...I look around at the bloodied corpses through the Shades of the closet, wondering where my parents are....

...The doctor said that they would be fine and to just stay here, not making a sound or going out no matter what but I’m starting to get hungry. where are you mama and Papa?...

...The gun shots in the background making me flinch and clench onto the teddy bear that my mama and papa gave me exactly a year ago when I was two. I clench onto the bear even more every time a gun shot goes off....

...I back up even more into the closet as I realize that the gun shots are getting louder and louder making me shake in fear, the tears falling down my face as I huddle up with my teddy bear. ...

...My eyes widen as a arm wraps around my arm, pulling me out. ...

...“EPHRAIM!”1 I hear, my eyes widening as I shoot up from bed, drenched in cold sweat and breathing heavily. ...

...I start to look around frantically realizing that it’s another nightmare and that I’m at my home now, not there this, right here. ...

...I look around until my eyes fall on my elder brother and sister “oh-“ I say panting slightly “uhm…” my dry throat aches at the attempts of speaking “c, can I have some water?” I speak roughly making the elder male nod and go exit the room....

...“Are you okay Ephraim? I get that it’s hard but I’m starting to get worried, you’ve been having these nightmares even more frequently…” the female with fluffy lavender hair in a half up bun and the half of her hair down says with concern laced in her blue eyes wearing a light purple dress with flowers decorated on the waist below, having the sleeves go down off of her shoulders and draping off....

...I nod at her question, my whitish fluffy and long hair bouncing along with my head. “Y, yes nothing new just…. Y’know, bad memories” I say with a groan swelling in the back of my throat and my blue eyes squinting at the bright lights from the sun coming into the room lighting up the blue and whitish fancy room....

...The door opens to the other elder male with medium wavy brown hair holding a glass of ice water, dressed in formal clothing with round glasses over his blue eyes “brother, are you alright?” He asks politely and quietly trying not to startle me. ...

...“I am fine thank you for asking” I reply quietly While moving my legs onto the side of the bed my sleep gown wrinkling as I move. ...

...My blue eyes blankly stare at the floor as I space out slightly “hey, hey, Ephraim?” I hear my elder sister speak making me snap out of my trance, “ah… could I have some privacy to freshen up and change?” My soft and quiet voice barely coming out in a whisper but nonetheless they nod and exit the room closing it behind them. ...

...I’m left in the room alone enjoying the view of the trees and the sunset ...

...I smile slightly at the scene while resting my hand on the window lightly....

...I bring my hand down to my side before entering the bathroom that was decorated with marble and flowers with green and purple colors along with the design of vines surrounding the walls....

...I turn the bath on, putting some bath soaps in the water and lit some incense around the bath, undressing slowly then stepping in the warm water. My smooth porcelain skin covered with chill bumps from the difference of the cold air to the warm water, I lay my head back against the bathtub head, the bottom of my hair floating in the water....

...i sigh contenly as I relax my muscles finally calming down after my daily nightmares, although my ‘sister’ and ‘brother’ aren’t exactly my real siblings they still treat me like I’m theirs I try to do the same with them but sometimes it’s exhausting and evident on my facial expressions that I don’t think of them as my own siblings but I am grateful to them for taking me in at that time when I had no one and was living on the streets....

...after I thought that I was in the water long enough I step out and grab a towel to wrap around my body, my hair dripping with water as well as my body. ...

...I get dressed into a blue long flown gown with undergarments and a white corset that feels like it’s squeezing my insides, which is perfect I personally think. ...

...My white long hair in a small bun decorated with a silver accessory going across the top of the bun to the other side of my head....

...And with some more that includes a blue chinese hairpin....

...And a gold crown with the emperors family signature color blue....

...As the crown empress I am supposed to wear these unnecessary clothes and accessories. Although I don’t mind much I can be extremely irritating and uncomfortable for all of this heavy accessories on....

...After getting ready I head back into my room to be greeted with my maids who will do my makeup, I walk to the vanity and sit in front of it while the maids do my makeup. Although no one else knew I was truly a man besides the family that I live with. ...

