Latrice Richardson
Walking through the corridor felt so peaceful...The ravens' usual cacophony was replaced by an unsettling, guttural croak. It was as though they were delivering a message...a warning. Which felt weird...No, it seemed off. The Ravens usually stared at students and pecked the violent students who passed by through the corridor. This was why students typically steered clear of Raven Hallway. The name the seniors gave to it after experiencing the wrath of the Ravens.
There weren't many students around here. The commoners, shy and quiet nobles usually sat here. They were called 'Raven's Crows'
Aegis Academy, the pride and joy of the Aegis Empire. It amazed me how the founders could not come up with a name better than Aegis. Having had Centuries to find a better name, they still chose to keep the academy's name. At times it felt like the academy was meant to teach students only about the Aegis Empire.
As if there were secrets that were being...
"Latie!" a voice called out to me, snapping me back to reality.
I turned around to see my best friend, Marissa rushing towards me. Her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes told me something good had happened to her. She had her hand stretched out as she panted, trying to calm herself down.
'At least one of us had a good day.' I thought.
Surprise washed over my face. Why did I think that? Why did those word waltz in my head so confidently? Why did I feel jea-
Ah... The memory finally waltz back into my mind.
***
Earlier in the day, in class...
"Miss Latrice, I will be seeing you at the detention centre this afternoon after your classes have ended," the foreign language teacher, Mr Wanderer said through gritted teeth as he forced an awful smile.
His face flushed red in anger as he stared at me. He was filled with contempt for me.
Free speech had suddenly become a problem. No, It was suddenly a crime.
I cannot believe he felt so offended by the truth that was merely in a foreign language book. A book that he had insisted we read and understand. A book he'd assigned us to read and analyze. He was upset that a student actually read and analyzed the book. No- He was upset that a student had asked him valid questions about the book he assigned to us.
"Sir- You cannot be doing this," I let out frustrated. I had slapped my hand on the table as I glared a him.
"A weeks' worth of detention," He stated.
I glared him down, piercing his face with daggers.
He stared at me surprised, a smirk forming on the corners of his lips.
"Let's make it a month," he said dismissing the class.
I watched him walk out.
A part of me, wanted to use magic on him.
"Sli-" before I could finish the spell, my mouth was covered.
***
The sudden touch of a cold hands touching mine brought me back to reality.
Marissa held touched my hands when she saw my had turning white from how hard I was squeezing my knuckles.
I look at her and she gave me an assuring smile.
What am I even thinking? I should be listening and focusing on my excited best friend. I shake my head and I smile focussing my attention on her.
"What happened?" I asked as I intertwined my hands with hers.
She was panting so hard trying to grasp for air that I hadn't realized that she could fall backwards if the wind decided to blow violently.
"I...I...I heard....I heard something crazy," she let out as she was trying to catch her breath.
She probably came from the Northern side of the academy.
"What did you hear?" I asked as I moved close lending her my ears.
I was so curious about what had happened that I had to move close so the words don't escape my ears. What made her eyes sparkle the way they did? Who made her so breathless? I too wanted to know.
'I am...' 'Miss Latrice!'" a voice yelled out, stopping Marissa from finishing her sentence. We both turned our heads to see, a maid from my family home in Xenia, rushing towards us, dishevelled.
It was Mariam. She looked surprised, no, she looked unsure...
She kept faltering in her steps as if she was contemplating whether she should approach us or not. After a few minutes, she stopped and walk-rushed towards us with calculated steps.
"I apologize for interrupting, but...Marquess Richardson, has ordered me to give you this letter as soon as I find you," she said bowing as she handed me the letter.
The Ravens suddenly cawed violently and started flying in circles, and my heart starts dropping like an anchor.
I take the letter from her and I walked towards a bench to sit down. I stare at the black envelope that was in my hands. From the looks of the envelope, I knew it was filled with the scent of jasmine flowers and vanilla cookies. It was the one of the few scents I could smell. My hands quivered as I opened the envelope. The violent cawing of the ravens faded away as I opened the letter...
My lovely daughter, Latrice
How are you sweetheart? We are well at home, we just really miss our sweet daughter.
Your mother misses you so much...I miss you so much...
My lovely daughter, there's something very important that is going to happen.
You are to be wedded to the Grand Duke Osiris the summer that will be coming soon.
Do not ponder to much on the news as we will discuss it upon your return during the school holidays.
Again, Your mother and I truly miss you.
