Zia returned to the cacophony of screaming voices. The shrill argument between her two stepsisters echoed through the halls of the manor, their words blending into a grating symphony of bickering. She didn't know what they were fighting about, nor did she care. Quietly, she made her way toward the backdoor, where the garden is hoping to avoid crossing paths with either of them.
"And where do you think you're going without even greeting us?"
Zia turned slowly, her stepmother's icy glare meeting her own. Olivia Glanister's gaze bore into her, sharp and unforgiving, and Zia fought the urge to shrink under its weight. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she bit back the sharp retort that threatened to escape.
"Just out for some air," Zia replied, her voice calm but tinged with defiance.
Olivia's lips curled into a cold, mirthless smile. "How convenient. You always seem to find the time to wander aimlessly while others are busy contributing to this household."
Zia's jaw tightened. Contributing? She wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it.
"I wasn't aware that breathing required permission now," she shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Olivia's eyes narrowed, her smile vanishing as quickly as it appeared. "Watch your tone, Heziria. You may be the daughter of this house by blood, but don't forget who truly holds power here."
Oh, I'm well aware, Zia thought bitterly but said nothing. Instead, she offered a slight nod, turning her gaze toward the garden beyond the manor walls. She needed to get out of this suffocating house, even if just for a moment.
Before Olivia could press further, one of the maids appeared, bowing hesitantly. "Madam, your presence is required in the parlor. Lady Evelyn and Lady Sofia… well, their argument has escalated."
Olivia sighed in exasperation, sparing Zia one last glare. "Don't think this conversation is over," she warned before sweeping past the maid and disappearing into the house.
Zia waited until the sound of Olivia's heels faded before exhaling deeply, her shoulders slumping. She made her way toward the edge of the garden, where the air felt lighter and the chaos of the manor seemed like a distant memory.
She found herself by the old oak tree, its gnarled branches casting long shadows across the ground. It had been her sanctuary for days, a place where she could momentarily forget her role as the unwanted daughter.
As she sat beneath the tree, Zia let her fingers trace patterns in the dirt, her thoughts drifting.
Zia leaned against the old oak tree, her violet eyes scanning the garden with practiced detachment. Hydra's mind was sharp, always analyzing, calculating, and looking for patterns. This place, this storybook life she'd been thrown into, was nothing like her chaotic existence on Earth.
Back there, she had thrived in chaos, loved twisting situations to her advantage, and reveled in watching the ripple effects of her actions. But here? The real Zia had been nothing more than a pawn in a cruel family drama—a silent victim who rarely fought back.
Her musings were interrupted by a loud crash inside the manor, followed by shrill voices. No doubt another argument between her step-sisters, Evelyn and Sofia. Hydra had no patience for their petty squabbles. She had bigger concerns—like figuring out why she, of all people, had ended up in this fragile body in a story they'd only been listening to back in the classroom.
She sighed, running her fingers through her blue hair. Manipulate the players, control the game. That was how she'd survived back on Earth, and it would work here, too. Zia's sharp mind might not have her physical strength from her old life, but her ability to read people was still intact.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Evelyn stormed into the garden, her face flushed with anger.
"There you are," Evelyn snapped, her hands on her hips. "Mother's looking for you. She said you were sneaking around again."
Zia tilted her head, a small smirk playing on her lips. She didn't need words to rile Evelyn up. A single pointed look was enough to convey her disdain.
Evelyn's cheeks darkened, and her voice rose. "Don't just stand there like an idiot! Go to her before you get us all in trouble!"
Zia's fingers twitched, itching to throw out a cutting remark, but she held back. Instead, she gave Evelyn a slow, mocking bow before walking off in the direction of the manor.
Keep them underestimating you, she thought. They're easier to manipulate that way.
As she entered the dimly lit halls, Olivia was waiting, her arms crossed and a glare fixed firmly on Zia.
"You've been out sulking again, haven't you?" Olivia's voice dripped with venom. "Do you think your father's name will protect you from your insolence forever?"
Zia met Olivia's glare head-on, her violet eyes unflinching. You might hate me, but I've handled worse than you, she thought. Still, she bowed her head slightly, pretending to be the submissive daughter they all expected.
"I'm sorry, mother," she murmured, her voice soft but steady. Her words stuttered only slightly—just enough to maintain the illusion of the real Zia.
Olivia's eyes narrowed, searching for signs of rebellion. "Hmph. Learn to show respect, or you'll find yourself with nothing but regret."
Zia bit back a smirk. Respect? For you? Dream on.
As Olivia swept past her, Zia exhaled, her shoulders relaxing. She had played her part well.
Manipulating her stepmother and stepsisters was easy—they were all so self-absorbed and predictable. The challenge would be navigating the larger players in this world, like the Saintess and the mysterious forces that had thrown her and the others into this twisted fairytale.
