Chapter 1

As if it has now become a habit, I push open the glass door to the balcony outside my room and sat over the marble balustrade as soon as I had my dinner.

The chilly breeze of wind brushes my skin and goosebumps sprang over my body as I lean my back against the cold pillar; I shivered.

December has come again.

My life has always been unsurprisingly eventful that I didn't notice how fast the year has gone by.

I hugged myself as a familiar unpleasant feeling crept inside me, and haunting memories of the past Decembers started to fill my head, painting a spiteful expression on my face.

Suddenly, my chest tightened intensely; I felt breathless.

"Huff..." I breathe in and out quite deeply, then I shook my head, dismissing the traumatic memories that kept haunting me over the years.

I have calmed down.

This happens frequently, but it is extra hard to breathe whenever this month comes. I have but pleasant memories of December, and I feel nothing but animosity about it.

I was deeply scarred with wounds that time can't heal...

I took off the metallic blindfold mask covering my eyes, revealing a pair of cold, peculiar jeweled orbs. I have sectoral heterochromia; one of my eyes is red, whilst the other is half red-half amber.

My eyes glimmered as I gazed at the sight before me.

Not far from here, I could see the spectacular view of the capital city where the festival is in full swing.

Night streets embroidered with colorful lanterns, antique buildings, and countless people streaming through.

'Ah, it's that time of the year...'

Opposite to how I feel about December, to the masses, it was the most joyous and festive month of the year. A month-long festivity is held annually in the Empire of Fiorinn in celebration of its foundation, highlighting the most prestigious event in the empire— the Christmas Ball.

I have never liked Decembers, but I can't deny how fascinating the events that take place this month are.

But it was only a shame that the Christmas Ball was exclusive only for nobles. Commoners were not allowed to intermingle nor step foot to where nobles are.

The discrimination between nobles and commoners is still unmitigated. Who knows when will it subside?

I shook my head to my disgust and disappointment.

Though I was never treated as one, I am a noble and I am so ashamed of how nobility looks down upon commoners.

It was funny how they think highly of themselves when they can't even do much without those whom they look down on.

I shook my head again.

'I wished it could be that lively here...' I thought as I watched the exuberant capital.

"Haa..." I sighed closing my eyes.

Here at the Duke's mansion, there was only cold and silence surrounding me. Not a trace of liveliness could be seen.

Or perhaps there was, I have never known.

"Orianna!" A stern voice call out to me after my room door was slammed open and I jolted and jumped down to stand up.

Thereupon, three familiar figures emerged in front of me. They were clad in clothes befitting the highest and most important nobility in the empire.

The aura they emit was powerful and menacing like none other. It was quite overwhelming however, it was not enough to intimidate me.

They were the people I lived with, my father who is the duke, and my two half-siblings behind him.

"Father... Brother, sister...? Why have you come at this late hour?" I asked after I bowed to greet them.

Not having heard an answer but a glare from them, I mentally clicked my tongue as I knew a headache was oncoming.

"I heard you threatened and pointed your sword at Count Gastrell's son. What was your purpose for acting like that?" The man I called father spoke.

I knew it. They just came here to find the faults of their neglected, illegitimate family member.

They never treated me like family though.

Raising an eyebrow, I opened my mouth. "Who was? I don't know that person."

"I point my sword to whoever pisses me off. There were many of them so I don't know who you're talking about, father," I continued.

A glint of impatience could be discerned from his cold and hateful gaze towards me.

"It was Lord Eldon Gastrell," my older brother, Lucian Sairaine Meredith, stated.

Eldon, Eldon, Eldon. I heard that name before. I combed my memories and my face darkened as I cannot believe what I found out.

"Ha! That f*cking perverted bastard is a count's son? How could a nobleman act lowly than animals? I'm so disappointed."

I recall that was a month ago when we clashed because of how disrespectful he acted towards the waitress in the pub I frequent. And they just heard of it now?

They're so outdated about what's happening around me.

"How vulgar," a young woman commented from the side. It was my older sister, Marion Louise Meredith.

I just rolled my eyes and ignored what she said. "Anything else you want to say?"

They darted cold deadly stares at me again that seems like they wanted to kick me out of this house. Are they disappointed with how I acted towards them?

Anyways, I am already immune to the kind of gazes they throw at me. They have always looked at me like that as I grow up.

However, it didn't mean I was fine with it at all.

"I hope this would be the last time you bring shame to the family."

My father quietly stepped out of the room after saying those words, while my siblings stayed.

