It had been a tradition for years. When the oldest member of the Emerald family turns sixteen, they travel to the Sacred Vault, picking up the glistening stone for which our family was named and unleashing its protective powers over our kingdom.

And today it's my turn. After a lifetime of waiting for this, I will become the new keeper of the Emerald, taking over from my aunt. I never really liked her that much. And using the powers myself would mean I finally had control, and she'd no longer treat me in the childish way she always used to treat me.

I sit here in my room, in the best dress I have. And then I hear my father call me from the hallway.

"Hurry up now! The ceremony will start soon!"

I nodded and took a deep breath, walking outside into what would have to be the best day in my life.

As we begin to drive, my mother tells me something.

"Look, I feel really sorry for you. I know what's happened has made you sad. I regret that you won't get to live-"

"I know I'm no longer going to live like normal teens do! But I'm ready, I know today is the day."

"Sweetheart, that's not what I mean!"

Before I can reply, I step out of the car after our short journey. I see the Vault right there in front of us in the building. I walk through the crowd of people who part for me, showering me with words of good luck, and then I'm inside the vault, my aunt is there standing beside the gem.

I knew this: the Keeper had to stand on the square of intricate flooring to the left of the day. So I did, while we waited for people to come in. I finally felt ecstatic, more so than I had ever been. But that is when I feel a hand on my back.

"You know that only the future Keeper gets to stand here, right?"

There was a moment of awkward silence.

The person behind me was one I didn't know, but the colour of his bright green eyes marked them as part of my family. A distant cousin, perhaps.

"Uhm.. yes, that's me! Daphne Emerald?"

"Ah yes, Daphne. Your father' s my second cousin, I think. Are you trying to find your parents? Second row back, you'd better go quickly. We don't want to waste time on Elodie's special day?"

"Excuse me? I don't understand you. I'm sixteen today, eldest in the generation! I think you'll find I'm supposed to be here."

A girl sprung out from behind a pillar.

"Well I think you'll find you don't! Let me stand here for my ceremony", she said, not so discreetly nudging me away.

"Aunt Sophie, I think there's been some mistake? Shouldn't I be-"

However, she was already speaking to the Elodie girl.

"Such a happy day. A day of joy, our family legacy runs on in our sweet Elodie."

She then noticed me.

"Go on Daphne! Sit down, we're nearly ready for the ceremony!"

Reluctantly, I did and as Aunt continued speaking an anger ran through me, and even though I had only just met her I immediately begun to hate Elodie.

And there was also hatred for my parents too. How did they blatantly just assume I knew about what was happening, and that Elodie, the cousin I never knew I had, would today ruin my life?

As the emerald magic begins to flow through the room, it makes me feel guilty. Elodie must be enjoying this. It is her special day, not mine. So I sit, but suddenly the green light sparks more of my anger.