OFF THE THRONE

Chapter 1 Cece sat on the throne, as the gnomes hurried over, braiding her hair, going back and forth. Her tiara tilted up and down, as she mumbled about “un-careful gnomes.” Gnomes, or Nature Watchers if fancy, were commonly maids and helpers around the households for fairies. Their small round bodies made them look adorable, but they were strong and wise. “Matilda! That hurts!” Cece complained. She wasn’t mad of adorable gnomes. She was stressed out by her frilly-curly hair. It would’ve been less tangled if it were straight! Cece sighed. She twirled her tiara around with the tip of her fingers. She wasn’t in a good mood. The prickly pain from her tangled hair wasn’t making it better. “Careful, Miss Cecelia, you’ll drop it!” Matilda, the pale pink gnome warned. Her soft voice sounded like a musical hum. She was a Rose-Gnome. The flower on her head was a nice, tall prickly-free yellow rose, planted on lots of ruffled blonde hair. “I’m not going to drop it!” Cece scowled. Even music hums won’t calm Cece. Matilda sighed. Recently, every day, Cece would go out to sit on her throne to wait for a special scroll to come back. The letter. The future of her life is determined by this letter. She had been a little cranky about it since it wasn’t coming. She had dreamed of joining the Auraline Royalty Academy. Auraline Royal Academy, for the best scholars, princes, and princesses, where they teach you to act and become royalty. The Academy was hard to get into because you needed to prove your worth. Having no powers as a princess or as a fairy, was a struggle. She was a disappointment to the family. The Elliselle Family, ruler of Auraline, are quite well known. Yet despite her family’s well-known power and strength, she had none. No elemental power. No ability. No potential. Cece lived in a world of fairies and these fairies lived on the Four Islands. Auraline, being amethyst land, GoldenHeart being gold land, AtlanticWind being wind and seas land, and Everlise, being peace land. These islands represented elements the fairies possess. Some fairies were Ice fairies, meaning they can produce ice. Some were Fire Fairies, who are Fire Holders, and they hold special relationships with fire. Some were Earth or Garden fairies, known as Earth Holders, who have connections to grass and nature, and some were Wind Holders, which means they can bond and manipulate wind. Now, the thing is, her family, Elliselle family, have ancestors who possessed powers from a different category. They can manifest as summoners, (which means you can make animals or items appear where you needed them to), and only two people, which was Cece’s great-great-great-great grandfather, and Cece’s dad, had been the only two registered-summoners. For the rare fairies who don’t have an element, then you’d have to register on this list called Other Powers. This is forced by the Fairy Organization. These lists help the organizations to keep track of who, so if there is any destruction from those people with unique powers, they can easily track the person down. Cece hoped she possessed those powers. The hopes slowly faded, when she turned thirteen with no powers. Cece sighed. Sadness and guilt came in. What if she’ll never manifest? What if she’s the first fairy who would never possess power? Just when she thought it was already the worst, Leo, her younger brother, came in. “Ugh. I can’t believe I’m getting my throne in four days. Unbelievable.” He complained, and Cece wanted to slap his face off. They had never had the “cute” sibling relationships, and Cece was a hundred percent sure they’ll never have one. Everyone these days were blabbering about how “Leo was better” or “he should be the king!” Or whatever, and the nerves in Cece’s blood boiled. She tried her best not to smack them, with her willpower. “Mom said you’re grounded.” Crumb cakes. Maybe that’s why Leo was so happy. His smug look of satisfaction because Cece was grounded. The only time he’d talk to her was to make fun of her. “Huh? Why?” Cece asked. She knew why, but it was better to play dumb, just in case it wasn’t what she thought she’s getting in trouble for. “Mom says you messed up the yard with your friends, right?” Leo told her. Leo waved his arms, creating a big amount of wind before gushing it in her face. Crumb cakes. Leo manifested as a Wind Holder—to Cece’s relief, she wouldn't want him to manifest as a summoner before her. Cece glared at him, hoping her glaring could at least shut his mouth, but of course, it did not work. Leo and Cece were always constantly fighting for the top thrown, and Leo took it very seriously. For Cece, she didn’t care. She wasn’t interested in politics or royal government issues, and never participated in her dad’s meetings like Leo did. She didn’t care to be queen. “Cecelia, I’m surprised you’re not in your room. What did I tell you?” Mrs. Loralie Elliselle, Cece’s mom said. She flattened the dark blue gown she’s wearing. Her brown curly hair fell in sync with her steps, as they waved under her shoulders. Cece wondered often why she’s the only blonde one, but there are more important things to worry about. “Mom! I’m waiting for my Auraline Royal Academy Letter! The yard mess was Blossom and Stella’s idea. They said I was a scary cat, and—” “No, it was your decision,” Mom raised an eyebrow. “And? What if you’re a scary cat? It doesn’t change anything.” “But…mom, I won’t have friends if I can’t show them I’m cool enough—not that I’m not, of course.” Cece grumbled. Cece’s mom raised an eyebrow.