Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Two - Painting a Picture

The reflection in the pond revealed a broken girl with red, puffy eyes and a trembling lip. Jade's mother's words echoed in her mind, as sharp and unrelenting as ever. "That boy can do much better than you, and he will. You're a fool for thinking otherwise." Jade spent years convincing herself that her mother was wrong. Even as her father comforted her after each unanswered letter, she could almost feel her mother turning in her grave, watching Jade fulfill her expected role—as a disappointment.

When Alex proclaimed his love for her in a song, calling her "too pretty for a Serf," he changed her life forever. That single line condemned her to isolation, as other Serfs distanced themselves, unwilling to associate with someone deemed desirable by an Arc. Meanwhile, Arcs sought her out, trying to claim what Alex had so publicly marked as his. Despite the difficulties his words brought her, Jade remained steadfast, even turning away another who had loved her, holding on to the hope that Alex would return.

She threw herself into her studies, finding solace in herbology and the garden she cultivated to aid the Serfs of Inanis. She studied the works of Prince Emanuel of Thundaar from dawn to dusk, mastering the art of raising plants with healing properties. The Serfs accepted the medicinal herbs she grew, took advantage of the help she offered, yet still spat on the ground where she walked.

Warnings rang in her ears daily, urging her not to place her future in the hands of a boy destined to leave her behind. Both Arcs and Serfs taunted her, insisting Alex would eventually see her as beneath him, that his promises of returning to a nobody in Inanis would prove empty. But Jade refused to believe them. She had faith in Alex—until today. Until he did exactly what everyone had warned her he would.

She choked on her sobs, pressing a hand to her chest, trying to contain the unbearable ache of being unwanted. Maybe Asai would take pity on her and answer her prayers by granting her a place in Omega 3. After dedicating eight years to studying medicinal herbs, her only remaining dream was to become a nurse. Sometimes, she dared to dream bigger—of owning her own practice, where Arcs and Serfs alike would come seeking her expertise, where her knowledge would be respected. But when a group of Serfs burned her garden to ash, she knew better than to let her hopes rise too high.

"Oh no, what's wrong, my little dove?"

Jade stiffened, a shiver running down her spine. She rose to her feet, eyes fixed on the ground as James wrapped an arm around her waist.

"I brought your last sale," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement. "Figured you could use the money at whatever Omega takes strays—if any, that is."

James, an Arc as immaculate as the rest, was a celebrated up-and-coming artist in Findere. A cruel smirk curled his lips as he toyed with her.

"You should be happy. Your best customer paid top dollar for that painting. What did I tell you? The less you wear, the more you make." He ran his fingers along her back, tracing the raised scars with unsettling familiarity.

Jade's face burned with shame.

"So, did lover boy say yes?" James continued, feigning curiosity. "After all that modeling you did to save for the ring? Not to mention the other... favors you granted around town? After everything you sacrificed?"

His grip tightened slightly. "Come now. He must have said yes. You were so certain he would. So sure he'd be the answer to all the pain you've endured."