The Fae were struck with awe at the sight of their princess. She looked confident, unshakable, regal. But unknown to them, Violet was anything but calm.
Inwardly, she chanted with every step she took. You are a fucking princess. Don’t trip. Stare at their fucking faces. This is your night.
Violet was used to being stared at, but usually as the strange human girl with purple hair. Now, having finally found her people, their gazes cut the deepest.
She could see it all in their eyes.
The surprise.
The curiosity.
The judgment.
The half-breed princess who had to prove herself worthy to rule them.
Then the pressure hit her suddenly, constricting around her chest until her breath faltered and her steps nearly did too.
Fingers slid into hers.
Roman.
He must have felt the panic spike because he squeezed her hand firmly, grounding her, then shot her a wink. The simple gesture steadied her instantly. A slow smile curved Violet’s lips as her confidence came back in full force.
She straightened.
This time, Violet walked the path like a model on a runway, her chin lifted, and spine tall, daring them to look away. Her focus locked onto her mother standing on the dais, pride blazing openly on Queen Seraphira’s face.
"Zinnia."
Her mother had said it was her Fae name. But there was no way in hell she was answering to that alone. She had been Violet Purple her entire life, and she wasn’t about to erase eighteen years of identity just like that. The least she could do was attach it to her name, but nothing more.
She wasn’t just Fae. She was wolf. And somewhat human too. She was all of it.
As messy as that sounded, she was Violet Zinnia Purple.
"Come, child," her mother said softly, gesturing to her as soon as she was close enough.
Violet stepped onto the dais, a raised structure made of gleaming crystal and stone. She alone was permitted to ascend it while her mates were directed to a slightly raised, semicircular platform just beneath the throne level.
They were seated with the noble Fae, the position close enough to signify honor, but
distant enough to draw a line.
While the cardinal alphas were her mates, they were not her equals in rule. They were future consorts, and nothing more, until Violet was formally recognized and had fully claimed her place as princess.
Violet stepped forward as her mother announced to the gathered crowd,
"Free Fae, I present to you, your princess."
There was no immediate reaction. Not even an applause or cheers. Instead, their low
murmurs rippled through the hall.
But Violet was not discouraged. She simply dipped her head slightly, a silent request to continue, and her mother yielded the floor.
Violet stepped forward, facing her people fully now.
"Dia duit is Violet Corcra mé. Hello. I’m Violet Purple." She began, then paused to study the people. "Nó in áit mar a tháinig mé ar an eolas Violet Zinnia Corcra. Or rather, as I have come to know myself, Violet Zinnia Purple."
It was comical the way the murmuring died instantly as every Fae turned toward her in shock. The princess was speaking their tongue.
Violet smiled, knowing she had their attention now. It was reassuring to see the plan working. She had known they wouldn’t accept her easily, not when they saw her as an outsider. And what better way to bridge that divide than by speaking their language? Communication, after all, was the first step toward belonging.
Of course, it was impossible to learn the Fae tongue in a single day.
That was when Asher had asked if the Fae possessed a spell or something that could grant temporary memory retention.
As expected, the Fae did.
However, the spell came with consequences which was a pounding headache. The Fae tongue was foreign to Violet after all, and forcing it into place through magic was not natural; she had to learn it.
Still, Violet had only needed to memorize her speech.
And now, as she had the attention of the Fae, she knew it was worth it – even if a headache awaited her after the party tonight.
Violet glanced toward Asher and smiled.



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