I was the last daughter of the Gremory family. All of my other siblings were male. Additionally, all of them were knights. My father treated me differently since I was born as a girl, and my mother despises me for being different from other noble ladies. Most of my brothers paid little attention to me, except for my strict, eldest brother. According to him, I was too weak, so I should learn to defend myself. He always visited me and checked up on me. One day, all of a sudden, we started sword training. My father disagreed with the concept of me learning sword-fighting under the banner that "Girls should just gossip and let the men fight." Similarly, my mother forced me to practice etiquette for ladies and dragged me to boring tea parties.
The only person who paid any decent attention to me was a maid, who had raised me since my childhood. She gave me treats when Mother was against it, and she let me cry on her shoulder when Father scolded me. I knew that she was my one true supporter, and I loved her immensely. She told me countless stories about the adventures she had before she became a maid. She laughed at how she had spent all of her inheritance on traveling and how she was eventually forced to work to survive. I envied her freedom and her ability to smile without a care. One day, she rushed into my room while I sat there, reading a book.
[Anna]: Your mother is calling! Come quickly, before she gets angry again.
[Lucia]: What does she wish for now?
I summoned the strength to stand up, then proceeded to exit the room. My maid led me outside, where I followed a path surrounded by tall grass. A large garden surrounded our mansion, giving our mansion the look of a palace. A beautiful garden laid on the northern side of the mansion. I approached the lonesome tea house at the center of the garden. There, my mother sat, together with a golden-haired lady whom I recognized. She was the queen.
I wonder what business she has with us.
[Lucia]: Glory to the Empire. I am honored to meet you.
[Elena]: It's nice to meet you, as well. I never knew you had such a beautiful daughter, Irene.
[Irene]: You flatter me, Your Majesty.
Bowing to the queen, I sat down beside Mother, sending her a puzzled glance in an attempt to figure out why the queen came to visit our house. In response, my mother's eyes sharpened, conveying to me that my attempts were futile. I turned my gaze towards the Queen, who pleasantly sipped her tea.
[Elena]: Your tea tastes highly exquisite. Where did you obtain the tea leaves?
[Irene]: It was imported from the Western Regions, Your Majesty.
[Elena]: Please send at least one crate to the castle. I enjoy the taste and aroma.
As they continued to politely flatter each other, I knew that something was amiss. In my last social meeting, I heard rumors that the king announced a battle between the two princes for the crown. Was my mother planning to sell me off to the Queen's son in order to gain her favor, or was it the other way around? As I sat there thinking, I didn't realize that their gazes had shifted focus onto me.
[Irene]: My daughter, is something the matter?
[Lucia]: I just wonder: how could I be of help to the Queen?
The Queen's gaze wavered for a bit, but she quickly sharpened her focus back onto me again. I was right. They planned to use each other in their plots, with me as their pawn. Lowering my face, I stared at the ground, then raised my gaze back up to my mother. For a long time, I have struggled to break free from my family's grasp. Maybe this was my opportunity. If I played my cards right, I may be able to leave this house peacefully. Then, I will take Anna with me.
[Elena]: Soon, we will hold a ball at the palace. I invite you to attend.
[Irene]: Thank you, Your Majesty. We won't disappoint you.
[Elena]: Thank you for accepting my invitation. I will see you soon, Lucia. Take care. Now then, I should be leaving.
[Irene]: Travel safely, Your Majesty.
She stood up and left the area, her body quickly disappearing into the garden. As soon as we lost sight of her, my mother faced me, and the mood suddenly turned solemn. She grabbed my hand forcefully.
[Irene]: You will be a good daughter and you will get engaged to The Crown Prince Cesar!! Do you understand?!
[Lucia]: Of course, Mother. Anything for you.
I forced my hand out of her grip, stood up, and left.
[Lucia]: I will never do your bidding.
I muttered under my breath while leaving. Inside the mansion, Anna was waiting for me. She silently followed behind me as I entered my room. I sat down on the chair and began to think. I have little knowledge of the second prince. All I knew is that he came from the north.
[Lucia]: Tell me more about The Crown Prince Edmond.
[Anna]: He is a very mysterious man. All we know is that he is dangerous and that he has killed many people. People from the north call him, "The Devil of the North." Miss, please stay away from him.
[Lucia]: No, even if he is a psychopath, I'd rather marry him than marry that arrogant, playboy prince, according to my mother's desire.
[Anna]: Please, rethink this idea.
[Lucia]: To judge him, I must first meet him.
The ball was scheduled to be held in one week. I must look special to catch his attention. The days leading up to the ball passed like usual until, soon, a full week has gone by, bringing forth the day of the ball. With Anna's help, I prepared myself. I wore a yellow dress, on which a flower trim ran from the top of my left shoulder, and cut across my chest above my right breast. Around my neck, I wore a dark blue gem, which was given to me by my late grandmother. I let most of my silver hair fall to my shoulders, but I plated my fringe around the crown of my head and held it in place with a silver hairpin. Overwhelmed by happiness, Anna teared up.
[Anna]: You look so beautiful.
[Lucia]: I have you to thank for all of this.
I boarded the carriage and rode it to the palace. As we approached the palace, we could see that it was beautifully lit. Many carriages queued in line to drop off passengers, but, due to my family's status, they quickly allowed my carriage to bypass the queue. As I stepped down from the carriage, everyone's eyes turned towards me in shock.
[Lucia]: Destiny will kneel before me.