THE MOMENT
Cygna was smart enough to realize she wasn't the only one there who could see this man wasn't the King. The man seated on the golden throne was an averagely handsome human with a rugged silver beard and a glittering crown atop his head. He looked like the King outwardly; but, Cygna had the ability to see the figure's soul. She'd met the King once and could not stand to stare into the pure brilliant light of his powerful essence. It was like trying to stare down the sun; yet, the seemingly undetected imposter was easy to look upon. His soul was dull and purple, the same as most every other human. Even if Fairy King Solarion took on a human appearance sometimes, Cygna could see the difference.
"It's an honor, your Highness," she bowed and praised him as Harper directed her. The friendly woman was there along side her, and gave her an encouraging nod. She was a 'Mundo', and could see the man's soul like Cygna. And, despite that, she was treating the man as royalty.
They'd held a minor ceremony for Cygna with all the necessary pomp and regality she would've expected, with everyone addressing the man with utter respect.
"That's enough of that," he smiled and gave her a dismissive wave, as if to banish propriety altogether. "Giving your induction a touch of class is fine for a bit, but I don't want you to think that's how we always run things around here," he stood from his throne and approached her. "Allow me to say it, it is my honor to have you join the Solarion Court," he gave her a half-bow. Not quite as low as she did, but the respect was there along with a warm smile.
He may not have been the King, but Cygna decided she was okay with that. Everyone else seemed to be, and so far, he was much more likable to interact with. Although, that may have been due to limited experience, and the true King's blinding power. At least she could look at this man and feel warmth, instead of intense burning light.
"Thank you, King Solarion," she nodded with a smile once more, and the king clapped to attract everyone's attention. Not every important member of the Court had attended, but there were still plenty of noble families there to witness her acceptance.
"Formalities done, start the party!" the crowd cheered, and lively music started instantly as Harper turned to her.
"Enjoy tonight, and we'll tour the main office tomorrow and get your paperwork sorted to put you on the books," she said.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" Cygna asked, as she tilted her head toward a dim, empty corner of the hall. Harper could read her mind, if she wanted to reach out that way; but, it wasn't a sensation Cygna had gotten used to yet. She couldn't shake the image of Harper walking through her mind like an open warehouse, despite constant assurances that wasn't how it worked.
"Sure," Harper nodded with a smile and followed her to the corner.
"You're a Mundo, and Celestrix is an Estrella like me...," she started off with her logic first. "I know all three of us can see that's not King Solarion..," she said. Harper laughed instantly, and nodded.
"You know, you get used to doing things one way and kind of forget the details of why you're doing it that way," she continued to giggle. "It kind of slipped our mind, and now that I think of it, we should make sure Filigree knows too," she said.
"Everyone in the royal court knows the King has been replaced by an imposter. We haven't done anything about it because the imposter is a much better ruler," she said.
"What? Wait.. since when?" She'd met with the real king only days ago when he invited her to join them, and a handful of times before within the past year.
"Hold on, this is too funny. I gotta call him in for this; you might want to turn this off..," Harper pointed at her own green eyes to clue Cygna in.
She had just enough time to realize what was coming to dismiss her Star Sight ability. She caught the tail-end of a blooming supernova just as her vision turned normal, and she laid on King Solarion himself. The Fairy King fluttered in a tiny form between them, keeping out of sight from the rest of the party.
"Why did you need me here?" He asked Harper, and she laughed as she pointed at the imposter King dancing with a group of children.
"We forgot to tell her about him," she said. Cygna watched the tiny man smack his face with his palm, and it came with a suitably small slapping sound.
"Sorry!" he said. "I really should've been the one to mention it to you, I hope it doesn't set a poor standard in your mind, we're normally much better organized!" he said.
"So.. wait.. you know you were replaced?" Cygna was surprised with that more than anything else so far.
"I did say everyone in the royal court knows," Harper nodded with a smile.
"Do I know?" The King chuckled. "I hired him."