A3 - Chapter 143 – Tia (Part 1) (Patreon)

USD: 12 Years earlier

Location: Luna, Imperial Residency, Princess Celestia’s Wing

Teetering on her tiptoes, Celestia diligently etched a new height marking onto the back of her dressing room armoire, as she had done every year since her fifth birthday. A subtle smile graced her face. This latest mark represented her most significant growth spurt to date. It was a point of pride that her mother, Empress Psi, always inquired about during their annual birthday tea.

“Princess, please,” a maid implored, entering the dressing room.

Reluctantly, Celestia retreated from her hidden sanctuary. The room was adorned with refined paintings and opulent furniture, but her attention was immediately drawn to the vibrant red dress carried by the maid. As she examined the gown, her face soured, and she shook her head slowly while approaching the towering dressing mirror.

It wasn’t that she found the dress unappealing; the red fabric was exquisite, embellished with golden embroidery that pleased the eye. But she had learned that catching the eye of her older siblings was something to avoid.

And donning the Imperial colors was the fastest way to stoke their jealously and disdain.

“I’m not wearing that. Bring the white one,” she ordered.

The maids exchanged uneasy glances, hesitant to defy the young princess’s wishes. Her victory was fleeting, as a slightly older maid, Livia, joined the group.

“Livia, please…” Celestia began.

The older girl shook her head. “Lady Celestia, the Empress specifically chose this dress for you,” Livia explained softly. “We’ll all face punishment if you disobey.”

Celestia understood the implications all too well. Reprimands from her mother were often delegated to her siblings and were best avoided. It was even worse for her maids.

Gazing at her reflection, her ruby eyes were dim with resignation. “Alright, I’ll wear the red one.”

“Thank you, Lady Celestia,” Livia replied. The maids promptly adorned her with the opulent garment, each piece making her feel increasingly exposed.

Livia seemed to sense her discomfort. “Wait,” she said, brandishing a spool of white ribbon. “Let’s add this to the trim. It should soften the look and perhaps make you feel more at ease.”

Celestia managed a grateful smile and nodded. “Please.”

The maids skillfully incorporated the lace, and Celestia assessed her reflection once more. The dress remained a bold statement, but the white trim provided a semblance of security. Livia’s efforts to help her, however small, brought a modicum of comfort.

The dress, coupled with the summons to the audience hall before their annual lunch tea, hinted at a something big happening, and Celestia felt unease in the pit of her stomach.

At the very least, the nobles would be gathered, and all her older siblings present in Sol would be there.

“Thank you, Livia,” Celestia said softly. “I’ll do my best.”

Livia offered a warm smile and placed her hands on Celestia’s shoulders. “You’re strong, Lady Celestia. I believe in you.”

***

USD: Some time later

Location: Luna, Imperial Residency, Audience Hall

The audience hall brimmed with anticipation, its vaulted ceiling adorned with holo-projected banners from the Empire’s most illustrious houses, interspersed with those of the Imperial Family. Celestia tugged at the white lace trim encircling the neckline of her crimson and gold gown, her nerves escalating as she awaited her introduction.

Muffled chatter from the assembled nobility drifted through the partially opened main doors. Celestia’s fidgeting with the lace intensified as she struggled to rein in her anxiety.

“Lady Celestia…” Livia whispered urgently.

With a frustrated exhale, Celestia stilled her hands and endeavored to compose herself. “I’m sorry, Livi…”

Her efforts were just on time, as the grand doors swung open, revealing the resplendent hall awash in golden light. The master of ceremonies addressed the assembly, his rich voice reverberating through the chamber.

“Noble lords of the Empire, please welcome the youngest daughter of our esteemed Empress. Though tender in years, she is a beacon of hope and inspiration to us all.”

Lies. The announcer always lies.

“As the Empress’s first natural-born child, Her Imperial Highness represents the future of our great Empire! Her spirit and determination remind us of the values that have made us strong - unity, strength, and progress - and give us hope for a bright and prosperous future.”

They want to know how best to exploit me.

“Hail Her Imperial Highness Celestia Astraea Psi, Princess of Luna, and a shining star in our Empire’s future!”

Steeling herself, Celestia strode into the hall, her gaze unwaveringly fixed upon her mother’s feet. She feigned ignorance of the condescending remarks and hushed whispers permeating the air. Her natural-born status was a recurrent topic of conversation, one she still struggled to grasp.

What she knew for sure was that it was the reason her oldest brother despised her.

Looming behind mother’s throne, her siblings that had not yet been dispatched to govern the various systems of the Empire scrutinized her every move, their penetrating gazes amplifying her sense of vulnerability.

Suppressing her fear, Celestia mustered her resolve for the impending ordeal. The memory of her first summons to the hall and the subsequent failure fortified her determination. She hadn’t been the one punished that time; instead, Livia had been whipped, and her few tutors had been replaced.

Reaching the base of the imperial dais, Celestia gracefully curtsied to her mother, who sat regally and impassively upon her throne. She maintained her subservient posture until her mother, at last, beckoned for her to approach in silence.

With her head bowed and silver curls cascading around her face, Celestia cautiously ascended the dais to kneel at her mother’s feet. A plush, red cushion awaited her, providing a modicum of comfort and elevation.

