Lazarus Peirsaly

6. I Live a Lie

"What are you doing here so early, Hiev?"

"I had hoped to see you again, so my trips outside of the castle have became more frequent." Her lips curl into a small smile.

"We barely know each other though."

"Strangers we may be, but conversation is meant to bridge that gap, no?"

"That's true, but you should start with people closer that are readily accessible."

"There is no one like that for me." A somber look crosses over her face, leaving as fast as it came. Another touchy subject I should avoid for now.

"I came here to clear my head and think of what to do next, so you're free to do whatever."

"Then may I be seated by your side?"

"A supposed princess like you shouldn't be so obsessed with an unknown commoner like me, but suit yourself." I move over a little so that she may rest her back upon the tree as well. Taking my invitation, she sits next to me. Thinking about it, if she is someone of such high standing, maybe she could help me get into that battle... I just need to steer the conversation in that direction.

"You needn't think of me as a princess. I am human just as you are."

"According to someone, I think I'm less than a human." An image of Lurinyo flashes through my mind.

"Who would say such a thing? I believe you to be akin to the divine." She frowns, getting upset on my behalf.

"I appreciate the praise, but we don't really know each other well and I haven't done anything to warrant it." I do love praise when I earn it. Needless praise... Just flattery that I don't like. Perhaps another thing retained in my personality despite the lack of memories.

"You have shown kindness to someone like myself, so that is reason enough to know that you are a person of great character."

"I don't see any reason to be rude to someone randomly. And you look beautiful, so I can't see why people would despise you for no reason."

Hiev's eyes widen a little and she hangs her head, turning it away from me. Did I say something wrong? It's hard to tell with this girl. She lets out a small exhale, her voice coming out a little softer.

"I had forgotten in my joy... You know nothing of this world because of your memories. One blind to the workings of it would treat others equally. If you knew about myself, your kindness would not be extended to me..."

"What's the matter? Why are you suddenly so down?" Again, I'm faced with having to comfort someone.

"It would be wrong to keep you ignorant of my condition. I was born magicless, giving me a pure white appearance. They call us Enetos. Very rarely, an unfortunate soul will be birthed lacking mana and magic, as if they were broken. Magic is widely used in everyday life from cooking to combat, so those unlucky like myself are pariahs. There is no value in one that cannot contribute to this world. As such, we are looked down upon and cast away. A stereotype formed that Enetos are demonic beings slipping into the souls of newborns, causing our color to be drained and our magic to disappear. Normally someone with this condition would be killed or abandoned outside of this kingdom, but I was birthed into nobility. The healers already knew of my birth due to them assisting with it, so disposing of me would be impossible unless they wished to reveal to the world that the royal family had a filthy Eneto in it. I am kept locked up inside my room, scarcely appearing in public through the use of illusionary magic. A handmaiden who also birthed an Eneto took pity upon me and destroyed the latches of a window, allowing me a way to exit my room to enjoy the world. I am sorry for not informing you of my vile affliction."