The aftermath of Antoinette's dramatic reappearance was a bizarre celebration. The somber funeral had morphed into a chaotic gathering, a strange blend of relief, confusion, and lingering unease. The scent of roasted seafood and spiced wine mingled with the faint, acrid smell of burnt wood, a stark reminder of the pyre that had nearly claimed her.
Antoinette, or rather Ethan within Antoinette's form, found himself hovering anxiously as the palace staff tended to King Theodore, who had fainted upon seeing her rise from the coffin. "What the fuck? Is he alright? I didn't mean to give the poor guy a heart attack. Maybe I should have just slept through it and waited when I had the chance to make my entrance magical."
Theodore stirred, his eyes fluttering open, his face pale and drawn. He looked around, confusion clouding his features, before his gaze locked onto Antoinette. "Antoinette?" he whispered, his voice weak. "Is it truly you?"
Antoinette knelt beside him, her brow furrowed with concern. "Yes, Father. It's me. Are you alright?"
Theodore reached out, his hand trembling, and touched her face. "A miracle… it's a miracle."
Once the King had regained his composure, he pulled Antoinette aside for a private conversation. "Antoinette," he began, his voice still a bit shaky, "I should not have been here. You know the tradition. No royal visits to a princess's region until after the Trial of the Crown."
Antoinette nodded. "I'll just nod. Don't know that tradition, noted."
"But," Theodore continued, his expression troubled, "there was the earthquake. A tremor felt across the kingdom, and reports indicate it originated here, in Seabarrow. I called a quick council meeting with your sisters, and they all felt it. I was concerned when you did not reply to the summons."
Antoinette blinked, surprised. "Summons? I… I haven't been able to reply, Father. The others said a goddess took over my body for a time. I have no memory of it. You might not believe it, but—"
"I believe you, my child," Theodore interrupted, his voice surprisingly calm. "I saw it."
Antoinette stared at him, shocked. "What? He saw it? How much did he see?" "You… you saw?"
Theodore nodded, his gaze steady. "I saw the change in you, the… the power. I saw the fight, the celestial beings clashing. It explains the earthquake."
He paused, his eyes searching Antoinette's face. "But you've changed, Antoinette." His voice was filled with a father's worry.
Antoinette was taken aback. Her heart ached with a guilt that wasn't hers. "Gods, that tone... He's genuinely worried. And he has every right to be. His daughter is gone, and I'm wearing her skin. This isn't right. What have I gotten myself into?" She forced a nervous laugh. "Changed? Father, I nearly died. Perhaps it's just the shock."
"Father," Antoinette began hesitantly, "about the earthquake... as you saw, Malyari, the Moon Goddess, possessed my body and fought a celestial being known as the Bakunawa. That battle caused the tremors."
Before Theodore could fully process this, a knock came at the door. "Your Majesty, Princess," a calm voice announced.
"Enter," Theodore said.
The door opened, revealing Shyla, the Keeper. She moved with an ethereal grace, her presence commanding respect.
"Keeper Shyla," Theodore said, a note of formality in his voice. "You wished to speak with Antoinette?"
Antoinette stared at Shyla, her mind racing. She had never seen this woman before. "Who is she? And why does everyone seem to know her?"
Shyla inclined her head. "Your Majesty. Princess. I believe it is time for a proper introduction. There are matters we need to discuss."
Theodore nodded. "Of course. I'll leave you two to it." He gave Antoinette a lingering, curious look before departing.
Antoinette turned to Shyla, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. "I don't believe we've met. I don't recognize you."
Shyla offered a faint smile. "It's not surprising, Princess. I am Shyla, the Keeper of the Moon. I am also a follower, the last of it, of the Moon Goddess."
Antoinette's eyes widened. "The Moon Goddess... you mean Malyari?" She couldn't hide her surprise. She knew the tales, of course, but to meet a follower... And then there was Shyla's appearance. "And... you're an elf."
Shyla nodded. "Indeed. And there is much you don't know, Princess. About yourself, about Aethelgard." She gestured for Antoinette to sit, and then began to speak in a low, resonant voice.
"First, you must understand who Malyari is. She is the Goddess of the tides and sea, and she is deeply tied to this region. She is volatile and strong, and she is the one who saved you."
Antoinette blinked. "Saved me?"
"Yes, she saved you. As for Aethelgard, the barrier surrounding our kingdom… it is not what you think. It was placed by your late mother, not to nullify magic, but to protect us from external threats. A shield for her family and her kingdom."
"Then why can't we use magic?" Antoinette asked, her confusion deepening.
Shyla's expression darkened. "Because of a subtle poison, introduced fifty years ago. The neighboring kingdom, under the guise of a peace offering, gifted us trees. These trees, planted throughout Aethelgard, leech mana from the land, suppressing our magical abilities."
Antoinette stared at Shyla, her mind reeling. "Trees sucking mana? This is insane. And my mother… what is going on?" The revelations were coming thick and fast, each one more unbelievable than the last. She realized her understanding of her world was fundamentally flawed, and that her strange new destiny were pieces of a much larger, more dangerous puzzle.