Marquess Richardson
I stared at the letter that I was gripping so tight. The words danci- No, The words taunting me as I stared at them. The paper crumbled as my hands shook violently. My heart pounding and the smell of vanilla cookies engulfed me in a menacing waft. The more I read the letter, the more the blurrier the words became. The menacing scent of the vanilla cookies suddenly strangled me. My body felt unfamiliar as I tried to breathe, as I tried not to die.
No- No! I...I- This cannot be happening. Where did I go wrong? What the hell happened? What the actual Hell happened?
NO! My hands suddenly started ripping the letters to shreds and the violent caws of the ravens rang through my ears as tears blurred my eyes.
Who does he think he is? I am 17 for Gods sake!
"Latie?" Marissa called out to me in a concerned. Her voice was soft and sweet.
"Are you okay?" She asked, her voice became louder. It snapped me back to reality as she moved close to me. I turned my head towards her and all I saw was mosaic of her. It moved to words me and Marissa pulled me towards her and she hugged me. "Don't cry," She said as she caressed my back. I blinked and tears fell down my face. The hot tears burning my cheeks as I sobbed into her shoulder.
What was I trying to escape? Why did I try so hard to escape death? Why did that follow me like a red string? Why? WHY!? This cannot- No! It shouldn't repeat!
Marissa held me tightly as she caressed me. The cawing sound of the ravens snapped me out my thoughts and my sobbing slowly faded. My panting chest slowly trying to ease as I tried calming down.
After a while, I wiped my tears, and my mind wandered to all my attempts to prevent this fate.
***
Seventeen Years ago, the day Latrice was born.
I opened my eyes and the sun rays kissed me violently. I squinted my eyes as I tried to stretch my bo- Wait-
'Why am I a baby?' this was the questioned I asked myself as I raised my hands and saw they were small.
I glanced around and saw a beautiful lady smiling at me. Her Blackish-blue hair made her look like a star on a beautiful night. Her features made her look so gentle. I stared at her as she kept smiling at me. Why is she smiling at me like that?
"Honey, is she not lovely?" She asked as she looked across her.
My eyes followed her face and there he stood. A handsome man. His hair was black and shiny compared to her curly hair.
"She looks just like you," He told her as he leaned in to kiss her.
"Let's name her Latrice, Latrice ***** Richardson," He said as they broke their kiss.
Latrice? Latrice? Why does that name sound familiar? Latrice? Latrice? I looked at their faces again and then it struck me. These people... These people are characters from a book. I read about them in my previous li- AH! I remember now. I remember it now, I died a pathetic death. I died drunk? Why did I die drunk? Why did I die like that?!?
My baby lips quivered and I burst out in tears. I was the wife of the villain...
My wailing rang through my tears as I remembered everything that would follow.
My new mother picked me up from my cradle and she cooed as she said; "Our Latie is crying,"
"What's wrong sweetie? Are you hungry?" She asked me as I wailed.
"No! I'm crying because this handsome father of mine is going to make a horrible investment! To which I'm going to have to be sold off to a crazy villain Grand duke Osiris Evans! Who is ultimately going to lead me to death! For What? Just because of his crazy jealousy of wanting to own Grand Duke Aubrey Allen's Duchy. I am going to die because of my father's dumb decisions and that bastard!" I wailed as I made baby sounds, I sounded like a baby only crying.
No! I will change my fate, and I will live a happy married life to a Marquees or even a Count, but I will NOT get married to the Grand Duke Osiris.
***
I cannot let this happen. I cannot!
"Mariam, prepare a carriage, I am going to see my father," I ordered as I broke from my hug with Marissa.
"But-" She tried to interject but I glared her down.
"Yes, Miss Latrice," She answered, scurrying away.
I watched as she rushed off, and when I saw her disappear around the corner of Ravens Hallway, I looked at Marissa with begging eyes.
"Marissa, Sweetie, Could you please cover for me?" I asked her as i held on to her hands.
"I-" I interrupted her knowing what she would ask.
"Just tell them that I am sick and my maid is tending, Please and thank you," I added as I hugged her.
Marissa nodded her head and I walked away towards the back entrance of the academy. Most students would sneak away using the back entrance as there was no one there. It was where you would always find at least two rebels avoiding classes , and today was no excepting. There were 4 boys playing with fire magic when I came rushing there. They froze when they saw me, fear flushed across their faces when they saw me. After all, I was apart of the discipline committee and having me catch you was like the devil taking your soul.
"We are sorry, please don't say anything," they immediately started begging. The back entrance of the school was considered a place where illegitimate children did all sorts of horrible things. and having me catch them meant they would either get expelled or be disowned from their father.
"We're sorry!" they continued as the begged on their knees.
"Ah, I forgot about you guys," I said.
