Reality overload

My brain didn't just stop, it crashed.

Full blue‑screen.

"Queen Zora," the elder repeated, like that was a normal sentence a normal person could hear without dying on the spot.

"I...I...I can't...I'm not...I don't..." My voice cracked. "I'm not queen material! I can barely handle being a person!"

The elder bowed his head again, reverent and calm. "You are chosen by the Mother of Creation. That alone..."

"Nope!" I squeaked. "Nope nope nope! That's not...that's not a qualification! That's a cosmic fluke!"

Charlie coughed loudly and took a sudden, intense interest in a jar of herbs on the shelf.

"CHARLIE, HELP ME."

"Wow," she said. "These... Beams. Very beamy."

Riley immediately knelt down and pretended to retie her boot.

Lucas turned around and stared at the wall like he was reading ancient runes.

Nate looked out of the window, and stared out of  it like it contained the secrets of the universe.

Reia well she was blunt " I think it's a great idea, your majesty."she said grinning to wide.

Katherine folded her arms and gave me a sympathetic smile that said I believe in you but also I'm not getting involved in this.

I spun in a circle, pointing at all of them.

"You're all abandoning me! I need backup! I need someone to say 'hey Elder, maybe don't make a complete stranger queen' or 'hey Zora, here's a plan' or literally ANYTHING!"

Charlie raised a finger without looking at me.

"I believe in you," she said.

"That's not HELP, CHARLIE!"

Riley gave me a thumbs‑up from the floor. "You'll be fine, your majesty."

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

The elder stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"You carry the blood of Hestia," he said softly. "You were remade for a purpose. Our achieve text tells of you and your sisters arrival when needed most. Leadership is not a burden you chose... but one you were shaped to bear."

"I WAS SHAPED TO PANIC!" I cried.

Charlie snorted. "Honestly, yeah."

"CHARLIE."

She finally looked at me, but only to give me the world's most unhelpful shrug.

"You'll figure it out," she said. "You always do."

I stared at her, betrayed on a spiritual level.

"I hate all of you," I whispered.

Riley patted my arm. "You'll make a great queen."

"I'M GOING TO PASS OUT."

The elder smiled kindly, completely unfazed by my meltdown.

"Then sit," he said. "And breathe. A queen must learn to steady herself before she steadies others."

I sat.

I did not breathe.

I stared at the floor, overwhelmed, terrified, and absolutely certain the universe had made a clerical error.

Queen Zora.

I was so, so doomed.

I was still hyperventilating when the elder bowed again and said, "Queen Zora."

Something in my brain just... flipped. I calmed immediately. 

If I was going to be stuck with this title, then I was taking someone down with me.

I stood up so fast the cushion flipped.

"Okay," I said, voice eerily calm. "If I'm queen now, then as my FIRST royal command—"

Every single one of my so‑called friends froze.

Charlie slowly lowered the jar of herbs she was pretending to study.

Riley stopped tying her already‑tied boot.

Nate's van keys slipped from his hand. 

Lucas whispered, "Oh no."

Reia mouthed, "We deserve this."

I pointed at all of them like an angry kindergarten teacher.

"YOU. FIVE. Get over here."

They shuffled forward like they were approaching a firing squad.

Charlie tried to smile. "Heyyy, Zora. Bestie. Sister. Favorite sibling. Let's talk about this—"

"No," I said. "No talking. You abandoned me to my fate. Now accept yours with some dignity!"

Riley raised a finger. "In our defense—"

"NO DEFENSE." I cut her off I was on a roll.

Nate whispered, "We're dead."

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and let the panic burn itself into something far more dangerous.

Spite.

"If I must be queen," I said,my tone dripping with acid "then as my first royal decree... I hereby assign each of you an official title and responsibility."

Everyone froze.

Charlie whispered, "Oh no."

I pointed at Lucas first.

"Lucas. You are now the Captain of the Royal Guard. You will oversee all security, patrols, training, and the protection of my person. If something tries to kill me? You stand in front of it."

Lucas blinked. "That sounds... extremely dangerous."

"Yes," I said. "It is."

Next, I turned to Riley.

