On a lonely road winding through the countryside, a man was walking, the dirty slush remaining from the recent snowstorm splashing with each step. His dark coat swept around his ankles with each gust of wind, and a shiver crept up his spine as exhaustion, cold and hunger took their toll on him. Before long he couldn't take it anymore.
He needed to keep the darkness at bay.
'I know I shouldn't do this, but...'
"LUMOS!"
A bright light lit the tip of his wand, illuminating the black and white scenery surrounding him. He felt reassured in his island of light, yet flinched every time a bird took flight until he arrived at his destination.
It was a large property hidden deep in the woods,only accessible from a single dirt path. The gate was old, forged from steel, with spikes protruding from the top. There was a golden bell attached to the nearby wooden fence, which he rang three times, hoping it would be enough to wake the young coupl. He opened the gate with a loud creaking sound, walked up to the door and waited for the door to open. When it finally did, he repeated the speech he had been rehearsing in his head all day.
"I am sorry to disturb you at this ungodly hour, Mr. Argante. I was hoping you could...well...help her."
He then showed the bundle of clothes in his arms to the young couple watching him suspiciously from the doorway.
"May I come in?"
(o) Marie Argante (o)
Two hours later, he left the small house, a weight lifted off his shoulders as he knew the first part of his promise was fulfilled.
Marie was safe, and she would grow up loved and cared for.
But despite this success, he couldn't help but feel another weight settling on his mind. But for now, he would enjoy the scenery as he watched the sun rise over the French countryside.
And for an instant, he thought that in the end, everything would be alright. That the evil he had witnessed for the past few days was an exception to the this day was untainted by the one he had just left behind. And that somehow, two wrongs could finally make a right. That sacrificing two lives to save only one would ensure that this one would be good. That the baby could grow up without a care in the world, without a sword hanging above her head.
(o) Marie Argante (o)
"Hello, am I speaking to the admissions department of the University of Paris 12?"
"Yes you are. How can I help you?"
"I heard that your university was rather advanced in the field of biology, especially genetics. Is this correct?"
"Yes, we have a research team on genetics. Would you be interested?"
"Yes I would. I just graduated, and I think your university is exactly what I'm searching for."
"Very well. If you have your diploma, it should be a walk in the park. I just need your name, mister..."
"Oh uh...Yves. Yves Montellier."
(o) Marie Argante (o)
On this day she is born,
A day old and already alone...
Queen she is, by the Will of the Exiled One or by her own...
Two crowns will rest upon her head...
One will be of oak, and the other of marble,
And by her word the fate of three Kingdoms shall be changed.
Union, destruction or separation,
By the word of the Queen...
By the word of the Queen that never ruled...
A.C. to M.A.
(?) Orphan born on 31st January 1996 and (?) Exiled One