The Child of the Prophecy

Once upon a time, in an empire called Avarician, there was a woman who was blessed with both beauty and elegance. Her name was Lucia from the House of Lizzenberg. She was the eldest daughter of Marquis Lizzenberg, and she was loved by many. Her light blue hair that glimmers like the bright sky and her pair of crimson eyes that resembles a ruby. Even her radiance was compared to the warm rays of the sun. Because of that, everyone initially thought that she was a woman loved by God.

And so, the woman loved by God married the most noble man in the Empire, the young Duke of Belladonna, Duke Cornelius Belladonna. Everyone was in awe with the affection they hold for one another. They weren’t the typical couple married only for political gains because they were more intimate than that. A few years after their marriage, Lucia gave birth to three sons that took after their father’s sculpture-like appearance: pale violet hair and a set of deep purple eyes

They were happy, like a one big family. And they couldn’t be any happier when they found out that the Duchess was blessed with another child. Everyone was thrilled about the news, but it all went to naught after the Duchess gave birth.

She was a healthy little girl that greatly resembles her mother’s exceptional beauty. She had midnight blue hair that take after the dark sky at night and a pair of pink eyes that glowed brighter than any gems. She was supposed to be a blessing for the Belladonna family, but that blessing took the family’s most cherished person.

Despite that, everyone remained positive and looked at her birth like a blessing in disguise. Like the answer for the empire’s prayer.

She was named Eris by her mother and was given a blessed name Soleil by the Pope, stating that it was God’s wish to bless the child with such a name. Blessed names acts like a middle name and are only given to the direct line of the Imperial family, to the Popes, and to the children chosen by God himself. And by that, Eris became special.

Eris was a bright child loved by the people and acknowledged by the Church. Despite the affection she receives from everyone, her family hated her. She had assumed that her family blamed her for the death of their dear mother because of their negligence towards her. The Duchess, who was dearly love by the duke and their sons, took her last breath after admiring her youngest child.

Eris had thought that they will eventually accept her like everyone else did since she was, after all, a Child of the Prophecy.

There was a prophecy, that the Church received, that a child born under the shooting star on the first full moon of the year will be the key to the empire’s prosperity. And she, Eris, was born with the same time the first full moon of the year appeared and right after the shooting star had passed the bright night sky.

Eris did her best to be acknowledged by her family. She did everything perfectly, from her lessons to enhancing her knowledge and expanding her skills. She studied books that even a scholar would find hard to understand. She took swordsmanship lessons to prove herself even worthy of standing beside them. She had thought that she would finally be acknowledged by her family, but another child showed up and was claimed by the Church as another Child of the Prophecy.

The child was the same age as hers and she was born as the same time and day as well. The Cardinal himself was the one to announce her and blessed her with the middle name “Luan.”

All her efforts were discarded. The child resembled her mother’s radiance, and as if entranced, took her family’s attention. It was as if fate was mocking her relentlessly. Eris didn’t give up. No, she couldn’t. She has devoted all her life to be acknowledged and accepted by her family. She couldn’t bear to stop now.

Harmonia Luan Holicrux, she was even bestowed with the family name of one of the great Cardinals of the Empire, Holicrux, and the blessed name Luan, that means moon and warrior. She was that important for everyone. Eris became second and was soon ignored by the people who once looked up to her. They eventually devoted themselves to Harmonia. Even her brothers took a knight’s oath for that child.

Eris was shaken, but she did her best to stay calm and rational. Even if she wanted to lash out at everyone, she didn’t. After all, she still has one last chance to prove her worth. Yes, until her divine powers manifested, she can still turn the tables to her favor.

She was genuinely looking forward to that time when she can show the empire of her usefulness. And she almost went mad when her divine powers manifested. Unlike Harmonia who emitted a warm and lighter divine power, Eris exuded a dark, suffocating energy.

The priests identified her divine powers as corrupted and labeled her as a criminal for deceiving the empire. It was a heavy crime that she was even sentenced to death.

