I woke up too the loud voice of a bowl breaking. I stood up grumbly got out of bed where my maid slash best friend was already waiting for me.

“Good morning my lady “ louisa said with a smile.

“Good morning louie. No morning class today I suppose?” I asked while walking towards the balcony.

“ no my lady, but you will have tea with the other ladys at noon. So we need too begin preparation.” She said and I immediately grimmeced because “tea” was a disguise those narcissists girls used in talking me down.

“Can I feign illness?”

“Absolutely not, my lady. His grace will not be pleased.”

Of course my strict father would never allow me miss an ‘opportunity’ to Learn.

“Alright, let’s get this done with.” I said and Louisa came over to help me with my dress. Then she led me too the bathroom where a tub was already filled with steaming water and roses .

I walked into the water and let my whole body sink in. This was the only time in my life when the whole world would go silent and I could breathe…….but I doesn’t always last long so I emerged and let Louisa do her job and then after the bath, she dried me up with a towel and wrapped my hair with another towel while I walked toward the dressing table.

I looked at the girl in the mirror and I couldn’t help but think……..( what’s my purpose….apart from being a human?) ….,

Sadly……I’ll never know the answer because I’m human .

****************************

After dressing up in a casual afternoon tea gown and my hair made into a bun with flower too adorn it, I made my way toward the garden . I could hear voices already coming from the garden so I lifted up my head and walked with elegance.

“There she is…… the sleeping beauty of our time” lady maria said while pouring tea for lady Eloise .

“Sorry for making you wait my ladies, I had a very poor sleep last night.” I lied

“ oh fret not my dear, we where having quite a blast already. Oh , I heard little belle lit a lamp with bare hands yesterday .” She say and I sighed internally. ( here we go again)

“ oh my, what a delight. Her parents must be proud.” Lady Eloise chirped in.

“ you bet they would, I should pay a visit and congratulate them.” Lady Maria continues

“I’ll go with you. It’s not everyone who has magical powers you see.” Lady Eloise “whispered “ quite loudly while looking at me.

Well I’m quite used to this already, the average age for an elf to obtain powers was the age of 5 to 14. At 14 it is said that the power ripens and burst forth. But I am now 17 and not one thing is different about me

But oh well, I’m not even an elf. What was I expecting. In the whole empire of Etura, I’m the only human born to elven parents and also without powers and pointed ears.

So i became famous and a mocking topic for everyone in the whole of valoria. The worst part of it all?

My SISTERS!!!!!

My SISTERS!!!!!

Lady Azaria and lady Dana . Both are older than me while theres lady Willa who was born too replace me. She was born a year after I was born .

Azaria is the eldest who is married with two children and is 21 years old. But even before she got married and left, she would always make jest of me and hurt me with magic. She has the power of controlling water. She can drain water from an object and use it to her will. How I disdain her!!!

Dana is the devils incarnate. She has the power of mind control and so she’d make me do things and then make me look like I did it of my own will. My parents never reply listen to me and so I just try my possible best to be invisible.

Willa got her powers three years ago and she’s been practicing on me …..yeah, she can control wind and my skirt has become a place for her practice. She’d sneak up on me and blow up my gown while everyone would laugh and say she’s improving. Even my own parents……

“Oh, I am so happy for little belle. How about I send her some cookies as a congratulatory gesture?” I said ignoring the ridicule of lady Eloise

“and what good will it do her?” That voice!

Dana!

I turned around and sure enough she was standing a few meters from me in a lavish red gown and jewelry made from emerald adoring her neck and hands.

She walked towards the garden swaying from left to right like she owned the it . Her bronze hair cascading down like a river , lips plump like plum , round full face with siren green eyes……elf ears….

I gues I can see why people can’t resist her when she compels them. She’s already stunning enough even without the powers.

“My my, lady Dana . Fancy seeing you at home today.” Lady Maria said like she was an old friend.

“I’m always busy helping father with business so im usually not at home.” She said clearly pleased too show off again. She sat down and looked at me and immediately I found myself pouring tea in a cup and then handing it over to her.