"Riley. You are the Shadowmaster of the Crown. Head of espionage, infiltration, intelligence gathering, and all things sneaky. If someone whispers a rumor, you hear it. If someone plots against us, you find them. If someone needs to be scared into behaving, you handle it."

Riley grinned. "Okay, that one's actually sick."

"Good," I said. "Because you're stuck with it."

Then I pointed at Nate.

"Nate. You are the Arcane Steward of Temporal Affairs."

Nate blinked. "The what?"

"The magical schedule guy," I clarified. "You manage my appointments, magical or otherwise. You coordinate meetings, rituals, ceremonies, and anything that requires me to be somewhere at a specific time."

Nate groaned. "I can't even schedule my own life!"

"Congratulations," I said. "Now you schedule mine."

Reia tried to hide behind Riley.

I dragged her forward.

"Reia. You are the Lady‑in‑Waiting to the Crown. You assist me with attire, presentation, etiquette, and all formal matters. You make sure I don't look like a disaster. You all will also attend all official events with me."

Reia blinked. "So... I get to dress you up?"

"Yes."

She nodded. "Acceptable."

Finally, I turned to Charlie.

She immediately backed up. "Zora. Please. I'm your sister. Your only sister. Your favorite—"

"Charlie," I said sweetly, "you are the High Advisor of the Crown."

She froze.

"That sounds... important."

"Oh, it is," I said. "It means you are responsible for explaining everything I don't understand, solving everything I don't want to deal with, and answering every question I refuse to answer."

Charlie stared at me, betrayed. "Zora. That's literally EVERYTHING."

"Yes," I said. "It is, isn't that what bis sisters are for?"

The elder nodded approvingly, like I had just rebuilt the government.

"These are wise appointments," he said.

Charlie groaned. "Elder, please."

Riley snorted. "We should've helped her earlier."

Lucas muttered, "We're doomed."

Nate whispered, "I hate this monarchy."

Reia shrugged. "Honestly, we deserve it."

I crossed my arms, satisfied.

"If I have to be queen," I said, "then you all have to suffer with me."

The elder waited until my friends finished groaning about their new titles before clearing his throat.

"There is one more matter," he said. "Your coronation."

My stomach dropped. "My what."

"Your coronation," he repeated, as if that clarified anything. "A queen must be formally recognized by the people."

"I didn't agree to..."

He continued right over me.

"Even though Hilguard is a small, we have traditions. And we have a priest."

Charlie blinked. "A priest? Of who?"

The elder gave her a look like the answer was obvious.

"Of Hestia, of course."

I choked. "Of course?!"

The elder nodded. "He arrived shortly before the flash. Said he felt a 'divine stirring' in the air. Has been insisting the children of the Mother of Creation walk among us."

Riley snorted. "He called it?"

"Oh, he called it," the elder said. "Loudly. Repeatedly. To anyone who would listen."

Lucas muttered, "So... a fanboy."

The elder sighed. "He is... enthusiastic."

"Define enthusiastic," I said.

As if summoned by the word, a distant voice echoed from outside the house.

"IS THIS THE DAY? HAVE THEY COME? HAVE THE DAUGHTERS OF THE FIRST FLAME ARRIVED?"

I stared at the elder.

He winced. "That would be him."

The voice got closer.

"I FEEL THEM! I FEEL THE DIVINE RESONANCE! OPEN THE DOOR!"

I whispered, horrified, "He can feel us?"

The elder nodded apologetically. "He says your presence 'tickles his soul.'"

Charlie covered her face. "Oh gods."

The elder continued, resigned.

"He has been preparing the ceremonial rites since dawn. He insists the coronation must be performed immediately. He has written three speeches. And a hymn."

"A hymn?!" I squeaked.

"Yes," the elder said. "He tried to rehearse it for me. I pretended to fall asleep."

The door rattled.

"ELDER! LET ME IN! I MUST BEHOLD THE GODDESS'S CHILDREN!"

I backed up so fast I hit Charlie.

"Nope. No. Absolutely not. I'm not ready for this. I'm not queen material. I'm not divine material. I'm barely functioning material."

Charlie patted my shoulder. "Too late. You're royalty now."

"CHARLIE."

The elder raised his hands in a calming gesture.

"Do not fear. The ceremony is simple. A blessing. A vow. A symbolic gesture of leadership. And then the priest will likely faint."

