Chapter Text
“Shouldn’t we wait for Stella? She said she’d be here …”
“That was yesterday, Flora.” Tecna checked her watch. “And our portals are scheduled to open in five, four, three, two, one …”
“STOP! STOP! STOP!”
In front of the three portals, another one appeared, all yellow and as bright as the sun, and a tall girl with a sparkly orange dress jumped out of it, followed by two soldiers and a red-headed Pixie. “Are you all still here? Oh, thank the Suns … oh!” When she tripped, Aisha and Bloom grabbed her, and Stella giggled. “Ooops. Let’s pretend you didn’t see that. Did you see that Cyrus?”
“I did not, Princess.”
“And that’s why you’re my favorite.” She winked.
“Because he’s a liar.” Samson intervened.
“I am not!”
“What are you wearing? And shouldn’t you have been here yesterday?” Musa ignored the two bickering guards.
“This is a traditional Solarian dress, and I am wearing it because I am here on official business.” She cleared her throat, snapped her fingers, and held a golden scroll in her hands.
“We, the Royal Family of Solaria are honored to invite you to Our humble abode to celebrate the traditional Princess Ball, that officially introduces a Magix Princess to Her duties as a Royal.
We are eager to welcome you all to commemorate this milestone with Us.
King Radius and Princess Stella of Solaria”
“So … you’ve arrived a day late, all dressed up only to announce us the thing you’ve been telling us for months? I’m sorry but I don’t follow.”
“That was not the reaction I was expecting. I’m disappointed in you, Tecna.”
“You. Are. Late.”
“I have never not been late in my life!”
“It’s wonderful, Stella.” Flora drew her in a soft embrace. “Do you have a date yet?”
She ignored the Fairy of Technology and smiled at the Lynphean. “Yes.” Two more snaps and the scroll disappeared, replaced by five identical golden envelopes. “These are your invitations. Date, location, dress code – I’m looking at you Musa. Those jeans are so three years ago. – and the portals are already paid for. You can come whenever. You’ll be staying at the castle, of course. There’s room for everyone and then some! Pixies, you are welcome too, naturally. And the guys are coming. I’m going to Red Fountain in a minute. Well, Brandon and Sky already know …”
“Did you see Sky?” Bloom asked.
“Yes, I was at Brandon’s last night and he was too. I told him there …”
“And couldn’t you have spared a moment to send us a message to say you weren’t coming?”
“Tecna!”
“What? We are late. Those portals won’t stay open forever!”
“It’s unladylike to be late and make one’s friends be late too.”
“Tune, I swear …”
“Stella, we are so happy for you.” Aisha decided it was best to change the direction of that messed-up conversation. “We will be there, of course. Thank you.” She took one envelope, and the girls took the others. Then, the Winx circled the Solarian and hugged her all together.
“Aaaah! I can’t wait for you to see my dress!”
“I foresee it will be orange.” Tecna said.
“It won’t.” Stella stuck her tongue out at her. “And didn’t you have to go?”
“Yes!” Tecna broke the embrace and grabbed her suitcases. “Digit!”
“Bye, girls. And soldiers!” The Pixie waved and disappeared with her fairy. Flora and Chatta crossed another portal and Bloom and Lockette prepared to go through the remaining one.
“I’ve got nothing to wear, Stel …” She whispered, as she hugged the Princess once again.
“Nonsense. I’ll take you shopping. All of you.” Stella eyed Musa, who rolled her eyes in response. “Trust me, we’ll find the perfect dress. Promise. Ah, and I saw what Sky will be wearing. So hot.”
“Stella!”
“What? Not hotter than my Brandon, of course!” She replied, matter-of-factly. “Now go. And hug Mike and Vanessa for me!”
In the end, Aisha, Musa, and Tune – Piff was sleeping on Aisha’s shoulder – said goodbye to Amore and the Solarians and returned to their rooms, while the others disappeared through yet another portal, headed for Red Fountain.
“A Princess Ball, uh? That’s a big deal ...”
“It is, Riven!” She looked at him, surprised.
“… but not so big a deal you couldn’t have texted us.”
Cyrus scowled at him.
“Texts are more efficient …” Timmy said.
“We would be honored to celebrate with you, Stella. Thank you for the invitation.”
“Thank you, Helia. Make sure Riven dresses up, okay? Bye, guys!”
And just like that, the party of four – Stella, Amore, Cyrus, Samson – disappeared.
Two months later
“I am so so so sorry.” She wasn’t running, but she was walking fast, her head straight, her hands open, fingers stretched out and away from her body. “You should have told me you were coming today …”
“I did.”
“You did?”
“She did.” Amore, flying behind her fairy, nodded.
“Oh, then I must’ve forgotten. I was at the hairdresser, you know.” Stella gently shook her head to show off her freshly cut hair and Bloom frowned.
