crown and responsibilities

once there was a beautiful Crystal shaped land known as "crystallia". Crystallia stretched across rolling emerald hills and silver-tipped mountains, its borders traced by crystal-clear rivers that glimmered like strands of moonlight. At the kingdom’s heart lay the Shining Cave of Crystals a vast cavern whose walls dripped with luminescent gems in every hue (ruby reds, sapphire blues,amethyst purples). Even the faintest torchlight was caught and refracted into dancing rainbows, bathing the land in perpetual wonder. Surrounding villages were built from pale white stone quarried near the cave mouth, their rooftops tiled with polished quartz that glowed softly at dusk. Olive-green orchards and lavender fields stretched to the horizon, perfuming the air with jasmine and honeysuckle each spring. Crystallia’s capital itself lay in concentric rings: artisans and traders on the outer ring; scholars and healers next; and closest to the cave, the royal palace and its terraced gardens—where fountains of liquid crystal mirrored both sunlight and the cave’s nocturnal glow. By day, children chased fireflies beneath quartz lanterns; by night, bards sang tales of how the cave’s light had guided Crystallia through centuries of dark winters. Soldiers in silver-shimmering armor patrolled the shining streets, and every heart beat in step with the cave’s eternal radiance. Crystallia was a realm where nature and magic intertwined, a land of beauty and hope under the cave’s gentle luminescence. It was ruled by a Queen known as "Aabru Alara" — her name was Alara and Aabru was the word used to explain her internal beauty since her crown coronation.Queen Alara moved with the grace of a swan. She wore robes of ivory silk, each hem embroidered with shimmering silver threads that caught light like morning dew. Around her neck hung a teardrop-shaped crystal pendant, pulsing softly with the cave’s magic. On her slender wrists were white-gold bracelets set with tiny diamonds, and her silver-streaked chestnut hair was loosely braided over one shoulder, interlaced with fresh flowers from every village. Her sapphire-blue eyes shone with compassion even as they carried the resolve of a ruler dedicated to her people’s welfare. Elara’s kindness was renowned—she often slipped from the palace in disguise to bind wounds or share bread—yet beneath that warmth lay an unbreakable sense of duty. She had an only child, her daughter, Princess Ruby.Princess Ruby was her mother’s mirror in gentleness, but with her own spark of youthful vitality. She favored gowns of rose-pink organza, the skirts layered like petals, and tiny crystal beads dotted the bodice so that she seemed to shimmer as she moved. A delicate silver tiara of entwined vines and pale rose-quartz rested on her head, and her long chestnut hair fell in soft waves, secured at the nape with a single crystal clip. Around her throat hung a slender chain bearing a single luminous pearl—a gift from Elara on Ruby’s first birthday. Ruby’s nature blended compassion with curiosity. She questioned ministers not to undermine them, but to learn; she sat with scholars over dusty tomes and wandered the palace gardens in thought. “A kindly word goes farther than a heavy sword,” she often said. When injustice struck, her gentle spirit hardened into unwavering resolve. Her people loved her—not only for her warmth, but for the courage that shone in her sapphire eyes. late night Queen Alara sat alone in the high chamber, moonlight dancing on her silver hair. Around her lay petitions from distant villages, reports of the realm’s needs—and the crown itself, too heavy now for her weary hands. Who can bear this burden next? she wondered. She rose and paced before the window, where the Shining Cave’s glow shimmered like distant stars. In her mind’s eye she saw villagers by the cave, children listening to legends, soldiers standing guard. She envisioned Ruby among them: her warm smile, her steady voice, her compassion and courage.Tears glinted in Elara’s eyes as she whispered, “My daughter, you possess the heart—and the wisdom—to guide this kingdom.”With that resolve, she prepared for the dawn’s ritual of choosing.Roselet, the famed magician, arrived at the palace court and demanded to demonstrate her power upon Queen Elara’s crown. She held the glittering circlet aloft, then with a dramatic flourish made it vanish entirely.“Who among you will find the vanished crown?” she challenged.Heads bowed in hesitation—everyone feared failure. Yet Princess Ruby stepped forward, her gaze steady.