Ri
Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you…
Happy birthday, happy birthday… Happy birthday, Rianne!
I woke up hearing the voices of my family behind my door.
Yayks! I quickly grabbed some clothes and ran to the bathroom. I took my shower fast and changed into my clothes. I combed and fixed my hair before I went out of my room.
As soon as I opened the door, I was met by the happy faces of my family and a very large cake.
“Happy birthday, Ri!” they greeted me altogether.
“Thank you, guys!”
“Come on. Let’s head to the kitchen so we can have our special breakfast!” Mom said excitedly.
All of us cheered in excitement. We had a sumptuous meal. And my family is complete plus my Fraeian family, too.
“Five days from now will be your coronation day. As tradition, you have to go back to the human world and be back the day before the coronation.” Ermash Brienne told us.
We are having a meeting for the preparation of the coronation day.
“Yes, Ermash.” My brothers and sisters said excitedly.
“Ahh, Ermash?” I called her. “Since I have been there for long, is it okay if I will not go? I want to stay here in Fraeia instead.”
“Of course! The tradition does not limit you as to when you have to be there! We just want you to be sure of your decisions.” Ermash said.
“Thank you!” I took a deep breath.
“You can now all go.” Ermash told us and we stood up to go. “Can I have a word with you, Ri?”
I nodded and looked at my Mom telling her to go ahead.
“Is there something wrong, Ri?” Brienne asked as soon as were alone.
“I can’t go back! If I will, I’m afraid I can’t be able to come back.” I said softly, ashamed of my weakness.
“What’s wrong child?”
“I – I – I’m afraid that if I go back to the human world, I can’t be able to control myself and be with my mate instead, ermash!” I let my tears fall as I took the seat next to her. I felt weak once again. “I’m trying to survive every single day without him by my side.
I keep on telling myself that I have to be responsible to my people; that I can’t disappoint them; that I have to be there for them.
But it’s hard, so so hard. Everytime I hear Cassy whimpers in sadness calling out to Keifer, I felt the sadness, Ermash. I’m hurting inside. I love him so much!
I love him but I can’t let him choose between me and his pack. He loves his pack, his people! I just can’t understand why fate never favors us.” I cried, this time, I poured my heart out. I let all my sadness and pain out.
“I can’t hurt him more when I have hurt him already. I love him so much ermash!” I felt Ermash hugged me.
“My mom and my sisters kept telling me, I can talk to them. But I just can’t. I saw how happy they are. I don’t want to ruin it. They deserve to be happy. I don’t want them to be sad because of me.”
“Ri,” She caught my face with both her hands and let me look at her, tears still ran on my cheeks. “It’s not wrong to show weaknesses to the people you love. It’s not wrong to tell them what’s wrong because they are the ones who will make you feel better.” She wiped my tears and let go of my face.
Instead, she held my hands in both hands and looked at me. “Thank you, Ri!” she said seriously. “Thank you for making this big sacrifice for this world, for us.”
“It’s my duty, ermash!” We stayed there for a few hours before I went to my family and hugged each one of them.
“You sure you’re not going, Ri?” Kuya Drey asked for the nth time.
“Yes, Kuya! I will help them with the preparation!”
“Okay!” We hugged our parents and grandparents before saying goodbye to them.
“Take care, Princess.” Dad said, kissing me on the forehead.
“I will, Dad, Mom. Thank you!” I said hugging my mom this time. “I love you!”
“I love you too, babe!” Mom said before turning to Kuya Drew. “Take good care of your sister okay?”
“Yes Mom!”
“And you too, Rochie.” Dad said looking at Rochie.
“Yes Dad!”
“Come on guys! You will be back here in four days. I won’t be out always.” I laughed at them. Sometimes, they really get paranoid.
Our grandparents, our parents, Drey and Bianca, Red and Eana and Justin and Crea are going to the human world while Drew and AC, Rochie and Chaunelle and I stayed here.
“Wanna go somewhere?” AC asked us.
“I wanna go back to Aeleo.” Chaunelle said.
“I want to visit Hydreo again.” AC said before looking at me. “How about you, Ri?”
“I just want to stay here and rest.”
AC was saddened with what I said.
“Hey, you can go and visit Hydreo, A. I will be fine here.” I turned to Rochie and Chaunelle. “You two can go to Aeleo, too. ”
“But, we can’t leave you alone.”
“Who says I’m alone? I’ll be with ermash.”
“Are you sure, Ri?” Kuya Drew asked. “You can come with us.”
I shook my head. “I’d rather stay here. Now, go!”
“Let me walk you in, first. Then we’ll go!” Rochie said.
“Okay!” Rochie and Kuya Drew walked with me to the palace. As soon as I am inside, they went back to their mates but not before saying, “Don’t leave the palace alone.”
“Ermash?” I called out, knocking on her door.
“Come in!” I opened the door and find Ermash facing the wall.
“Welcome to the Freyren room.” I looked at her confusedly. “This is the “royal” room. After your coronation, you will be transferring here.”