Stunned and bewildered, Eris could not help but laugh at how pathetic she had become. Despite all of that, she couldn’t bring herself to hate the God who gave her those divine powers. Though, at some point, she had wished that she shouldn’t have been born so her mother and family could live happily. If she could, she would gladly trade places with her mother.

The day of her execution came, and everyone were present to witness her downfall. Eris could not be any happier for this day for she will finally receive the peace that was deprived from her because of this tragic fate. Even if she had a few regrets in the past that she wished to change, Eris still embraced the end of her destiny. It was still indeed a thrilling experience for a hateful child like her.

With longing eyes, she looked at her family. A bitter smile painted her lips as she watched how Harmonia clung onto her father’s arm, something she couldn’t do in this life.

‘I would’ve stopped chasing anyone if I knew that this would be the kind of ending I will receive. I would’ve just accepted a marriage proposal and lived far away from them. Maybe life would end up differently than this one.’ She thought to herself. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she remembered those pathetic days she had spent chasing them.

With her innocent expression and the resigned smile plastered on her face, Eris resembled a saint who offered her life for the sake of this empire’s redemption.

“We are gathered here to witness the end of the sinful lady, Eris Soleil Belladonna, who deceived the empire. She did not just deceive us; she even sullied our God’s name and glory. And death will only be the rightful punishment for her crimes.” The knight executioner preached as he stood beside the kneeling Eris.

“I love you, everyone,” she mouthed at her father then she closed her eyes, waiting for the end of her life.

A loud gasped erupted from the crowd. Her father and brothers who were looking at her with empty eyes were astounded as they watch her head roll down the ground, as if they had finally awakened from the enchantment that bound them.

Eris was engulfed by the darkness and a sense of peacefulness surrounded her that she found oddly comforting. It didn’t take long until a blinding light appeared in front of her, making her open her eyes in confusion.

And with a loud noise accompanying her, she found herself kneeling on the floor, her books were scattered on the red fabric below her.

“My child. You are blessed by God. Use this for the betterment of this Empire. I entrust this fate to you.” The warm voice echoed in her head.

Eris stared at the floor with a puzzled look on her face. Just a while ago, she was kneeling in front of a crowd. Then she felt the cold blade of the executioner, decapitating her.

The thought of her death made her jolt. Her hands wrapped around her neck as fear crept on her skin. She was in the middle of breaking down when a familiar chilling voice pulled her back to reality.

“What are you doing? Don’t you realize that you’re blocking the way?” It was her father’s cold voice.

She quickly looked up to him. Her heart pounded as she met the same cold gaze that pierced her before.

“Aren’t you planning to move? Or should I ask the servants to drag you away?” Her eldest brother asked.

But instead of moving, Eris burst out into a fit of laughter, as if she had gone insane. Well, it was a pretty insane experience for her.

Her father and her brothers looked at her in confusion as they watched their youngest laughed as she picked herself up. She dusted off her dress as she stood in front of them. Then a maid caught her attention.

“You there. Throw these shits away. I won’t be needing them anymore,” she ordered, kicking the books with her foot.

The four men were still standing in front of her, surprised at the sudden vulgar words that came out of Eris’ mouth. They were unable to proceed to their destination because of this. The maid only stood behind her brothers. As always, they won’t listen to her.

Eris clicked her tongue then she bends down to grab one of the books on the floor. “You might be deaf or maybe you’re thinking that I’m clowning myself again,” she uttered. She raised her arm that was holding the book, aimed at the maid then threw the book towards her.

The stubborn maid whimpered loudly as her head was hit by the book. And the men watching them looked at Eris with wide eyes.

“What did you just do?!” The second son asked, almost screaming at her.

Eris threw a bored look at him then she shrugged. “Why do you ask? It’s not like you to care about what I do, brother.”

She threw one more glance at them, as if she was memorizing their faces, and without paying her ‘respects’, Eris turned her back to them and went to the garden where she usually frequents.

It must be God who blessed her with another chance. She’s already planning a few things in her head. A few things that she’ll do to satiate her own self while fulfilling the fate entrusted to her by that weird, calming voice.