Chapter 1: The Ball

...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....

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...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...

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