...Hello and Welcome to Anastasia!...

...Thank you so much for reading and I hope you do enjoy 'Once Upon A Time In Anastasia'. As we embark and unlock the mysteries of the past and explore the unknown neverlands with Lumina and Fourth, many unveiled words hide beneath the lands of the empire....

...I like to read detailed yet understandable, with amazing plot stories. I write and read....

...This is a fantasy....

...Names, events, places, persons, etc. mentioned in this story are fictional or a product of my imagination....

...Say...should I make a chat story version of this? comment your thoughts!...

...!! english is my second language, so if there are grammatical errors, please bear with me for my vocabulary is yet expanding. regular updates every 3 days after, or on weekends. !!...

...***...

...:)...

Anastasia Empire has always been one of a kind. Magic, rich lands, unexplainable discoveries and so much more expeditions are found in one continent. With the kingdoms it posses, Sylvia Kingdom, Monique Kingdom, Lavinous Kingdom and Christine Kingdom. The Empire has proud breakthroughs with the power of these kingdoms joined together, and of course, the Imperial Family.

The 25th ruler of Anastasia, Emperor Fourth Sein Calix Anastasia, has ruled with a mighty fist. No one dares to object to this emperor. His smart mindset and significant governance has lead the empire to countless victories. A tyrant in the battlefield yet a wise majesty in court.

The four kingdoms are the founding fathers of this empire. They have been side to side endlessly supporting the first emperor to build Anastasia Empire as to what it is now. These Royal Families who are an ally of the Imperial Family has proven their courtesy.

Sylvia, being the first honorable family, the sword and shields of the empire. Monique being the second and the chancellor. Lavinous, the third family that manages the economic, resource, and trading state. Christine being the fourth, maintains the magic, sorcerors, and casters.

...***...

"Lumina!"

Lumina turned back and smiled while clenching her suitcase. Oh how she will miss this comforting voice. It was her sister.

She smiled, the smile slowly partnered with sobs. She's now saying goodbye to her family, to the place she called home. All the special people to her are now gathered in their front gate. Never did she imagine that she would leave Sylvia Kingdom too soon.

She dropped her suitcase and ran to hug her sister, she hugged her tight as if she would never see her again. Her brother, Achilles, was not present because he has training as the heir of Sylvia kingdom in the palace.

She soon let go and hugged her mother.

Queen Audrey hugged her back, she then cupped her daughter's face. "Lumina," she called her name in a soft voice, a little cracked up.

"Honey, don't be scared. When you finished training in the palace, you'll officially be a knight. You will be with your father and brother together being the sword and shield of this empire." she said in a firm yet caring voice. Audrey never intends to scare her gem.

Lumina slowly nodded, she knows the true intentions of her family as to why she was sent to the palace. She decided to stay quiet, she knows that her brother will inherit Sylvia, her sister is already happily married. But she didn't expect that she'd be the future empress of Anastasia!

She let go of her mother's embrace and looked at her father's cold demeanor. When King Zereil noticed that his daughter was looking at him, his face softened and he opened his arms, signaling for her to hug him.

Lumina cried in her father's embrace. "Papa loves you Mina." Her father whispered.

When they exchanged their farewells Lumina traveled from Sylvia Kingdom to the Imperial Palace. She's now in the carriage fidgeting, cold sweat now in her forehead. Many things wondered in her mind, 'Why me?' 'They could've just said the truth to me rather than making an excuse.'

She closed her eyes and dozed off to last night. Lumina really was a knight-to-be, so she was a squire in her father's squadron and her oath-taking will place when she will turn 18, only one year left since she's now 17. When she was done with her training, it was late night and she was off to report to her father about her progress.

When she was at her father's library door, she noticed that her father was talking to someone, it was her mother. She peeked from the door.

"Are you sure dear? Lumina's set to be a knight-"

Zereil cut her off, "I know, but the emperor needs an empress. He isn't getting any younger."

"Goodness sake Zereil ! Yes, she's a princess. But there are other princesses' from other empires !" Audrey said in a worried voice. Lumina is her precious daughter, she had her when the doctors said that she won't have a child after 2 pregnancies, and now she had another beautiful child. She unconsciously teared up.

When Zereil saw his wife's tears, he hugged her and whispered sweet words to calm her down.

Audrey wasn't only worried because of that. She was also worried because she saw Emperor Fourth once and she did not like his aggressive personality. She was worried for her daughter.

Meanwhile, Lumina who was peeking earlier ran to her room and waited for her parents to tell her. But they didn't.

She opened her eyes and sighed. Though disappointed in her parents, she never blamed them.

The journey to the palace was peaceful. When she heard the citizens' chatter, she opened the carriage window and peeked her head out to breathe the fresh air. 'The smell of baby breath,' she noticed her favorite flower's scent.