_____
Mauie, on the other hand, made her way to the family library. The scent of aged parchment and leather-bound tomes enveloped her as she entered. The familiar sight of bookshelves stretching to the ceiling might have once been a comfort, but now, it only served as a stark reminder of the life she'd lost. These weren't her books, filled with the stories she'd cherished back home. Resolute, she set her sights on searching for more information about this new world and her family, hoping to uncover anything that might give her clarity—or control—in a place that felt alien.
The world they found themselves in was called Lytheria, a vast and ancient realm steeped in magic and riddled with the echoes of history. Its lands were divided into five major kingdoms, and 2 empires, each ruled by noble houses that had weathered centuries of shifting alliances, wars, and dynastic intrigue.
The Kingdom of Eldoria, where all of them now resided, was a land of stark contrasts. The capital city, Soleivan, sprawled across the heart of the kingdom, a jewel of marble and gold surrounded by sprawling fields and dense forests. Its bustling markets and grand avenues brimmed with life and energy, the hum of commerce blending seamlessly with the air of magical potential that lingered in every corner. Eldoria was renowned for its mastery of elemental magic, each noble house tied to a specific affinity passed down through generations.
In the library, Mauie had pored over texts detailing Eldoria's geography and culture. To the north, the Frostveil Mountains loomed, their snow-capped peaks home to reclusive tribes and rare creatures. To the east lay the Azure Plains, a region of fertile farmland and thriving trade. The western coast was dotted with bustling port towns, their harbors filled with ships from distant lands.
But it was the south that intrigued and unsettled her the most. The Scarred Wastes, a desolate expanse where the earth bore the blackened wounds of an ancient magical calamity, stood as a grim reminder of the cost of power unrestrained. It was said that only the bold—or the foolish—ventured into its depths, seeking the remnants of forbidden magic.
A soft knock echoed through the room.
Mauie flinched slightly, startled by the sudden interruption. She turned her gaze toward the door.
"My lady, it's Lydia," came the familiar voice from the other side.
"Come in," Mauie replied, her tone even as she gently closed the book in her hands.
Lydia stepped inside with a polite bow. "It's time for dinner, my lady. The baron and baroness are already waiting in the dining hall."
Mauie followed Lydia down the wide corridor, the flickering glow of wall-mounted sconces casting soft shadows against the ornate walls. The faint echo of their footsteps filled the silence, and Mauie's gaze wandered to the intricate carvings and tapestries that adorned the hall.
"Lydia," she began, breaking the quiet, "I was wondering… can you tell me more about our barony? About our family?"
Lydia glanced back, surprise flitting across her face before she offered a warm smile. "Of course, my lady. The Kiegher family has always been respected, even if we aren't among the most powerful noble houses. Our barony is known for its lineage of remarkable individuals born with the affinity for ice magic."
Mauie tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Affinity for ice? I don't recall hearing much about it."
Lydia nodded solemnly. "That's because it's quite rare, my lady. While our family's legacy is tied to ice, the truth is that it has been generations since anyone was born with the gift. Neither your parents nor your grandparents have shown any magical aptitude. And as you know, in a world like ours, magic determines influence."
"That explains why we're at the bottom of the hierarchy," Mauie mused, her tone sharp but thoughtful.
"Yes," Lydia said, her voice tinged with regret. "But your ancestors weren't always in this position. Records speak of at least three family members who wielded ice magic with extraordinary skill. One of them, Lady Eviana Kiegher, was said to have frozen entire rivers to protect her people. The power of ice once made the Kieghers a formidable name in the kingdom. Without magic, however, maintaining influence has been… challenging."
Mauie walked in silence for a moment, absorbing Lydia's words. "And now, we're just another noble family trying to survive," she said softly.
Lydia hesitated but then nodded. "That's why your family worked so hard to build alliances and focus on trade. Even without magic, they've ensured the barony remains stable and respected."
Mauie nodded, though her thoughts remained heavy as they reached the grand doors of the dining hall. The scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, but Mauie's mind lingered on the weight of her family's history.
As Mauie sat at the grand dining table with her parents, the weight of her new reality pressed against her. Conversations about court politics and trade agreements drifted around her, but her focus remained on the pieces of the world she had learned.
Matheo spoke of rising tensions in the south, while Alesia discussed the growing influence of foreign merchants in Soleivan. When the meal ended, Mauie excused herself before their attention goes to her again like they did the past few days.
Mauie went to Lydia and asked her to lead her somewhere.
>>>>>
When Mauie entered a warm room, she was greeted by a small room. It was filled with the innocence of childhood: sketches of fantastical creatures, wooden toys enchanted to float, and a small pile of books stacked precariously on his desk.
"Mmph!" a small voice filled the room. Mauie walked to the crib at the center of the room. Slowly, she looked at the baby giggling while holding a toy
Mauie stared at him, "Hey there… baby brother."
Ace beamed, his laughter filling the room. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Mauie felt a flicker of something she hadn't allowed herself to feel: happiness.