Am I a Villainess?

Forgotten Son

I am not a loved child, that much I've known my whole life. My father was an irresponsible prince who liked to chase skirts more than learn how to rule. Theodoric never met a pretty maid he could not bed, nor a nobleman he could not charm. My mother was a naïve mountain tribe princess who fell foolishly in love with my father.

From what I understand, my mother visited the Capitol with other tribal heirs as a part of a diplomatic mission. My grandfather, the previous King, had wanted to build stronger bonds between the Kingdom of Ralbion and the tribes of the southern border.

A good alliance would strengthen the borders against invaders. The tribes were independent and would occasionally help the people of Ralbion against invading forces. Unless their relationship was poor. Then they would turn a blind eye to invading forces. The tribes had never been conquered, the very land around them defended against invaders.

My mother fell in love with my father who charmed her to amuse himself. My father, Theodoric, had a reputation for skirt chasing. And my mother Adrija was young and innocent. When she became pregnant my grandfather forced a marriage to save my mother and her family any shame.

Prince Theodoric did not calm his urges after marriage. During my mother's pregnancy he cavorted with ladies of the night and social climbing lesser ladies. Adrija fell into a deep depression from the shame of having such a husband. Shortly after giving birth to me she fell ill and died.

I don't know if my mother ever loved me, or if she hated my existence for trapping her with such a man. I grew up without a mother and with a father who barely showed any interest in me.

Grandfather was the only person who paid any attention to me. He told me about my mother, showed me a portrait of her. He hired the best tutors and ate with me every day. When I succeeded in my studies he showed pride, when I cast my first spell he applauded. But he never hugged or kissed me. Just ruffled my hair or patted my back when I performed well during my studied.

Grandfather taught me what it meant to be royalty.

"We are servants, we serve our people. We keep them safe, keep them fed, keep the peace. They do not serve us, we serve them. Remember this, your father has forgotten, but you wont."

My Grandfather always told me to be better than my father.

Grandfather organized a marriage for my father with a foreign princess. Ayla was cold and distant, and very beautiful. When she arrived she was polite but her smile never reached her eyes. She became pregnant soon after the marriage. I knew that I was an obstacle.

My grandfather kept me close, so I did not mind much. It was obvious that I was his favorite. I was safe and cared for. Until he died.

His last words to me were "be a better man."

My father was crowned King and I became isolated. Though he allowed me to keep my tutors.

Ayla soon had twins, everyone speculated that my younger brother would be named the heir. But my father never seemed to care about the succession. I was safe, for now.

One day I met Duke Draco of the House Adamaris. Duke Adamaris had come at my father's behest to handle some issues. Apparently my father had allowed some political and bureaucratic issues to come to a boil. He had surrounded himself with flatterers and sycophants. However Draco was an old friend from the academy that he trusted. Draco also had enough power and influence to set the court straight. He was known as a great naval commander and excellent lord. He was also a distant cousin of my father which gave him a right to rule in his stead.

When Draco arrived I thought he looked very stern. He was very gentle with me and soon I realized that he was trustworthy. Draco was cut from the same cloth as my Grandfather. I wonder how he and Theodoric became friends.