In The Blood

Chapter one: louise?

///Yeeeeeey :) well, hello there, the name is C.e.s.p. How you doing? *wiggles her eyebrows* this is the first story that I will upload to whatpadd, so pls leave feed back about it :) thanks for reading!///

"Louise!!" Damn that was fast. Mother comes running into my room, her frilly pink dress fluttering delicately around her like waves around an oversized shark. Her piercing eyes scan the filigree covered walls, searching for me. She's angry, and i think i may know why.
"Louise Amelia von Sierbet! Make yourself visible this instant unless you want to be locked up in the cellar again!" I sigh. Damn, I'm in more trouble than i thought. "Coming mother, give me a second to undo the spell" my disembodied voice floats in the air. I walk towards her, my movements rather clumsy thanks to the abomination of a garment I was forced to wear for tonight's ball. It's bright green, with gold thread running down the satin fabric forming vines and birds, the likes of which haven't been seen in our land for almost three hundred years. Up until that it's passable, but the fact that it is a hand me down from my thinner than a branch older sister makes me feel like a bloody morsel encased in a tight membrane.

My chest feels about to explode in the plant green satin prison, even though half of my more than generous cleavage is exposed. The corset constricts my stomach as if the same golden vines embroidered on the bodice were trying to strangle me, leaving me short of breath and utterly exhausted after dancing around for half of the night. I sigh again, and start uttering the words to make me visible once more. It's a short incantation, and this one comes to me as if it was my second nature. The liquid bubble-like structure that made me invisible to the rest of the human race starts shifting and then pops loudly. I can tell mother is startled by the sound, a mixture of disgust and anger in her eyes. She quickly hides it, but I have known since I was a kid that she doesn't feel comfortable with my powers at all. She grabs me by the arm and brusquely leads me towards the tea table, a useless item that looks out of place in my room. She throws me into one of the petite ottomans that serve as seats and then drops herself quite unceremoniously on the other, her dress collapsing around her like the petals of a withering winter rose. My papers, that formerly sat on the seat, fly all around her like an inky storm.

She looks at me, fury leaking through her every pore "Louise, what you did out there was outrageous! Not only did you embarrass our family name, you also flunked another opportunity of getting higher in the social ladder! Now the viscount wants a formal apology, and said that he would retire his support to your stepfather's business if you don't comply!" I look at her through half open eyes. Ok, so what if I had thrown a fireball at the viscount. The sleazy old man deserved it! He acted as though he was entitled to every unwed woman in the room, being the eldest and richest man at the ball. And when he had come near me, drunk as a skunk and tried to touch me inappropriately...I simply reacted to protect myself. Could she really blame me for that? Well... Looks like she could.

Mother growls when I don't respond "I exact an answer Louise, you left half of his breeches on fire, and be thankful that there were water mages among the guests. Many suspect that you lit up his highness with a match, but we both know better. Be glad they don't know about THAT. Otherwise things could have gone worse. He could have you banned from court, and you know it!"

Well, it would be for the best I think. I can't really understand that fixation my mother has with titles. The Sir of this, the Lord of that, the Lady hoodoo married to the count of froufrou, the Marquee of godknowswhere and so on. She adores the Power and the wealth that comes with a title, and she wishes to see her kids married to the "best" men she can get her hands on. And for Loren van Dewan the best means nobility.

I groan loudly and explain what happened. My mother shifts uncomfortably in the tiny piece of furniture that looks about to break, the massive folds of her dress adding even more weight to her already plump figure. At 50 years of age, and many kilograms over she is still what could be considered beautiful. Her soft blonde hair is tied neatly in a bun, while her white as snow creamy skin glistens in the orb light. Her eyes, deep green, look at me with worry and resignation. Her oval face looks shapely enough despite the small double chin that is starting to appear on her neck. When she was young, she had been one of the most favored women in the country of Irilion, and that was how she had landed my father.

