WALANIYA

Chapter 1: Opaline

They deserved it.

The constant insults thrown at them, the glares they'd receive as soon as they entered the room and the hatred of over half the population.

Viles didn't deserve respect nor could they ever earn it after the hellish years they put her ancestors through.

Lyia stared at the woman with black eyes and patterns resembling peacock feathers scattered all over her skin through her vanity mirror.

The said woman was making her bed.

"You should be grateful that you can even step into this palace," she spoke, brushing her hair.

The woman froze, not daring to look over at the royal sat on the cushioned seat in front of her vanity.

She didn't speak. Vermin weren't allowed to speak.

Trying to process what just happened, the woman continued to make her bed until her job was finally done. Wanting to leave the room as quickly as possible, she bowed and left through the double doors.

Lyia scoffed, "At least she knows her place."

It was another day in Oezath, Lyia was simply getting ready to go downstairs and have breakfast with her family.

Lyia Scarlet Brone.

The beloved niece of Oezath's King.

Possessing brown hair with odd strands that shone golden during sunset and sunrise, people would always stare in awe. Freckles were splattered all over her skin just like the stars painting the sky. However, the true gem of her appearance were the emerald eyes she would always get complimented for.

A work of art indeed.

But that's all she ever was. No one payed any attention to her unless they were admiring her beauty.

However, she was intelligent and she was going to make everyone realise that sooner or later.

Lyia stood up, staring at herself in the mirror. A blank look painted over her face, she analysed herself from head to toe.

Perfect.

She made her way out her bedroom and down the long corridor decorated with fancy, crimson wallpaper and shining wooden floors.

Reaching the grand staircase, she began to walk down, her destination being the dinner hall.

She finally made it to the huge dining room where her family were already waiting for her.

"Finally," her cousin muttered under her breath, "you take so fucking long."

Lyia sat down on her seat next to Ezmarie, making sure to kick her right shin once she was fully seated.

Ezmarie yelped in pain, turning to glare at Lyia.

"If you two fight before the day has even started, I will make sure you both don't attend the Aziro celebration this year," the Queen spoke up, too focused on eating her breakfast to actually look at the bickering teenagers.

Ezmarie immediately turned her head towards her, making sure that the action was extremely dramatic, "Mother, that's completely unfair!"

"Enough about all that nonsense, have you heard the news?" Lyia's father spoke up, looking directly at his older brother.

The King looked up from his meal and raised his eyebrow.

"Opaline joined the K.L.I.P."

All heads turned towards Sullivan, the news a shock to all of them.