...I am currently 17 I will be debuting soon, in about 4 months. It has been spread like wildfire throughout north, and west....

...I am to be rumored many things and am the center of a lot of rumors. It doesn’t bother me but my elder siblings thinks that it does, getting onto everyone who they catch talking about the rumors or me in general. ...

...I am to be attending a ball in the east today by the daughter of king of the east Edgar kirk. He is well-known for his generosity and wealth he has two daughters and one son, the son who has already debuted and one daughter who is ready to debut. His youngest daughter is only 13 at the moment still has a bit to go before officially debuting....

.......

.......

.......

...The golden carriage with the emperor’s symbol on it stops once we arrive at the white palace of king Edgar ...

...The curtain of the carriage covers my decorated face as my eyes look at the castle with a relaxed gaze....

...The carriage door open as my knight brings his hand to me to help me step out. I take it as I step down, holdings side of the dress I’m wearing and holding it up as my heels click on the ground I let go of the knights hand as we walk to the front entrance....

...FOOT NOTES...

1: ef-raim

...this is the only chapter that I will be adding pictures, I might occasionally but only if necessary in future chapters...

...The chattering nobles look up as the announcement goes off...

... “CROWN PRINCESS ISIDORE GIULIANI AND PRINCESS AND PRINCE OF THE GIULIANI ARE ENTERING!” The announcer shouts as people quit talking and look up at the stage when I start to walk to the edge, staring at them from above. My white hair stern in the white secure bun as my dress is lifted up by my two hands as I walk down the stairs while they bow to me in mannerful way....

...(She is looking down at the crowd)...

...I get surrounded by some nobles, mainly young mistresses, duchess’s, and some princesses as I go to a table that they are surrounded at. I sit down at the table gracefully and pick up a teacup that was in front of me....

...“So pretty…” I hear a small voice say...

...“how elegant!” A energetic voice says...

... “Look how pretty her hair is” a youthful voice says ...

...And so on....

...A young girl with brown hair in two curled pigtails and greenish-gray large eyes walks up to me, her face a gentle tone with small freckles on her face, her jawbone a soft contour as there is a pink hue above her cheekbones. She’s wearing a yellow-white puffy dress, the top having small purple flowers with the bottom is bushy with white laced in it. “Hello, your majesty!” She says energetically, bouncing up and down. “I am Helien lotta from the lotta family of the south!” She grins sheepishly making me nod and smile slightly....

... “yes, hello I am Isidore Giuliani, as you know, young lady lotta.” I say in a calm demeanor, looking forward and not moving my eyes to see hers. Another female starts to walk up behind Helien, slightly taller. She has red long hair that’s wavy and goes down to her shoulders with sharp magenta-purple eyes. She’s wearing a silver shimmering dress that flows out and is decorated with jewels near the waistline. The sleeves hanging off her shoulder’s. She bows her head down as she does a curtsy....

...“Hello, your majesty. I apologize for lady lotta and her sudden outburst, I hope it did not disturb you.” She speaks in a calm and mature manner; Making me smile slightly....

...“There is no need, you may rise.” I Explained. At my last statement she stood up again, resting her hand on lotta’s shoulder “I am nielu braon from the broan family of the east.” She claimed as she sat at a seat next to me, lady lotta doing the same on the other side of me. ...

...I Set my tea cup down as I see a familiar face with purple hair coming up to me “Sister? Is there something wrong?” I ask confusion laced in my voice. ...

...“Ah, no I just wanted to join you, I see you’ve already started to talk to the others!” She stated energetically. She sits next to lady broan as she takes a macaroon from the table. ...

...“Understood, sister.” I say in response as I continue to drink my tea. The sweetness lacing my tongue that is laced with warmth. ...

...A plate of vanilla cake is set in front of me making me look up to see a male in extravagant black and white knight garments, his blonde hair pulled into a long ponytail as his red eyes stare at me, his sword perched at his side as normal. “You should eat, your majesty.” He speaks in a warm and gentle tone making me roll my eyes. ...

