The Demon Lord's Most Treasured Nightingale

Chapter One

       "Ah! You wretched thing!" The head maid's voice shrieked through the empty hall, she tossed the mop bucket on me and began hurting a strong of insults I had become far too numb to hear. The other servants watched with mocking grins as they whispered and giggled about.

             Watching this scene you would think I was a servant girl being chastised and not the lawful daughter of a Grand Duke. I had no authority in my own home as my father was indifferent and my step mother loathed me. She would give incentive to torture and isolate me. I couldn't blame them though, they were commoners working in a noble family second only to the imperial family.

                
              The house of Grand Duke Everett Sampson, the legendary hero of Asteria, was a house of wealth and prestige. Given such a title after his great contributions to expanding and protecting the Asteria kingdom. His second gift was a wife, chosen by the late emperor, to bring more honor to the establishing dukedom.

           The union between the legendary hero and the Rose of Asteria was a joyous day for the empire, my mother brought more prestige to my father as a lady of a founding family and her intellect helped my father's wealth increase through businesses and good investments. She devoted everything to building up my father but he did not reciprocate.

          Many thought him foolish but in fact he was a lesser noble from the countryside, he didn't experience the world of high nobility so he came to the capital with no care for politics. Many found him crass and dull witted but mother did her best to be the ideal wife. However. He saw everything my mother was and all that she had as a trifle compared to his first love, Catherine of Eastwood.

              His blind stubbornness was what landed me and my mother into an undeserved abyss. My consolation was that mother only suffered shortly. She passed away after I turned seven, the diagnosis was the strain of mental distress that led to severe malnourishment.

                    Remembering my mother gave me the strength to grit through everyone's constant harassment and abuse. As the head maid became winded I spotted my younger sister Angelique peeking from the corner. I had tried to befriend her in our youth but she saw me as much of a nuisance as her mother did and did her best to make my life hell and found enjoyment in my humiliation.

           "Oh my dear sister, tsk tsk! How could you work up dear auntie June like this?" She grinned as she approached me with a cheshire grin.

                   Without hesitation she slapped me across the face and then again, she continued until her hand turned red.

             "Oh lady Angelique!" The head maid shrieked in concern as she took Angelique's hand, ""quick! Grab the ointment!" The head maid glared at me before landing a harsh kick to my chest knocking me back. "You wretched creature! This place will be better off without you!"

              They ran away to tend to the precious miss, leaving me to tend to myself. I was used to this though as I slowly stood and trudged off to my room.

         I lived in a separate building on the duke's property, a rather old stone and wood house tucked far from the main building. It was abandoned and took a lot of work but I managed to make it my own. The remote location made it a hassle for them to come mess with me and it gave me some peace.

              Opening the door I was greeted by my only friend, a crystal bird I found as a child. I named her Aurora for the beautiful iridescent shimmer on her white feathers. She had been a gift to Angelique but was discarded for being hideous. They were unaware crystal birds are born rather plain but when raised with care they are known for being extremely beautiful and intelligent.

            Aurora greeted me with worried and concern as she saw my face and haggard appearance.

                 "It's ok my sweet friend, it's nothing worse than what I've already experienced." She looked at me, her golden eyes full of sorrow. "Come, heal me with a duet."

          Aurora began to chirp a sweet melodious tune. I smiled and began humming along in harmony.

               Music was my only joy in this world. My mother was known for her beautiful voice, known as the Siren Rose of Asteria she could make a stone wall weep with her songs. I held her memory close everytime I sang.

            Aurora followed me as I made my way to my room. It had been the most dilapidated place in the house at one point but I managed to repair the cracks and style it into a suitable room. Most of the things in my residence were my mother's, they were outdated but they brought me a sense of comfort.

                  I applied some ointment I had to sneak away and laid on my bed. Music wasn't my only outlet, I also dreamt of a comfortable life. A life out of this hell. A life without the Sampson name binding me like chains around my neck. I was going to leave this place on my eighteenth birthday and never look back. Just the thought was enough to lull me to a deep sleep.