Chapter 1
Life is so unfair, I thought to myself. The world I grew up in was full of men who continued to rise, wield power, and receive endless wealth. Honestly, when will it be a woman's turn? All we do is conceive and raise children. The stranger I am set to marry in the near future terrifies me. Lips I will be forced to kiss, hands I will be expected to touch even the thought of intimacy makes my stomach turn.
"Miss Serravelle," called my servant, pulling me from my thoughts. "Breakfast is served." He bowed and exited the room.
Just as my stomach churned with unease, he mentioned food. I lay silently, staring at the rose wallpaper my Aunt Elowen had brought from far, far away from where we used to live. Not that it does anything to hide the stench of this stone castle. I jolted upright and grabbed my little purse, which carried the scent I'd chosen myself from the garden outside.
I swiftly passed the workers in the hall, and to my surprise, my older sister was already awake. She's rarely up by dawn; she usually only rises once the herd returns to their stall.
"You smell nice today, sister," she said, inhaling deeply. "How dare you not rot like the rest of us in this castle?" She laughed.
"The little meadow down the hill," I whispered. "The fresh water doesn't have any disgusting surprises." We both laughed. Even if she knew the location of my secret sanctuary, I doubt she'd ever bathe in it. I'm quite lucky so far, among the many people who live on my father's land, no one has discovered the source of my purity. I only hope it stays that way.
I skipped to my seat at the table, waiting for Father. As we waited, the knights who serve him entered ten of them, all of higher rank. They've always been a fascinating sight. The way they honor my father and our people... Their bravery is what I admire most.
But today, I only counted nine.
Everyone bowed as my father entered. My sisters and I greeted him with warm smiles, as always.
"Master," said one of the knights, bowing as he presented a helmet.
"That makes two this month," my father said with sorrow. "Lay him to rest."
⸻
Later that evening, after playing a long game of ball with my sisters outside, I saw my father again. I ran up to him and gave him a large hug.
"Father!" I beamed. "Perhaps today was a sad one, but I send the knight's family my prayers. What a loss."
"He was a good knight," Father replied. "But not my best. My best knight returns today. He has been away, searching for new land."
He smiled as he spoke, gently brushing my hair back. "I plan to do many things."
"How long has he been gone?" I asked, my gaze drifting toward the golden sunset.
"A year," he answered, looking in the same direction.
"A year!" I gasped. "How strange, I arrived a year ago too." I chuckled softly. "A year, Father..." I trailed off. "I've been thinking about time lately.. like, what will time be in three hundred y—"
"My lord!" a knight shouted, interrupting. "We have visitors!"
Father kissed my forehead and patted my shoulder, then walked off to greet them.
I sighed deeply. Time. I've been thinking about it so much lately. To me, time must equal something. Surely one day, someday.. all of this will be different. Maybe one day, we will be the ones to bring change.
A sudden neigh cut through my thoughts. In the distance, I squint to notice a knight riding through the gardens toward the stables.
Perhaps Father's best knight.
If he is honored by Father, I must greet him properly.
I dashed into the corridor, the long stone hallway dimly lit by flickering candles. Their soft glow barely lit the way this castle is always so dark. My sisters appeared from the corner, giggling.
"Imora?" one called out. "What's the rush, love?"
They were all talking over each other, exchanging stories, until one of them paused, waiting for my answer.
"Father's best knight is here," I said with a shy smile. "I'm curious why Father values him so deeply. Which is something I can't remember if he's done to all?"
Suddenly, all eyes were on me.
My cheeks flushed. "What?" I said, trying to cover one with my hand.
"Sister..." one of them said slyly. "You don't have the best reputation when it comes to Father's knights. You've always created a... rainstorm... in your room during the dark hours."
Her voice carried sadness, but her meaning burned into me.
"That's not true!" I snapped. "It's not about romance it's about care. These men protect us. How else should I feel when Father loses them so often? I'm an empath, you see!"
I met their eyes one last time before turning back into the shadows, following the voices echoing from the third floor.
