Black Princess

Ever since I was a little girl, my brother has always been by my side. Protecting, caring, and feeding me; brother is always there for me when I need him. He'll give me everything I need and want. He'll even give me his life.

When we were little, we used to live in an estate near our father's castle. It was an estate that was only for the families of the emperor. Together with our half sisters, Cornelia and her little sister, Euphemia, we used to make flower crowns and necklaces. It was really fun. Specially whenever we visit our father's castle, where my two older half brothers work. We used to play around the castle's halls, but when we got caught by one of the maids, we were sent to the library to read books instead of playing with my siblings. They said that it was important for young princes and princesses to learn more about our empire than playing silly games around the castle.

I remember the time when my mother took us on a trip in a private forest park inside the estate. That night we laid in the forest grass for the first time, and watched the stars at the sky until we fell asleep. My mother watched over us while we were sleeping. She said that she was laughing the whole night because Euphie and I were fight ing over big brother while we were sleeping. We both wanted to sleep beside him back then.

Our childhood wasn't as peaceful as heaven. My mother was the emperor's seventh wife. Compared to his majesty's other wives, my mother was only a commoner when they met. His majesty and her met in a park in the Pendragon city. His majesty, who was thirty- two years old, disguised himself as a beggar asking for food. Everyone ignored him, but mother, who was only ten years old then, gave him a loaf of bread with strawberry jam spread on it. Father instantly fell in love with her, and promised he will return after ten years.

Marianne the Flash was the nickname father gave her when she decided to join the Knights of Rounds. She became really good with knightmare frames and became a legend in fighting. That time she proved that she was rightful to be the emperor's new wife. She was twenty when she married father, and she was twenty- four when she gave birth to brother.

The other wives complained that it wasn't fair for their sides that the emperor always visits our family. They were envious to the the attention that mother received from his majesty. Consequently, they bullied us often. They always do mean things to mother and brother while I hide under my bed, crying. Mother ignored them because they weren't worth it.

At the night of brother's birthday ball, mother was murdered. They said I was with her that time. I became blind and crippled because of shock. However, I don't remember anything from that incident- nothing. Because of this, brother became furious. He went to his majesty's throne and questioned his actions. He told father what he did and what he should do. He also blamed father for mother's death. He said that he didn't protect her.

Father thought brother was being proud of himself and thought he wasn't worthy to be his son. Father shoved him away and said, "who gave you your name? Your clothes and status? Wasn't it me? I gave you the roof above your head. I even gave you your own life. And that's how you repay me? Questioning my actions and opinions? You aren't worthy of my name. You aren't worth of the life I have given!"

As soon as father said that, tears came out of brother's eyes. But it wasn't tears of sadness nor fear. It was tears of hatred and great acrimony. He told father that he didn't want the throne nor his name in the first place. Brother left the throne room, but father warned him. Brother ignored his warnings and continued walking. He knew that time, he couldn't come back again.

Brother went to visit me in my hospital room. His aura was intense. I knew there was a problem.

I felt the hatred that I fear to see. Fortunately, I couldn't see his face back then. I stroke my hands towards his crying face to calm him down. He said my hands were warm and cozy. At that time, I didn't know his conversation with father. Brother just told me that we couldn't stay in the estate anymore, and packed our things.