Prejudice

"What... the FU*K?!" the woman screamed.

The Relanos family common room was unlike anything I had ever seen. Bright, masterful tapestries coloured every wall. Engraved with gold, Dragon bones framed ever feature, from the warm dainty fireplace, to the magnificent doorway that separated me from the rest of the palace. Every piece of furniture was made out of the darkest, most beautiful ebony I had ever seen. To be fair, it was the only ebony I had ever seen. The walls were made of a stone pattern, perfectly mismatched to create the sense of a perfect uniqueness. Unfortunately, I was brought back to reality by the woman screaming.

"You have an illegitimate daughter?!" the woman, who my father had introduced as Lady Carina and his wife, continued her rant.

"Yes, and I have decided to appoint her as my ward. You will treat her with the same respect you treat me or any other member of this family." Lord Orion's voice was calm and controlled, almost cold, especially when compared to the emotional mess of my new step-mother.

"What of our son's inheritance?"

"Nothing will change, he is male, he is first in line."

"Well, what about us, about me?" her voice had become softer now, almost sad. I felt a stab of guilt but I pushed it aside reminding myself, its not your fault.

"What about you?" his voice was sharp and emotionless, and his expression was angry and harsh. I felt his wife draw in a shaky breath.

"Is she a Warlock, at the very least?"

My mother had told me of this, the Nobilities obsession with bloodlines. They follow different denominations of Torianism than me so they believe in the Divine Blessing of Warlocks. They think that Warlocks are inherently superior to humans and are chosen by the spirits to rule over us mere mortals. Anyone with even a drop of human blood is ostracized in the fear that their offspring may take on that blood, and taint the bloodline. Thankfully though, I am a Warlock, thanks to my fathers bloodline.

"Yes, I am. However, I have never been able to use my magic because I could never afford a magic licence."

My father seemed slightly shocked at this, while Lady Carina sighed in relief.

"We better be heading to dinner, the rest of the family must be waiting."

At this I became excited again, I had never had a proper family meal before. I remember jealously watching everyone flood into the familial cores to have their nightly family meal. The warmth and laughter echoed through the empty streets. Love seemed to ebb out of every wall, love that I never had.

The Relanos Familial Core was very similar to the common room in style but it was circular and a chandelier made of black metal and rubies illuminated everything. A circular table, of course made of ebony, surrounded a breathing, roaring bonfire in the centre. That was where they would sacrifice part of the meal to their family spirit and the devote Torianists they were, they even had specially hired hands to keep the fire burning at all times. Torianism was the religion that everyone in Golgor followed; anyone who follows it believes that the spirits exist in a dimension creatively named the spirit world.

"Well, stop gawking and sit down!" Lady Carina shoved me onto a spare square of red carpet as she gracefully took the one next to me. Probably to keep an eye on me. I looked around. The only people who were present were young boys and girls around my age, most likely here to try and find a partner or just to party, plus a few parents who were here for supervision. Everyone else was probably busy managing the Relanos property and land. Fun, fun, fun.

Then Lord Orion finally appeared through the doors. Cheers and applause filled the room. Some of the men greeted him with a warm smile and a pat on the back, while the women stood in their positions and curtsied. One young boy ran up to him, and excited beam across his face. He wasn't older than seven or eight but he carried a sort of respect from the rest of the family. Even the largest, scariest men gladly stepped out of the way for the boy. My father, laughing for the first time ever, picked him up in his arms before spinning him around, making the child squeal in delight.

"Come on, now. Sit down, your father has an announcement to make." My father whispered to him, his son and... I guess my brother, as well. I felt awful for the kid, about to find out his father cheated on his mother. I knew I should probably give him some space, or give myself some space, probably both. Unfortunately, the boy dropped himself right next to me. I could feel the air weighing down on me, my stomach feeling ready to pop as I avoided eye contact with him as he stared at me curiously. Luckily, no other eyes really seemed that bothered about me.

"Good evening, my dear family! Before we begin our meal, I do have an announcement to make, regarding who I am appointing as my ward." I saw a few of the girls and boys perk up at this, adjusting their hair or collars. Some looked smugly confident, others wore a nervous grimace, one or two even closed their eyes praying something under their breaths. But one thing was universal, they wanted that title. I wondered what they would do to the illegitimate commoner who stole it from them.

"I have elected... my daughter."