...“You know, Ezra you don’t have to do that, correct?” I say unamused at him in barely a whisper so only he could hear me. ...

...“Well, I am your personal guard your majesty.” He speaks, emphasizing ‘your majesty’ ...

...I roll my eyes at him again before turning back to the conversation the three ladies were having. I eye the cake slightly before looking back at him, seeing the cheeky grin he has on his face. I scoff, slightly shaking my head at him before picking up an fork and taking a bite out of the sweet frosted vanilla. I try to hide my expression from the delicate and delicious cake he gave me. ‘I don’t want to give him satisfaction’ I think grudgingly. ...

...I feel something soft hold my hand before looking down to see a smaller child, she’s wearing a small puffy blue dress with a hint of purple. The bottom part has cute stars of different colors and sizes with a small bow near the neck line. Her light blue hair in two small buns and some of her hair going to her shoulders. Two long curls in the front and a small ribbon on her left bun....

...“Yes?” I speak softly to her, her wide eyes a orangish yellow captivating color, like the sunrise. “Are you lost little one?” I ask gently. She shakes her head before replying....

...“Your really pretty miss…” her quiet, shy voice speaks back while fiddling with her fingers. ...

...I smile slightly before replying “thank you sweetie, now may I ask for your name?” I say gently as she looks down at the ground, her fingers still laced in mine. ...

...“M, my name? It’s… Lilitha tryuc1… I don’t know where my papa and mama are….” She speaks in a small voice, taking her hand away while fiddling around with her fingers. I suddenly hear a voice besides me making me jump slightly and turn to look at the person, seeing Ezra standing there....

...“Ah- sorry your majesty, but may I ask who are you speaking to?” He asks worriedly making me dumb founded....

...“What do you mean she’s-“ I turn my head back to see nothing there. “What?-“ I question myself. “Ah, never mind then…” I look back to him. ...

...“Are you sure your okay? Would you like to go to your chambers?” I hear Helien say worriedly. ...

...I notice that it’s gone silent around us, I put my hand on my head before speaking “yeah, I think it would be best. I am feeling a bit tired.” I whisper enough for them to hear, reaching out my hand to Ezra he takes it and starts walking me out, supporting my body weight. ...

...Before we leave I turn and do a courtesy “I apologize for the inconvenience but I will be retiring for the night, please continue to enjoy the night with my elder sister and brother watching over.” I raise once again before exiting. ...

...“Hahhh” I sigh as we walk to my room. The moonlight shining through the hall, large glass windows decorating through the entire hall, Short gaps between them to show painting and portraits of our ancestors, families, and home. The blue and silver carpet going from wall to wall, the moon shines on my face, making my eyes shine brighter then normal to other people. ...

...The quietness and the presence of my bodyguard makes me feel at peace before we turn and stop at my door, in a lone hall like the others except it’s only one door, that belongs to me. ...

...I turn to Ezra and nod toward him that I will be leaving “alright your majesty. Have a nice night.” He bows slightly as I walk into the room, closing it behind me. ...

...I sigh in tiredness as I sit at my vanity, removing all of the luxurious jewelry and accessories. I take my hair down letting it fall down my back. I stand up and go to the bathroom. The bathtub already set up and steaming, I conclude the maids came as soon as they found out I was coming. ...

...I slowly slide into the bathtub after taking off the towel on my body. I rest my head against the edge of the bathtub with flower petals in it, relaxing into the warm water my white hair floats on top of the water while the steam covers the room. ...

...After I’m done I step out of the bath, wrapping the towel around my waist as the water drips down my body. The white robe hanging off of one of my shoulders as I dry my hair....

...I get dressed into a light blue nightgown with a robe over me before stepping out of the room, holding a oil lamp In my hand I walk the halls staring at the moonlight mostly. I smile before it gets off of my face almost immediately. ...

...The familiar child that I saw earlier standing in front of me, but more visibly. She opens her mouth before speaking in a quiet voice “hello, I’m sorry for startling you earlier! I didn’t mean too…” she speaks as she rocks back and forth on her heels....