Reinna
'I'm scared.'
Reinna thought as she sat alone in the carriage to her baptism. The uncomfortable leather seat and her dress feeling like it's getting tighter with every breath didn't help to ease her dread.
She lowered her head, her long golden hair, that is usually tied up, fell onto her lap. The sensation of it around her neck and combined with what she saw earlier, her breathing started to hasten.
'There's no hope for her.'
His words were still loud and clear in her head, but it wasn't the words that affected her, but the look on her father's face.
'Has he given up on me as well?'
"I did my best." She mumbled to herself, holding back tears. She shut her eyes trying to forget, but it just made the memory clearer.
The mentors were first eager to teach her, when they found out they will be teaching the first heir in centuries to inherit the eyes of the first Monarch of the country. She displayed incredible talent in understanding the fundamentals of magic, everyone had high expectations of her.
But for every passing moon, the perfect image of the princess slowly fell apart. With every perfect swing of the sword, was a failure to command her manas. With every stance perfected, was a failed attempt to see and the source of all magic, the World's Soul.
Until the day she was asked to manifest her elements, and NOTHING. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how long she prayed for the Gods, no matter how earnest she sang her chants.
Out of luck and options, she unconsciously grabbed her sword. Maybe hoping, begging to any Gods or Goddess that could be listening, to take her talent with the sword in exchange for even a fraction of what they expect of her. But it was all for naught.
'Nothing.'
The sudden jolt of the carriage, running over a rock, brought her back to the present. The road earlier wasn't exactly a smooth ride, but it was still leagues above the road they're currently on.
She inched closer to the window of the carriage. Moving the curtain out of the way, vision still blurry from tears she failed to hold back, she peered out the window. The tall trees all faded in the background as soon as she looked back at them, replaced with a wide field. Despite the foliage being full and green, the sun shining bright above with no clouds in sight. It was a word for word description of a beautiful day, but the unfamiliar road only made Reinna feel her dread growing.
She tried looking in front, but another rock on the road threw the carriage up, sending her tumbling backwards on the seat. She wiped her tears away and tried again.
Tall, grey walls stretched as far as the eyes can see. The ivy vines climbing up it did not help its intimidating presence. Reinna gripped the window tighter, the terror she felt growing as they came closer to the walls.
She held her breath as they enter the arch gateway.
In stark contrast to the frightening walls, the village hidden inside looked like paradise. Everything from the people walking with very calculated steps down to the pebble in their path was perfect. How they smile and softly waved to the carriage as they pass them. Reinna unconsciously moved away from the window.
'What is this place..?'
She held her own hand as she started to shake. Trying to calm herself down she started to play with her hair, a habit she developed as it has been the only she could grab as she listened to what her grandfather had to say about her.
She just continued trying to calm herself down until the carriage finally stopped. The door opened and what welcomed her was a towering chapel and an old man fitted in white cloaks smiling at her. "Welcome to the Sanctuary, your highness."
The feeling of uneasiness from earlier amplified from the presence of this innocent-looking man. Nevertheless, she took the hand that was offered to her and mumbled a small "Thank you," as to not seem rude.
She was ushered inside with guards trailing behind. She tried to keep her eyes forward but the call of a familiar voice made her look back. Seeing her younger brother waving enthusiastically at her made her calm. She waved slightly and gave a gentle smile. 'They're here,' she thought, but as soon as the figure behind her brother caught her eye, she stopped.
She couldn't take her eyes off him, breathing momentarily halted. The priest seemed to notice and put his hands on her shoulder, bringing her back to the present. "Are you alright, princess?" She nodded slightly before continued forward, against her instincts, towards the foreboding building that will once and for all decide her place in the family.
To her surprise, she was guided towards the garden. There stand a small, less decorated door compared to the gigantic double doors out front. "After you." The priest opened the door while moving to the side.
It was an ordinary room. Nothing special. The walls showed age but were still clean. In the middle, stood a glass reliquery, with some sort of cloth visible inside. For a moment, she started to relax.
The click of the door made her remember where she was. "This way, please." He walked towards the table hosting the reliquery. "Felklor." It opened on its own.
Reinna unconsciously stepped back. 'This isn't like any magic her mentors have shown.' She thought to herself, trying to remember. Manas respond to your emotions and cognition, chants helped for focus, but it was usually sung in our native tongue.
"Fel-"
"I don't think you should finish that." He cut off, handing the cloth, which was the ceremonial toga used for the baptism. "We need to get going after all." Again with the smile that wouldn't reach the eyes.
He left her alone to change, instructing her to just continue towards the main hall when she's ready.
In the toga, the weight of it all felt twice as heavy. She held onto her chest, trying to calm her breathing. Slowly, she walked toward the door. Nervous. Scared. And all alone now.
She wiped her tears that began to fall. The metal ring felt cold in her flushed skin.
She pushed the door, and it creaked low and long. The light slowly seeped into the room.