Liira knew she had been gone for a while. Soon, she would be missed. She felt that her father wouldn't return her back to Liiran, not with his higher priority heirs stuck in the same situation. She was far from the favorite, so she could avoid being subjected to magic to return to normal for a while. And maybe her father was similarly affected, assuming his octuplet sons had always been daughters. Liira mounted Satin and rode her sidesaddle back to the Palace.
When she arrived at the Royal Stables, a stable hand helped her down. Liira flashed a gorgeous smile at the Estrellian young man helping her. He blushed, overcome by her beauty. Liira strode into the Palace, walking gracefully like a proper lady should, as though she had been taught to do so her entire life. She returned to the octuplets' quarters, where Aria and Lysabel were discussing the latest gown styles from Estrellia.
"There you are, runt," Lysabel sighed. Liira scowled. It seemed she was still considered the "runt of the litter". The youngest, smallest, and weakest. She mentally reassured herself that the viewing spell she cast earlier had gone splendidly. And she seemed to be the only octuplet not mentally affected by the spell, which suggested she had more power than she or anyone else had thought. "Practicing magic again?"
"Of course," Liira said, taking a seat on the couch next to her sisters.
"Honestly, you should just give up," Lysabel said, clearly trying to sound like a caring and wise older sister. "As Princesses, our only worth is in marrying noble or royal men for alliances. Do not waste your time on magic, for you are too unskilled for it to make you favorable as a match. Focus on your looks. With some effort, you might even look as comely as Aria."
"Unlikely," Aria scoffed, tossing her thick, glossy red hair. "Everyone knows I am the most beautiful of us. Liira is the most homely. She could never look as fetching as I."
"A fantastic conversation, once again," Liira said dryly. Though what she was being picked on for had changed, the treatment was the same as she had been subjected to as Liiran. Yet, it didn't bother her. Perhaps it was because she knew she had the sort of looks many women would sell everything they had for. Or perhaps it was because she felt more comfortable, more herself as Liira. Liira got up from the couch.
"Where are you going?" Aria asked.
"Away from you vipers," Liira said idly. Smirking at her sisters' shocked expressions, she left. She had to figure out just how far this spell went. How many people believed the Princes had always been Princesses?