"we can pretend that I never saw you guys if you all pretend that you never saw me," I stated as I walked passed them.
There was an open space that was covered with broken chairs ands tables. that the school disposed off. I maneuvered through them to reach the hole that had been made in the gate and I crawled through it.
The carriage arrived as soon as I emerged from the hole and I ran towards it.
My mind was racing as I though about everything. My father has so much explaining to do, like how did he get involved with the Grand Duke Osiris of the Northern Aegis Duchy?
Mariam came out of the carriage and helped me in.
"Thank you, Mariam, please go to my dorm room and keep cover for me," I asked her as she closed the carriage door.
"I will do so, Miss Latrice, Please return safe," She replied before rushing away.
I watched her disappear as the carriage drove away. It will be a while before we arrive in Xenia.
Xenia is where I am from, but because of unfortunate events, Xenia had been divided into two places. The Aegis Xenian territory and the Ulrika Xenian territory. There was a war that took place during the year 403 that led to Xenia being colonised and referred to as territories instead of a country. Ever since then, it had been divided into two territories that rich men Faught for all the time.
I am from the Aegis Xenian territories, and I'm going to the place where most of my cherished memories resided, the home I grew up in. The memories I cherished and treas-
What am I even thinking? Those will just become hollow memories if get married to that man. They will just become sad and pathetic reminders.
'Just how?' The thought kept spinning in my head.
I leaned against the window of the carriage and then the green fields caught my eyes, pulling me away from my dreadful thoughts.
The trees seemed like background characters in the fields story. The colourful flowers that were scattered across the field looked beautiful.
It was breathtaking. It felt so- peaceful.
The chirping melody of the birds humming lingered in the air as we drove by. The laughter of children harmonized with the chirping of birds felt different from the gurgling crows of the ravens. It was a different type of peace that embraced me. It made me forget that there were unanswered questions that I did not have answers to. It made me forget that my fa-
"We have arrived, Lady Latrice," my knight, Jack, informed me, snapping me out of my thoughts.
It was only after he opened the that I realized that I was back at home. I sprung out the carriage and sprinted towards the house. The warmth surrounding the house lingered everywhere. It was home. I knew it was. The scent of Vanilla Cookies and Jasmine tea filled my nostrils. No, the smothered me as I ran into the house.
"Miss!" Jack shouted as he ran behind me. His voice was filled with concern and anxiety as he ran behind me.
As I ran, I fell in front of the stairs that was in the centre of the entrance. The moment I fell, my father came walking from the corner with Grand Duke Osiris. They were at the top of the stairs, and I was at the bottom of the stairs. They were surprised, as they saw me falling as I tripped on the carpet inside, in front of the stair.
"Latie!" My Father shouted surprised as he rushed down the stairs towards me.
The moment my eyes met my fathers, I suddenly felt angry. "Father!" I shrilled out.
"We need to talk, right now," I said as I got up rubbing my knees and arms.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he searched all over my body for any wounds.
He held my arms as he searched my body. I pulled away from him and I glared at him, remembering that he was my father, I closed my eyes and took a deep breathe.
"I am fine, Father, but we need to talk right now," I stated as I limped walking past him.
"Yes, Yes, we will talk but let's first get you treated?" he asked me in a begging tone, as he glanced at my scratched knee and limping feet.
As I reached the top of the stairs half way, Grand Duke Osiris stopped in front of me and he asked, "Are you really okay?"
"Good Afternoon, Your Grace, I am truly fine. Please do forgive my manners for greeting you this late," I answered as I bowed at him.
"Please do not bow," he said attempting to help me up.
My body yanked away from him unconsciously and I lost my balance as I fell on Jack who had been standing behind me. "Please don't touch me," I let out angrily.
If Jack was not behind me, I would have probably fell down the stairs.
I glanced at the Duke and he looked surprised by my reaction. I looked away.
"Jack, Please help me up the stair?" I asked as I looked at Jack.
He nodded his head and he picked me up in the bridal style. I closed my head as we walked past the Duke, and I could feel his eyes following us as we disappeared around the corner of the top of the stairs.
Out of curiosity I opened my eyes and I saw an amusing smile plastered across his face.
I glared at him and he raised his eyebrows in amusement. He gave me a smile and winked at me.
"What the hell is wrong with him?" I muttered, through my breathes.
"Hm?" Jack asked confused.
"Nothing, Walk faster please," I answered as I turned my head back to Jack.
He nodded his head and he walk faster. When we reached my room, he sat me down on the sofa.
He then aske; "May I-" He stopped half way through his question and said; "Never mind,"
"No, Please ask freely Jack," I encouraged him as I gave him my full attention.
