HUMAM REALM- ALDERAN
CAPITAL- EL'GOROTH
I trailed behind my stepsisters, the warm sunlight filtering through the clouds casting a gentle glow over us. The vibrant flowers and lush grasses swayed in the breeze, their sweet fragrance wafting through the air. The soft rustle of leaves and chirping birds filled the atmosphere as we made our way to the garden, their conversations drifting into my ears.
"Father says I am to wed the prince of the demon realm on the full moon. It has always been my dream to be standing next to him as his bride." Maisie said, her voice laced with enthusiasm as she spoke to Flora Woods, her sister.
I am two years older than Flora, while Maisie is a year older than me.
Flora glided along, her ballgown's delicate fabric billowing behind her and her long blonde hair cascading down her back like a golden waterfall. "You seem over the moon about this marriage," she stated.
I wondered who Maisie was betrothed to. What did he look like?
"Definitely, I should be over the moon. Do you know how handsome and dreamy he is? I saw him on the evening of the ball, and I have not been able to get the image of him out of my head."
Flora chuckled. "How did you recognise him? We were on masks."
"It was very easy, really. He was the only decent-looking chap in the room, and I'd read up on him beforehand."
"I see..." Flora laughed. "Don't you feel weird, though?"
"Weird? Why?"
"Doesn't it freak you out that he's, like, ancient? I mean, demons live for centuries, right? He must be, what, 200 or 300 years old by now?"
"Deva isn't that ancient. He should be 224 years old."
My skin crawled with unease as a chill swept through me, goosebumps rising on my arms. 224? That's old.
"Two centuries?!"
"Don't make it seem so bad."
"Well, it is bad. He is way older, with centuries. If he was a human, he would be dead by now with generations."
"Quit exaggerating. I'm happy, that's all that matters."
"I don't see why Father wants to go ahead with this alliance with both kingdoms. The immortals are always so selfish. I believe this is more for the benefit of the demon realm than us."
"Father says alliance with both realms would strengthen the relationship we share."
"What makes you think an immortal would want to strengthen a relationship with mortals? I mean for all we know, we are weak creatures and maybe....food."
Maisie laughed. "Flora, they are demons, not vampires. Demons don't feed on humans."
Flora shivered. "How did you know?"
"I read about them."
"Are you comfortable with Father's arrangements?" Flora asked.
Maisie's blonde bun jiggled as she nodded in agreement. "Father knows what's best for me."
We entered the garden, and the two princesses settled onto the swings, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they gently swayed back and forth. A few meters from the swings, I stood lost in thought, my mind drifting back to the captivating piercing golden eyes I'd seen at the ball.
I remembered the mysterious stranger, recalling the concern etched on his face and the hypnotic pull of his golden eyes. The aura surrounding him screamed nobility, power, and dominance. His countenance was intimidating. It had been a while since I'd thought about him, but suddenly, his memory consumed me. A tiny spark within me yearned to relive that moment, to see him again, hear his voice, and drown in those piercing golden eyes.
Maisie's voice jolted me back to reality. "Emma!"
I spun around, my eyes meeting Maisie's, and I dipped into a respectful half-bow.
"What were you thinking, just now?" She demanded, her voice stern and serious.
I bit on my lip and looked at my toes. She doesn't expect me to tell her what I was thinking, does she? "N..nothing." My voice was a bit shaky.
Maisie rose from the swing beside Flora, gathering her ball gown in one hand as she walked towards me. "I demand to know what you were thinking." She said when she stood in front of me.
My gaze slowly lifted to meet her lips, but my eyes couldn't meet her eyes. Maisie's presence always intimidated me. "I wasn't thinking of...any..anything." I stuttered.
"You disgust me." Her voice dripped with malice.
My head bent slowly.
"Just let her be, Maisie." Flora's voice pleaded.
"I was just putting her in her place." Maisie delivered her words to her sister before her heel came down hard on my toes. My face squeezed in pain, and I winced. I hadn't recovered from the glass injuries on my hand or from the whips and starvation, and now this. I bit a cry as I tried to get my legs away from underneath her foot. "You are nothing... you will always be nothing more than an illegitimate. A second choice, just like your mother."
Flora swiftly intervened, pulling Maisie's foot off me. "Maisie, that was uncalled for," she said, her voice firm but calm.
My legs trembled beneath me as I edged away from Maisie, each step a cautious retreat. My breath caught in my throat, and my hands fluttered at my sides, betraying my attempt at composure.
Maisie turned to her sister. "You really need to stop intervening for this thing." She said before storming away, gathering her ball gown in one hand.
Flora turned to me. "Are you alright?" She asked.
I bit on my lip, holding back a tear from flowing down my cheek while nodding.
"You should be more focused next time." Flora said and gathered her gown before walking away.
I stood there, tears streaming down my face as my lips trembled. A sob caught in my throat. My breath hitched, and my shoulders shook, the sound of my quiet weeping filling the air.
Memories flooded back of my desperate pleas to my mother the day she departed the castle. My small hands clinged to hers as I begged her to take me with her on that fateful day. Her refusal still stung, especially the weight of her final request to my father, King Arnold Woods, to care for me. Ten years had passed since her departure, and I was still waiting for the promise to be fulfilled. I was just a child of seven then, left behind with a void that only seemed to grow with time.