The city of Wey was a prosperous city. Most visitors were greeted by the Sea of sunflowers that surrounded the city walls as the heavenly sun smiled down on the small empire. But the brighter the city the darker its true nature was. Ava Maximiliano, daughter to Viscount Maxmiliano was strolling through the family gardens. The servants smiled and waved at her as she beamed at her subjects. She stopped to pick a few flowers when she heard an ear-piercing scream from her mother. Scared as a few falcons startled her as they soar into the sky passing over a dark entrance way. Her twin sister Isla slithered from the darkness and into the light. Her bright white hair contrasted with her olive skin. Her dark hollow eyes, deep bags, and sunken cheeks gave off a sinister chill as she had dried prisoners blood on her chin. " still crawling through the sewers I see", Ava said holding her nose. " Still being a weed, I see", Isla said as she passed her sister to investigate the scream. " I am not! ," Ava whined as she followed her sister. " You are. Watch one day you get plucked and I will be the head of the family," Isla turned and smiled. " hmmmp you are nothing more than a worthless shadow. Replace me?...never. You can never be me", Ava said as they both enter the main hall. Their mother had collapsed. She was surrounded by her ladies in waiting fanning her. Their father stood there stone faced. Ava and Isla had never seen their parents like this. Ava slowly walked up their father and tapped him on his shoulder. " papa...papa...papa.....papa....?" She walked in front of him and waved her hands in his face. He slowly snapped out of it. He grabbed Ava's hands and sank to the floor. Tears soon poured from his eyes. The letter landed on the floor like a loose feather. Isla picked it up and whistled as she glanced over it. " Hey...papa..are you okay?" Ava said concerned before looking over at Isla. " Wow. It has finally happened little baby sis.... You have finally been plucked," Isla smiled. Ava looked at her a bit confused. " The duke of Duxland has asked for your hand in marriage.....which means you will be our..... savior. Your precious sacrifice won't be in vain." Isla took a little bow before handing her sister the letter. Ava took it as she freed one of her arms. She patted her father's head as she read the letter 5 times before crumpling it. She began to sniffle before looking at both her parents. " B-b-b-ut I am supposed to be marrying the Earl Roxibino....Count Drew or ....um..Prince Theo!.... But Duke Wolfhard...He is not my only marriage proposal. But yet I am forced to response to this ...THIS.....WHAT EVEN IS THIS...." She screamed. " Its a negotiation....and your a martyr .....a hostage to keep us all save....." Isla twirled her hair," its not like we can reject it...Right Ruben?" The family butler had soon came back with a pitcher of water to give to Lady Maximiliano, their mother. She weakly drank it as her maids held her glass. " No....Unfortunately. None of the other suitors have an army big enough to successfully take down Duxland's military. They are too ruthless and always ready to make an example out of their prisoners. Prince Theo.... may stand a chance but I'm sure he would need time to convince his family.....even then.....its risky," Ruben said as he frowned. Isla laughed as she patted her baby sister. " your truly are the most ..... beautiful. So do your best. Dearest sister," Isla started to stroll away when their mother came too. " wait....." she said thinking, " I refused to send my baby to that monster. We will think of something." She looked to her husband, Ruben, and daughter Ava. They all nodded. Isla shrugged as she continued to walk away trying to hide her excitement.
For the first time ever, Isla will no longer live in her sister's shadow. Isla skipped back down the hall as the maids looked at her a bit deranged. She giggle as the sun slowly faded out and the smell of blood filled her nostrils. As she entered the castle's dungeon she was greeted by her loyal servant Leos. She was short blue hair with only one eye. She wore a eye patch made of human skin. " my lady you seem happy?" Leos stated. " Yes, my sister is getting married to wait you will never guess? the Duke of Duxland!" Isla shouted as she jumped up and down. " ah....wait the Duke of death? Hmmm but don't you think your a better match for him. Since you are the head executioner and master of torture for Wey?" Isla shook her head. " Don't have nothing to do with it...." She as she took a seat. " but it does.... Duxland is known for having the best ruthless military. They use decapitated heads as soccer balls. Instead of being stuck in the gutters down here with no one appreciates or respects you. you can be an actual duchess where your talents would be celebrated. " Isla shrugged. " As nice as that sounds... Ava and I both have our roles. She is loved and I am ..." Isla looked down"...feared. I am finally okay with that. Besides I hate to say this, but Ava is a better bargaining chip. She has managed to con her way into the people's and our parents heart's that makes her....sadly likeable. Urgh, I can't replace her, " Isla looked up confidently" but I will be a better ruler. Once she is gone the people will have no choice but to respect me. Since I will be the sole heiress of Wey," She smiled, " then I will get to marry Prince Aleister." Leos was surprised. " Prince ...A-leister...the older brother of Prince Theo. The lead general of the king's army?" Isla blushed and nodded. " With my sister gone prince Theo will be sad. That means the royal family will try to marry off their other son...which is Aleister. Since he will just be returning from war. Everything will be perfect. " Isla stood up and grabbed her pliers. " I think I shall make my new brother in law a nice wedding gift as a thank you. Do you think he is more of a teeth necklace guy or skin bag?" Leos smiled " hmmm...teeth."