Am I a Villainess?

The Wrong Side of the Tracks

My mother dressed me in a dark blue velvet dress with red satin accents. I was going to visit the capital with my father for the first time and she was taking special care with my hair. There was an intricate circlet that covered my blessed scar. Celeste always dressed me in darker colors so my skin would look lighter.

I think she's self conscious about the comments other nobles have made about her skin. Personally I think she is gorgeous, she looks like she was kissed by the sun. Plus she is beautiful in white. I'm not as dark as her, but I'm also not a pale porcelain doll, which is the desired complexion amongst the nobles. I preferred being indoors with books and music and when I did go out to play on the beach or ride my horse, my mother insisted I do so when the sun was setting.

Celeste walked me to the Teleportation Circle and kissed my forehead. "Be kind to your father."

I nodded my head and stepped onto the circle. The runes glowed bright for a moment and I felt the ebb and flow of magic.

The magic of the Ralbion Kingdom wasn't like my mother's magic. Her magic felt like curved lines, Kingdom magic was like straight lines. Circles versus squares. Home cooking versus baking. It was all about precision and control. I closed my eyes as the glow from the runes increased and when I opened them Adros and my father were waiting.

Adros bowed his head and I curtsied before throwing aside my manners lessons and hugging him. He patted my head with a chuckle while his dragon, Axon, nuzzled my cheek. Adros and his dragon had grown much since I first met them. Adros was five when I was born, and now he was nine years old. Almost old enough to join the junior Royal magic academy.

"It's a bit early but I did get you a present" he handed me a small black velvet bag.

I looked curiously at it before thanking him. Adros laughed, "it's a bag of holding, it can hold any item and feel completely weightless."

My eyes widened and I stared at the small bag in my hands before hugging Adros once again.

"Thank you Adi, it's a wonderful gift. I love you."

Adros tightened his grip on me and I could feel him chuckle. "Me too." He murmured in an almost pained voice.

This was a part of my personality carried over from my previous life. I never hesitated to tell my family and friends that I loved them. When I died I knew that I had not left anyone wondering whether or not I cared. I sometimes wondered if my more introverted relationships loved me. My sister had not said "I love you" to me for years, she wasn't the type to say those words so I always wondered. I did not want to leave any one wondering.

I chose to be Adros' friend because he had few, and I chose to love him because I'm sure he has few loved ones. I might be the only person to ever utter these words to him. He never knew how to respond to affection because he received so little of it. Celeste would often stroke his head, and Draco would pat his back and pay him praise. The whole family saw a child in need of affection and doled it out as much as they could, with certain considerations to his station. I was less reserved.

I heard my father clear his throat behind us. Adros smiled at him and let me go.

"Sorry Draco." Adros said sheepishly, but I clung to him.

"Papa, can Adi come and play with us."

My father looked at war with himself and Adros patted my head.

"I'll play with you another day, your father set aside a whole day for you. Enjoy it."

I nodded obediently and grabbed Draco's hand. "Come on Papa. Let's get my gift."