My name is Sadako Gravestone. I was born as the second daughter of the newly appointed demon king of Jigoku, Goliath Gravestone. Apparently, our country had just ended some sort of war and my father was a [hero] for something or other.
I'm not too keen on the details, since there wasn't exactly a lot of communication in my family. I still don't even know anything about my mother. She was supposedly some unbelievably strong sorceress or something is what I'm told. But she didn't come back from the war, only my father did.
Anyways, I was born to the Royal family, but, unlike my older sister Atsuko Gravestone, I wasn't blessed with a full deck of cards as they say. I looked exactly like a human as a child.
Humans are forbidden to live in the castle, the demons really seem to hate them. on the other hand Atsuko was already in her 'goblin' stage. She had small horns and her eyes were very lizard like. Though you can still tell we're related somehow.
I have long black hair and pale skin just like my sister, though my father has blonde hair. I always found it strange that Atsuko and I had different features from our father. I wonder if black hair and pale skin is something we inherited from our mother. I wish I could meet her one day or at least learn what kind of person she was.
My father calls her Kayako, but I have reason to believe that she wasn't a demon like us.
I was often pretty bored throughout the day, I wasn't talented like Atsuko. She was praised as a genius and spent her days learning etiquette and sharpened her combat skills under famous warriors. I could never compare to someone so amazing, so I didn't even want to try.
I spent most of my free time reading in the library and learning about various things throughout the world. I first became interested in learning about all the different kinds of flowers in Jigoku.
There were many interesting ones, for example there is a rare type of [Flaria flower] found deep in the wasteland that supposedly can [heal 3rd degree burns.]
It's so rare and valuable, but the wasteland is such a vast an dangerous place that many adventures with 'get rich quick' mindsets go out to find these flowers and end up never coming back again. The picture in the book of the Flaria was so beautiful, if I ever go to the wasteland I hope I will find one.
Another thing I learned is that It seems I come from a lineage of demons. Those of our bloodline were all of royalty in Jigoku.
[ Goblin < Demon < Gargoyle < Dragon ]
That is the only acceptable royalty apparently, each of those are forms that individuals of my family can possess with their power. It is also said that many of those born with the Gravestone name for some unknown reason seem to develop strange unique abilities at some point.
Those abilities are not always useful however, in most cases they are used for nothing more than mere party tricks.
As was the case for my uncle, Rale Gravestone. He had the ability to create small amounts of water with his mind. Goliath would have Rale use his ability to entertain guests.
We were at some sort of gathering, I can specifically remember the hustle and bustle as the maids and servants of the castle were scurrying about.
There were many important figures, nobles, dukes and even a few celebrities all in attendance. It was some sort of formal party, however I was far too young to understand what was happening at the time. I was probably only about 5 years old after all.
My uncle always seemed openly displeased towards me, not just him but my father and the rest of the high ranking nobles. Cruel whispers were something I had grown used to by that age.
I had been born in a world of prejudice. Humans were rejected here, they were seen as pitiful worthless creatures. Hence, that was how they saw me.
Just after my 6th birthday I was sentenced to death.
"It has come to my attention that Sadako's appearance of humanity has caused a disturbance amongst the castle, it's with great displeasure, she will be terminated."
Goliath spoke in a monotonous heartless voice as he said it. It was like he didn't actually feel anything, he was just reading out a flash card that someone else wrote for him or something.
I for one was in utter shock the moment the words reached my ears.
Goliath had ordered his right hand guard to end my life. It seems many nobles were putting pressure on him, because of me his seat at the throne was becoming strained I guess.
I'm just terrible. I should not even exist is what my father was telling me.
"If I may, sir…I have an alternate proposal."
Just when I was beginning to despair, the guard began to speak. It was only him, my father and myself in the room. Hearing Goliath blatantly order me to die had stopped my blood from flowing. My entire body had become stiff as I let the words sink in.
"You may speak Shirone."
Goliath had answered, he always kept such hard looking eyes as if he constantly shouldered some sort of heavy burden. I had looked up to him as such a strong and dependable father.
I was proud to be his daughter, but now it seems he just wants me to die. Why? What have I done so wrong to deserve to die? This is what I was thinking before Shirone made his alternate proposal.
"If I may sir, the castle stands nothing to gain from the death of this child. But with the inflation of currency at the moment thanks to the war, we've been having to cut back on several stocked food and delicacies as of late. Just the other day I heard many Noble men complaining about just that in fact."
Shirone was throwing out several detailed points, meanwhile Goliath nodded his head up and down with his chin rested in his hands while making a 'hmm'. Shirone continued.
"It would be more beneficial as a whole to instead sell this child as a servant, despite her human traits she is of royalty after all. She would fetch a high price."
"I see…That is a thought, as is the reason you are my trusted door guard."
Goliath seems to be satisfied by this point, Shirone proceeds with a formal bow while placing his hand on his chest. A display of the etiquette here in the royal castle.
Goliath didn't so much as spare a glance in my direction, for some reason in that moment I felt something like a hole opening up inside my chest.
It was my last evening in this castle, I was to pack up all my belongings. To be honest, there wasn't anything that I could call mine nor that I wanted to take with me. I'd rather not hang on to something that would just cause me pain anyways.
The orange sun began to peek out from across the horizon, thus it was time. I met Shirone in the court yard in front of the castle, now that I think about it this will be the very first time I venture outside these walls. So many feelings resided in my stomach that I was beginning to feel sick.
Shirone's mouth curled up into a smile upon seeing me, for some reason this man decided to save my life so perhaps I should thank him?
"I am most grateful for you Mr. Shirone. If not for you then I wouldn't be alive right now. I'm in your debt, please let me know if there's anyway I can repay you for saving me…"
I bowed my head deeply, if I didn't show my conviction then I would be a disgrace. I have to at least show how thankful I am.
"Sada, you're truly a good kid. You have a good head on your shoulders, plus you aren't conceited like your sister Atsuko. It would be a shame- no- it would have been a travesty to end such a promising life just for the sake of those close minded nobles to feel at ease.
If there's anything I want from you it's a promise, I want you to live Sadako. Live and make the best life you can. I hope a kid like you will find true happiness one day."
"If that's all…then it's a promise."
I made sure not to waver, answer seriously to show my gratitude. My reply did earn a smile so I think I got through to him.
By the way, I was much smaller than Shirone, the top of my head was at the level of his knees so I had to look up as if he were a giant as we spoke.
I was riding on the seat of a bumpy wooden wagon that was being drawn by two big and healthy land dragons. Shirone was quite talkative, when I asked questions he would answer them and he'd always laugh and make the atmosphere feel sort of jolly and carefree.
A sense of warmth washed over me while riding into town, like I was removed of some heavy burden or something