"Halt !" The coachman shouted. The door gently opened and he offered his hand to Lumina. Lumina plastered a small smile, and when she stepped down she was welcomed by a line of knights, maids, and a butler.

Her slightly curled long red hair danced with the breeze and cheeks glistening in a pink tint while her pastel blue eyes that hold a thousand stars, her petite yet feminine figure stride on the crimson red carpet laid out in the marbled floor. The people lined up could not help but be starstruck by the lady's beauty, her ethereal features were majestic.

Lumina tried to calm down, she smiled awkwardly when she noticed heart shapes in their eyes staring at her.

The butler slightly coughed and immediately regained his posture. Indeed, she is a rare gem.

He went to her and introduced himself in a gentlemanly voice, "Good Morning to you, Lady Lumina. I'm the butler of His Majesty and will escort you to the throne room." He then guided her inside and the butler informed, "This way Lady Lumina, the Emperor awaits his audience."

Lumina looked at him with shocked eyes, the Emperor ?!? She just arrived and the Emperor is already expecting an audience? She soon calmed down and sighed.

Nodding to the well-mannered man, she followed him and was welcomed by a diamond and turquoise architectured door with two knights guarding and a spokesman. The knights bowed and the spokesman then introduced me, "Princess Lumina Crimsyn Sylvia, the second princess of kingdom Sylvia is here, Your Majesty the Emperor."

Lumina's nervousness earlier now rose up, she breathes in and out before signaling the butler to open the door.

When she walked inside, the logo of Anastasia Empire was on top of the throne. The throne fit the person sitting on it, Emperor Fourth Sein Calix Anastasia.

She gulped at the sight of the handsome man. His brown eyes that were bloodshot staring at her, the black mullet hair that highlighted his distinguished face features that make ladies in awe while his legs crossed and his slender yet muscular body fitted well in his suit. He was bewitching, no...he was out of this world handsome.

She greeted, "Greetings to the Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor."

"Lumina," the deep alluring voice that holds command spoke her name, Lumina didn't know that her name was that loveable until now. Emperor Fourth continued, "Princess Lumina Crimsyn Sylvia, 18 years of age, starting this month you will learn and study about Empress duties, etiquette, personalities, impressions and much more a princess studied. You will be the 25th Emperor's woman, pride, and moon."

He paused and looked at me, but this time softer "Do you agree or object to this Imperial Order?" He said in a gentle tone.

Once again Lumina was in shock, even the butler beside her looked at him with wide eyes. What's with his tone?

She shook that off her mind and replied, "No objections, Your Majesty." Lumina thought that who was she to say no.

Meanwhile, with Emperor Fourth, he maintained a calm look but also amazed that the girl in front of him did not object. He knew that her parents did not inform her and said that she would get training for knights but instead she got to learn to be the Empress, the Moon of the Empire!

He sighed and walked near her, Lumina was now shaking. She does not know why he's coming near her, her shaking now decreased when a hand touched her shoulder and the Emperor's voice spoke, "Shall we head off to your room, Princess?"

If you'd guess it, Lumina's shock scale today stocked up. She tried opening her mouth to say a word but nothing came out so instead she nodded and Emperor Fourth quietly led the way to her room.

When they were on the way she saw 3 familiar figures, she was curious to know if the figures were who she thought or not. She unconsciously walked near the figures and spoke in a sweet voice, " Princess Lumina Sylvia meets her knights! the heirs of the 3 kingdoms."

The 3 men immediately turned around when they heard the nostalgic greeting and the very sweet voice that they missed.

"L-lumina?"

A man with shoulder red hair stuttered in shock while the man beside him was very confused and tears welled up in his eyes, the other man holding stocks of books in his hands was already sobbing and finally, the three of them hugged her so tight that she barely can breathe.

"Hey! Your big biceps are suffocating me!" Lumina complained, they soon let go of her and she chuckled at the sight of the three successors who now have glossy eyes acting cute in front of her.

"You- you insolent lady! how dare you not send a letter to us! We were worried!" Vernon stuttered. Vernon Reign Christine, the youngest prodigy of magic, the heir of Christine Kingdom. His eyes in the color blue, and blonde hair that signifies Christine family's bloodline.

"Aww, I'm sorry Verny," Lumina teasingly comforted, when Vernon heard the nickname 'Verny' his ears and nose puffed smoke, his cheeks in tint red.

I laughed at the sight. 'Oh!' I exclaimed internally turning back to the two figures behind me, "Um- a good day to you both?"

Gazellean sighed and hugged her .Gazellean Carlos Monique, the intellect of the court, heir of Monique Kingdom. His eyes in color red and black hair that signifies the Monique family's bloodline.

