A month after my encounter with Mariana, a banquet was held in celebration of my birth to officially welcome me in the royal family. Delegates from other kingdoms were sent an invitation and most of them attended. I’m no stupid, I knew why they came- to size things up and jump into whatever opportunities they encounter. Some eyed the relationship between Mother and Father- whom I mistook as a prince the first time I saw him. Some tried to introduce unmarried ladies to the king hoping that those women would captivate him. However, Father didn’t even look at their direction, he didn’t even glance at the consorts and only focused his attention to either my mother or Hara Licentia. [1: Hara = literally means Queen consort. The term translates to Cerulean equivalent of Your/Her Royal Majesty or Queen]

I only attended the banquet for a short time and during that time, I was guarded by a bunch of royal guards and high-level Inheritors to ensure my safety. When the herald announced my arrival, everyone tried to peek inside the bassinet I was in but the security around me was so tight that no one got a glimpse of me. I was only there for half an hour before I was escorted back to my mother’s residence; and that’s how my first royal duty went. 

Three months after I was born, the palace became abuzz. The day I would be evaluated by the temple finally came. It is customary that a child be brought to the temple a year after the mother got pregnant with them to recieve Kismet's blessing. The Bergamota Religion acts as the bridge between the mortals and the deities, and the temple where we’re going would be the main temple, the one where the Holy Portal was located.

“May the benison of Kismet be with you, Hwan!”

“Thank you for giving birth to our Dayang-dayang, Your Royal Consort! May the benison of Kismet be with you!”

“Many blessings, Dayang-dayang! We wish you a blessed life!”

“Long live the king, Hwan Adrian! Long live the Cerulean family!”

As the carriage moved, countless cheers and cries from the citizens were heard. We could hear the happiness in everyone’s voices as they watched in line the passing carriage we were in, some even followed the carriage. But no one went out of the line or caused troubles- a sign of respect from the citizens to their monarch. Petals were thrown at the road as the royal carriage moved, royal guards and royal Inheritors rode horses as they surrounded us in a uniformed position. This grandiose parade was both a sign and a statement that the royal family would be stronger and greater in the coming years. It is a silent declaration that Cerulean Kingdom would rise back to its glorious past, announcing to everyone that we are not weak, never have been and never will be.

I felt my body shook in my mother’s hold as her nervousness showed. My father wrapped his hand around her, “Don’t worry, my love, our Iris will do just fine.”

“I know, husband, but I can’t seem to calm down. No matter the result she gets, she’ll be targeted more from now on. If she does well, our enemies will come after her but if she does not do well, she will be abandoned by our people.”

“Nonsense. Who dare abandon our child? I won’t let that happen, let them try and see what awaits them.”

“I am serious, Your Majesty!”

“Aish, you’re getting worried for nothing, dear. I promise you that no matter the outcome, I’ll do my best to protect you and Iris.”

The carriage slowed down and the clopping of the horses stopped. Sir Arman, father’s right-hand man, knocked on the door and informed us that we have arrived at the temple. Father stepped down first then he offered his hand to my mother who happily took it.

A person on a white, long dress stepped up; his long, silver, braided hair was adorned by transparent pearls. It was the High Oracle, the only person in the whole religion with that title. The position of High Oracle is lifetime, so all the succeeding ones were old whenever they ascend. However, one of the perks of being one was that their appearance would revert back to its prime and would stay that way until death. That’s why although the person in front of us was already in his late nineties, he had an appearance of someone in his twenties. The High Oracle touched Father’s forehead and the former’s eyes glowed. “Adrian Benedictus of blood Gracia y Lazuli, inheritor of fire and earth elements, welcome to my home.” His voice seemed to come from a diffrent realm, he possessed a voice mixed with power and might. Mariana, it was her voice layered with five other voices. He then proceeded to touch my mother’s forehead, “Luna Elicid Alanis y Maoridom, inheritor of water element, welcome to my home.”

Both Mother and Father bent their knees to greet the High Oracle: “This blessed child thanks the High Oracle for uttering her/his name. May the benison of Kismet be upon you.”

The High Oracle only nodded before going inside the temple, his long chiton dress touching the ground.

An Oracle, who was also wearing long chiton, approached my father. “Forgive me Hwan but we cannot let the others pass the gate of the temple. If you are worried about Dayang-dayang’s safety, know that the temple is the safest place in our land. No one can use magic inside the temple unless Kismet permits to do so. I mean no disrespect but please instruct your people to not block the temple’s gates and to let others who seek the temple’s help inside.”

Even though the king himself was here and there were three members of the royal family present, they would still allow visitors in the temple because according to the temple teachings, Kismet told the five deities to accept all kinds of people who seek their help and everyone must be treated equally, and father knew that.

“I understand.” Father looked at the captain of the royal guards and the latter understood the silent order.

The Oracle then gestured us inside, “I would trouble both of you to walk since no carriage is allowed inside the Holy Place.”

The two lovebirds nodded and started following the Oracle. As we walk inside, I could hear Captain Stanislaus instruct his subordinates to disperse and to not block the road.

