Dreamweaver Princess

On a warm, bright afternoon, loud voices echoed across the palace halls.

“Everyone, catch that filthy little thing!”

Like a frightened animal, a young boy fled frantically from the servants.

His ragged appearance was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the castle. Mud stained his clothes, and a frayed cap perched low on his head, covering his dirt-streaked face.

“Guards, please help!”

‘The knights are here?!’

From behind, men in full armor approached. He reached an open window, then jumped outside, throwing everyone off guard. Without them seeing, he landed on a tree branch and hid.

“Goodness gracious, that boy! Just where did he come from?! He might ruin the tea party! We cannot let our noble guests see him!” one of the maids told the knights.

“Is the princess safe?”

“Of course. She should be in her room.”

“Good. Then, we can deal with it later.”

“What?! But Her Highness-”

“Will be in more danger if we don't head out now and investigate the reports we received. There are sightings of a divine beast.”

“...A d-divine b-beast?”

The boy nearly slipped.

He could hear other voices below. Shifting his gaze down, he saw a crowd. They were nobles attending the tea party.

“Divine beasts are a myth, though. They never exist.”

“But the guard knights spoke of it! Haven't you noticed more of them around?”

“And we’ve been here for a while, but the host has yet to arrive…”

“Could the tea party not be happening anymore? Then again, beasts are life threats.”

“A shame, I must say. This is the first social gathering she is leading. How lamentable it’ll be if a beast attacks today of all days. Such misfortune befalling royalty on quite a significant event is…”

Someone scoffed, “Well, she is the only one born a commoner—an anomaly. This must be fate telling her to know her place.”

The boy quietly listened to the conversation until a crow flew in and pecked at his forehead, making him squeak out loud. 

“I-I’m not eavesdropping!”

“Caw!”

“I’m going, I'm going.”

“Caw! Caw!”

Taking care not to get caught, he climbed down the tree and hurried towards the tea party on the lakeside near the forest.

The serene lake shimmered, providing a resplendent view for a lavish occasion. Nobles indulged in one another's company. Attendants served fragrant tea and pastries.

Right after the boy found a hiding spot, music started playing from the pavilion, stirring excitement among the guests.

“Is the princess finally here?”

Before them appeared a woman with brown hair and green eyes.

She offered her greetings, introducing herself as the head maid. Her movements were elegant, her expression calm but stern.

“Our esteemed guests, please accept our sincerest apologies. Although we are glad everyone has gathered on this auspicious day…”

‘Huh? Wait! Are they calling it off because of that divine beast?!’

“...I am afraid that Her Royal Highness-”

The lake roared out of nowhere.

Water burst and parted, then came a large head with a crown of horns, followed by a long neck clad in scales that shone ivory and obsidian. A serpentine body emerged in endless coils. Its massive shadow cast over the lake.

Sharp, slitted eyes opened.

Majestic wings unfurled.

The posh world that was high society seemed to shrink small beside a creature that appeared older than the world itself. Shock and awe filled everyone, but eventually, so did fear.

“A-A-A beast! A divine beast!”

“Run at once!”

“Get away from it!”

“Where are the knights?!”

In the face of unfamiliar danger that could end lives in a second, panic was inevitable.

No one realized the music kept playing. Moments later, flowers floated in the air and swirled around the colossal winged serpent. All stood stunned once more.

“Please be at ease.”

A young girl strode forward gracefully, her silky black hair flowing down her back in gentle waves, her gray eyes gleaming like the diamonds on her earrings. She wore an exquisite dress, a book in her gloved hands and a tiara atop her head.

“A divine beast it is. However, it means no harm.” She waved a finger, then the creature bowed as though paying respects. “It simply wishes to welcome our dear guests.”

“Could it be…?”

“It's not real…”

“But how…?”

“That’s… That's an illusion?!”

“An illusion by the princess…”

“Divine beasts, a myth they may be, are a blessing.” Her eyes sparkled as she held up the book in her hand. “I’ve read they protect humans as commanded by the gods, and in stories, they’re summoned to ward off calamities! I feel most compelled to see them in real life. Please forgive me for giving everyone a fright. I only hope to share this moment with all of you.”

She opened the book gently, unleashing bridges of rainbow and swarms of butterflies.

Pleasant surprise rippled through the audience. Joyous applause rang all around.

A scene straight out of a fairytale unfolded, though not even there would one find a divine beast dancing with light and colors in a breathtaking display of magic.

