Kawaii princess's Arc

Chapter 8 of 54

By dawn, the cheers had cooled. Kawaii Princess walked past the pavilion and heard a child mimic her seven poses, bored already. The broadcast had shown everyone her ribbons, her cape, her crown. A second show in the same dress would put them to sleep. She gathered the ribbons, the snowflake cape, the pink trim. She stacked them on logs in the yard and lit a bonfire. Pink ribbons curled in the flames. Strangers stopped to watch her old look burn down to ash. Beside the fire, she raised a tall stone monument with bright plaques. Each plaque named a piece of what was coming next: new song, new step, new gown. Scout runners copied the words and ran them to every district before noon. That night she stepped onto the broadcast stage in a long gown of white scales and crystal beads. The crown was gone. The crowd went silent, then roared. Jadeice had not seen this girl before, and now they could not look away.