Gazellean hummed in a cold voice, the tears he had earlier has now dried up and a chilly aura surrounded the man. "How are you, Princess?" He said in a deep, cold voice. His voice had a tint of gentleness.

"Perfectly breathing and heart rhythm is still normal, sir," Lumina replied in a calm voice, she is very used to Gazellean's attitude, but she knows that he cares for her.

"Hmmm," he again hummed, 'What's with the humming Zel' Lumina rolled her eyes at him, Gazellean noticed but he ignored her.

"Keiran!" Lumina sweetly called to the man still sobbing. Keiran Nozel Lavinous, the epitome of the empire's secrets, the internal court's minister, and Lavinous family's heir. His silver-blue hue eyes, and silver hair that signifies the Lavinous family's bloodline.

She ran to hug him, Keiran now stopped sobbing and in a composed posture. Well, you can't blame him. He just misses his childhood friend.

"Sorry for not sending letters Rein."

"It's fine," he said in a gentle voice.

The four childhood friends continued to reminisce their memories. The happiness, tears, sufferings, laugh they had when they were you g has now paid off. The training they had when they were young was painful indeed, but they had each other. Offering lemonades and picnics in a field of baby breath flowers. Now they had reunited and can look back to their younger selves, the naive yet joyful past has now gone by. But the four kids of the past have now stood firm in their dreams.

Lumina wasn't an heir to the kingdom, but she was there. She was there for the three of them. She is their safe place.

Meanwhile with Emperor Fourth, when Lumina ran to them. He was confused, 'Why is she running to the three heirs?' he wondered, true that she is one of them but how rude to leave the sun of the empire who personally offered to guide you to your room. Fourth was a bit pissed, he crossed his arms and leaned on the pillar wall, he observed the four and noticed how intimate they were.

Lumina tripped and was about to fall but luckily, Gazellean caught her. Fourth saw him holding her waist, Fourth's eyes twitched at the sight.

'Hmmm,' he hummed internally and now directed his eyes to Lumina.

'Interesting, very interesting.' He snickered.

"George! Let's head to court." Fourth said in a commanding tone making Butler George beside him shiver.

"Y-yes Your Majesty!"

____________________________________________________________________

:)

Lumina Crimsyn Sylvia, Daughter of King Zereil and Queen Sylvia. Her majestic looks that attract men, just one glance from this young lady can lure you to her amazing demeanor. Her smarts and skills on the battlefield do not contrast, instead, it attracts. Opposites attract they say.

She is the youngest heir to the throne of Sylvia Kingdom. Her brother, Achilles Vanroe Sylvia, a dashing man indeed, is the heir. His handsomeness almost par with Hyen, a mythical figure who represents the beauty of men. Like his father, he is a gentleman with exquisite skills in battle. His red wolf-cut hair and pastel blue eyes resemble resembles him too. And her sister, Levity Natasha Sylvia, just like her sister but more mature and an elegant lady. A kind lady to the socialite world yet a ruthless woman in the field

 Lumina may be  Sylvia Family's youngest, that does not mean she isn't excellent like her siblings. Her being a knight is not impossible...

 ...until now.

...***...

Striding towards the courtroom with powerful steps and an expression that holds respect, Fourth alongside with Butler George holding papers in his hands. 

George nodded to the knights beside the door signaling them to open it up and glancing at the spokesperson to introduce Fourth. 

"The Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor has arrived." The spokesperson introduced then the diamond dazzling door opened up and revealed aristocrats, ministers, dukes, and generals. 

As soon as the door opened, they all turned their faces stood up, and bowed. 

After they were done with the greetings and Fourth can finally sit on his throne. He glanced at the audience in front of him and observed their tense and eager faces. Fourth nodded to them and a duke spoke. 

"Your Majesty," He spoke in a stern voice, "Lady Yvette Lune Zena, the only daughter of Zena Family, is now a Queeness." No one noticed the small smirk the duke made.

"Hm?" Fourth tilted his head, when did he ever announce having a Queeness? A Queeness is a title for candidates who are in the selection for Empress, this selection usually happens when the Emperor is now in his mid-twenties and no empress is still enthroned. Of course, the selection still needs the consent of the Emperor to happen. 

"Since when? When did I ever allow a selection?" Fourth asked with his cold voice, his eyes looking intensely to Duke Raymond.

"W-well Your Majesty, It's the Grand Empress..." before he could continue, Fourth slammed his fist hand on the table, papers now fell on the floor.

"Enough, Duke Raymond," Fourth glared at the currently trembling Duke Raymond, "Come to my library after this, for now, let us focus on the empire's affairs." 

"Yes, Your Majesty," Duke Raymond composed his posture and affirmed. But the atmosphere of the court didn't settle, how can it when the sole of the court is furious. 

