"Rise and shine, miss!"
I murmur to myself incoherently underneath the soft duvet before reluctantly heaving myself into a sitting position, rubbing my eyes. Once I lower my hands, I find myself face to face with a jolly faced, old-looking woman, with short, greying hair, a rather large forehead, and thin, peachy lips. She's clad in a dark, plain floor length dress with a slightly stained apron, and her body is plump, on the larger side of the spectrum. It takes a while for me to pinpoint the familiarity of this maid before I finally recognise her as Amber, the head of the housemaids, and who usually aided me in getting ready for the day, bathing me and tidying my room. Really, Amber was the only person that resided at the House of Voitria who treated me with enough respect. I was beyond depressed when she was eventually sacked after being framed for a particular incident.
"My name is Amber, miss. I've been assigned to help you get ready for today. Your father has requested you appearance at the breakfast table this morning."
I hum in acknowledgement and slowly get up from my bed. I watch her study the state of my room.
"With all due respect, miss, your room is in such a tip..."
"I only got here yesterday in the late afternoon."
"Excuses, excuses!" She wags her wrinkled finger in my face and I fight the urge to wack it away.
"And why was this window here open? You know how cold it gets here in the night!"
"W-Well I felt warm last night." I lie. She laughs heartily and I smile through my irritancy. Gosh, I had missed her so.
"Come along now, miss. It's time we gave you a bath."
_____________
"My, my, you truly are exotic!"
As Amber scrubs my body, I feel her pause to admire the markings adorning my back.
"You're from Vivanti, no? It's not often we get those people up here in Icar'a-Rai..." She awkwardly trails off.
"I grew up in the Icar'a-Rai countryside."
"O-Oh? Did you now?"
"Mhm." I reply, "I've never visited that region."
"Oh, I see. Well I've heard many good things of the countryside. Very peaceful place, it is. My son lived there as a newborn with his father."
Of course - Amber's son, Sage. In my past life, Amber spoke of him fondly, though I'd never actually met him. At the time of my marriage he was apparently serving under the Imperial Guard. I wonder if that'll change in this timeline too...?
"Okay, you know the way to the dining hall, yes?"
I nod as I adjust the sleeves of my dark grey and navy floor length dress. The ruffles encircling my wrist are beyond uncomfortable.
"Alright, dearie. Enjoy your day."
"Thank you, Amber." I give her small smile and exit my room, climbing down the two staircases to reach the bottom floor. Clatter and soft chatter drift from the tall, glass doors of the dining hall; perhaps I'm already late. With a deep sigh, I lift my skirts and hurry towards the doors, entering the room and self consciously stroking my hair.
"Ah. You're late, girl." Penelope from her seat at the head of the large, marble table stares at me.
"By only a few minutes, My Lady."
I scan the room. I spot the Duke, and a familiar honey-blonde girl, clad in a lavender, glittering floor length dress with short, puffed sleeves and matching white lace gloves.
"Allow me to introduce you to our beloved child. Criala, greet your sister."
Criala drops her cutlery from her grip and turns her youthful face to smile at me, "Why, I've heard so much about you, sister!"
Who could've thought that such a seemingly innocent child could turn out so evil in their adulthood?
"Good morning, Criala." I greet her back through gritted teeth. I then approach my seat, opposite Criala with my father and the Duchess sat either side of me at the heads of the table.
"You're so dark!" She blurts out immediately. Typical, ignorant, Criala. As usual, her parents don't bother to correct her blunt words. I shrug, "I'm very much aware, but thanks."
She smiles brightly, "So what's it like? You know, over there? I hear it's almost never light outside."
"If you're talking about the Vivanti region, I wouldn't be able to tell you. I've never been."
"You've never been?" She tilts her head to the side in curiousity. I respond,
"Well, my mother grew up there, but I've lived in the countryside up north for my entire life."
"But why?"
"You'd have to ask my mother that, I'm afraid."
"Oh, it's no trouble! I don't mind." She looks over at her mother, than back at me, "I'd love to meet her too! Does she live in the capital?"
"She's dead."
