Chapter Text
Chapter One: Good News
The pale pink envelope sat on her vanity; the golden seal broken open. Next to it, a thick piece of parchment that was enchanted to glitter when read.
Stella was jumping up and down on her bed. Throwing her hands in the air, squealing. She’d done it. She’d actually done it. The application was due three months ago. She’d completed the entrance exam (both practical and written) at the start of last month. The wait to hear back had been more than agonizing – but so worth it.
Stella had been accepted into the Alfea School for Fairies. The most elite school in the entire magic dimension. The acceptance rate was less than ten percent. All of her friends at her school on Solaria had talked about maybe applying. But the test was tough, even for the most gifted of magical beings. They laughed at her when she declared she was certainly planning to. They told her she wasn’t nearly smart enough or powerful enough to even be considered.
But Stella loved proving people wrong.
Grabbing the envelope and letter, she gave her maids a surprise as she burst out of her room. The halls of the palace were buzzing with staff preparing for the day. They all leaped out of the way of the princess as she dashed by, making a direct beeline to her parent’s room.
Stella rounded the final corner and slowed to a brisk walk. Hiding the letter behind her back, she nodded politely to the guards posted at the door. They let her in with curt nods. Stella paused once inside and waited for the thunk of the doors shutting behind her.
The bustle of palace staff was silenced. Replaced with angry voices floating out of her father’s parlor, where he normally had breakfast.
“Radius, please. Don’t start this early in the morning!”
“I’m just saying, Luna. Your spending this month has gotten completely out of hand.” Stella’s father spoke plainly like he was trying to placate her mother.
“I will buy what I want! You don’t want your queen to look horrendous at the next event do you?” Luna shouted sharply. “I can never wear the same outfit twice!”
Radius let out a long breath but said nothing back.
Stella bit her lip. Her parents argued like this daily nowadays. If she tried asking them about it, they would always brush her off and change the subject. They made consistent weak attempts at hiding whatever it was from her.
Trying not to let those thoughts dampen her excitement, she brought a smile back to her face. Maybe this good news would put her parents in better spirits. She bounced into the room.
“Stella! Good morning my dear!” Radius rose from his seat at the table nearest the windows, giving her a warm hug.
“Good morning, Daddy.”
Luna smiled at her from across the room in an armchair, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. “Morning, Stella. You look radiant today. Have you been to the spa already? I was planning on going after breakfast was over.”
Stella smiled, glancing down at her yellow sundress and heels. “No, I haven’t. But I have some good news to share with both of you!” The king and queen exchanged a short look, which told Stella neither had any inclination of what her good news was.
Producing the letter from behind her, she announced, “I have been accepted into the Alfea School for Fairies!” Then held a breath as they absorbed the news. Anxiety suddenly spiked in her chest.
Her father clapped his hands together. “Oh, darling! That’s wonderful!”
Meanwhile, Luna had set her tea down, stood, and silently held out a hand for the paper in Stella’s hands. Her eyes skimmed quickly before handing it back. “Are you sure, Stella? Alfea has a rigorous academic caliber.”
She squared her shoulders. “I am.” Looking down at the letter, the golden seal on the front caught the sunlight. “I’m ready. I am going to rule Solaria one day. Alfea is the best when it comes to magic. I want to learn more about my Winx and how to use it.” She twisted the Ring of Solaria on her finger. It was her fifteenth birthday present from her grandmother, who ruled Solaria before her father. Stella hadn’t exactly figured out how to use it yet, but she was determined to do so.
Radius beamed at her. “Congratulations, Stella. I think it is an excellent idea for you to attend Alfea. Many realms send their princess there to be trained. What do you think, my queen?”
Luna had already picked up her tea, making for the door. Flatly saying, “Give it a shot, I guess. I do not think sending you to any one particular school will give you any real advantage over another.” She swept from the room.
Stella sighed. Her mother’s backhanded comments weren’t abnormal now either, just like her parent’s arguing. She picked up the letter where her mother had left it on the coffee table and looked back to her father.
“Don’t worry. Your mother is just a little…surprised. She applied to Alfea for several years when she was your age but was never accepted.”
“Should I talk to her?” Stella asked, suddenly feeling guilty.
Radius shook his head. “No, let her have the day to herself.”
Stella sighed. “Okay then.” She paused. “Daddy, I’ve learned a lot here on Solaria. Being the princess of Solaria is what I was born for.” She cast a glance outside, the capital cityscape visible from the king’s window. “But, I’m also the Fairy of the Sun and Moon. I want to live up to that title. And I think attending Alfea will help me do that.” Plus, she thought, it wouldn’t hurt to start growing her social circle beyond those of the Solarian court.
Radius took one of her hands. It happened to be the one that she wore her ring on. He gave her a squeeze. “Stella my Bella, if you believe this is the path meant for you. Then you have my support. How about you join me in my morning briefing, there are a few matters I want your opinion on. Then we can look over some potential classes for your first semester over lunch?”
Her elation renewed, Stella gave her father a big hug and dashed back to her room to get ready for the day. She set the acceptance letter against the mirror of her vanity like she needed to have it in her sight to believe it was real.
Taking care to style her hair so that her crown would rest comfortably and catch everyone’s eye, Stella couldn’t hold back the smile on her face. She closed her eyes.
Everything was about to change. And this is where it all would start.