I stare at myself in the mirror that has haunted me for ages.
My nails are like claws.
My teeth are like fangs.
My eyes are bloodthirsty.
My skin, the armor I dreamed of wearing since I was 8, is covered in blood.
Was it my blood, or someone else's?
I suddenly see the light beaming into my eyes, and I look to see who opened the blinds of my window. It was none other than Hyun.
"We all know how much you love yourself, so no need to stare, Mavis," he scoffs, walking to my bedside table and rummaging through my drawers.
"Trying to find something to get high?" I say as I take off my armor and place my sword on my belt holder.
"Why? Have something to tell me?" He stands up straight and stares down at me. The look in his eyes tells me he is pissed off. I don't like the way his eyes bore down at me because he's taller.
"Mr. Almighty tells me that you have a prophecy to fulfill in the next week," he crosses his arms. Boy, he looks intimidating.
I roll my eyes. At this point, my eyes should be stuck because of how much I roll them. I can't help it; it pisses both of them off.
"He said I have a few more years till I have to—" Before I can finish, Hyun walks near the door, takes one of my swords off the wall, and gives me the 'just do it' look.
He tells me in the sweetest voice he can at this moment that 16 is the perfect age to die. I mean, all the greatest heroes died at 16. Except for my mother, who died at 28, when I was 3, and my father is still alive, so I wouldn't say that he is one of the greatest heroes, as he calls himself.
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I'm sitting on my father's throne. My feet on his armrests as I eat a grape or two I stole from the dinner table.
Would I say I respect him and his
work?
I wouldn't speak.
I just don't like the guy.
What is there to like?
Bla bla bla bla bla...
"...so if you don't follow these rules, the workers here are allowed to complain about you, and I think that would ruin your chances of becoming queen." Hyun keeps speaking, and I'm so sick of his voice at this point. All he does is talk, train, worry, be angry, eat (finally), and then sleep, repeat lots of talking during and in between all of it. You'd think he's some social maniac or such, but he's quite the opposite.
"Did you listen to a goddamn word I said?" Hyun is irritated as he signs some paper and scribbles on it, probably declining a date from the richest lady in the kingdom of happiness, called Luceria. Not really a joyful name.
"Mavis. Speak," Hyun says, irritated, and I speak up, "mhm, no bitchy attitude." I get up from the throne and walk to the nearest window.
"No attitude overall, or your father will personally get a letter of how annoying you are," he scoffs and leaves, so I follow him.
Hyun and I have been friends for over a decade. He's been chosen as my helper, tutor/teacher, sparring partner, friend, bodyguard, and planner. I'm next in line for the throne, so my father thinks having someone teach me the values of death and harm, and most of all, the rich people and what they do for the kingdom, will be a delight for the future of Luceria.
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"She has no manners, no kind bones in her body, and most importantly, she has no empathy for anyone! She doesn't listen to us. She's not ready to rule!"
Said the woman who stood in front of my father and Hyun. My father is practically grating his teeth as the woman continues. He hates hearing negative things about his choices.
He wanted me to walk around the palace and kingdom and do my royal type duties to get used to the idea of ruling a kingdom, but it seems as if everyone hates the idea of me being next in line.
"You should've just smiled and nodded when they spoke," Hyun whispered into my ear.
"They wanted honest feedback," I said, ignoring the woman's hurtful words as she continued. "I won't lie to people who expect to trust me when the time comes.
"People believe lies more than the truth." Hyun whispered, getting more irritated by the second.
"Honesty saves time. One lie is enough to question all truths." I sigh and cross my arms while staring at the woman, and then I hear the one thing I never wanted to hear.
"She's not even blood-related to you!"
That stung.
"She may not be related to me, but she is my daughter, and I expect all of Luceria to accept that!" My father said furiously as he stood from his throne, making it clear.
I honestly have never felt that I belonged.
For starters, I'm different.
I've been raised as a warrior and not a daughter, future ruler, or child. I've been taught to fight till one backs down or fails to open their eyes, and honestly, that's how I got the name of the bloodthirsty queen. Anytime I would fight with someone, they would end up with stains, sprains, cuts, bruises, and broken bones. I was raised that way, I know no different.
Everyone knew since the moment the war was done. The war everyone thought would be the last, the war of good versus bad, villains versus heroes.
Both sides lost a lot that day.
But one lost more than the other.
The heroes.
It was a tough fight. On both sides, both the villain and hero, after they've lost what kept them alive, pledged to change for the better or for the worst.
The villain decided to cut off all contact with Luceria.
After both sides found out that there's a prophecy in which the children of the villain and hero will fight to the death to finally finish the strong debate of which side will win.
The heroes or villains?
I've been preparing basically since I was able to stand. Has it been tough being raised like a pig to get slaughtered but maybe have a slim chance of surviving? Sure.
How does it feel knowing I'll probably die soon?
Well, sometimes dying is the only way of surviving.
And sometimes I think I'm created to destroy.
I can't handle just standing there and letting the woman say hurtful things in front of me. I was never good at confrontation, but sometimes actions speak louder than words.
I walk out of the room and walk calmly towards the gardens to sit and watch as the sun sets.
As I'm sitting down, I see this girl, or woman, approach me. Probably a maid of some sort or someone who tends to the garden. She has beautiful gray-blue eyes and raven-black hair. Her skin is pale, and she looks delicate.
But she doesn't smile.