“And you did … nothing?”
“Nothing? I look so different!”
The Pixie of Love shook her head. There was no point in arguing.
“Oh! Yeah. Definitely. You look gorgeous.” Amore gave her a double thumbs up.
“See? So, my hair is done, nails too, a couple of minutes and they will be dry. You mustn’t rush the process, you know? They turn out better when you have them done traditionally. And I cannot sweat, or I would have wasted the last five hours.”
“Five …!” Amore put a finger on Lockette’s lips. No. Point. In. Arguing.
“I guess if your room isn’t ready yet, you can camp with me. I should be able to squeeze you in. Sorry, but there are so many things left to do before Saturday …”
“It’s fine, Stel. I’m here to help, but first I wanna see the place. Your house is so much bigger than Sky’s.”
The Princess’ line of thoughts immediately changed route, and a smirk graced her lips. “Well, that’s because I am so much richer than Sky! Come! You must see the gardens first.”
A couple of days later, the girls arrived in Solaria too and they all went shopping in the Capital. With Stella’s help, each of them found the perfect dress, shoes, bag if needed, jewels … The Princess paid for everything, waving away their protests.
“It’s my party. You are my friends. We are using my money.” And she handed her credit card to the clerk yet again. There was no point in arguing.
They had fun together, as Stella showed them the Palace, her favorite spots in the city, the beaches …
“Okay. Today you’ve got to entertain yourselves.” She announced on Friday morning. “I’ve got important duties to attend to. Amore, be a good host.” The Pixie nodded, deadly serious. “See you tonight.”
And just like that, she left the lunch table.
“What in the Internet …?”
“Brandon’s parents are coming today.” Bloom explained.
“You never told me there was so much light.”
“It’s called Solaria, Annie!” Lucas chuckled. “What did you expect?”
Before she could answer, Anne was almost knocked down by a storm of long golden hair. Almost, because Brandon, descending the ship right after her and having a pretty good idea of what was about to happen, had been quick to stand behind her and help her keep steady as Stella hugged his mother.
“Anne! I’m so happy you’re here!”
“Hello to you, Stella.” She smiled, returning the Princess’ embrace. She gave her a kiss on the cheek as the girl let go of her to hug Lucas just as enthusiastically.
“We wouldn’t have missed your Princess’ ball for the world.” He said, kissing her on the top of her head.
Stella was blushing and beaming by the time she got to hug Brandon.
“Hey, sunshine.” He smiled, before nodding in the direction of Cyrus and Samson, who were standing behind her.
“Hey, gorgeous.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and then linked Anne’s arm with hers.
“How about a tour of the Palace? I’ve chosen one of the best rooms in the entire castle just for you. You can see the sea from every window. We can go to see the sunsets later, if you want. You know, Solaria has three suns. One is in the Palace. I can take you to see it tomorrow, maybe. While tonight we can eat at my favorite restaurant … Unfortunately, my father has a state dinner, and my mother will arrive at the Palace tomorrow. They’re sorry they couldn’t be here to greet you. I hope you can forgive them.” She bit her lower lip. She’d begged her parents to be there at least for Brandon’s parents’ arrival, since they hadn’t been there to meet the Winx, but, once again, they were a no-show. She suspected they didn’t want to be in each other’s presence sooner than they were expected to. Still, it hurt.
“We came here to see you, Stella.” Lucas reminded her, noticing that she was becoming upset. “And you’re being an amazing host.”
That made her smile. “Am I?” She looked at Brandon for confirmation, and he smiled back at her. “If there’s anything you need, please, ask. I’ll get you whatever you want.”
“There’s nothing we …”
“Actually, there’s something.” Anne interrupted her husband, shocking both him and their son.
Stella’s eyes grew bigger, eager to help her with whatever she needed. “Ask away, Anne.”
“Could I have a pair of sunglasses? I’m not used to this much light.”
“Oh! Of course! What color? Shape? I’d say blue, and cat eye.” The pair she had just described appeared in her hands, and she handed it to her.
Anne took them and put them on immediately. “Perfect.” She said, looking at Stella, who was smiling again. That day, sadness wouldn’t cloud the Princess’ mood. Not while she was with some of her favorite people in the whole dimension.
Later that night
“Do you need me to accompany you, Anne?”
“Oh no, Stella. I just need to fetch my shawl and I’ll be back right away.” Anne smiled.
“Okay. We’ll be by the main fountain.” Stella said, smiling at her.
Brandon took her hand, and they started walking across the gardens, with Lucas behind them, chatting with Samson and Cyrus about Solarians’ and Eraklyans’ different fighting techniques.