I don't even bother to hide my grin as Criala goes quiet. I wave my hand dismissively, "It's quite alright. You couldn't have known."
"Yes. Yes, yes. Anyway, father," the girl looks at her dad expectantly, "Will Audenzia I begin recieving the same tutoring sessions together?"
"No." his answer is curt, "There's no need for her to receive any form of education. She's only here under particular circumstances."
It is utterly heartless of the Duke to talk of me as if I am not even present. It's not as if I can say anything, however. Instead I stay quiet.
"B-But, father...? If sister doesn't get to study she won't become eligible for Kristail Academy-"
"I didn't intend on sending her there. Be quiet and finish your meal."
Kristail Academy of the Icar'a-Rai Capital - the private school which conducted high-class lessons received by aristocratic adolescents. It has always been customary for those of high status to attend the boarding school and mingle with others of high status. Even those of the Imperial family are sent there; in my past life, Siar was no different.
On the other hand, I never had the chance to experience education at all once leaving the countryside. The Duke had refused to allow me any sort of tuition; I spent most of my days within the libraries, reading what I could.
That cannot happen again. Not this time round.
"If I may, father," I speak up, "I'd love to attend Kristail Academy. I would enjoy studying and being in school."
"Then it's a shame you won't be able to do so." He snaps, "I don't wish to speak further regarding this matter."
Of course; what was I to expect? I'd get nowhere at this point unless I do something truly drastic.
Two years from now, the Maiden War would take place, where Siar's older sister, Princess Daphne, would be abducted by the Orizect cult in the far northern region of Alhaiyore. The Orizect are notorious for their freckled skin and white irises. The cult can be traced back to the ancient era, where dark magic roamed Alhaiyore, wielded by the Orizect members to spread fear across the land. Though the early Icar'a-Rai Empire had managed to seize the territory of the Orizect, the population went into hiding, and haven't been spotted since. The story of such a cult is commonly told nowadays as a simple children's tale - folklore, more or less. The wickedness of the Orizect was, in a way, the reason as to why Icar'a-Rai is now so suspicious of the Southeastern Vivanti clan. Vivanti typically wield phantom magic, which isn't inherently evil itself, however still somewhat similar to that of black magic; it's what Icar'a-Rai is so scared of.
In the past, during the time of Orizect's return, the Dukedom and Imperial family worked close together to ensure triumph - they met frequently, meaning Siar and his father, Emperor Ian IX, became incredibly familiar faces.
That was supposed to be around the time I first met Siar.
But somehow, some way, I had met the Prince two years earlier than anticipated. Perhaps it's because of the changes I made myself in this timeline? Whatever the reason, I need to become stronger. I need the upper hand...
Even if that means driving myself away from the Dukedom.
Kristail Academy would've been an ideal opportunity - after all, it boarded all of its students, and Siar would have to dropout temporarily following the outbreak of the War.
Alas, there was no way my father was going to send me there...
There were other, rather unpleasant, options, of course. Running away seemed easy, but not a good starting point if I wished to properly orient myself. I could behave poorly, and the Duke could quietly send me somewhere else, but that would only drive me further from the Capital. I need to stay close, but not too close. Far, but not too far. What am I to do?
I finish eating in silence and watch almost longingly as Criala excuses herself to meet with her plump, spectacled tutor, who is waiting patiently by the door to the dining hall.
If only I knew some sort of spell that would change father's mind...
My face brightens with delight as the thought finally pops into my mind. Magic! That must be the gateway out of this place!
Alhaiyore is a land full of mystical figures and magic, the Icar'a-Rai Empire included. For as long as time, magic has been a big aspect of the Empire and it's protection. It also makes up a large part of the nation's Imperial military service. Though light magic is primarily used by Icar'a-Rai magicians....
I could hypothetically wield it too!
The Writainah Institution - a particular division of the Imperial Army Academy dedicated specifically to teaching light magic, creating knowledgeable and experienced magicians in the process. If I were to go there...
"Father." The words fly out of my mouth before I can reorganize my scrambled ideas. He looks at me, expression stony.
"Father, I wish to join the army."