The Panic Has Begun

This was bad, the novel never talked about Theia at birth, just that she was misfortunate, something which comes to light after being framed by one of the wives of Duke Argyris for attempting murder on the heroine. Was Theia already neglected? a weak child who couldn't protect herself nor kill, ultimately resulting in her mother dying on her behalf!

She tried to think back to all prior knowledge as she felt herself being whisked away, into a bath. It was highly distracting, but she needed to think. The novel was generous to the heroine, but not for the villainess. From the minute she was born, Theia was already hated due to her mother, if her mother was bullied tonight how would that affect her future?

The seventh wife of the Duke, Cyrille Argyris. The light in a place of darkness, a genuinely kind woman who gets harassed and stepped on by the other eight, survival of the fittest. A beautiful woman who had not one, but two children. She was clearly favored by the duke, birthing a son before the fourth wife. The second wife despised her guts, only having a single child and never touched or visited by the Duke again.

Despite being favored, the Duke never outright protected her, causing her to die by the hands of the second wife. With no one watching over her except the staff who were loyal to Cyrille, a select few, and her docile personality shaped by fear of her family, Theia was relentlessly bullied to the point she was suggested to simply being gotten rid of and given to the royal family as a sign of benevolence and peace.

Her mother died when she's about five, she knew she had to do something soon, she needed to live. She didn't want to die. She wanted to experience a full life. Would she have to protect her mother by growing up to use magic quickly? To be able to hunt like her father, perhaps? No, she was far too weak with a lack of magical affinity. There was only one scenario to ensure her survival.

Not just her's, but her mother's. She mentally apologized to the beautiful woman who only wished to love her children, as her daughter would not be like her. If the novel intended to call Theia a villainess, she would truly become one. If she had to manipulate or get the other wives in trouble, so be it. She knew the future of the novel, and the fate of Theia if she'd get involved with the third prince, she'd be framed. Absolutely no one was going to bully her, and she'd start by securing the allies of three men… once she's able to walk and talk.

Nyx Argyris, Isaac Argyris, and Damon Argyris. Although Damon was her top priority, she needed him to see her as useful enough to keep around, the other two were still important figures to her for her future.

Nyx, the illegitimate child and the only one without silver eyes. His mother, the third wife, was taken to the duchy after her husband died and Nyx was taken in. He was equally as cruel or worse depending on the situation than the actual family, he did what he needed to survive. Nyx was the only one who sided with her and believed in her innocence, protecting her from death via the other kids and potential threats.

Isaac, the older brother of Theia. He was seven years older, but died with his mother. At the age of twelve, he tries to protect his mother via protest and protect her only to get beat up by the servants. This event was traumatic for her, but he was extremely valuable. Unlike Theia who was weak, he was mentioned to be someone who held his ground. What's better than one person protecting their mother? the two of them.

Finally, her father. Unpredictable, she did not know anything about him. In the novel, he was merely condescending and his stare sent shivers down one's spine. How would she get close?

That last variable could wait, her bath has finished and she was dressed up. She already knew what she looked like, but for her mother to be holding her in front of the mirror felt different. Silver eyes, the sign of every single Argyris. Though if you ignore that, her eyes were nearly jewel like. The novel never explained just how beautiful she was, even in illustrated depictions like the cover. Her hair was a lighter blue yet still dark, while her skin was pale as the moonlight, she wondered if it was a characteristic to look like a pretty vampire.

Her mother was gorgeous, especially dressed up. She wore something elegant, with fine jewelry which only enhanced her gorgeous smile. She had to know if this woman was a descendent of angel with her purity. She was quite small though, although Theia's height was never mentioned she'd hope she wouldn't be as short as her mother. "You're so cute, darling." Her mother smiles, pinching her cheek. She couldn't deny she was, especially dressed in what seemed like a fairy tale dress.

Snug tightly above her head was a little ribbon, in a light blue color. The dress itself was a light baby blue, and silvery accents with lace around the neck to the chest which had a bow, and a frilly bottom with a few layers. She had pure white socks with small stripes on them and the cutest and tiniest booties she'd ever seen.

"Mother," a voice called out, causing her mother to whirl around, allowing her to get a good look at the boy. "Are you ready?" he asked, she could clearly tell he had the upbringing of a noble with his vocabulary. She couldn't deny but the education of the family was top tier, the wives could hire whichever tutor no matter the cost.

Staring at the boy, she took in what he looked like as the novel barely described anything. Side characters were just fodder. Isaac Argyris, another beauty who was as pale as her, and held almost the exact same face if it weren't for his hair. His silver eyes sparkled like jewels, and his hair was a beautiful platinum blonde, a doll like appearance. This was the boy she was going to save.