“What do you mean, ermash?”
“This room can only be occupied by a quadrelemental empress. The other empresses after me chose to stay in the kingdoms but the quadrelemental empress needs to stay here.”
“Can I ask something, Ermash?” she nodded. “There are many empresses after you, why is it, you haven’t travelled to Saâd yet?”
She smiled. “Because, I’m waiting for you.” I frowned since I got more confused.
She smiled again. “I’ll show you.” She raised her hand, palmed open facing the door. She waved her hand from left to right slowly while saying, “zhukarheckshem shath”.
The wall shook and seconds later, a huge door was seen. Ermash showed her mark -the one like mine – and the door opened.
Inside, I saw a big screen -like a monitor – divided into four. Of course, the four kingdoms.
But something is different. I can’t see any Fraeian in the monitor. Instead, I see powers forming into pillars supporting each kingdom.
“The world of Fraeia has five main pillars. One from each kingdom and the last one is here in Azalkra.” She pointed another screen where I saw another pillar in the middle of the four pillars. It is bigger and stronger. The four pillars are standing on it. It supports the other four pillars by giving off powers to them.
“Your brothers and sisters will keep the pillars strong with their powers. But the foundation of these pillars, the one in the middle is to be strengthened by you.”
“You see, the main pillar gives off power to the other four. Only a quadrelemental empress has the power which can be given off to the other element pillars.”
“Is that why you -,” she cut me off.
“Yes. You know there hasn’t been a quadrelemental empress after me.”
“Oh my gosh!”
“That’s why I’m very thankful you’re here Ri. I can’t imagine what would happen to Fraeia if you hadn’t come. And I am not as strong as I was before to support the pillar.”
She went to the pillar and started giving off her power.
“Can I help?” I asked her. She shook her head.
“You aren’t strong enough yet.”
Few minutes more, we walked out of the room.
“Ri, I see that you’re marked!” I stopped from my track and looked at her.
“I guess he did this to stop me from coming back. I guess that’s the reason why he was very angry the day we left.”
“Are you sure you can live without him, Ri? Remember, once you’re crowned unmated, you can’t and will never be with your mate forever.
“I know, ermash!”
“I’m sorry.” She uttered.
“No need to say sorry, ermash. It’s my choice and I just have to live with it.”
Five days later…
Fraeia is having feast! The entire Fraeia is excited for the coronation of their new rulers.
The coronation will be in the Azalkra Palace. Everyone is invited to witness. So expectedly, Fraeians from the different kingdom travelled to Azalkra to witness this event.
Everyone is busy with the final preparations. Even our Mashems and ermash are very busy,
I stood near my windows looking outside – to the people who are very busy.
“Ri?” I heard a voice from my door. I turned and looked at my Mom’s head popped inside. “Can I come in?”
“Of course, Mom.” I said, walking towards my bed.
“Are you ready, babe?” she asked. I know what she is implying.
I took a deep breath. “I guess. There’s no turning back now. I can’t and never will turn back.”
“Babe.” Mom hugged me. “I know I kept saying this but truly, I am so proud of you. No one has ever sacrificed this big for the people he/she never knew.”
“I will be fine, Mom. I chose to be their pillar and I will never let them down. Even if it means, being alone my entire life.”
Knock! Knock!
“Freyren,” Rhea’s head popped inside. “It’s time to get ready.”
I nodded and stood up. “Are my sisters getting ready, too?”
“Yes, Freyren!”
I changed into my dress. I smiled. I feel like getting married. Then again, I am really getting married. I am getting married to my world, Fraeia.
“Wow!” Mom exclaimed behind me. “You look gorgeous!”
I smiled. My hair was curled to its length. I chose not to tie it. I applied little make up to add color to my face, added an eyeliner to emphasize my eyes.
Then, I stared my face on the mirror.
No matter how good I look, I can still see sadness in my eyes.
“Are you ready, Ri?” I turned and saw Eana on her red dress.
“Wow! You look great, Ri!” Eana screamed. I laughed and turned around slowly showing to her my dress.
“You look stunning, Yan!” She also turned around to let me see her dress.
“It’s time!” she said and walked to the door. I looked back at the mirror.
“Go ahead. I’ll just follow in a while!” I said without looking at her.
I heard the door closed. This time, I closed my eyes and opened my mind.
“Cass?” Blank. “Cass, I’m sorry!” No answer.
I opened my eyes. I know why she’s quiet. She was still mad at me.
I walked towards the door. Taking a deep breath, I opened my door and went out.
I reached the grand staircase and saw my brothers and sisters in their outfits. My sisters have the same dress though of different color.
AC is wearing blue; Bianca, green while Chaunelle has ash-grey-colored dress. My brothers are wearing the Fraeian- designed tuxedo.
“Ashkar nash, everyone!” I heard empress Alexie spoke.
In a sec, I felt my heart beat faster while Cassy seemed to be on alert. I was shocked. “What if something bad will happen? No. Nothing will happen.” Shaking my head, I focused on what Alexie is talking.