"Faint?!"

"He is very excitable."

The door slammed again.

"ELDER! I BROUGHT THE SACRED INCENSE! AND THE HOLY BOWL! AND THE—"

The elder sighed deeply.

"Yes. Very excitable."

I stared at the door like it was about to explode.

"I'm not ready," I whispered.

The elder smiled gently.

"No one ever is."

The elder barely had time to open his mouth before the door SLAMMED open with the force of divine enthusiasm.

A man in flowing red‑and‑gold robes practically exploded into the room, clutching a bowl, a bundle of incense, and what looked like a very excited chicken.

"I HAVE ARRIVED!" he declared, voice echoing off the walls. "WHERE ARE THEY? WHERE ARE THE DAUGHTERS OF THE FIRST FLAME?"

I froze.

Charlie froze.

Everyone froze.

The priest's eyes landed on us.

He gasped so loudly I thought he might pass out on the spot.

"OH BLESSED HESTIA ABOVE," he whispered, dropping to his knees so fast the chicken squawked. "I FEEL THE DIVINE RESONANCE. I FEEL THE SACRED HEARTHFIRE. I FEEL..."

He slapped a hand over his heart.

"...THE CHILDREN OF THE MOTHER OF CREATION STANDING BEFORE ME!"

I took a step back.

"Oh no," I whispered.

He scrambled forward on his knees, robes dragging, incense spilling everywhere.

"Your radiance!" he cried. "Your holiness! Your divine warmth! I have waited my entire LIFE for this moment!"

Charlie leaned toward me. "Zora. He's vibrating."

He WAS...

The man was literally vibrating with excitement.

The priest pressed his forehead to the floor.

"I sensed your arrival the moment the veil trembled! I felt the spark of the First Flame in my SOUL! I have prepared the rites! The hymns! The ceremonial bread!"

He held up the chicken.

"And the sacred offering!"

The chicken clucked, deeply unimpressed.

I stared at the elder. "Why is he like this?"

The elder sighed. "He is... devoted."

The priest looked up at me with tears in his eyes.

"Your Majesty...no, your DIVINITY...no, your FLAME‑BORN GRACE..."

"Please stop naming me," I begged.

He didn't.

He stood up so fast his robes tangled around his feet.

"We must begin the coronation at once! The people must witness the rise of their queen! The daughter of Hestia must take her rightful place!"

I panicked.

"I'm not ready, it's also almost sad-!"

He gasped. Cutting me off my"The flame is HUMBLE!"

Charlie snorted.

The priest clasped his hands dramatically.

"Fear not, oh Hearth‑Blessed One! I shall guide you! I shall lead the rites! I shall..."

He tripped over his own robe, caught himself, and pretended it was intentional.

"...gracefully prepare the sacred space!"

I whispered to Charlie, "I'm scared."

Charlie whispered back, "I'm terrified."

The priest spun toward the door.

"TO THE SQUARE!" he shouted. "THE CORONATION BEGINS!"

And he sprinted out, chicken and all.

The elder sighed again.

"He has been... eager."

I stared at the empty doorway.

"I'm going to die."

The priest had barely sprinted out the door, screaming about sacred rites and divine resonance, when another voice came crashing into the house.

"ELDER! ELDER...!"

Geld burst through the doorway, panting so hard he looked like he'd run a marathon uphill while being chased by wolves.

Everyone froze.

"There are..." he wheezed, bending over, "...men... dressed in black... outside the gate!"

Geld continued, waving his arms wildly. "And they brought great metal mounts! Huge ones! Black and shiny and humming like angry spirits!"

Charlie blinked. "Metal mounts?"

Riley peeked out the window. "SUVs. Definitely SUVs."

The priest, who had been halfway out the door, froze mid‑stride.

He turned around slowly, dramatically, like a villain in a stage play.

"EXCUSE ME?" he thundered. "We are moments away from the sacred coronation of the Daughter of Hestia, and you speak of DEMONS?"

I inhaled slowly.

Exhaled slowly.

Kept my face calm.

Inside, I was already writing my will.

"Let's go," I said.

The priest immediately glued himself to my side. "SO BE IT, THE DAUGHTERS OF HESTIA SHALL NOT WALK ALONE."

