Chapter 1
1494 Words
“Zafria, bring all those plates down!” Mother called me panicking as she saw all the plates floating high up in the kitchen.
I looked at her, jolting in surprise, making the plates all crash down onto the floor, leaving nothing to be of use.
Mother’s eyes widened as she saw what happened with a look of disbelief. I bit my lip and fiddled with my fingers.
“Zafria! You should not play with your power! What if you get bruised because of the falling plates? You cannot control your abilities yet!” she yelled at me as she walked to me and inspected my body to see if I was injured.
I bit my lip to hide a forming smile. Mother may always seem mad at me, but she only thinks of me. She’s always looking out for me—especially now that I am still learning my powers.
“You’re not hurt, are you?” She looked at me worriedly.
I shook my head and smiled apologetically. “I’m fine, Mother. But the plates…” I trailed.
She sighed and looked at the broken shards on the floor. All of the plates are scattered fragments on the floor. I suddenly felt guilty for playing with them. What are we going to use now?
“It’s fine. We still have a lot of plates in the cupboard.” She assured me with a smile. “But next time, practice with the small stones outside the house and not with our kitchen wares.”
I chuckled and nodded. “I was just really startled by your voice that I lost control of the plates in the air.”
Apparently, my mind is my strength. I can control things using my mind. I can also talk to someone in my head. Telekinesis and telepathy are my forte, which is why I can be as careless as a panicking frog when I’m suddenly frightened or shocked while using my powers.
She looked at me with narrowed eyes. “Are you saying that it is my fault?” she asked me in a careful voice.
I sheepishly grinned before running outside the house while she called out my name. I was laughing as I ran out the door, where I saw Father talking to his subordinates.
“Father!” I called him, and they all looked at me.
I ran to him and bowed at his subordinates before hugging him. “You’re done with class?” I asked. Father is a trainer in Petharia Academy of Specialty, a school where students are trained to master their specialties. Usually, he would be done by five in the afternoon, but it’s still lunchtime.
Father nodded and smiled. “We needed to cut the classes short because of the royal banquet in New Crysland.”
I nodded. So, it’s the time of the year, huh?
“The Princess of New Crysland will meet the Crown Prince of Fresoria.” Armand, one of my Father’s colleagues, told me.
I nodded. I have heard about the royal family of New Crysland. They are known to be kind and empathetic with the people. King Zion is good at governing. That’s why the whole New Crysland has seen growth for the past years.
“You should change your clothes, Zafria. We need to attend the banquet. Everyone is invited,” Father ordered me.
I smiled and nodded. “Nice!” I beamed as I ran to my room to see what I can wear to the royal banquet.
I opened my dresser and saw some dresses that I haven’t worn in my entire life. I seldom attend royal parties. My school, the Petharia Academy of Specialty, doesn’t always hold huge parties. It’s a good thing that the Royal Banquet happens every year.
I took a peach dress and a bandana. I went straight to my bathroom so I could finish on time.
I grew up with my parents in a small town called Petharia. Everyone else in this land has a unique ability. I have friends in the academy that have extraordinary powers as well.
Shenna, my best friend, could turn invisible. I think it’s absolutely jealous-worthy. She could sneak out of the class without anyone seeing. She could get inside their house late at night without her parents knowing.
Fresca, my seatmate in class, could control water and all of its forms. Imagine having a room of ice so you could skate any time of the year? I think it’s marvelous!
A lot more powers are honed in the academy. The professors are all telling us to use our powers wisely because we are given these powers not just as gifts but also as curses. That’s why the professors and trainers always tell us to think numerous times to be able to use our powers responsibly.
I tied my hair to the side of my neck and placed my bandana. I also put on the earrings my mother gave me for my birthday last year. And of course, I could not forget the cross-pendant necklace that I have had with me since time immemorial.
“Zafria!” Mother called me as she knocked on my door.
I looked at my mirror and smiled as I was contented with how I look before running to the door.
Mother was already dressed in her formal clothes with a sunflower on her clean bun. She looked at me from head to toe. “You’re done,” she commented.
I smiled and nodded. “I am done, Mother,” I repeated.
She did a quick check on my room before holding my hand and closing my door. “Let’s go. Your father is waiting for us at the front door.”
True enough, Father is already finished and waiting for Mother and me in front of a carriage.
Now, this is what I am always looking forward to every year. Every royal banquet, I get to ride a special carriage to the royal castle. Father always had it. He never failed to supply us with one.
And it’s of great help. Since the palace is miles away from Petharia, a carriage would help us arrive earlier and faster. It also helps us save our energy.
“You still look so excited to go to the palace,” Father commented as I was smiling from ear to ear.
I looked at him and nodded. “There’s something magical about it that attracts me to it, Father,” I replied.
Mother smiled and held Father’s hand. “Everyone is excited to go to the palace every year, darling…” she said sweetly.
I shook my head at their sweet interaction and just looked out the carriage. I could never be used to seeing Mother being sweet with my father.
The vast fields on the way to the central New Crysland just make me realize how different it is to live in Petharia. We were at the edge of the kingdom—the outskirts, the margins, and borders. I bet some of the people in the kingdom don’t even know about our existence.
And if they do, would they have called us names? Would they have looked at us like we’re? We are different because we have powers. I would be surprised if they have a wrong impression of us once they knew about our abilities.
“Are these all of the King’s possessions?” I asked, pertaining to the wildlands we’re passing by.
Father nodded. “He has more. But King Zion has divided them within the people of the kingdom,” he replied.
I nodded. So, this is why people admired King Zion. He feels for the people and his subordinates. I heard he is lenient when it comes to the knights. He understands them all like he’s been there with them like he knew how it feels to be like them.
And I think it’s kind of him to do that. Ever since I had known about the world, I believed that all leaders are the same. They might abuse their powers and take it on the people. But then, when I knew about King Zion, I think he’s the best out there. He gives the people what they deserve. And he gives them even more.
I know because he’s been supporting us in Petharia even though we’re different from others. I am a recipient of his excellent leadership. This is why I admire the royal family.
I hope and pray that I’d meet them in person, too. Perhaps, soon.
- Writer