Furious shouts filled the room. Disappointed and confused faces spun, looking around for someone to solve their a million questions. Some even laughed, mistaking my fathers serious tome for a joking one. But slowly, all eyes fell on me. The only person they couldn't recognize. The only person wearing commoner clothes. The only person with the light-brown skin of the lower class.

"What in the Spirits did you do, Orion?!"

"Who is she?!"

"Did you cheat on Carina?!"

"What is going on?"

"How dare you make a commoner your ward!"

"I thought we had agreed on my child!"

"SILENCE!"

Lord Orion's voice tore through the defiant shouts, turning the to the mere tantrum of toddlers in comparison. The entire family fell into a biter silence, every hateful eye turned in my direction, with such murderous intent as to tear me apart, rip my soul, and torture my mind for eternity. In that moment, dozens of eyes lay on me but the look that killed, that hurt the most was the confused, sad, innocent stare from his son, my half-brother. His worldview had just been destroyed, though I am sure he didn't know what it truly meant, he knew that this was terrible for him. Yet, he was not angry. He didn't scowl. He didn't hurl curse words, like his relatives. He just stood there, staring up at me with such a warm, yet distressed expression. It was the first time I had ever felt sympathy for a Noble. And the last time, I told myself.

"I know you are confused. I shall explain. Amara's mother, Myria..."

"Nykral."

"Ahh, yes. Nykral. I met her one day while travelling and she helped me with directions. I, the kind Lord I am, offered her a place to say for the night. She was homeless, you see. That was the first time it happened. It continued on for a about a winter and a half, until she became pregnant. I offered to take the child into the nobility from birth but she told me she miscarried. Then, I promptly ended our... relationship and never saw her again. That is until a few hours ago when I was looking through some old files and found her death was listed there. I went to visit the grave and found out my daughter is alive. You know the rest."

The room bathed in raging silence for a few seconds. Mothers shook their hands. Children froze with confusion. Fathers looked ready to fight a war. Who for? I asked myself.

"The mother, the Nykral wh*re. It was human, wasn't it." A ugly, middle aged man said.

"She! My mother is not an it! You fu*king Dragonhole!" I shouted, an inferno passing through my every vein, my stomach clenching, my soul screaming for blood. With all my energy, I threw myself forward. I was prepared to rip him limb from limb if it meant quenching my sinful desire, the desire to watch him suffer. Lady Carina grabbed my waist and forced me back to the ground with surprising force for a woman of her age.

"See, Orion! She's uncontrollable! Get her out of our familial core. She does not belong here!" another woman pleaded with him, while everyone heads nodded in firm agreement. Before Orion could even answer, multiple arms clasped me from Infront and behind, dragging me towards the door as people began to cheer.

"Get out, you bastard!"

"Go back to stealing, street rat."

Even as I passed my father, he did nothing to stop the riot except to shake his head in sympathy and disapproval. Or was it maybe embarrassment. Embarrassed about the fact that he had fu*ked a commoner. Embarrassed that his family now knew. Embarrassed that I was his daughter. He whispered to me to go back to my room, and that he'll sort it by tomorrow. But I was not foolish. Nothing could 'sort out' the divide between me and those who were meant to love me unconditionally. Those who I thought would love me unconditionally.

Idiot.

Idiot.

Idiot.

The slap of cold air stung at my cheeks, as the door clicked shut behind me. My insides ached with a familiar pain, a hollow blackness, an eternal winter. I was exiled from the warmth I had wanted my whole life. The warmth that hid behind only a few inches of black wood. But I was used to the cold, and the hollowness.

Shivering, I trudged back to the Relanos Ward. That's when I had an idea. A thought that brought a sick smirk to my face. Go back to stealing, you street rat! That's what one of them told me. Well, if you insist, my Lord.

I sprinted back to the common room, a vengeful laugh filling my chest. When I arrived, I grabbed my cloak off the shelf and began to stuff in anything that seemed valuable, which was the entire ward. I stole gold and jewels, old books and hidden maps, contraptions and paraphernalia, all the while beaming in grin satisfaction. I considered ripping up the most expensive looking gowns but decoded against it, as it would get me no money. When my folded cloak that I used as a bag was full, I stuffed more in and ran, rebellion elation energizing my every step. I was just about to leave the palace when-

"What do you think you are doing?"