The potent aroma of her mother’s perfume filled her senses as she gingerly accepted the outstretched hand before her. Delicately pressing her lips to the cool, regal skin, she executed the gesture flawlessly, despite her racing heart. She could sense her mother’s scrutinizing gaze, unrelenting and inscrutable, bearing down upon her.

The audience hall was hushed, every eye fixated upon the unfolding interaction.

At last, the Empress spoke, her voice devoid of warmth. “You may rise, daughter.”

Withdrawing her lips, Celestia stood and met her mother’s gaze for the first time since entering the hall. A pair of ruby eyes stared back blankly, their depths unfathomable as ever.

“Take your place,” Empress Psi commanded, and Celestia hastened to join the line of her siblings. The order had been altered, positioning her between Andrew, her eldest brother and heir apparent, and Melanie, the oldest imperial yet to receive a core system to govern.

Both offered her fake smiles.

A pair of trumpets blared as the Empress rose from her throne, and all those present snapped to attention, pressing their fists to their chests in salute.

“All Hail Her Imperial Majesty Empress Psi! Unity, Strength, Progress!”

The Empress raised her hand and clenched it into a fist, silencing the hall once more. Her clear, authoritative voice filled the chamber, resonating with power and command.

“Today, we grant our daughter, the Imperial Princess Celestia, the fief and incomes of Jupiter and its moons. She shall henceforth hold the title of Imperial Duchess of Jupiter and be uplifted to Chi NAI, to match the rank of her siblings to prepare for her eventual elevation to system ruler.”

Celestia’s eyes widened in surprise and confusion, but she quickly suppressed her emotions, maintaining a stoic expression. She could feel the heat and scorn of her siblings’ glares on the back of her neck. Her small hands clenched into fists as she did her best to ignore their animosity.

No one had informed her of these plans, and she couldn’t comprehend the implications of her mother’s proclamation. She knew it marked a significant turning point, but not how it would affect her future.

At the back of the hall where the servants were gathered, she caught sight of Livia, who offered her a small, reassuring smile.

***

USD: A week later

Location: Luna, Imperial Palace, Imperial Medical Ward

Celestia awoke to the pounding bleeps of the hospital bed monitor. Opening her eyes made her stomach turn as everything spun with disorientation. It felt like she had not moved for days, and her entire body felt odd as she stretched. Every sound was overly crisp and clear, even the distant hum of machinery in other rooms sounded like she was right beside it.

A tinge of apprehension filled her as she recognized the hushed voices in the hallway outside her room.

“You’re paranoid and have nothing to worry about,” Melanie said. “She’s just another younger sibling. She’ll be sent to some far-flung system, eventually. I’m the one that’s being put out. She’ll get the next system I’ve already been waiting for forever.”

“You’re too naïve,” Andrew scoffed. “Jupiter is the most valuable holding in Sol, and at the rate of new systems, she’ll have more power than all of us in a few decades.”

“You said the same thing about Bryant, and look at what happened to his base when he was sent to Aquarii.” Melanie said.

“That was different. He wasn’t a ‘natural-born’, was he now?”

There was a pause in the conversation, but Melanie picked up on what he was hinting. “You don’t think she plans to replace you as heir, do you?”

“Who knows? Mother is unfathomable as ever. What I know is… what if she has another? You thought you’d get a system after her? You don’t think she can’t have more?” There was a dramatic pause as if he wanted that thought to sink in before he continued. “Mother bullied the others and maneuvered them into accepting our expansions, but the council has firmly closed ranks against her now. Until they catch up, there won’t be any more core systems. The Solarians are at least a decade away from another.”

Celestia felt a mounting trepidation at a second, even longer pause before Melanie answered.

“Then let’s simply show how unsuitable Celestia is. After all, she was human before becoming a NAI.”

That’s right. Mother made me a NAI now.

The experience was a blur after the point where she had met with her mother for their annual tea lunch the day after the announcement. Pulling herself up to sit up, her vision cleared, and the over-sensitive hearing became more bearable. Her body felt light, like a feather.

It felt like if she wanted to, she could jump and touch the ceiling.

Everywhere she looked, little highlights around items appeared, along with miniature descriptions that should have been too small to read but were still clearly understandable to her mind.

“She’s awake.” Andrew said, and the door to her room opened all the way as Tia’s two siblings entered.

Her new visual assistance highlighted both of them in a deluge of data streams.

|Nanite System Detected|

|Authenticating…|

|Chi Handshake, confirmed. |

|Friendly Signal, Accepted. |

Andrew frowned at her before speaking. “Finally awake, Celestia? Your prolonged recuperation took twice as long as it should have.”

Celestia looked down. “I’m sorry.”

Melanie stepped in front of him, a placating hand on his chest forestalling him as she shot off a sickening smile towards Tia. “Don’t mind our grumpy brother, Celestia. Let me help you get used to your new abilities.”

Tia blinked, looking up, confused.

“Why?” she blurted without thinking, the offer completely at odds at what she had heard earlier.

“Because you’re really my little sister now. It’s my job to help you.”

Tia swallowed before cautiously answering. “Thank you.”

Doubt filled her chest, but…

There was a tiny glimmer of hope as well.