Although it is stated that everyone must be treated the same, the person who visited is still the king of the country so the treatment would be different though not extravagant. Some Lesser Oracles and Oracles attended to us, standing on either sides of the path leading to the Assessment Hall. Four Lesser Oracles are standing at the back, wearing plain white dresses that reaches the ground with colored belts adorning their waists. Half of their long hair is tied up by a piece of wood that has the same color as their belt while the other half of the hair is let down. The colors signify which deity they are serving. The six Oracles have higher positions than those four. Same as the others, they are wearing plain white dresses that reaches the ground and belts that correspond to whichever deity they are under. The only difference between Oracles and High Oracles is how their hairs are tied up. The High Oracle’s hair is tied using a piece of ribbon while opaque pearls adorn the their hairs, the braid is also more complicated but not as complicated like their senior.

No one greeted us verbally nor bowed down when we passed through, though it was expected. Them waiting for us was already too much to be considered being treated as everyone else. Once we reached the platform, everyone dispersed after they greeted the High Oracle who was waiting for us inside. He led us inside a room and was instructed to purify. Mother bathed me while Father stepped inside a stall and washed himself. After he was done, he put on a white garment provided by the temple. He then took me from Mother and clothed me in a smaller white garment. After Mother was done purifying herself and put on the same garment as Father, the three of us left the room.

We then proceeded to go in the middle of the Assessment Hall where Kismet’s statue is erected. Not long after, I was given to the High Oracle. Holding me with both hands, I was raised in front of Kismet’s statue as the servant of god chanted in an ancient language.

Both my parents kneeled down on both knees and bowed their heads as the eyes of the statue glowed. I was placed on a high stone table facing the statue. It was wide enough for a two-year-old to lie down and still have enough space to move around. I felt my soul being pulled from my body. A glowing light blinded me for a moment and when I finally adjusted to it, I saw myself back at Mariana’s castle.

She greeted me with a warm, toothy smile. This time, she’s wearing a white, flowy dress that made her look like a fairy out of a fantasy Wuxia novel. I cocked my eyebrow at her. “You don’t want me naked.” She shrugged.

“This doesn’t make me hate you less.”

“Oh, come on, please. I’m trying to change. I’m doing what you want. I didn’t even contact you these past few months since I figured you would hate it.”

“Good intuition. I hoped you used that before putting me here.” I sarcastically said. “So, what now?”

"Today is the day of your first evaluation which will determine whether you’re capable of inheriting magic or not. If yes, a person might become an Elementalist or a Peculiar, they might even become an Enchanter or a Wielder. All come with boons and banes but here comes another problem…”

“Oh, I’m not surprised anymore. Spill it.”

“Remember the curse? Your magic is kinda linked to that curse… sooo I can no longer do anything about it.”

“And what is this magic of mine?”

She scratched her ear, “There’s not quite a name to it, you see...”

I massaged the temple of my head. “Few minutes and you’re already giving me a headache.”

“I’m sorry?”

Irritated, I rolled my eyes. “Do what you need to do so that I could get out of here already.” I snapped.

“Well… as a member of the royal family I’m supposed to name you-”

“Iris. Name me Iris.”

“What? I-I mean, sure, Iris.”

“Are you done now?”

“Yeah, I mean, no. Not yet. You see, I also need to give a blessed name and I was thinking of giving you the name Cylian as it is the name of this place and I was created here and-”

“Stop talking and do whatever you need to do already, you’re starting to get on my nerves again.”

Dejected, she sighed. She cautiously put her hands on her chest, her eyes glowed golden and her hair blew away as if wind just past her. She closed her eyes and her body glowed a mix of colorful rays. As my eyes involuntarily closed due to the blinding light, I felt myself transported back to the Assessment Hall.

The High Oracle, who was now on his knee, stood up and lifted me up the stone table. He presented me once again to the now normal statue of Kismet. He faced my parents and said, "Kismet has blessed this child the name of Iris Cylian of blood Maoridom y Lazuli, daughter of Adrian Benedictus Gracia y Lazuli and Luna Elicid Alanis y Maoridom.”

My mother gasped after hearing that my official name includes the name she had given me. My father helped her stand up as she found it hard to support herself, silently sobbing in her lover’s arms.

The High Oracle passed me to my father, who was also tearing up. “Iris… my little Iris…” he said smiling widely at me while caressing my cheek.

I grabbed his finger and smiled back at him. During my life here in this world, I witnessed how loving this man is towards my mother and me. He’s not the usual cold, misunderstood father that I usually read in comics.

“Look, she caught the attention of Ningning.” Mother said, looking at the string with a single black and white pearl that I didn’t even realize I was wearing. The bracelet indicates the deity that wanted to lend me their power. The unbreakable string would stretch as I grow older and won’t be removed until my last evaluation when I turned eight.

“Black orb encased in a bigger white pearl that signifies the power of Ningning. Without its light, everything would fall into darkness. When everything is dark, everything will cease to exist. When utilized properly, the Inheritor can control the life and death of every mortal.” I heard Mariana’s voice rang in my head.