"Like the sun, her yellowish hair resembles the warm breeze of summer, with her golden eyes that reflects her innocence and noble blood, pale and delicate skin that as precious as snow.. Among all the stars.. she shine the brightest."
That's what people thought when they first saw her sleeping in her mother's arms in a ball weeks after she was born.
Despite carrying the blood of the country's 'so-called' villains, they made her as an exemption. They started to see her as the new hope that would change her family someday..
But all the good rumors about her.. faded when her 14th birthday came.
Her hair that they used to compare to the sun and golden eyes that used to reflect innocence, changed into something unknown..
"She's 'that' girl, right?"
"Ah from 'that' family."
"From the house of Callighan.."
"With those yellow hair and golden eyes! She's really from the House of Callighan!"
"It's none other than.."
The girl who's silently walking at the hallway turned her head to face those who are talking about her. Her golden eyes looked down on them as her pinkish lips formed a grin. Wearing a wine red gown and boots underneath, she's slaying the role of being the villainess for today's grand ball.
"Sorry for my late introduction.. Yes, I am from the house of Callighan and the name's Harmliet. Remember my face well," she winked at them, "Pleasure to meet you." She then left them, dumbfounded and shocked.
***
"The Royal Family has arrived."
The guest welcomed them with a warm bow and applause. When the familiar faces entered the room, Harmliet couldn't help but to focus her attention to the princes who are walking with so much pride beside the king of Avriel.
From what she heard, the king has three children. Two prince and one princess. The first prince was born from another country and his mother is a commoner, therefore he has no chance to be the crowned prince. Even though it is common for the first son to be the next on the throne, the King himself doesn't approve to it. But speaking of the crown prince, the second son was the rumored prince that would be the next king. He's the first child of the queen and unlike the first son who owns a red hair, he got his black hair from the king.
'Just by looking at them, the only thing they have in common was their eyes. Luckily, the first son also owns a scarlet eyes just like his siblings.'
The King nodded and again, everyone started to make a loud applause. After that formal greeting, they sat on their thrones, leaving the first son behind on the corner. For some reasons, Harmliet pity the prince.
'If only your hair was black too.' She thought.
The ball started and it's time for the celebration for the princess. Just like what happens during times like this, men started to surround the princess, asking her to dance with them. Later on, because of the mess the boys are making, the princess who is known for being shy and sweet created a scene.
*splash*
"Get lost! How dare you touch me!"
Amusement filled Harmliet's eyes. She covered her mouth with a glass of wine to restrain herself from laughing because she might worsen the situation.
'What a scene.. you didn't have to spill that wine princess if you don't want to dance.. you should protect your image..'
The princess then realized her actions but it's already too late. Everyone was in shock because of what she just did. No one could ever imagine that the princess they once called shy would do such a disrespectful act.. especially in front of that familiar noble man.
'If I'm not mistaken, that's Sandro, son of the Duke who's close to the royal family like the Callighans,'
"F-Father.." the princess murmured but the King didn't give her what she wanted, instead he ignored her as if she's nothing.
It's the princess' first debut in the high society, it was supposed to be perfect to show how powerful their family is but looking at them now, Harmliet thought it is impossible.
She shook her head and let out a big sigh. Attending a royal ball means the royals and high nobles are invited, hence she did everything to look even more beautiful to caught their attention, from her hair to her clothes. She should be the lady that the second prince would ask for a dance but disappointment run through her excited mind. Now that the princess created a scene.. there's no hope left for a dance with the prince.
"Ready the carriage," she told their guard that's waiting from the grand entrance. He bowed his head and did what the lady commanded.
She fixed her dress before walking towards the terrace, she noticed that the scent of flowers was lingering in the air.
"Guess the garden is near.."
When the carriage arrived, she doesn't seemed surprised when the face of her older brother welcomed her inside. Like hers, her brother's features represent their family; yellowish hair and golden eyes. He's also wearing a wine red suit that make him looks so arrogant.
"Brother Harrison," she called him.
He glanced at her for a second and nodded. His gaze was cold as if she's just a stranger who passed by. Others might be offended in his brother's greetings but for her, it's just his usual self. It may not look like it but Harrison is close to her that's why she knows him well. That's why she also knows that it became a hobby of the both them to leave a certain event if something unentertaining happened.
Also among her siblings, Harrison was the closest to the first prince, he's the prince's childhood friend, not minding the rumors that would go around the country. Maybe that's also the reason why their personality are alike. They're both cold hearted and silent type of a man.
"I heard from Father that you'll be entering the academy," surprisingly, her brother opened a topic.
She beamed, "Yes, brother. I'll be taking the entrance exams in 7 months."
"Do your best."
"I sure will!"
All of sudden, Harrison's face hardened. "I also know the reason why you came here.."
Her lips formed a smirk, "My my. Brother, how did you know about that..?"
"I know you well, Harmliet. If you're planning to make a move to the second prince, you should back off now."
"Why would I?"
"You'll know it when you entered the academy.." he crossed his arms over his chest, "Only if you could pass the exams."
She knew by the tone of his voice, he's teasing her.
She playfully ran her hand through her hair. "If I, the only daughter of Duke Callighan, can't pass that simple test.. then our house has no future to hold. Simple as that."
Her cold hearted brother smiled for the first time, "Confident huh.."
"After all, I'm a villainess right?"