Once inside the castle, Anne headed for her and Lucas’s room. She remembered where it was, or she thought she did. She was fairly certain it was on the fourth floor, but which hallway? Solaria’s royal palace was much bigger than Eraklyon’s, and it had a completely different room scheme, but maybe …
“It’s official! You are out of your fucking mind!”
Anne stopped to a halt when a woman’s voice filled the dimly lit corridor. She was definitely arguing with someone, but that someone kept his voice much lower than hers.
“And I thought you’d reached the peak of idiocy when you granted her a place at the castle.”
“Luna! Remember your place!” It seemed the person she was talking to was no longer able to hold his temper, and, having heard that voice before, Anne had a pretty good idea who those two people were.
“I may no longer be Queen, but I know she will never be one. Bed her all you want, but don’t marry her. You’ll regret it.” Former Queen Luna said, each word a block of ice.
“You have no business judging me.” King Radius replied. “You have all the freedom you want. Shouldn’t I be allowed the same privilege?”
“You are the King of the most powerful realm in all of Magix! You can’t just marry whoever you fancy!”
“Because it’s not possible that Cassandra likes me for me and not for my title, of course.” His tone was even colder that hers. “She’s not you, you know.”
“Twenty years of marriage and this is what you think of me.” She slammed the door open. “Tell Stella I won’t be attending her ball. I can’t stand being in the King’s presence.”
“Luna, come back here!” He ordered, but she had already left the room, coming face to face with …
“Move.” Luna ordered, just as Radius reached her in the hallway and noticed …
“Anne.” He bit his tongue.
Anne bowed, first to him and then to her. “You Majesty.” She said twice.
Luna looked at her ex-husband, waiting for him to make the proper introductions.
“Luna, this is Anne. She is Stella’s fiancé’s mother. I told you they’d be staying at the Palace …”
Brandon’s mother. “Of course.” The former Queen regained her composure as if she hadn’t just been caught screaming at her ex-husband by a commoner. “Nice to meet you, Anne. Stella tells me you’re Eraklyon’s best seamstress. Excellent job with her dress; it’s stunning. I look forward to seeing more of your work. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my car is waiting.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” She bowed once again, and Luna left without turning back.
“Is there anything you need?” Radius asked Anne, once the Callistian had disappeared down the stairs. Literally.
“I was just looking for my bedroom.”
“Two hallways down, to the left.” He answered.
“Thank you. Goodnight, Your Majesty.”
He nodded his head and left into the opposite direction.
“Not even the color?”
“No, Brandon. You’ll have to wait and see like everyone else. You’re not special.”
“Aren’t I?” He took a lock of her hair and put it back behind her ear. Stella blushed at the intimacy of his gesture. Thank the Suns Lucas was chatting with Samson and Cyrus.
“Okay, you are.” She admitted in the end, unable to hide the loving smile that appeared on her lips. “But you need to wait for the …”
“For the wow factor. I know.” Brandon smiled too. He knew Stella would be positively radiant the following night during her Princess’ Ball, yet he could never imagine her being more beautiful than she was in the present moment. And she always was. Ever more beautiful. Every single time. He had stopped asking himself if that feeling would ever fade. It wouldn’t. Stella was his everything, his other half, his light. His forever.
“Exactly.” She giggled. “And I guarantee it’s going to be one hell of a wow factor. Your mom sent me the dress last week and it’s GORGEOUS. Even my mom … Mom?” Stella turned around. She was sure she’d seen her, and yet …
“Stel? Are you okay?” Brandon asked, gently taking her hand in his.
“Uh? Oh. Of course. I just thought …” She shook her head. “Nothing. Hey, your mom is coming back. Anne!”
“What took you so long?” Lucas asked, once Anne had finally joined them by the fountain.
“I’ll tell you later.” She replied, heading straight for Stella, who was sitting on the edge of the fountain with Brandon.
“Anne!” The princess smiled, but seemed a little confused once she saw Brandon’s mom didn’t have what she’d gone to look for. “Your shawl …?”
Anne hugged her tight. “I love you, dear. We all do, you know?”
Stella stood still for a moment, surprised by that gesture, but then she hugged her back. “I … I love you too.”
The seamstress took a step back and caught a tear that was trailing down her own cheek.
“Mom, are you all right?” Brandon asked, confused.
“I’m perfectly fine, darling. And I can’t wait to learn all about tonight’s sky.” She added, looking at the Princess again.
Stella smiled and led the way, taking Brandon’s hand. “Then come with me! We’ll have a better view from there.”
Lucas and Anne followed them. “So?” He whispered.
“I’ve seen Stella’s parents. It wasn’t a pleasant meeting.” She replied. “Let’s make sure her ball is a huge success, okay?”
Later, after she had said goodnight to Brandon and his parents, Samson and Cyrus escorted her back to her chambers.
“Did you see her?”
