There are two empires that rule across Alamat. The two imperial families are both loved by mana.
The De Mon imperial family rules over Eclipsia Empire.
The Sun Shine imperial family rules over Solaria Empire.
Each region has an element that is assigned to the locals.
Pyra Land: Fire
Forest of Dreams: Plants
Lake Swan: Water
Grand Bell: Air
The two imperial families wield a different type of magic that is unique to their bloodline. The Sun Shine family with the attribute of light and the De Mon family with the attribute of darkness.
Only one in ten people have the ability to cast magic. Everyone in this world has at least 1% of mana in their body, it is thought that this is evidence that everyone in this world originated from the magic of creation that only the Deities possess, even if they are unable to manifest it.
Like any other fantasy universe, some classes separate and differentiate the skills of the inhabitants of this world. High-borns and nobles can all display their magic at an early age because their ancestors are cherished by mana and were selected by a deity.
Lower-borns have a lower possibility of manifesting as magical user. However, many of those who are able to manifest as a lower born at a young age become far more powerful than a noble and have a high possibility of ascending as a mage. Being able to manifest at a young age as a lower-born means they are blessed by a powerful elemental spirit or on rare occasions, a dragon. Most lower-borns are able to utilize their magic manifest in their teens, and in some cases much later.
With all of that, you'd think that as a member of the imperial family, I'd have superhuman abilities. That's where you're mistaken. As I mentioned before, Zhilda's powers remain sealed, and I am currently unfit for the title "Princess" of Eclipsia.
Although I am Zhilda, I do not represent her soul. I am now no longer influenced by the curse that originally fell upon her. I can't say the same for her family's curse; I'm not sure if not being cursed excludes the trigger I have on the imperial family.
According to the novel, Zhilda's curse forced her to struggle with a whole bunch of voices inside her head that led her astray. It fed her lies and fake hatred, eventually driving her insane until she lost control of her own mind. She mindlessly followed the whispers in her head. Transforming into the viscous villainess that we all know her as in the novel. That was her curse.
The emperor and her siblings were unable to see her. It's easy to see why they must continue to keep their distance from her, despite their wishes. The empire requires a sane imperial family member; if all of them have gone insane, what will become of the empire? Despite the warnings and the clear reason why they shouldn't see her, the brothers rebelled. After all, they were still simply children.
They began looking over Zhilda from a distance as soon as they learned of her existence, believing that maintaining their distance while watching over her would not trigger their curse. Monitoring Zhilda ultimately became a routine for the three brothers, and they even began taking turns. They had no idea how badly this would backfire on them...
The first incident of them losing sight of themselves suddenly happened.
Henry killed his own twin brother with his blade, screaming in anguish as he knelt on the ground, reflecting on his own deeds that he couldn't comprehend, while Vincent stood in horror as the incident unfolded right before his eyes.
After that, Henry decided it was only logical to stop watching over Zhilda after realizing that was what drove him insane and resulted in him killing their brother. Vincent, on the other hand, continued to disregard the curse's effect, which had caused a feud between the imperial family, unaware that the fight was already a part of the curse's effect.
Then the second.
Vincent murders his own father in a power struggle, clinging to his grudge against the emperor and becoming the new emperor himself. This was no longer him. It was the curse that heightened his rage and amplified even the most minor negative emotions in his heart.
Regardless of Henry's disapproval... his suppressed guilt couldn't help but keep an eye on their lonely sister even when she was taken in by the duke's family and was turned into Solaria's Empress.
The third.
Henry was engulfed in an inconceivable amount of forbidden magic, driven insane by his desire for power and dominance over the people. As he cried to himself, he reverted to his original self, fighting for control of his own mind while still enveloped in the forbidden magic. Henry then decided that it was better to end his life than to cling to it and take someone else's.
Then finally, the fourth.
Vincent held a blade in his hand as he stood tall in front of Zhilda, his sister, and Solaria's Empress. Zhilda knelt, her head up, matching her brother's glare.
She knew she was going to die there, even if it was only because of an accusation.
As I find it amusing when reading this part, Zhilda was also intrigued that the reason she was going to die was not because of the actual sins she had committed that had completely obliterated Eclipsia; a powerful empire, her birthplace and very origins, from the map. She was going to die because she was accused of poisoning the FL that had recently captured Vincent's eyes.
Vincent thrust his sword into Zhilda's heart, then yanked it out, allowing her lifeless body to fall to the floor giving her an easy and quick death. He then raised the blade of his sword to his neck, slicing his own throat and killing himself, following his sister to death.
