Cruel Star

Chapter 1 - Ara Bella

"WAKE THE HELL UP, ARA!"

Ugh, that'd be Lydia. Couldn't she let me sleep for like... 5 more minutes? Not everyone can power through the night on some cheap coffee and a dream. Though... to be honest, if I didn't get up now, there'd be hell to pay later.

I managed to shrug off my blankets, really a cheap rag found in the rubbish, and got up to face this wretched world. Honestly, I wonder if Lydia knows how well she has it. Being blind and all, she didn't have to be a slave for some rich snob with a bunch more magic (and money) than us. I've honestly considered poking my eyes out so I can avoid my fate in two months.

I turned and looked at my Big Sis; she seemed to practically be bouncing off the walls. So she was in a good mood I guess.

Her red-almost-purple hair flew around her face as she spun around, humming a tune.

"What's with you? There's never really much to be happy about around here, so spit it out."

"My dear, grumpy, but cute Ara, the king's coming to town today!"

Well, that's a surprise, but why's she so happy? The king's come before. We do live in the capital of low-ranks.

"And?"

"Oh, Ara, he's bringing the prince with him!"

"Aaaaaandddd.....?????"

"Ugh, Ara! He's your age!"

"AAAAAAAANNNNNNDDDDD???"

"Ara, you're insufferable. What if he spots you in the crowd and falls in love? You'll be whisked away to the castle like in a story, and you'll become a princess!"

Like hell that'd happen, but I can't deny, I'd love to be a princess.

"How would he pick me out among the tens of thousands of other miserable mugs cramming to see him?"

"With this!"

I saw a dress floating towards me. Lydia's magic. At least she could do that; I couldn't even make a spoon turn over. That was kinda normal for a seventeen-year-old around here, though, but that could all change when I turned eighteen.

I looked at the dress. I raised an eyebrow, it was pretty, for some low-rank nobodies. It was a pretty standard white dress, with some blue smooth fabric stitched on the side.

"I don't think this is gonna do much for me."

"Oh, stop moping. There's a bucket out back with some water in it. Wash yourself and go put on the dress."

"Whatever you say, Big Sis."

She stopped, then sighed.

"What?"

"You talk like anyone else around here, but when you go out you try and talk like you're an educated noble or something."

"Is that an insult?"

"No... but... maybe it's time to stop pretending."

"Whatever, I've got a bath to take."

After washing myself, I ran to our makeshift kitchen for some sort of breakfast.