She didn’t need to tell them who she was talking about, it was written all over their faces. Solarian royals were taught to see through illusions and the same was for the royal guard. Stella was sure she’d caught a glimpse of her mother’s silver hair leaving the Palace through the gardens, even though she knew the former Queen wasn’t supposed to be there until the following morning.
“So?” She insisted when they stopped by her door.
Samson was the first to give in. He nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty. We saw the Queen leaving the Castle.”
“And of course she couldn’t be bothered to join me and my guests.” She was angry, hurt.
“Princess …” Cyrus tried to speak, but Stella cut him off.
“Goodnight. See you in the morning.” She opened the door, entered her chambers, and then slammed it shut, hoping that could mask the sobs that had started shaking her whole body.
“So? How did it go with Brandon’s parents?” Aisha asked as they watched the Suns rise in the sky while laying on towels at the beach. After Stella had come back from her dinner with the Eraklyans, the Winx had sneaked in her room … and had found her curled in her bed, crying under the covers. It had taken some convincing, some chocolate, some jokes, but in the end Stella had told them the reason for her sudden mood change: her mom leaving the castle, her dad avoiding her. And she had practically ordered them not to ask her anything ever again about them. And there was no point in arguing.
“Amazing as always. Anne gave the last finishing touches to my dress …”
“Can we see it?” Musa interrupted her. Stella, the one with the biggest mouth in the group, had somehow managed to keep everything about her dress a secret for two whole months.
“Here?”
“Yeah!” Flora replied, excited.
“Come on!” Bloom encouraged her. She’d been on Solaria longer than the others and she hadn’t been able to take even the smallest peek at the dress.
“Well, okay …!” But just as she was about to change – or to pretend to – they were reached by familiar voices.
“We are heeere!”
“Brandon, there you are!” Stella lowered her arm and Flora groaned in disappointment, but immediately blushed when she noticed that Brandon wasn’t the only one to have arrived. She waved timidly at Helia.
“What? You missed me already?”
“Always, shnookums.”
As always, they all ignored Stella and Brandon’s unnecessarily honeyed greeting and started to organize an impromptu little beach party, but their plans were ruined by the sudden worsening of the ocean, when an enormous wave threatened to crush on the beach. It didn’t. No, the Winx transformed and prevented what could have been a catastrophe, while the Specialists helped everyone out of the water, but then Aisha had to go.
“I’m sorry, Stella. I won’t make it for tonight’s ball.”
“Nonsense.” The Solarian took her hand. “Make sure your family is okay. And call us … maybe wait until tomorrow morning to do that … but do it.”
“I will.” Aisha hugged her and the other joined them, and then they watched her swim away, following the mermaid that had come get her.
“Fuck, she’s fast!”
“She is, Riven.” Stella turned her back to the ocean. “And we must be too. My ball is in thirteen hours, and we are already behind schedule. Chop chop!”
“But …”
“No point in arguing, Riv. Trust me.” Sky squeezed his friend’s shoulder, and they all followed the Princess.
“I saw her.”
“Who, dear?” She looked at her reflection in the mirror while she powdered her nose yet again. There was never too much powder. Never.
“Stella.” She said it like it was an insult. “The other day. In town. She was shopping with her friends.”
“And?”
“I did not engage.” Chimera clenched her fists.
“Good girl.” Cassandra turned around in her chair and stood up. The ball wouldn’t start until after dinner, but she had planned to spend the day with Radius, as she had done for the past couple of months. It was imperative to keep him away from the Princess for as long as possible. Others may have noticed that the King was acting strange, but the only one with the power to act on it was his daughter and, if she didn’t see him, she couldn’t find out. It was bad enough that he had had to tell HIS EX-WIFE the previous night, but Cassandra hadn’t been able to prevent it. Luna had arrived at the palace suddenly and uninvited, demanding to see him. Unfortunately, the Countess hadn’t been there to stop her: they had met, they had fought … and she had left. Cassandra had been extra generous with Radius that night and she’d only just come back to her bedroom when her daughter had stormed in.
“Are you sure it’s gonna work?” Chimera sat on the mattress, but her mother took her hands, inviting her to stand up. “I don’t trust that man …”
“It’s going to work, Mera.” Cassandra kissed her daughter’s forehead. “It was already going pretty well, but, since Valtor came here two months ago … well, you know … I haven’t spent many nights here. Alone.”
“Ehw, mom!” Chimera tried to take a step back, disgusted, but Cassandra held onto her hand.
“I am your ticket to the throne, Chimera. I’d be a little more grateful if I were you.”
“I am! Just … please, never talk about your bedroom activities ever again, okay?”
Her mother laughed and drew her into an embrace. “I won’t. And now go. You need to be perfect for the cameras. Solaria will need a new Princess once Stella becomes green.”
“With envy?”
“Oh no, dear. Literally. Literally.”