Arcane Destiny: A Tale of love and redemption

Ravena

“Another busy day, another day of hopeless dread,” I continuously sweep the dry leaves outside our house. Ever since the heavens told us the prophecy, the days of peace, happiness, and laughter went all away.  If only the heavens would have just shut up about the prophecy then our kingdom would have remained peaceful. Ever since the 1st prince’s birth the kingdom has been dreadful, finding every way to discard him, even if it was not for the Queen, he would have been executed instead of being banished to the dark mainland where only crows live and trees never bloom. Instead of the 1st prince, the 2nd prince became the crown heir to the throne. Unlike his brother, he was born with blonde golden hair, eyes blue as the sky and sea and he is naturally glowing as the rumors say. Well, a man like that must feel pressured with his reputation, I begin to ponder what that kind of life would be like. I can’t help but feel sorrow for the prince, living a life of having all eyes and attention on you at all times. 

“ugh when will this end”

I groaned as I wiped the sweat off my face before suddenly being thrown a towel at my face.

“HEY loser, still sweeping like a peasant I see”

I roll my eyes as I recognize the sound of that voice.

“Minny Bish, could have sworn devil’s usual are in hell, or did Satan not even want you so he sent you back here?”

I could see how my words affected her. Her expression soured her features contorted with an offense, “you better watch your tongue raven girl, you're speaking to the future Queen of this kingdom” She said proudly expecting a terrified and regretful expression on my face.

“Please if that were to happen only god could save us from your entitlement, besides your family is not that well known in the noble community ”

As I said those words she suddenly seized my hair with a grip that could crush stone, her eyes flashing with fury. Of course, I fought back, I grabbed a rock near me and hit her directly in the head. She hardly flinched as the stone collided with her head, her resolve unyielding even in the face of such force. We fought for a while until one of the village nuns saw us and broke us apart. The nun was irritated with us but mostly me since according to her I shouldn’t fight with nobles since they are to be treated with respect. I had to sit through her rant while pretty little minny bish just grinned mischievously while I was getting scolded. After being scolded with the nun her parents were nice enough to let me off the hook since they saw how mean minny was with me, honestly I think she’s adopted.

Her parents are so nice, who did she even take after? At the end of the day I walked home, and I was still pondering about what happened. The walk was peaceful and serene, with the smell of fresh air breezing through the wind, the view of the sunset as it begins to fade into the sky as nighttime approaches, and the chirp of the birds in the sky as they return home. As I headed towards our door I was met with a loud shout.

“Hurry up you bitch” I sighed as I realized that my father had come home early, the moments of my peace ended here with him.

As I opened the door was greeted by his drunk voice while Mom was soft and timid as usual. "Oh hey honey, you're in time for dinner.. have a seat”

As I looked at my mother I could see a woman whose completely under a spell, a spell which made her do everything against her will by the love of her life. As we ate dinner Dad burped grossly while looking at me with furious eyes.

“You son of a bitch! Do you have any idea how bad you make me look in this fucking town” he then threw a bottle of beer at me and the impact made the bottle shatter into pieces and had me dripped in beer. My head throbbed in pain as the impact of the bottle hurt like cement as it smashed into my head. The pieces of glass had caused parts of my face to leave cut wounds and with the beer combined it stinged like a bunch of needles digging down my skin. Can’t say it didn’t hurt but I had to injure it, otherwise, it would only show how much of a weakling I was to him.

“Honey don’t!” My mother pulled my father’s hand, and as a result, my dad slapped Mom in the face causing her to fall and cry. He then walked away to go to the bedroom, slamming the door shut. I may be able to hide it but deep down I was terrified, I glanced at my mom on the floor still sobbing. Her cheeks were red and bruised, it wasn’t the first time my dad had hit my mother.

I began to stand up and walk near her “Mom, are you okay?”

She was looking at the wooden floor, her hair covering her eyes as tears dropped down onto the floor. She wiped her tears away before looking up at me, she smiled warmly but I could see her eyes. Her eyes, filled with pain, torture, and sadness, looked tired despite her smiling gesture, it couldn’t hide the exhaustion in her eyes.