“I will,” she declared confidently.Ruby approached the tall wooden cupboard behind Roselet. With careful precision, she opened its doors—and there lay the crown, nestled among velvet shelves. Roselet studied Ruby in wonder: “How did you locate it so swiftly?” Ruby replied with quiet assurance: “With careful observation.Since you held the crown in your hands, I watched its movements and deduced where you concealed it.” The magician turned to Queen Elara and proclaimed: “Behold the intelligence and insight you seek in a queen.”Then Roselet vanished in a swirl of silver smoke. Elara rose, took the crown from Ruby’s hands, placed it gently upon her daughter’s head, and—after a brief, heartfelt farewell—departed the kingdom.Ruby sat in front of the mirror in her bedroom when Amma entered, her face pale with concern. “Princess, a dreadful news is here,” said Amma.“What is that?” asked Ruby.“Nowsaba has been kidnapped by Aric.” (Nowsaba: Little girls between the ages of 1-9 of the kingdom years. They were called nowsaba (new springs) by Ruby and others)(Aric: A greedy monster of Crystallia)“What!” Ruby was in shock, staring at her own reflection in the mirror. Amma turned and left the room, tears in her eyes, leaving Ruby alone with the devastating truth.After some time, Ruby remained transfixed by her reflection when Aric stepped silently into the room, a devilish smile curling on his lips. Amma stood quietly at the door, dread in her eyes.“Why do you do this?” asked Ruby, turning to face him. “Your crown and throne, I was ambishous for it,” he replied, voice smooth but cold.“Ambishous? No, you were greedy for it,” Ruby retorted, her gaze sharpening. “Yes, but if you provide me this throne and crown and leave the kingdom, I promise to return them back to their families,” Aric said, stepping forward.“What! What are you…?” Amma began, but Ruby cut her off without hesitation:“Amma, assemble everyone. I am coming.” “Aric, I am ready.” “But princess—” Amma tried again, but Ruby’s voice brooked no argument:“Amma, it is an order.”With a curt bow, Amma hurried from the room to carry out her queen’s command, leaving Aric alone with the weight of his own demand.Under Aric’s rule, heavy taxes, forced silence, and fear grip Crystallia. The once-vibrant kingdom was now wrapped in a dark shroud of sorrow. Everyone was frightened—eyes hollow, hearts numb. Once in the royal hall, two young ladies, trembling and pale, whispered to each other, their voices barely above the breath of fear. One of them said to another, "I hope Princess Ruby is back." Another one replied, "You are right, Ruby was the best."Aric, drunk with power and suspicion, heard their whispers and asked loudly, "What did you say?"They were both frightened—frozen like prey under a predator’s gaze. Aric jumbled over the throne in a furious rage and thundered his command, "Beat them. "He shouted in anger Helpless soldiers, bound by duty and fear, started to beat those girls with a leather hunter on Aric’s order. The sound of leather against skin echoed through the silent hall, each strike a cruel reminder of lost freedom. The girls cried and screamed, their pain piercing the stone walls of the palace. Soldiers dragged them out of the hall like broken flowers crushed before blooming.They were shouting in pain, voices echoing with injustice. After they were dragged out, angry Roselet, her eyes burning with fury and grief, came forward and said "What are you doing.it is not fear.do not forget that beating a young female like th, is a grave crime in crytalia.you can be punishid by the people for this crime.. Aric, startled by her defiance, roared to his soldiers,"Arrest her".He shouted in anger They were helpless and did so, their hearts heavy, their eyes lowered. One of the soldiers caught her by the shoulder.Roselet looked at him with quiet dignity. She threw her magic wand from her hand slowly and helplessly, looking at Aric with eyes full of unspoken pain, and said fearlessly, "If I would not have concern for Nowsaba, Aric, I would have thrown you from the window of the third floor. But I am helpless. You have took over the limitations of all of us. I am sorry, I cannot give you anything against this favour," she said in a sarcastic way, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes.Then she calmly removed the soldier’s hand from her shoulder and started going slowly, her footsteps echoing like a silent protest. The