“We are lucky for the next queens and kings are very brave. More than that, we are happy to welcome them to Fraeia! It is my honor to witness as they are crowned for their positions.
All of Hydreo! Let us welcome, our new rulers Freyra Drew and Freyre AC!
Agreo! Welcome your king and queen, Freyra Drey and Freyre Bianca!
Fireo, your newest rulers, Freyra Red and Freyre Eana!
Aeleo, welcome your new royalty, Freyra Rochie and Freyre Chaunelle!
As a cue, my brothers and sisters went down the stairs. Cheers and claps erupted from the people.
I saw them sat on eight thrones. The thrones are in a square position wherein two thrones are placed in four angles and the ninth throne is in the middle of the eight.
Kuya Drew and AC sat in front to the left; Kuya Drey and Bianca, at the back, left; Kuya Red and Eana, in front to the right and Rochie and Chaunelle, back, right.
“Fraeia!” I heard ermash Brienne’s voice spoke and everyone was silent. “Let us welcome, our new empress, Freyren Rianne!” I heard the people cheered and clapped as they welcome me.
I went down the stairs and walked towards the hall. I stood near my throne, the one in the middle of my brothers and sisters.
Ermash Brienne raised her hand and instantly, the crowd kept quiet.
Mashem Siren came in bringing a crown of blue gems.
(A/N: Only the queens are crowned.)
“I, Siren, first queen of Hydreo, now crown you, AC and Drew, queen and king of Hydreo!” then she placed the crown on AC’s head. She also handed Kuya Drew a triton which symbolizes Hydrean’s ability of manipulating water. “Hydreo, you have your queen and king!” All Hydreans bowed down to their new rulers.
Mashem Vine came in next bringing with her a crown.
“As Agreo’s first queen, I now crown you, Bianca and Drey, queen and king of Agreo!” she said placing the crown on Bianca’s head then handed the Scepter of Fertility to Kuya Drey. This is a two-feet long sceptre that symbolizes Agrean’s power to produce any crops or fruits. “Agreo, you’re new rulers. Three cheers for them!” And the Agreans who witnessed indeed cheered for their rulers.
Then Mashem Igni came in third, with the crown.
“I, Freyre Igni, Fireo’s first queen now crown you, Eana, queen of Fireo,” she put the crown on Eana’s head then turned to Red. “I now proclaim you, Red, king of Fireo!” she said and gave Red a ring with a torch symbolizing the fire in every Firean.
“Fireans, you have your queen and king!” and the Fireans cheered loudly.
Following Mashem Igni was Mashem Aerea, bringing the crown for Chaunelle.
“Aeleans, as your first queen, I now crown Freyre Chaunelle and Freyra Rochie, queen and king of Aeleo!” she said before turning to Chaunelle and placing the crown on her head. She turned to Rochie and gave him a golden feather, the symbol of freedom and knowledge. “Let us give them a loud cheer!” The Aeleans cheered this time, happy to see their new rulers.
This time, the four new queens stood up and went to a gazebo where they have a square formation. In front of them are the mashems.
“Today, we are gathered to celebrate the coming of our new heroes, our new rulers. We also witness how they assumed to their positions.” Mashem Aerea spoke to the crowd. “Now, it is our duty to strengthen these queens.”
“Estch hagashte oh Heyrdro,” Mashem Siren started, closing her eyes and placing her hands on her chest. The three mashems followed.
“Estch hagashte oh Gaea,” Mashem Vine spoke.
“Estch hagashte oh Frien,” Igni spoke this time.
“Ash estch hagashte oh Hashbar” And finally Mashem Aerea said’
“Elersea rylgoshem fro osh swalsh!” they said altogether.
(By the power of water, earth, fire and wind, release the gems from our body.)
Then their chest started to shine and continued to shine brightly that I hardly see what went on.
As the bright light went out, I saw the mashems holding gems in their hands. They placed the gem near to the queen’s chest and in a flash, the gems were gone.
“Estch hagashte oh rylgoshem osh grianh oh Fraeia shogh! Aestamna oh!”
(The power of the gems and the kingdoms of Fraeia are yours. Take care of it!”
“Hyash, Mashems!” They went back to their thrones and smiled at me.
“Fraeians, your new queens and kings!” The crowd cheered once more. I felt pride seeing these people happy for us.
“Fraeians!” Alexie called out and the crowd kept quiet. “Let us welcome, our empress, Freyren Brienne.”
Freyren Brienne came in, bringing my crown.
I took a deep breath. This is it. There is no turning back now!
I felt Cassy whimpered inside me. I’m really, really sorry, Cass.
She did not reply. Instead, she continued to whimper.
Ermash Brienne is already in front of me.
“I, Freyren Brienne, Fraeia’s second quadrelemental empress, now crown you, Rianne, the third queadrelemental empress of Fraeia!” She said as she put the crown on my head.
But before the crown touched my head, a voice broke the silence, “STOP!”