Dana!!!! She was doing it again.

“ oh my sister is so thoughtful. She knew I’d be thirsty.” She said while smirking at me. I just stood there not knowing what to do …… and so tea passed without me uttering a single word.

**************************

I collapsed on my bed as soon as lady Maria and lady Eloise left . It felt like they drank my energy as well as tea.

After a while I stood up and walked to my mirror to loosen my hair. I began twirling my hair and then I stopped to look at the mark on my neck, according to my grandmother who passed away two years ago, she said the mark meant a new dawn for me.

But not once did I really understood what she meant. The mark looked like a crescent moon and it was beautiful but I actually wanted to get it off my skin since I have no idea what it meant.

I touched it for a while then I continued with my hair when I heard a knock on the door

“My lady?” It was Louisa

“ come in Louie .”

“Yes my lady. How was the tea?” She asked

“ as usual with Dana interfering .” I slowly said while she just looked at me

“Do you have anything too say to me?” I asked

“ my lady, his grace will arrive in two days time, don’t you think you should try too please him this time?” She said with concern written all over her face. I sighed heavily……my father…

Duke of oak heaven, his grace Neven Solaris Ellington.

“Clank, clank. Clank clank.” The sound of metal hit the ground could be heard in the large throne room and even though a total of 600 Dukes, ministers and other important personnel of the court was present……..the sound of the metal could still be heard as though the room was empty.

The hall was so quiet that if a pin fell it could be heard .

The whole room was shrouded in darkness and the only light was at the throne.

A man’s silhouette could be see walking towards the chair but no once could tell his features but he carried the air of a powerful being which makes people voluntarily give way for him

“Did i walk into a graveyard?” A cold deep voice echoed in the room as the noise grew closer.

The room remained silent until the owner of the voice emerged from the shadows and walked to the throne and took his seat.

“Long live the king. Long live the king.” The people hailed as soon as he sat down.

This is no other than King Hendrick Bruno mooncrest. The ruler of the kingdom of Etura, whose name alone causes the people to tremble.

He could be described a the devil himself as his heart is way darker than what any man could imagine.

“All may rise. “

“Today, one of my duke came with an offer for me in order to retain his post as duke. Well , we’ll, well…….”

“Coke forward, duke nevan.” He beckons to the duke who immediately walked to the front and bows.

“Long live the king.”

“It’s fine go ahead.”

“ in order to keep my position in court, I offer my daughter too you, your majesty.” The duke said while trembling.

.

.silence…..

.

“Hahahah hahahahaha. Duke nevan? Do you know what you are saying?” The king laughed

“I’m not in need of a wife actually and my sons already have fiancés. “ he said again

“But…… there’s…….” Duke Evan of ember peak hesitated. This time, the whole hall seemed to go still as the king’s face turned ashen

“ do you mean………..” The king said in a cold voice.

Immediately duke Evan fell on his knee and he started shivering in fear.

“ I did not mean to upset your majesty, but it would not be bad too give him a wife to keep him company .” He said with trembling voice.

The king stood up and then slowly walked to the floor to celling window overlooking the entire city of emberforge.

“ I had never thought of giving him a wife…… the ladies are terrified of him. Aren’t you putting your daughter in danger by doing this?” The king said with a melancholy expression on his face

“ your highness, my daughter isn’t scared and it’s always been her wish to leave home and explore Etura. “ duke Nevan hurriedly said.

The king turned and walked back , then he held Duke Nevan.

“If that is true then , it is settled. After all he needs a wife anyway.” He said and patted his shoulder as he walked out.

“ court is dismissed.” He said and walked out.

“All hail his majesty.” They all chorused.

****************************

In a dimly lit room, a figure could be seen on the bed.

He didn’t have any shirt on and his back carried scars that looked horrific.

The figure stood up and walked to the window where he had a clear veiw of the palace and a smirk appeared on his lips.

The palace was surrounded with little which made it shine like it was still noon

Which made this dark mansion he lived in look out of place. Like it didn’t belong……..

The figure walked back to the bed and took up his shirt when someone knocked

“Your highness, diner is served.”