Before anyone could move, Katherine stepped in front of me, hands on her hips.

"Zora," she said firmly, "you cannot go out there looking like you just rolled out of the forest. You're a queen now. You need to look the part."

I stared at her. "Katherine....Not you to?!."

The elder nodded sagely. "She is correct. Presentation is vital."

Reia lit up like someone had handed her a birthday cake.

"As Lady‑in‑Waiting," she said proudly, "I decree that if you're going to be queen, style is necessary."

"I don't need style," I said.

Reia walked to me. "You do now."

The elder clapped his hands. "Maids! Assist the queen!"

Six maids appeared instantly, like they'd been hiding behind furniture waiting for this exact cue.

"Oh, I've been WAITING for this," Reia said giddy and smiling, grabbing my wrist. "This is so exciting my first task!"

"No," I said.

"Yes," she said.

"No..."

Too late.

Reia and Katherine, and Charlie with the help of six maids, dragged me away like determined stylists kidnapping a celebrity. 

Before I could blink, I was surrounded.

Hands on my arms.

Hands on my shoulders.

Hands pushing me toward the hallway.

"WAIT...WAIT...I CAN WALK...!"

"Hurry now there's little time," Katherine called after us as I was dragged away.

"We must prepare you," Reia added.

"You'll be fine," Charlie lied.

The priest tried to follow, but Lucas blocked him with a single massive hand to the chest.

"You stay," he grumbled 

"I MUST WATCH THE ADORNMENT OF THE QUEEN..."

"No.." was all he said. The priest was subdued by his size.

I was dragged into one of the side rooms, and swallowed by chaos.

Katherine opened a carved wooden chest with reverence.

Inside was a gown.

Not just a gown.

The gown.

The fabric looked impossibly soft, impossibly regal, impossibly queen.

I stared. "That's... a lot."

Katherine smiled. "It belonged to one of our noble ladys. It will suit you well."

Reia clapped. "Ladies, dress the queen!"

The maids moved like a trained strike team.

One unrolled the dress.

Another prepared the belt and sword.

A third began braiding my hair before I could protest.

"Okay...okay...WAIT...STOP...I can put my own arm through a sleeve...HEY...that's my hair...OW...I CAN DRESS MYSELF...AAAAAH...!"

No one listened.

Not Katherine.

Not Reia.

Not the maids.

Not even Charlie, who kept saying "You're doing great" while actively spinning me like a rotisserie chicken.

"Hold still," Reia said.

"I AM," I squeaked.

"Hold still better."

Fabric flew.

Hands everywhere.

Laces tightened.

Sleeves shoved.

Hair pulled.

Charlie trying to help but mostly getting in the way.

Katherine adjusting the belt with zero mercy.

Reia stepping back and forth like an artist judging her canvas.

"Lift your arms," Katherine said.

"Why..."

"Lift."

I lifted.

The dress slid over me like water.

The maids tightened the back.

Reia adjusted the neckline.

Katherine slid the leather belt around my waist and secured the sword.

"Why do I need a sword?" I asked.

"Authority," Katherine said.

By the time they were done, I was breathless, red‑faced, and emotionally bruised.

Reia stepped back, eyes shining. "Okay. Look."

I turned toward the mirror.

And froze.

A flowing green dress, deep forest‑colored, embroidered with silver threads that shimmered like frost.

A leather belt cinched at my waist, holding a sheathed sword that looked ceremonial but very stab‑capable.

My hair braided back in a way that made me look taller, older, regal.

I looked like an elven queen who had wandered out of a fantasy novel.

I swallowed. "I look... like I'm about to declare war."

Reia beamed. "Exactly."

Katherine squeezed my shoulder. "You look like a leader."

I looked like a proper elven queen.

My cheeks burned with frost. "I... I can't wear this."

Reia put her hands on her hips. "You absolutely can."

Charlie smiled softly. "You look like you."

The priest burst through the door, saw me, and immediately dropped to his knees.

"THE DAUGHTER OF HESTIA SHINES WITH DIVINE RADIANCE!"

Charlie dragged him out by the collar. "Let's go holy man out..."

I stood there, flustered, overwhelmed, trying to breathe.

I didn't know what to say.

So I just nodded.

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