Chapter 9: The Nobles' Test
The morning sun shone over the castle walls, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Elara stood at the balcony, the crown glowing softly on her head. The past few days had been exhausting—training with Arion, learning the crown's magic, and pushing herself harder than she had ever imagined. Yet, today would be different. Today, she would face the outside world.
Arion had called her early in the morning. "The local nobles have heard of your survival," he said, his tone serious. "They are curious. Some are skeptical. Others are afraid. They will test your power, whether you like it or not."
Elara nodded, her pulse quickening. "Test my power?" she asked.
"Yes," Arion replied. "They want to see if the rumors are true. If you are truly capable of controlling the crown. If you cannot, it will not only be your reputation at risk—but the crown's power may be questioned, and that could cause chaos in the kingdom."
Elara swallowed hard. She had survived the crown. She had learned to control it in the castle. But the outside world… that was something else entirely. People would be watching, judging, and waiting for her to fail.
"I understand," she said firmly. "I won't fail."
Arion nodded. "Good. Remember everything we have practiced. Control your fear. Focus your mind. And remember—the crown obeys you. You are stronger than you realize."
The nobles arrived in the castle courtyard shortly after. They were a group of five men and women, all dressed in fine clothes, with jewels and insignias that marked their status. They looked at Elara with curiosity, suspicion, and a hint of disdain.
"So this is the girl who survived the cursed crown?" one of the nobles said, a tall man with a sharp face and cold eyes. "Is it true? Have you truly controlled it?"
Elara stood tall, the crown glowing faintly. "Yes," she said clearly. "I have survived. And I can control it."
The nobles exchanged skeptical glances. "Control it?" another noble asked. "You are but a young girl. How could you possibly control something so powerful?"
Elara took a deep breath, remembering Arion's lessons. Focus. Control. Calm. She lifted her hands slightly, and a small golden light appeared above her palms. It spun slowly, steady and bright.
The nobles gasped. "Impressive," the tall man muttered, though his tone was not entirely approving. "But can you control more? Can you use it to protect? To command? Or is this just a trick?"
Elara's pulse quickened. This was her chance to prove herself. She focused, imagining the crown responding to her thoughts. The golden light grew, expanding into a small shield in front of her. She waved her hands, and the shield moved with her, floating in the air, protecting a nearby fountain.
The nobles stepped back slightly, some murmuring among themselves. "It moves as she wills," one whispered.
Elara felt a surge of confidence. She imagined the shield forming a dome, surrounding her and the nearby trees. The crown obeyed perfectly, the golden light shimmering as it floated in place.
"Enough of this," the tall noble said sharply. He stepped forward, drawing a small dagger. "If you truly control this power, let us see how it defends against real force."
Elara's heart raced, but she remembered Arion's lessons. Do not panic. Control. Guide. Listen. She raised her hands, focusing on the crown's power. A shield of golden light expanded in front of her, solid and shimmering.
The noble lunged forward, striking at the shield. The crown absorbed the force effortlessly, the dagger bouncing harmlessly against the glowing barrier. The other nobles gasped in shock.
"Impressive," another noble admitted, though there was still doubt in his voice. "But what else can you do? Can you attack? Can you command?"
Elara focused again. She imagined a small sphere of light forming in her hand. The crown responded immediately, creating a glowing orb that hovered above her palm. She guided it with her thoughts, moving it in a spiral pattern, then sending it gently toward a distant tree.
The orb struck the tree, harmlessly but firmly, and the branches shivered under the impact. The nobles' eyes widened. Some whispered among themselves, others stepped back, clearly impressed—and wary.
"You… you are not just a girl," the tall noble said finally, his voice low. "You are… something else."
Elara felt her confidence grow. She had survived the crown. She had controlled it. And now, she was proving herself in front of the nobles who had doubted her.
But then, one of the younger nobles stepped forward, smirking. "Let us see if she can handle more than tricks," he said, tossing a heavy stone toward her.
Elara's pulse quickened. The stone was fast, heavy, and aimed directly at her. She focused, imagining the shield expanding to protect her. The golden light surged, forming a barrier just in time. The stone struck the shield and bounced away harmlessly.
The nobles murmured, some impressed, others wary. Elara realized then that this was not just a test of magic—it was a test of composure, courage, and control. She had to remain calm, focused, and precise.
Another noble stepped forward, attempting to intimidate her with a small fire spell. Elara's pulse raced, but she remembered Arion's words. Control. Focus. Calm. She raised her hands, and the crown responded immediately, forming a barrier that absorbed the flames without faltering.
The nobles stared in awe. "She… she truly controls it," one whispered.
Elara felt a surge of pride, but also a sense of caution. She had survived the crown, but the outside world was unpredictable. The nobles were testing her not just for curiosity—they were testing her for fear, doubt, and power. She had to remain vigilant.
"Enough," the tall noble said finally, stepping forward. "I see now that you are not just a girl. You are powerful, yes… but dangerous as well. The crown obeys you. You have survived what others could not. We… we will respect that, for now."
Elara nodded, her hands lowering as the golden light faded. The crown pulsed softly on her head, as if acknowledging her success. She had passed the nobles' test—not just with magic, but with composure, courage, and control.
Arion stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Well done," he said quietly. "Remember, this was only a minor challenge. The crown will continue to test you in ways you cannot yet imagine. The nobles were cautious, yes, but the real challenges lie ahead."
Elara nodded, feeling the weight of his words. She had survived the test, but she knew this was only the beginning. The crown was alive, powerful, and unpredictable. And the world beyond the castle walls was full of people who would doubt, fear, or even challenge her.
But for the first time, she felt confident. She had survived the curse. She had controlled the crown. And she had faced the nobles—and proven herself.
As the nobles left, still whispering among themselves, Elara stood in the courtyard, the crown glowing softly on her head. She felt its warmth, its pulse, its life. We are ready, it seemed to whisper. We will face what comes next.
Elara smiled faintly, her determination unwavering. She had survived the crown. She had controlled it. And now, she would face whatever challenges the world—and the crown—would throw at her.
The path ahead was uncertain, full of tests, danger, and discovery. But she was ready. She had the crown, she had control, and she had courage.
And tomorrow… the journey would continue.