The Constellation Series: Aries · Spark

== Blurb ==
An Aries will stay an Aries. No matter how she struggles, no one could change their birth, and thus no one could change their rank. You are born to serve others.
Ciana has always been under pressure: her parents forced her to make money, the other Aries seemed to give her the most boring jobs, and of course, the higher classes were all haughty and oppressed her whole rank. The whole Constellation Empire seemed to be against her.
When she gets the chance to flip everything around, Ciana grabs it eagerly. Little does she know that she might be stepping into more danger than before, dangers that she never imagined would come upon her......
== Foreword ==
This book is book one in the Constellation Series. To learn more about this world and its inhabitants, please read the page.
This page is the property of Nyferine-RaidenWandersinger. Vandalism, copying and editing (unless you're a mod) are not allowed. Mistakes could be pointed out in the comments section or on my message wall. otherwise, please enjoy this novel!
--NRW
== Prologue ==
"Aunt Aira, are you alright?" A little girl with jet black hair and startling blue eyes poked her head into the grand room, addressing the woman seated near the windowsill. The woman, like the girl, had beautiful night-black hair, but her eyes were icy dark jade. 
"Mira? What are you doing here?" The woman rose from her chair, making her way briskly towards the girl, her elegant green dress swirling. 
Mira gave a sheepish little smile as she closed the door and rushed towards the woman: "The Emperor wants me to check on you, Aira. You haven't shown up in the throne room since that meeting about the food production, which is two weeks ago. Everyone is worried about you!" 
More like he's concerned that I'm plotting something behind his back. Funny that he thought my naïve little niece could find something out. Aira touched Mira's shoulder tenderly, giving her the sweetest smile: "Let's not talk about the emperor now. Tell me, how's your magic training going?"
The young girl squealed in delight: "Very good! Professor Rhenoreen says that I could be a wind magic master if I keep this pace up! Watch, Aira!" Mira raised her hands above her head, and Aira felt a strong gust of wind ripple through the room, whipping up the curtains and blowing at her hair and dress. 
With a giggle, her niece drifted off the marbled floor with her arms stretched, like an upright bird, and Aira felt a small surge of grudging respect for her. Not every five-year-old could lift themselves off the floor with wind magic. But still......I'm a light magic wielder. I have defeated many wind masters with ease.
Mira was laughing breathlessly when her feet touched the ground again: "Did you see that, aunty? Did you? Did you?" 
"Very nice. You've made lovely progress." Aira was about to say something else but was interrupted by someone knocking on the door. She went past Mira and turned the doorknob, expecting to see one of the Emperor's servants. Instead, a young boy was standing before her. He was wearing formal attire, with golden locks and marine blue eyes. His eyes widened as he spluttered: "Mo....Mother?"
Aira was just as surprised to see her second son standing right before her. Now why has this little mouse come? She couldn't hide the disdain in her voice: "Jerren. Did your Father send you here as well?" 
Jerren had turned very pale. Aira didn't know why, but ever since he was born, Jerren had some unnatural fear of his mother. And of course, she disliked him just as much. Her first son, Prince Aeonarys, was much more capable of being the new Emperor, which is the exact reason why she betrothed Mira to him. Although she doesn't deserve such a gallant lad like him. If it wasn't for the plan......
Her son was stammering: "I had....had.....no idea that......I thought you were in your chambers! I wanted.....I wanted to find Princess Mirantinda."
This time, Aira was truly surprised, but it was quickly replaced by relief. Good, you could take my little niece away. I have things to do. Plans to make. She stared down at Jerren, her eyes cold: "Now why do you need to see her?"
It was Mira who piped up: "I promised that I'll give him some advice on practicing magic." She shouldered her way past Aira and grabbed Jerren arms, pulling him down the palace hallway, "I'll come back soon, aunty!" With that, the two children were gone.
Aira closed the door behind her, going back to the chair she sat in before. She reached for a slip of yellow paper placed on the windowsill, the color seemed to blend right into the marble. On it were scrawled the words:
"Empress Airatinda, 
I consent to your plan. You have made smart choices so far, and I see your potential in taking them down. Trust me, with my help, we could easily take down the Scorpios. Soon, the Virgo would rule, and the Scorpios would all be put into exile. 
--Signed, Advisor Jorenerys"
== Part one ==
=== Chapter one ===
Ciana was racing through the streets, her heart racing. Gods, how can I be late again? Two days in a row had she been late to get to her job, and Gerald had cut her wages in half and threatened to sack her if she weren't on time for five days in a row. Just because he's a Capricorn doesn't mean that he could boss the Aries around! 
In the Constellation Empire, everyone has different "ranks" according to their birth and their constellations. For instance, the Aries are the lowest class, and are frequently taunted and oppressed by the other eleven constellations. Scorpios, Virgos and Libras were the "nobility" and "royalty" of the Empire, and they made all the fancy choices, whether or not the other constellations agree. 
It's not fair! Why do we get divided into different classes due to our birth? Ciana had always pondered on this question, and once she had even asked her mother about it. She didn't remember what her mother said, only that her mother slapped her hard on the cheeks and scolded her. You're an Aries! You're not supposed to think this way. 
Ah, her parents too. So not only is she an Aries, she also had parents who only thought of her as a coin-making machine. 
Ciana envied all those children with loving families. They lived so happily, even though they might be poor, they still had parents that would support and encourage them. And Ciana? She had nothing. 
Her footsteps slowed down as she neared the shop in which she worked in. It was quite a shabby shop, with clouded windows, paint peeling off the walls, and the wooden doors creaked when one pushed on it. The sign over the shop was marked in capital letters: STARSTONE TRINKETS. 
She pushed on the doors and entered her workplace. The shop was even smaller than one would expect, with rows of somewhat crooked shelves and neat little trinkets of all sorts stacked on it: small tea kettles made out of polished stone, delicate stamps, little statues of people, and much, much more. 
"You're late. Again." A voice growled from behind the counter. Gerald sometimes emerged so silently that Ciana wondered if he was a secret shadow magic wielder in disguise. Shadow wielders could easily materialize and hide in the dark. 
"I'm sorry! I promise, I won't be late a fourth time." Ciana's heart hammered against her chest, and she glanced nervously at her employer. All the workers here knew that the Capricorn had a vicious temper. 
As swift as a bolt of lightning, Gerald rose and slapped her, right across her right cheek. It stung, even though she had been hit by him for over ten times and she was expecting it. Still, nothing hurt more than the scorn Gerald portrayed in his eyes: "I won't give you a second chance next time, Aries. Now go to the backyard, you'll receive much less starstone coins today." 
Yes, his words hurt more than his blow to Ciana's body. She wanted to crawl into a corner and sob, to complain about how unfair it was, to cry out all her despair and pent-up anger. Why do the Aries have to be abused and hurt by the other ranks? How is if fair that we're judged according to our birth?
Nevertheless, reality was reality, and she had no choice but to obey. 
WIP
== Part two ==
== Part three ==
== Part four ==
== Trivia ==
== Gallery ==
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