As I was reading this, it was made clear that Vincent was not killing Zhilda because he believed she poisoned the FL. It was because Vincent wished to see Zhilda and his prolonged suffering come to an end. He died holding his sister's hand as the effects of the curse slowly wore off him after his sister died.
Truly a tragedy. All of their questionable actions were caused by the curse, it made sure not a single light could shine inside their hearts as it continued to darken it.
This is precisely why I am worried about meeting them. Not because I dislike them, but because if the curse is still active, I'd prefer to keep myself alive and, if possible, keep Zhilda's family sane rather than turning them into a parade of villains. I need a way to protect myself if that becomes unavoidable.
In the novel, Zhilda was magically powerless until she met her end due to the seal on her powers, so for a change, I will break that seal in order to obtain Zhilda's Engkanto eyes, which she inherited from the empress. It's also possible that she possesses the same type of magic as the empress... The twins inherited only their mother's eyes, not her magic. I really hope Zhilda has it once I reactivate her abilities.
Besides, I can't stop thinking how cool and badass I'd look with fantasy abilities.
I still have time to take action and make some minor changes to the story that hopefully won't affect important plots that I need not to change so I can eventually avoid them in the future.
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I watched as the birds fly by above us, envying their carefree short life. Ella and I are sat down on the grass, with a flower crown on my hand that I just made earlier.
"What do we call this animal, your highness?" Ella points enthusiastically at a flash card picture of a cat, waiting patiently for my answer that she knows wouldn't come; but she continues to wait for me to talk anyways.
"It's called a cat, your highness." She smiles as she puts the flashcard down, lifting another picture of an animal. "How about this one?"
I continue to stare at the images as I glance at her in an inquisitive manner at times pretending I'm at least interested. I'm somewhat grateful it's not a cluster of adult knowledge and a bunch of fantasy world etiquette we're dealing with.
"It's an elephant, your highness" Ella continues as she puts down the image of an elephant. She gave me a sad look after putting down the flash cards.
ELLA'S POV
The princess is about to turn five this month, but she has yet to say her first words since birth. There was not even a single utterance of random gibberish words. I'm wondering if the curse is also affecting her communication skills. Nonetheless, she continues to listen to me as if she understands what I am saying to her... Despite the fact that she appears to be very distracted at times.
"Would you like to go to the garden, princess?" I suggested, forcing a cheerful expression on my face to avoid appearing glum and pitiful in front of the princess. The princess gave me a slight nod, her face expressionless. Despite how minor her expressions are, I have learned to read them over the years, and right now I can tell she is relieved that I suggested going outside.
I've heard that the curse has an effect on her cognition and will cause her to do unspeakable things, which is why I've been assigned to her specifically. I can use my family's ability to calm the mind. I've tried it on her several times, but it doesn't seem to affect her, which means there's no evidence of the curse influencing her negative thoughts. I'm not even sure if it exists at all.
I walked across the land of the Emerald Palace, carrying the princess in my arms, who appeared to be lost in thought. I often wonder what she is thinking because she always seems to be thinking more and saying less. Empress Grazilldha used to live in this palace. She stayed in this palace for a long time while pregnant with the twins.
Her daughter now owns it. This palace eventually became a sanctuary for the princess, protecting her from greedy and evil eyes, but I know we can't keep her here indefinitely. She will want to see the world outside of this palace one day, and we must prepare for that.
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ZHILDA'S POV
As soon as we arrived at the garden, I felt a sense of obligation. I don't get to visit the garden very often, so when Ella mentioned it, I immediately remembered why I needed to be here so badly. I'm not exactly forbidden from going to the garden; it's just that I've chosen to strictly adhere to my no-speaking rule to the point where I have no idea how to explain why I want to come here. Acting cute in front of Ella and using my puppy eyes won't get me anywhere.
I don't want to startle Ella by saying, "Can we go to the garden?" as my first words. That's an unusual request to use my words for the first time... But, since it is quite important, I did think about it. There's no need to waste my breath now that I'm already here.
I pranced happily among the flowers, pretending to be interested in the plants despite the fact that what I really came for is buried beneath the structure of the garden, and the plant that I'm really interested in is also buried beneath the water that surrounded the center of the garden.
This means I need to jump in the water to acquire the plant myself, but how will I do that under Ella's careful surveillance over me?
Ella heard a ping in her pocket, so she pulled out the item where that source of sound came from, an Arti. An Arti is a magical ball device that shows a projection mid-air which can only be seen by the user and acts as easy access to sending and receiving information. You can say it's like a phone in our world. "Oh, your highness, I just received orders to head to the Imperial Palace. In the meantime, I will let you wander around the garden; if you ever require any immediate assistance, press this necklace, and someone will rush to your aid."
Bingo. I guess this universe still favors me somehow.