Once dressed Vera decided to roam her home. The large historic walls decorated with the portraits of all who resided in Everwyn, from the founders to the current generation the halls praised the prestigious name Everwyn. In the past she was not as enamored by her family's greatness but being cut off from them in the past led her to a more filial mindset. She peeked around like a child exploring a new house, there were so many rooms she felt like even in this life she couldn't explore them all. The palace of Duke Everwyn was second only to the imperial castle, even that was based on preference as the imperial family decorated with extravagant luxury while Everwyn always showed their wealth through charitable action. Everwyn castle was the oldest castle in the Brivanya Empire. Established as the first royal palace of Arianna Brivanya the warrior queen that established the empire with the five major families: Everwyn. Valrian. Brockton. Seypher. And the most mysterious, Rykiel. They came together under Arianna's brilliance, they chased away invaders and in no time established a peaceful empire. It should have been fairytale ending but humans don't work like that. A seed of mistrust grew amongst the families, in time it turned to blind hatred to some and cold indifference to the others. Only Everwyn and Seypher remain close. Had Duke Seypher had a son I would take him as my partner but he only had daughters. The young future Duchess, Vivian Seypher, was my closest friend. Even in the past she turned against the royal family to find me. The image of her head hung pitifully in my chambers still haunted me. Her defeat was no easy feat with, the Seypher family were brilliant strategists and were known as the House of the Wind because they could move without sound. Nikolai had lost an eye in the battle with her, perhaps if I helped her now if the time came she could stand against him. No. I didn't want her fighting to save me, I had to save myself but for her benefit a temper control would make her as formidable as her father, Duke Charlisle Seypher.
Before I realized how lost in thought I had become I stumbled into my twin brothers, Marcus and Stefan. They were two peas in a pod with the same wild sunflower yellow hair, the same turquoise eyes and the same bright peachy complexion. Marcus began to cursed colorfully and flail about like a string in the wind while Stefan watched wearily off to the side. They were outwardly identical but Marcus was a mischievous little devil while Stefan was a studious and mature young man. Stefan was a perfect fit to lead the Everwyn family but he couldn't abandon his brother who wanted the title so for the first time in the history of the empire Everwyn will have two leaders. One if Marcus didn't stop in three. two. One.
"Marcus Henry Everwyn!!" The melodious scream came from a petite woman with clear blue eyes and long moonlight silver hair tied up in a bun. This was Vera's mother.
Marcus shrank as he slowly turned to see the woman's scowling face. He was a mommy's boy as he teared up and coddled up to her like a puppy avoiding punishment. "But mommy! She hit me!" He looked pitifully at his mother and then smirked smugly at Vera who felt a familiar twinge in her head. Since his birth he had done his best to be a nuisance, as most little brothers do but she could see he lacked true malice. If anything it made her life growing up less dull. Still to see a Thirteen year old act like a child to avoid trouble was, interesting.
Their mother sighed. She was a sucker for all her children, loving and doting on each one all the same. "Marcus, baby, you shouldn't use such fowl language.Now apologize to your sister."
Marcus grumbled and looked at Vera in defeat. "Im.sorry." It was so pathetic Vera smiled viciously husband and in a sweet voice conveying fake emotional pain.
"I'm so sorry, sweet baby brother, but I couldn't hear you properly." She grinned as his fuse began to light. He tried to hold it back but anfew times back and forth he began spewing such profanity their mother turned ghost white and Stefan wandered off. Unable to help his brother with the grave he dug himself. Marcus was so hothead he didn't notice their father, standing behind him. Grand Duke Gabriel Sylvester Everwyn. The Lion of Brivanya. His respect for women was so extreme he broke a man's arm for motioning towards a maid with promiscuous intent. Marcus shuddered as he peeked at his father from his peripheral.
"G-good morning father." Duke Everwyn wasn't abusive but he was know for his strict, creative disciplinary punishments.
"You're very lively Marcus. How about you put that, energy, into a book dedicated to how a gentleman SHOULD behave." His gravely serious smile made Marcus droop. He hated academic things most. Stefan made a sudden reappearance to greet their father. The Duke smiled. "Good morning Stefan, why don't you go visit Sir Russell today." Stefan flinched and slicked away. Sir Russell was the vice-captain of the Everwyn Knights. This was their fathers way of separating the twins. Stefan could write a series in a night, Marcus had to do it on his own but he was manipulative with his twin.
Their mother sighed and joined her husband's side, sliding her arm through his affectionately. Vera felt a pain in her heart. Her parents were madly in love despite having been paired through an agreement between the elders. Vera's mother was a Muse, a rare magician who could inspire others with their beauty and talents. She was adopted by Baron Miles Chance, he was a good man and a loving grandfather but when he was younger and his businesses had gone under he had to make the choice to sell his precious daughter. He did so with her blessings but he always carried the guilt, even though it worked out happily in the end. Vera had chosen her husband and
she suffered terribly. She wasn't mad at her parents, she was actually happy watching them but she couldn't deny the sadness rooted in her heart.
Gabriel composed himself after kissing his wife's cheek excessively. "I'm happy to see you up Vera, I have missed our chess games." Vera smiled.
She once thought her father didn't like her because she was a girl. He made the point of announcing his second born as his inheritor but in the past when her family was killed and their assets siezed a hidden will was found. The boys would inherit the title but Vera would be given a spot amongst the council, enough moneyto l live lavishly for the generations and a plot of land worth the finest resources. He included a note of forgiveness:
Vera, my beloved daughter,
I wrote this now as I watch you grow. You were born so small and fragile, I fated you would break at the slightest touch but you have grown into a beautiful young woman. Strong and Wise. I didn't want you to be tied down as a Duchess and instead live your life free and without worry. I couldn't say this in person because others would protest but your brother know. They treasure you just as much. Live a long and happy life my sweet daughter, know you are always loved and welcomed home.
- Your loving father.
It was stamped with his official seal and the entire families signatures at the bottom. It was so heart touching and devastating all at the same time. Nikolai burned it before her eyes as he told her the news of their demise. The pain was unbearable inside and out. It was just shortly before her own death, may it was the final straw. It didn't matter now. She wouldn't let it happen again. She was going to secure her freedom and a long life for her family.