Being a commoner was never easy, especially in her country, Molova, where hierarchy and magic dictated the course of everyone's lives. Her family was perhaps the poorest in the country, with no food on most days and no place to call home until she was born. She came out of her mother's womb literally glowing, an immediate sign of magic, and thus they were granted a life by the law, a home was given to them as well as a steady stream of money in order to raise her. However, that never meant they could love her, while she was placed on a pedestal in her family, she was constantly surrounded by fear too.
As a baby, she had no control of her powers, she had no understanding of the world, and this led to many accidents and injuries. She was their lifeline and the cause of their worst nightmares. And then it happened, when she was six months old and hungry, in her tears she created an explosion of glass that led to the death of her mother. After that, authorities were called to take care of her.
Isla was raised in a home for magical children, however, there were only two other children with her. They were raised by a strict matron and two other women, only one of whom truly cared for any of them.
All three children were left to each other for love. Isla, Theo and Penny, three kids against the world. At the age of three, they all began learning about the kingdom and they began to realise that they had a special place in this country. They had an opportunity to do what most commoners couldn't, they could be happy and rich, unlike their parents. They also learned of their parents and the grief they had caused them and were told that they would never meet their parents again. They would never learn of their origins and were all granted a special surname of their choice by the Royal Family once they turned 5. Theo received the surname 'Derrik', first since he was a year older than Isla and Penny. Isla and Penny both received the surnames 'Ronin' as they were the same age.
"Alma, why can't I meet my real family?" Isla had asked the head matron when they were taught the lesson.
"Because you caused your family so much pain they had no choice but to abandon you. This is your punishment for causing pain, and their punishment for being unable to care for you." Isla stared at the Matron for a moment.
"What pain did I cause?" She asked, her small toddler fingers twisting in anxiety. She didn't want to hurt anyone.
Alma stared at the child. She was legally required to answer all questions the children had but she truly didn't want to answer this one. She had to steel her heart, as she was constantly forced to do, and answer truthfully. "You couldn't control your powers when you were younger and it caused them, well, more pain than they were equipped to handle." Alma felt her neck tingle, a sign she hadn't answered the question yet, her throat began to itch. "The pain you caused was physical." She forced out, hoping it would be enough, and the suffocation she felt disappeared.
When taking on the head matron role, she signed a magical paper, as all matrons must by law, and if she broke any of the laws she would be put to death slowly.
Isla stared at the stone-faced Matron, and then to her small hands. "What kind of physical pain?" She asked with a small voice.
"Oh, Isla, gosh, you're putting me through it today. Your powers, when you were younger, were explosive. And they caused glass to break and metal to bend, and sometimes that would cause injuries." She gulped, hoping the child would stop asking her questions.
"I don't want to hurt anyone." Was all Isla said, tears forming in her eyes. She looked at the Matron, who looked stressed more than anything else, and asked "How can I make sure I don't hurt anyone?"
The Matron smiled, "Simply learn at the Academy. You'll be starting next year and they will teach you everything you need to know, and these hands of yours will stop causing pain. Just make sure you are good to others, be kind." She wanted to hug the 4-year-old in front of her, but all she could do was pat her head.
"Isla, there you are!" A voice called, it was one of the women assigned to care for the children. Perhaps the only parental figure Isla would ever know, Louisa, held her arms out as Isla toddled into a hug in her bosom.
"Lou-Lou! I'm gonna be kind and good and never hurt anyone again!" Isla prattled and Louisa shared an understanding look with Alma.
"That's right honey! You'll be the kindest darling at the Academy won't you?" Louisa beamed at the child as she picked her up to take to dinner. "For now, Sister Gertrude has cooked up a lovely soup for you kids, make sure you thank her for the food okay?"
"Even if it tastes bad?" Isla inquired.
"Especially if it tastes bad," Louisa replied with a laugh.
"Lou-Lou, will I ever see you again if I'm at the Ac-ah-duh-mee? Is Theo ever going to come back?"
"Oh my darling, you'll come back during your holidays, as will Theo, from the Academy. So don't worry that brain of yours too much. You'll always come back to me, right?"
"Always." Isla promised as she tightened her hug around Louisa.
The day after the children received their new surnames, they began their boarding and education at the Academy.
The two girls stood in front of the tall, golden, Royal Academy of Magic's gates, hand in hand. They turned to Louisa who was hiding tears in her eyes and wiped them before they would notice.
"Be good, my two darlings. I will see you in three months." She kissed them on the cheeks as the gates opened up and she ushered them through and continued waving until fog covered her up.