soldiers left with her; thus she was arrested—yet her spirit remained unbroken. Meanwhile, far from the kingdom's walls, Ruby was informed about Aric’s speech the next day after she left. The words shattered her heart. She wanted to find Nowsaba and, along with them, go back to her kingdom.She started searching for them over the mountains, forests, and deserts for two long years—two years of silent suffering and aching hope—following nothing but whispers and fading trails. Searching for the Nowsaba with nothing but hope and her vow guiding her, she became a lone shadow against the horizon, her every step a prayer, her every breath a promise to bring justice, to bring light back to Crystallia.In the palace square, before assembled nobles and townsfolk, Ruby’s voice rings clear:“My dear people, a crown is a reminder of responsibilities, but I can bear my responsibilities without this silver circle.”With that, she removes her crown and extends it toward Aric. She turns from the throne, leaving her kingdom, her home—walking away under shocked gasps and tearful eyes.After Ruby is gone, Aric now proclaims himself king. He stood on the throne and arrogantly said: “Everyone listen to me not carelessly but very carefully. Ruby is gone, and I am your king. You speak her name, and you’ll face my wrath. And yes, don’t think of getting back your daughters, your so-called ‘nowsaba’. They will not be returned ever. They are gone. Whoever goes beyond these orders shall be dragged to most painful punishments.”Aric sits atop his throne, flanked by soldiers. He has just condemned a father, his wife, and mother to be beaten for whispering Ruby’s name. Suddenly, Amma bursts into the hall:“Princess has arrived!” The crowd gasps and then erupts into cheers—every face lights up except Aric’s. He leaps to his feet: “What! Which princess? Which princess are you speaking of?” A confident, feminine voice echoes from the doorway:“Princess Ruby,” replied Amma confidently. Aric was in shock. He tried to be fearless but was frightened from inside. He asked, “What! What are you saying? How is this even possible?”“She is right,” said a confident feminine voice from the doorway.Everyone looked at the door. All were shocked. Princess Ruby, along with Nowsaba and Fairy Pearl Princess by her side, stepping inside the hall.Silence falls as Ruby, Nowsaba, and Fairy Pearl Princess entered the hall, the kingdom’s hope restored. Nowsaba and their families hugged each other.Aric trembles, attempting one last show of authority: “You dare return? This is my kingdom now!” “Your kingdom? Perhaps you do not remember, Aric! I gave you this crown and throne in return for Nowsaba, whom you did not return. This all ended right that time. I could have returned back, but I wanted to find Nowsaba first,” Ruby replied with a fake smile. “You dare,” Aric tried to slap Ruby, but his hand was stopped by a strong grip of Fairy Pearl Princess. Fairy Pearl Princess steps forward, violet flames igniting around her: “Enough! Enough, Aric. Till now I was quiet because I thought it was the matter between two of you (Aric and Ruby) because Ruby was replying you nicely, but now you have crossed your limits. For which act you should have been seeking forgiveness from Ruby, for that act you tried to slap her,” she threw his hand from her own hand, and he fell down.Fairy further continued with a calm voice:“Aric, you have made everyone—especially Princess Ruby so sad. Now you will not be spared. I will kill you.”Aric was stunned by hearing this. He fell down to his knees, sobbing, begging for forgiveness:“No! No, please, forgive me! Forgive me, fairy, I... I... I beg you. I apologize, please, please.” He cried out of fear.“I have not come here to forgive you,” saying this very calmly, Fairy Pearl Princess raises her hand; violet flames envelop Aric. He screams, is consumed by the flames, and vanishes into nothingness. Silence grips the hall—then transforms into triumphant celebration.The Fairy Pearl Princess approaches Ruby and gently places the silver crown upon her head. Then she removes one violet pearl from her bracelet and hands it to Ruby Fairy Pearl Princess “Ruby, you are a great princess. If anything unexpected happens or you need me, press this pearl to your heart and call me‘Fairy’I will always be there”.Ruby“Yes, Fairy I promise I will.”Fairy Pearl Princess smiles radiantly and fades into light, leaving behind an aura of hope. The crowd roars“We love you, Princess Ruby! Crystallia loves you!”