“How astounding!”

“So beautiful!”

“A weaver of dreams, they say…? No wonder, seeing her create such wonders.”

People seldom witnessed illusions of this scale—never of this quality.

Magic was both an art and a language. Only the princess, with an imagination so vivid and memory so precise, could cast lifelike illusions that could deceive the sharpest of minds. Had it been any other mage, the illusion would merely appear a still, soundless image with less detail.

Because of this special ability, she became known as the Dreamweaver Princess.

“Glory be upon Her Royal Highness, Princess Hiraya!”

The crowd cheered and bowed in reverence.

It was a tea party full of spectacles. All guests were left enraptured until the end.

As the sun set, only the royal entourage remained.

A man with blond hair and red eyes escorted the princess. It was the head knight. With him also was the head maid.

On their way back to the palace, they stopped by a tree.

“Your Highness,” the maid said without looking at the princess. “Congratulations on successfully hosting your first tea party. Your illusions are as extraordinary as ever, though I hope you use your creative talents solely on magic, not on pranks and trickery too.”

“Ayaya?!”

“Please come down.”

The boy in dirty clothes leaped down the tree.

He took off his cap, letting loose long strands of black hair. The adults stared silently. His gray eyes lowered in shame, and he hid his face with his cap.

The boy was a girl all along.

She waved a finger, and the princess vanished. She, too, turned out to be a mere illusion.

“H-Hi, Miss Romina, Sir Cassian…”

“Games are over, I see.” The crow from earlier returned, bringing in yet another revelation—it talked. “Did you have fun, Princess Hiraya…? Or rather, Aya.”

She pouted. “Not with you pecking at me.”

“That’s how a good familiar looks out for his mistress.”

“By poking holes in my head?! It’s like you wanna build a nest here!”

“Perhaps I do, so that I can always watch over our little troublemaker.”

“Are you hurt?” Cassian questioned, ending the back-and-forth. “I heard you jumped out of the window. That's dangerous… Oh, and so is Miss Romina if you get her any angrier, so you'd better explain yourself.”

“I-I-I’m okay…! Um, I just got inspired by this book about mythical creatures, so I went out to practice in secret. Then, I encountered some beasts in the forest, but I drove them out using my illusion of Neronaua, that divine beast from the lake! I tried taking some sheets to clean up when I returned to the castle, but I got busted and chased away.”

“So, that's how all that ruckus back there happened,” Romina sighed, looking pained. “I also suspected you’re behind the reported sightings in the forest. When it showed up in the lake, I wasn't sure whether to be exasperated or impressed.”

“You noticed I made it?!”

“I wouldn't if I hadn't first learned about a random child that somehow sneaked into the palace and past the guard knights. I knew you'd be around casting spells, so I played along, prepared the music, and pretended to cancel the event so you would come out.”

“Oh! Now, it makes sense!”

“Tell me honestly. Did you truly want to use that illusion of the princess? Or was it simply because you had no time to dress up for the tea party?”

She fell silent.

This was not the first time she created a copy of herself. If she still couldn’t act like a true princess, it probably wouldn't be the last either.

As already proven today, she couldn’t even behave like a proper lady. She was such a tomboy despite all the etiquette lessons she had.

But more than anything, she was afraid. She did not want to disappoint everyone, to be left behind again. Yet at the same time, she did not want to keep lying.

“No, it's not your fault.” Romina's expression softened. “Using your magic this way was not your idea. I know you're trying hard not to rely on it, but… I understand this is the best you can do for now.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. We, adults, were to blame that time.” Cassian gave a remorseful look. “You are still a child. You can use magic as you please, and if you want to make mythical creatures, you should be free to do so.”

“Don't coddle her. That stunt could’ve traumatized the nobles. Many haven't seen an actual beast.”

“Speaking of, you mentioned the beasts in the forest. While I'm glad you're safe, you still should’ve called for help. How did you manage to drive them out with just an illusion?”

She tilted her head quizzically. “Was I not supposed to?”

Romina and Cassian exchanged glances, then stared back at her as though she had made the impossible possible.

“Well, our prodigy princess is more of a blessing than a divine beast, after all.”

The Dreamweaver Princess was a master of illusions, but before earning that title, she was already one of the kingdom’s most beloved Divine Vessels—a goddess incarnate.

That was the beginning of everything. By being chosen, life could change overnight.

Five months ago, that's what happened to Aya.