The voice was harsh and powerful in a way that made me freeze in my tracks, instead of running like I should've. I spun round to see a cloaked female figure. She was definitely young, perhaps a bit older than me and she was a few inches taller. Golden blonde ringlets fell out the side of her hood, flowing gracefully in the biting wind. Deep, glowing blue eyes shone within the haunting shadows that hid her identity from me. In her stance was a power, strength and confidence that only a noblewoman could. I told myself that I should feel scared, I was busted. But I wasn't scared, I was completely calm as we stared into each others eyes, each trying to figure the other out. This moment stretched into a thousand, as if time knew how important this glance, this look would be. I heard her sigh.

"Do you really think my father and your family will ever stop hunting you down if you steal from them?" Her tone was slightly scornful, but also sympathetic in a way.

"I have dodged the law before." I said. She shook her head and chuckled before answering,

"You have dodged the local police. You cannot dodge a full team of RAG searchers, can you?"

The RAG. The Royal Army of Golgor. One of the most formidable military forces in the world. In a way, I couldn't help but agree with the girl. I couldn't hide from that, it was impossible.

"Well, I suppose I'll just stay here, keep to myself, until I rot away and die alone. I mean, its basically the same as leaving, except I have a terrible family to deal with." With that, I began to begrudgingly walk back to the Relanos Ward.

"That won't work either."

Starting to get annoyed now, I spun back around.

"Oh, yeah. Well, what the fu*k am I supposed to do then? Wait... who even are you?"

I had guessed that she was a high-ranking Noblewoman, most likely the daughter or maybe niece of some Head Lord but I couldn't quite pinpoint what Noble house it could be. Blonde hair and blue eyes was an incredible rare thing in Golgor, impossible to find among peasants and still rare to the upper-class and Nobility. The only Family I knew that were notorious for their light complexions and bright blue eyes were- no, it couldn't be.

"Princess Aria Ryna Whitefire. I am quite sure you have heard of me." She said, pulling down her hood. Her face was immediately recognisable, portraits and propaganda depicted her perfectly. Princess Aria, the second born of the king and secondary heir to the throne. I felt my heart skip a beat in shock.

"Impressed?" She said as she watched my eyes devour her face in shock, "Anyway, the reason you cannot stay here waiting idly for your life to pass you by is very simple. My father wants you dead."

"What? The King?! How does he even know about me?"

"My father is the one who employs all the guards around here, including the ones who let you and your father in just a few hours ago. Also, you are one of the most notorious magic smugglers in Dracur Diven, the capital of Golgor. King Tristan is not one to forgive treason very easily."

I shuffled in my spot, fearful and uncomfortable that someone knew my secret, the one that would've got me killed anywhere else. I half expected me to die right there on the spot.

"Well, if he's going to kill me, I might as well get a head start." I spun around yet again, to walk in the direction of the courtyard walls.

"He won't kill you yet. You are the Relanos Ward. If he were to kill you, it would be a great offence to one of the most powerful and respected Noble houses in Golgor. Losing loyalty and gaining hostility to the Crown is not a risk my father is willing to take."

"You know, you are sending very mixed signals. Does the King wish to kill me or not?"

She ignored my question and continued, "Your Wardship only lasts till you are eighteen. As soon as the clock strikes midnight on your eighteenth birthday. You're dead. Unless..." a sly smirk grew on the side of her face.

"Unless?" I prompted.

"Unless you get engaged, then you will be tied to a new family, and you will be safe for life."

Marriage. I had never really considered it an option until now. It had always been out of reach for me, but now... maybe it wasn't anymore. Perhaps I could find love, or even just companionship. Since family didn't work out, maybe this was my second chance to not be alone. I mean, by what Aria had told me its not like I had much of a choice. Just for a second, I felt slightly hopeful before reality dragged me down again.

"Well, no one will want to marry me. I have a lot of human blood, I am a commoner, I will lose my status on my eighteenth birthday, and I have never used my magic before, not once in my life. I know how much you Nobles place magical power in such high regards."

"Don't worry, I can help. With a Princess guiding your marriage journey, you are sure to get an engagement in no time."

The offer sounded... enticing. Free help from a Princess to get married to a rich Nobleman. It sounded to good to be true. And if there is one thing that I know from being a criminal working in the black market, its that is it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

"Oh yeah, what's the catch?"

Aria let out a laugh, not a happy or kind laugh but a cruel one.

"Clever girl. I do not wish for much. After I have gotten you engaged, you will owe me a favour. So, to pay your debts, all you have to do is kill my elder brother for me."

That's the catch. An assassination. A spoiled princess who wants a crown but is too lazy to get her hands dirty. A crown prince who will be impossible to harm. An impossible mission, an impossible deal.

But I had no choice.

"Fine... Princess."