Lord Eowin Von Sierbet (young as he was) had fallen for an even younger Loren, and had asked permission to marry her. His family agreed, But with the condition that if he were to die prematurely, the titles and possessions he had wouldn't pass on to his wife or kids, but to his older nephew. He foolishly agreed, thinking himself indestructible. 2 daughters and 9 years later, he died under "mysterious circumstances" at the service of our dear king Renaldo.

Which left my mother, my sister Vania and I penniless and on the street. Luckily, a middle aged burgess man had taken a liking to my mother. My stepfather, Adrian, was a good man who welcomed us with open arms, and gave us a home. I am happy like this, but even though she loves Adrian mum isn't. She never really forgot the time when she was a "Lady" and so, she wishes that we will marry Rich and Noble, to revive the old times.
Vania somehow managed to do just that. The marquee of Pharr, (James as I like to call him) fell madly in love with pretty and frail Vania and married her less than a month after meeting her. Since he was family, we had to tell him about my little secret. And I haven't seen my dear sister since. In a letter I received from her though, she answered why I couldn't visit them. Something about my gift being a bad influence for her and the kids.

Im not surprised that she managed to marry a noble. Vania had the same looks as my mother, plus my father's gaiety. She was 18 at the time, and I was 14. While she was the looker of the family I was the bright one. My raven black hair and stunning purple eyes came from my dad. My full body and "attributes" came from my mom. But raven hair and normal bodies just aren't in fashion. The noblemen want skinny blonde girls who will giggle and praise them for whatever manly thing they say and do. I'm not like that. I think for myself...and I can do magic.

In our country, only men are born with the power to wield the elements. So, when i was born and had the clear mark of a mage shining on my stomach people thought I was a BOY, and the healer gave me the name Louis. It wasn't until later when he realized his mistake, and changed my name to Louise. The mark was dismissed as a weird case of skin rash. But something was wrong with me.

The first time my powers came to say hello was when I was 6 months old. The nanny carelessly let me fall from the crib, and as I was about to crash against the ground, head first, I cried and started floating. The horrified nanny ran to tell my parents, they took me to the healer and the healer took me to the king, who pardoned my life in exchange that I never practice magic outside of my house. Since I was little I was taught one simple rule: "men do magic, women don't"
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Mother keeps staring at me, she asked me something, but I didn't quite catch it. "Sorry mom, i was thinking. What did you say?" She has calmed down a bit, and warmly puts her hand on mine. "I said that you don't have to worry, I'll fix it." She smiles a bit and starts standing up. I get to my feet and help her, while she struggles with the loops and folds of her cake like dress. "Now go to sleep Louise, it's late and tomorrow you promised to come with me to Lady Grimstock's tea party" damn... Something else that I would rather not do. But I nod, and I kiss her in the cheek as I usher her through the door. When she is on the corridor she turns around "You still have to give him that apology ok?" I groan and close the door in her face. The clacking sound of her high heeled shoes reverberates through the hallway as she makes her may to her own apartments. When I am sure that she is gone, I untie the heavy corset and breathe deeply.
Better, waaaay better. I slowly pull the gown off myself and undress down to my shift. Layer on top of layer of fabric lies still and rumpled on the carpeted floor. My relief lasts little. I look at the clock, and it strikes midnight. I have to Hurry if I want to go out tonight. I strip of the shift and replace it by a soft woolen undershirt. Now comes the part I hate. With a flicker of my hand a long strap of flexible cloth materializes on the table next to me. I tie it to my chest, reducing my evident D cup into almost nothing. At first it hurt to do it, but years of practice got me used to it. I put on the manly clothes I had bought a week ago: a whitened shirt and a pair of soft deer skin breeches plus a pair of boots. The new set looks just fine on me. I tie my hair in a ponytail on the small of my neck, and alter my voice with a distortion spell. When I raise my head to look at the mirror a slow smile creeps into my face. There, bathing in the dim yellowish light of the orb lamp stands a common street urchin, not the well bred daughter of a former lady. I do a mock formal bow, and the boy in the mirror follows my movements with perfect sync. My smile widens, and I whisper "well, hello Louis"