Pampered By All

The Empress called it tradition.

King Theron called it proof.

Lady Marellia, smiling behind her veil, called it necessary.

Elara only felt the silence.

Barefoot on sun-warmed stone, she entered the Arena of Ancients.

Runes glowed under the midday light.

Nobles filled the terraces in silks, fans, and bright laughter meant for someone else.

They weren't here to cheer.

They came to watch her fail.

"Let the fire decide."

The High Priest's voice boomed.

A hush… then a laugh.

Princess Isla's golden hair caught the sunlight as she leaned over the rail.

"Even beasts have standards. Let's hope they're low."

Snickers rolled through the crowd.

Elara held Isla's stare.

Isla looked away first.

On the royal throne, King Theron folded his arms.

"Let the Stone prove its worth," he muttered. "Or burn her down."

Elara breathed in scorched air. The arena floor shimmered… then split.

Smoke rose.

Flame twisted into a shape—half-lion, half-dragon.

A living blaze.

No sword. No spell.

Shouts rained from above:

"Command it, girl!"

"She has no power, just scandal!"

Elara stepped forward.

Sat cross-legged.

Palms open. Still.

When you stop trying to master the fire, it listens.

The beast circled, heat blistering her skin, but she wasn't moved.

Sweat dripped.

She simply breathed.

The flames slowed… softened.

With one hand raised, Elara invited it and not to rule.

The beast coiled into bright embers at her feet after resting its blazing muzzle on her palm.

Gasps everywhere.

A goblet hit the marble.

Someone fainted.

Even the guards stared.

The High Priest whispered, shaken:

"Not since..."

Isla's sharp voice cut through:

"It's a trick."

King Theron's reply was ice.

"Enough."

The first crack in stone was uncertainty, sparking in his eyes.

"Bring her to the Hall. We have… much to discuss."

---

A spark walks away.

Elara rose.

The fire beast faded to smoke and coiled back into the floor.

She did not bow.

She did not look up.

She eventually shuddered in the dim hallway, her heart racing and her hand hurting.

The fire hadn't burned her.

But it had seen her.

Now the whole realm had to.

"You didn't burn."

With her skirts tied and her eyes wet, Ana skidded around the corner.

She hugged Elara hard.

"I thought they sent you to die out there."

"They did," Elara said. "It just didn't work."

Ana laughed and cried at once.

"Lady Marellia is paying keen attention, and the King looks like he swallowed ash."

Muttering, "Let him choke on it," Elara said.

The girl who received no applause felt like more than a shadow for the first time.

She had a spark-like sensation.

Above them, behind thick curtains, new plots were already emerging.