entered the room and was stunned at the interior. Unlike the other places in the palace I’ve visited, this room was completely blue. It was the dark, rich royal blue that gave off the sense of prestige and wealth. The curtains and draped canopy was made of a radiant blue velvet cloth, and complimentary layers of black lace and silver bordered blue silk were peeking from the folds of the drapes. The furniture was black and bejewelled by sapphires, and silver painted patterns etched the walls. Black velvet rugs covered the floor and silver framed paintings covered the walls. My breath was taken away at the exquisite sight.

“It’s as if this room was inspired by the colour of your eyes, Miss.” Linda said, awestruck.

“His Majesty ordered the room be prepared specifically like this for Her Highness to ensure her stay at the palace is to her utmost comfort.” Margot responds.

“Why blue though?” Linda says without much thought.

“We were informed by His Majesty that it is Her Highness’ favourite colour, so we prepared it as such. We may change the room if Her Highness does not approve.”

“No, it’s alright. I love it, thank you for your efforts Margot.” Margot bows her head.

“No need to thank me, Your Highness, it is my duty.” Margot bows her head. “If that may be all, I am needed at the kitchen to prepare breakfast.”

“Yes that will be all Margot, you may go.” Margot bows once more and disappears past the door.

“It was very kind of His Majesty to design this room as per your preferences Miss. He’s well known to hate the colour blue.” Linda comments, getting June to jab Linda in the side with her elbow.

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

“There’s not much to know Your Highness. It is just a rumour amongst the loose-mouthed.” June says, eyeing daggers at Linda.

“What sort of rumour?”

June looks around hesitantly. “It’s not one to be concerned about Miss, I would much rather you not distress yourself with such things.”

“June.”

June stiffens at my voice but continues to deny my request. I sigh, knowing she won’t give in, and let the topic go, evidently making June relieved. But how can he hate blue, it’s the colour of his own eyes… Maybe he doesn’t like it because it’s also the colour of Mia’s eyes… But that makes no sense! Why go through all the trouble to decorate the room blue for me then? I don’t know, I won’t ever be able to understand that guy.