The Palace of the First Queen

Prologue

The little girl ran into the open fields. Basking in the sun's warmth, she laid on the dew-filled grass.

A lone tear trickled down her cheeks. Fear not, the tear was no longer lone, for it was followed by many others.

She closed her eyes, the glazing sun was becoming far too much.

Why did her mother take her sister reading but not her? Why did her father take her sister fishing, not her? Why do the tutors pay more attention to her sister than to her?

And why did Arwin, who was her first and only friend, become closer to her sister and has began to completely forget her?

Just thinking about it made her weep harder.

Worst of all, her sister was benevolent, nice and helpful, with a merry face, a smile filled with warmth, and a sparrow-like voice. Therefore, no matter how many times she had tried, she couldn't bring herself to hate her sister.

However, she was angry. Why did her sister be born minutes before her? Why was her sister the heir to the throne? What did her sister have that she lacked?

She directed her anger towards herself. Why does it matter? Why does she envy her sister? So what, if they ignore her but bath her sister with attention? Why does it matter?

Her thoughts were interrupted when a shadow fell over her.

Opening her eyes, she jerked up, and glanced at the sun-blocker, her face stricken with tears.

The sun-blocker was a little boy, who looked to be around her age.

He had golden hair that fell over his eyes, and glistening crystal blue eyes. His clothes were basic; a white, quarter-sleeved tunic, black shorts, white socks, and black, polished shoes.

He squinted down, extending his hand to the little girl. "Hi, I'm Atanacio."

The little girl looked at his extended hand, then at his genuine face. With reluctance, she extended her hand, accepting his. "I'm Mariel."

Mariel was over the moon, when he didn't abandon her when he learned that she wasn't her sister. Thus, she decided to be selfish and keep Atanacio for herself for a little longer.