“I’m okay sweetie. I’m sorry about your father, he wasn’t like this before"

I hold her hand and shake my head “It’s not your fault Mom. it’s fine” I gently help Mom get up and let her sit down on the chair while I carefully put some medicine on her face to help with the pain.

“Let’s get some rest sweetie” She kissed my forehead and went to their room to sleep. I can only pray for her to have a good night's sleep without Dad torturing or nagging her.

I went to my room to tend my wounds, every touch as I bandaged my cuts hurt as if they were being forcefully pressed onto my skin. As I was done tending to my wounds I began to lay down on my bed. I looked up at the ceiling, lost in thought as I wondered when this life of mine would change. As I exhale a heavy sigh, my weary eyes begin their gradual descent, succumbing to the gentle pull of sleep. The soft flutter of eyelashes brushing against tired skin accompanies the slow closing of my eyelids, enveloping me in velvety darkness. I can feel the weight of the day’s exhaustion settling into every muscle, a comforting heaviness that lulls me deeper into relaxation. The rhythmic rise and fall of my chest syncs with the steady cadence of my breathing, a soothing melody that carries me adrift on a tranquil sea of dreams.

I woke up to the sound of my father shouting early in the morning. He always gets mad at the smallest things, I head to the dining room for breakfast.

“Looks like the bitch is up, can’t be lazing all day huh”

I closed my eyes and decided to ignore his harsh words and eat breakfast instead but it seems like I made him even more furious.

“HEY BITCH! LOOK AT ME WHEN I’M TALKING TO YOU”

I looked at him with a calm gaze as I tried to not let anger pass by mw. “That’s better, I can see your ugly face this way” he laughed delightfully and continued to eat breakfast. Mom was quiet as usual, always submitting to her husband's requests.

“After you eat take the basket with you and go to the market, we are running out of stocks in this house,” he says while chewing. I could only nod and stay silent since talking back could only cause trouble for both me and my mother.

-

The market is always filled with people buying food, toys, clothes anything you wish to buy can be bought here.

“How much for these eggs?”  I grabbed one and examined it.

"Just 1 silver my dear” I picked up 8 eggs and placed them in my basket

“Just these please” I handed the seller 8 silver coins.

I smiled and thanked her, “You look like a troubled young girl” I flinched by the sudden voice I heard. I turned around to see an old lady looking at me, she was rather short, gray hair and wore a black cloak.

“Do you need something Grammy?” She chuckled like a witch and grinned

“I sense great danger coming towards you, my young child”

I shivered at her statement, I became nervous and confused about her claim. It’s as if butterflies are in my stomach floating with their “Whatever do you mean Grammy?” She grabbed my hands and held them tight.

“You are a girl who’s bound to change this kingdom, you may not realize it but sooner or later your life shall change.” I felt confused, curious, and scared, was I bound to do great things? Or is this old lady just messing with me? Before I even opened my mouth as I was going to protest her statement, she suddenly put her index finger on my lips.

It caught me off guard, my mind was still filled with questions and confusion. My heart began to throb even more, I could hear my heartbeat pacing faster and faster as the situation grew more weary. The tension grew like thorns on a rose, patiently waiting for someone to arrive and make their move before striking them unexpectedly with pain. As the situation progressed, it increasingly resembled a thorn hidden beneath the beauty of a rose.

“Shhh, if you’re still unsure. Drink this potion before you sleep and there you shall see a glimpse of who will change your life and when your journey will begin. This potion shall awaken the power deep within you, you may not realize this but you withhold a great power unlike any other. Your power shall be your weapon upon the journey you are about to face my dear child“

She handed me the potion, it had the color pink and was stored in a circular bottle. I looked down at the potion I held as I was lost in thought. Should I trust this old lady? Maybe this is just a trick. This old lady is lying. So many questions and protests are glued in my head. It’s as if the world has tilted upside down, I could barely hear my thoughts. My breathing as I hyperventilate has become a fog that blurs my very thoughts and views. As I slowly looked up in front of me, the old lady was gone. I pondered and thought to myself

“It wouldn’t hurt to try I guess”