Silence prevailed as no one said a word.

"What do you want?" I broke the silence after heaving a deep sigh.

Crossing my arms, I reverted my gaze to the view I was watching before they barged in.

"How long do you intend to keep acting like a brat? Do you like the attention you get that much?"

It was Lucian.

"And please get something to cover that hideous eyes of yours," Marion brought up in disgust.

I frowned and turned my gaze towards Lucian ignoring Marion's remark. I didn't speak a word.

What he said wasn't true but it wasn't false either.

"I'm warning you, Orianna. Get yourself in trouble again and the House of Meredith will disown you," Lucian spoke again.

I flinched upon hearing his words. Anger started to accumulate inside me. My fist clenched. My eyes welled.

"Are you kidding me? Disown me? Have you ever considered me as a member of this household? No one even knew about my existence as a Meredith except for the servants in this mansion!" I shouted in anger as I couldn't contain myself anymore.

Yes, that's right.

It has been more than seventeen years since I was born in this household but they never introduce me to the nobility, nor did I experience going to places and attending events where nobles gather.

I assumed they never did because firstly, I have no rights to the name Meredith. Secondly, the sight of me must have reminded them of my mother's infidelity; she cheated on the Duke. Thirdly, because I possess these hideous pair of eyes that they said I inherited from my biological father's side.

And lastly, they might have thought I don't deserve to be introduced and intermingle with the nobles.

My eyes became blurry, and I blinked and wiped the tears that fell on my cheeks.

"Sure, go ahead and disown me, for all I care!"

I grabbed my hood and crossbow from the side and jumped from the three-floor high balcony.

After a safe landing on the ground, I put the blindfold mask on my face. It was weird to say, but I could see everything even with my eyes covered with this metallic blindfold mask.

I'm only hiding these eyes because of their strange appearance, and it was also strangely destructive when exposed to lights.

That's all I've learned about my eyes so far.

I rashly hoped on my horse and made my way out of the duke's estate with my crossbow safely placed on my back.

My heart was beating so fast.

'Those hypertension-inducing Merediths...'

I passed by the festive streets of the capital and stopped in front of the pub I frequent. I stepped inside the pub leaving my horse tied in the hitching post outside.

"Lady Orianna!"

Mister Arman, the ecstatic pub owner, greeted me with a smile, and I nodded.

The whole place reeks of tobacco and alcohol. I sat on a vacant wooden stool at the counter and ordered a drink. With that, I generously indulged myself in beer.

Scolding. Insults. Threats.

That's all I get from my so-called 'family' whenever we see each other. Neglecting me and then blatantly criticizing my un-noble-like behavior whenever I run into some rascal of a noble.

I could vaguely understand them.

How annoying.

It was past 2 a.m. when I had cleaned out nine large wooden mugs of beer by myself. I have high alcohol tolerance; I didn't get drunk.

My head slightly aches but my vision is clear.

I rose from my seat and pulled out some gold coins from my pocket, put it on the counter then left.

"Get home safely, my lady!" said mister Arman. I could feel him waving his hands at me from behind as I walked out.

Home? I don't have a home.

I untied my horse from the hitching post and get on its back.

"Go!" I commanded and it started running as I pondered where to go.

I can't just go back to the House of Meredith like nothing after walking out like that.

It didn't take long for me to get out of the capital with how fast and stable the horse ran. I passed through the grassy and stony paths and before I knew it, I had entered the snowy Morana forest of Fiorinn Empire where the wild animals inhabit.

"Whoa!" My horse stopped.

My eyes explored the forest within the range of my vision.

It was a lot colder here than in the capital, and it was dark out here too. Only the rays of moonlight coming openly through the bare trees lit up some parts of the forest.

Except for the chirping sound of crickets and the creaking of old trees when the wind blows, it was quiet here.

I uncovered my eyes pushing the blindfold mask up and wore it like a headband.

Suddenly, I heard a rustling sound not far from where I have stopped.

My mouth formed an 'O' when my eyes caught a glimpse of a large, white deer. Bloodstains were visible from its body as it strides at a fast pace towards the west.

Wait. A white deer?

This is my first time seeing one!

I prepared my crossbow and loaded it with bolts crafted with magic. I exhaled as I focused my aim two inches behind the front shoulder of the running target.

I pulled the trigger. Then...

"Bullseye!"

A victorious smile appeared on my face as I watched the white deer fall to the ground.

"Ugh... Damn it!"

Someone let out a painful grunt.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***