--In the over thousands years old Empire of Oaiya, the imperial bloodline has been intact since the founding days.
How?...easy, the imperial family had the blessings of the goddess Enia--
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(Those eyes...)I stared for a good minute
"I said who are you?"
I guess he got tired of wait for an answer, cuz he suddenly jumped down the tree, and I got my confirmation.
"Are you perhaps.... deaf?" tilting his head, slightly curious
"n-no" I stammered to say
"Then..." He puts his hands into his pockets, leaning back "don't make me repeat myself"
I almost busted out laughing, a small giggle did however escape my mouth
(it's definitely him )
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--Recognized for his quick wits and sacrifice for victory in the ancient war between Man and Werebeasts and Demons alike.
Dauthar, the first king of Oaiya, was blessed with the gift of foresight.
This gifthad made it possible for even illegitimate child of bloodline to compete for succession of the throne--
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"My name's Iris, what's yours"
His face twitched with confusion, " You don't know who I am" he questioned suspicious
(Of course I do!, but it was already rude of me to stare for so long!!, you nobles are always so quick to take offense at anything, forging ignorance is the best escape route right now! )
"I'm sorry, am I supposed to know who you are?" I asked relaxed,
(Imean I've never been to the palace or introduced to any of the imperial family, so this should be a good excuse.... right?) I panicked inwarding, not letting in show on the surface
"Hm"
The prince smirked..."Which house are you from"
"Don't you think that's a rude thing to ask, seeing as I don't know who you are?"
(Yea right!, no way you're dragging my family into this)
"Ah..of course" He bowed slowly
" Ryder Belmont, Baron Belmont's first and only Son" before rising
I stared in disbelief...(Why is he faking his identity!!, what's he playing at?)
" Er...ahem!, Lady Iris Hampton, first daughter of Duke Sylvester Hampton "
"Hampton, the mage?"
"Yes"
"Well...what brings you out here....? milady."
"Fresh air,...now if you'd excuse me..." I stood up adjusting my dress, "My mother would worry if I disappeared for so long"
I excused myself, walking as fast and ladylike as possible!!
"It was a pleasure to make you acquaintance" he spoke after me
(What was pleasurable about that experience?! ) I ignored him, and just walked away.
As soon as the young lady was out of sight, the prince punches the tree, shaking it whole, a red head young boy fell out of it.
"Are you up Ryder?, I'm retiring to my chambers... now"
The red head stood up yawning "Your highness,...what was that about you impersonating me"
"Think nothing of it, she'll inevitably find out eventually, I just wanted to save her the embarrassment" he sighed briefly before walking away...
Throwing both hands behind his head, leaning back, Ryder strolled after the prince.
Back at the hall, Duchess Hampton and the Dowager Princess were enjoying each other's company
"They will both be the most eligible debutants of their time" Mother giggled excitedly
"And with what you've said about her, their personalities compliment each other well" The Dowager Princess smiled.
Iris walked into the hall, looking around for any sight of her mother
"There you are!"
A cheerful vioce called out, definitely not her mother but... she turned, and there approached a horrid sight..
"My my, I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see myself, never expected to see you here" she gave a sinister stare.
Marissa Riddict, Iris's swore enemy,
"I'm excorting my mother"
The feeling was not mutual of course, infact I pitied the girl, while everyone praised me for hardly ever doing anything, Marissa however ...even after working tirelessly at becoming the perfect noble lady, was always being compared to me at every turn. Me!
"Excort?, isn't that a tab bit too grand a dress for an .. excort .., at a memorial no less" she scoffed hearty
The guests around who saw the scene began to murmur amongst themselves, it was hard to make out what they were saying, but it couldn't have been anything good
(Nobels...so exhausting, the dress wasn't even my idea!!, I didn't have a black dress and mother! ... Urgh! )
"Perhaps so, but I doubt it has caused you any trouble" Iris smiled charmly
"What's happening here?!" A starn voice spoke from beyond the gathered crowd
"Oh my it's the Dowager Princess"
"Children these days .."
"Causing a commotion at such an important event"
The crowd scorned and murmured some more, as the Dowager Princess approached both girls "So?... what seems to be the issue"
(Crap! )
" Nothing your Grace, I was simply greeting my dear cousin since it had been so long I saw her" Marissa explained
( I guess there's no need to drag the matter than needed )
" That's correct " I concurred
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As we rode the carage home, I just focused outside, to anyone I looked lost in the scenery, but actually I was lost in thought,
I wondered about that dream, vague in many ways, but still lingered in my mind
(Does that mean I actually have a part to play here?, someone or .. something brought me here, ...after all these years? )
I sighed, a little louder than I thought,
"Tired?"
"A little" I said simply, my gaze remained outside
"How was the ceremony?, you disappeared for abit...so I thought -"
" The dress you put me in was suffocating the live out of me, and standing still made the heels even more uncomfortable, ...so I just went out for some fresh air" I said flatly, still looking out
" Are you always going to be socially akward?, becoming heir means getting aquatinted with all the vessels of the family and creating more beneficial bonds, how will you manage all that if you don't attend these petty gathering?... as you put it"
I turned to look at my Mother, who sat across me "you call it social awkwardness, I call it social exhaustion, and as for the vessels, when father makes the official notion of me as his heir, they won't have any choice but to oblige"
"As true as that is-"
" Mother " I paused, selectively picking my words carefully before continuing
" I made this chioce, as much as you'd prefer the simple life of a noble woman for me, I'd much rather be a Lord"
" You don't have the strength for it!" Mother said, almost yelling,
" Not yet" I said simply
She opened her mouth to protest further, but this particular conversation always ended the same.
(After all, anything's better than dying )