"I'm just curious," He started. "Why do you hate Grand Duke Osiris so much?" He continued.
"He has a scumbag face," I answered as I remem-
Surprise struck my face as I couldn't even remember how he looked. How did I forget his face so quick? No, Did I even look at his face properly?
"Scumbag Face?" Jack questioned confused. His words pushing me off my train of thoughts.
"Basically, what I mean- What I'm saying is that he looks like a crook," I informed him, my word feeling like a reason to justify my explanation.
"But you don't even know him," he pointed out.
"I-" I stopped myself and I sighed.
Poor Jack, How could I explain that I actually knew that man perfectly through pages? How do I tell him that, that Man is a crazy jealous person who I will have to die with?
I shook my head and I looked at him, and said; "You're too young to understand,"
He stared at me with a bored expression that screamed, 'Sweetie, I am 24, and you are 17!'
I burst out into laughter and he chuckled, but our laughter was disrupted by a door opening. It was my father.
He came rushing in, concerned smeared across his face. A doctor followed behind and my father gestured for him to cure me.
He didn't say anything, He just carefully watched as the doctor cleaned my wounds and dressed them.
The doctor gave me medicine for pain as my father insisted that it could be painful. Once he was done, my father looked at me.
His eyes were filled with guilt and shame, yet hope lingered there too.
"Jack," my father spoke as he stared at him. He nodded his head and he excused himself.
I stared at my father, my heart pounding and breaking. My father stared back at me, his eyes searching for something. The deafening silence mad my palms sweaty, my heart pounded through my ears as the silence took over.
"Latie, my Angel," my father finally broke the silence. He walked and sat next to
me. "I am sorry," he added patting my head.
"You-" I struggled as I closed my eyes.
"You promised, Father," I finally let out. I could hear myself cracking. My voice trembling as the words left my mouth; "You promised,"
"I am so sorry, Latie, But I-" he stopped and he started fidgeting with his hands.
My Father would fidget with his hands if he felt embarrassed, ashamed or if he did not want to talk to anyone.
"It was the Grand Duke of the Western Ulrika Duchy that scammed me," he finally let out. "He scammed me... and no one- No one was willing to help me, but then Grand Duke Osiris offered to help us," he explained furthered.
"What?" I asked.
"I was scammed by the Grand Duke of the Western Ulrika Duchy, Steven Collins," He admitted, embarrassed.
"Grand Duke, Steven Collins?" the words left my mouth. The Name felt so familiar. Why did the name feel so familiar to me? Ah!
Steven Collins! He was the Duke whom had made a lot of money from a mine that everyone thought was filled with waste. That Scumbag! I had intended to leave him and his achievements alone, but now- He went and messed with my fucking life.
"An eye, for an eye," the escaped as I dug my nails into my palms. "I am going to ruin you!" I yelled angrily.
"I am going to take it all away from you!" I added my voice trembling as I cried.
"I'm- I'm- You don't deserve to have any achievements!" I cried out. MY father pulled me in for a hug and he rubbed my back as I cried out in frustration.
"Shhh," he shushed me gently.
"Don't cry," he added gently, as I continued crying out of frustration.
Where did I go wrong? The question kept haunting me. The moments of all the times that I helped my father with investments came to me, all the times I told him what ventures I thought would succeed rushed down on me.
'It's my fault!" I cried out.
"No, No it's not," my father refuted.
"It's my fault," he acknowledged. It was the first time since we started this conversation that my father acknowledged that what had happened was truly his fault. I continued sobbing until I felt tired. When sobs became quiet, my resolve became clear. I wiped my tears and I stared at my father; "How did no one help you?" I questioned him.
"That Bastard- He spread lies about me ," my father answered. His voice went from angry to sad.
"How?" I asked.
My father started explaining what happened. Turns out, that the grand duke approached my father and convinced him to invest all our wealth into a business venture that would be revolutionary. It was currently a business that couldn't survive. He told my father the business venture was called cryptocurrency. How the hell does one use cryptocurrency when this world hasn't even learned about stocks and its markets? This world didn't even have the technology for it!
The more I heard my father talk, the more angry I got. I scolded him for investing in 'cryptocurrency' as he didn't even understand where the word came from. I explained to him what the stock market was and he couldn't grasp the fundamentals of it. I eventually gave up and went back to the Academy.
My mind kept wondering what was going on? I knew that there were never any mentions of cryptocurrencies in the novel. So why? Is this some messed up type of destiny? No, I can't let it play out like it did in the bo- I-
I must survive and live the happy life I worked hard for even if I have to change the plot of the entire story, but will I be able to do it? Can I?