 When the court session was done, Fourth proceeded to check on Lumina. 'They must be done talking now,' he thought.

 '...or not.' He sighed when he saw Lumina and the three men sitting down on the grass and talking comfortably, he held back the urge in dragging Lumina to her room. 

 "George, tell Lady Lumina that her lessons of being Empress will start tomorrow. For now, let her talk with them." Fourth called Gazellean, Keiran, and Vernon because he wanted to talk with them about the major affairs that needed taking care of. Fourth knows that they are loyal, so he trusts them with matters like this. 

Heading to his library, Duke Raymond who was already inside stood in the middle with a suspicious face. "So, what did grandmother tell you to do?" 

"Well, Her Highness is now in the age where she expects to see her grandchildren. That's what she told me, so she gave me the Empress seal and selection has now commenced. Lady Yvette was the only lady who passed." If there is still no current empress, the Grand Empress Dowager holds the seal of the Internal court which the moon of the empire usually handles.

Fourth sighed in defeat, he loves his grandmother very much and would practically do anything for her. She was there when thunderstorms were loud, she hugged young Fourth with so much care. She read him stories until he fell asleep. She was basically her mother, but Fourth knows no one can replace his real mother's place in his heart.

"Okay, bring the Queeness candidate in the afternoon to the garden. I'll meet her there." He said in a calm tone. Duke Raymond was about to sigh in relief but he choked at Fourth's next words.

"Remember, Duke Raymond that expecting that girl to be my partner for life is not gonna happen. I already found my empress. That Lady you bought might as well be a queen." He said intimidatingly. A Queen is like an Empress, but a Queen of a kingdom and a Queen of an empire is different. The Queen of a kingdom is the legal wife of the king while the Queen of an empire is a mistress of the Emperor, a substitute to the Empress.

Even though Fourth said that, he dares not to bring a queen, nor a concubine to his palace. He only wants his empress.

Duke Raymond was pissed off, "Yes, Your Majesty," He said in gritted teeth. He said his farewell and now Fourth was alone in his library.

"Mina! Do you remember when Zel fell off a tree?" Vernon exclaimed in laughter, he continued, "I remember it was when we played hide n seek and he tried climbing up, and when he got on top a cat suddenly jumped on his back," Vernon continued to laugh at the memory, and oh Gazellean is now boiling up.

He covered his face with his hand, and spoke "Oh yeah? Well, remember when you pooed in your pants and you came running to me asking for me to clean your mess?" Gazellean fired back with a smirk and soon all four of them burst into laughter.

The moment the four were in was like in a movie. In a war where their lady waits for the three knights to come back safely and when they do, they'd talked about their happy moments after the vicious war.

They continued chatting until the sun has set.

"Ahem."

Lumina turned back to the voice, she gulped remembering that she left the emperor when he was guiding her to her room. She quickly stood up and bowed repetitively, "I'm sorry for leaving you behind, Your Majesty." Lumina looked up and saw his firm expression.

"Hmm, it's okay. Princess," he then turned to look at the three men, "Tomorrow in the morning at the throne room. I will be expecting an audience from the three of you." He spoke with command.

"Yes Your Majesty," They bowed and bid their farewells. 

"I'll see you guys again," Lumina mouthed to them and winked, they nodded and bid their farewells.

The scene of Emperor Fourth escorting Princess Lumina has now come back. Fourth personally showed her around the white and rose gold-themed bedroom with a royal king-sized bed. Essentials, custom-made clothes, and the finest jewels with beauty products from different empires are organized.

Lumina was very impressed with the preparation, she thought she was gonna sleep in the guest room. She turned her head to face Fourth and thanked sincerely with a sweet voice, " Thank you very much, Your Majesty! This stuff is amazing and very much to my style."

"Glad you like it," He plastered a small smile, "Well then, Come to the throne room before heading to your Empress classes." He reminded and immediately went off.

"Haaaaa, finally some sleep." Lumina laid on the bed and quickly dozed off, she was exhausted from the journey from Sylvia to Anastasia and much more from laughing with her friends. She didn't bother with removing her makeup and changing to sleepwear.

The next day was peaceful, calm and the sunlight reflected on the garden very well. But the peace quickly went away with a scream of a lady.

"Aaaaa! A ghost!" The lady screamed and this quickly alarmed the knights, they ran in the direction of the scream but were confused and asked the lady.

"There is no ghost miss."

"T-then who's that?" she pointed at the figure standing in front of a rose gold white door.

Lumina was now pissed off and said, "Ugh, what's so loud in the morning, and why are you pointing at me."

"Lady Yvette!" The lady who screamed turned to the voice who called her name.

________________________________________________________________________________

:)