Villainous Minds

P R O L O G U E

A little girl -barely ten years old- sat on the far right corner of the stairs leading to the grand hall of the temple. She was fidgeting with the hem of her beautiful white frock, not used to wearing such fancy clothes. Her silver hair was pulled into a small, braided bun, decorated with blue hair ornaments.

One year ago, a few men in uniforms had come to the orphanage, saying that she was the illegitimate daughter of Duke Snowdrop. They had taken her to a huge mansion, and suddenly her entire life had changed.

Her eyes sparkled when she saw her new family. Others were scared of her father. They bowed when he walked past.  When her new mother walked into the room, everyone quieted down and lowered their gaze in respect.

They were like those mighty heroes in fairy tales that the orphanage lady read to her.

A few months after, when she aced the examination her new tutors had made for her, they extended their hand lovingly and said, ‘Zinnia, you will have a last name now. You shall be known as Zinnia Snowdrop, the future heir to the Snowdrop dukedom’

And Zinnia, being a little girl, cried happy tears and accepted. Unaware of the terms of this little contract that went unspoken.

Her reverie was interrupted. “Dear, you shouldn't sit on the stairs like a commoner! Come on, get up. It's our turn now.”

The little girl, Zinnia, perked up at the voice of her step mother, Sarel Snowdrop. She looked impeccable as always, wearing a beautiful red gown and blonde hair in a neat bun.

“Okay…” Zinnia got up, and held her mother's hand as they walked up the stairs. A question lingered in her mind, though. "Pardon me for asking, mother, but  isn’t this the temple? Isn't everyone equal in the eyes of the almighty? Why does it matter where I sit?"

Her question had been innocent, and so had her intention. She missed the way her step-mother’s smile became tight and forced, how it didn't reach her golden eyes.

"Just listen to me …dear. Do as I say. We're always different from the others, no matter the place. And we must always be mindful of it"

She brought her hand palm up in front of Zinnia's face, and a swirl of orange fire appeared from it. It grew and grew towards the sky until it reached the thick sheet of clouds which covered the sun that afternoon. It coiled above their heads into a sphere, becoming brighter and illuminating the entire area anew like a second sun.

Zinnia could only gape in awe. She could feel the heat coming from it, and its sunlight felt so, so real.  Any display of a noble’s magic always left her in awe.

“See that?” Said her mother, looking at the ball of fire with pride, "All this is just with a medium affinity with magic. A true noble of the Roseridge Kingdom has a much higher affinity.”

She turned to Zinnia, her eyes fierce, “This is what makes us different, what makes us better, what makes us noble. This power cannot be cultivated, one can only be born with it. Like us, You need to uphold the reputation of the dukedom as an heir with a high magic affinity.”

Zinnia gulped, setting her face into a fierce expression, imitating her step-mother.

“I understand, mother."

In the world of Antares, Everyone has some form of magic. Humans, vampires, werewolves, animals, even machines. Magic was the backbone of this world.