Year 1718
In a beautiful garden of Palace of Light which was surrounded with the snowy peaks sat a breathtaking woman in a flowy white gown with her long dark brown hair cascading down her back. Her blue eyes shone like jewels staring into the surface of water, seemingly in deep thought. Her porcelain fair skin shone under the soft glow of the morning sun. Her hand played with the water in the pond surrounded by white stone pillars, abundant greenery and colourful flowers. Yet her mind saw nothing but replayed the conversation that took place with King Solan some time ago at the dining hall.
Some time ago..
Princess Evelyn Lumaeth Starforged sat next to her younger step brother Prince Ryan Lumaeth Starforged who had a smug look on his face. Her step mother and current queen of the Kingdom of Luminare, Queen Elara sat on her father's right pretending to mind her own business while eating her breakfast.
"Evelyn, you are going to be eighteen in a day and I have already made arrangements to have you sent to the reputed institution for your higher education." King Solan said in a nonchalant way like he was stating the weather report.
Eve on the other hand stopped eating with the expression of shock on her face. She slowly raised her head and looked at the man who was supposed to be her father "What do you mean your Majesty?" she asked in a low voice but her eyes were full of questions.
The king answered with his unyielding gaze at her "The decision has already been made between me and your mother that it is best for you to experience the world outside and learn things to become a better princess to serve your people when the time comes. No need to look so shocked since this is where most of the royals and nobles children go to. You will be leaving for the Kingdom of Versailles to be enrolled in Blood Moon Academy."
Hearing the name Blood Moon Academy made her throat dry and her brain started to spiral and she said without thinking "Bl-Blood moon Academy is filled with vampires, how will I survive there?!" she exclaimed in a voice that was in a higher pitch than intended and had an incredulous look on her face.
This gave an opportunity to the Queen Elara to intervene "Princess Evelyn, where are your manners while speaking to Your Majesty? Is this what your etiquette teacher has been teaching you? This is why you need to go to that academy and learn to conduct yourself as a proper princess should." Elara's cold tone made her wince a little.
Evelyn lowered her gaze at her sharp words as always. She knew no one was going to step in to defend her here. She has been subjected to sharp words and quiet abuse throughout her life and her indifferent father never once stepped in or tried to know how she was treated by her step family in the palace.
Her real mother, the late Queen Selene had passed away after 5 days of giving birth to her as if her body was not able to sustain itself anymore. As a result her father blamed her for her mothers passing, silently accusing her for sucking all the life force out of her mother.
Since then she has been raised only by her mother's handmaiden Clair and guided by Septimus the high priest in the Temple of Goddess of Light.
Her indifferent father married a few months after her mother's passing to appease the public that was on the verge of civil unrest. Queen Elara was a princess from a neighbouring Kingdom of Roseville, this also added to the political faction in Kingdom of Luminear to have Prince Ryan as the sole heir to the kingdom even though Evelyn had the first right to the throne. Though the decision of who the crown will go to was yet to be decided, Queen Elara had already made up her mind and had been scheming against Evelyn ever since.
Queen Elara's schemed to send Evelyn away so that she can gain a better stronghold in the kingdom in her absence for her son.
"My apologies, Your Majesty, I didn't mean to raise my voice. I only meant to ask how can I, a Lumen, survive in a kingdom filled with vampires. Since they seek our blood more than a normal human." She asked in a slow careful manner while trying to calm down her erratic heartbeat at the thought of being surrounded by the vampires.
King Solan stared at her and said in a deep voice "The Blood Moon Academy has assured me that no accidents will happen during your period of stay. They have strict laws to regulate that all races stay there in peace and get the best education. This is the opportunity for you to prove to us and your people that you are willing to learn and brave yourself for the future of this Kingdom. I would suggest you start preparing because you will be leaving this afternoon." Saying this King Solan got up and left without any room for argument. Followed by her step mother and brother who smirked at her plight.