My earliest memories are of my time in the Nevassa orphanage, I don't know how long I had been there. I was only 4 when the Duke and Duchess adopted me. But it didn't matter. What I do recall is that it was dark and always cold, even lonely. And more importantly, whenever my name was mentioned I also had heard the word "Branded" mentioned alongside it.

Branded. To me then, it was just a word-void of any meaning. And for quite a long time that's all it was to me. My parents never told me what it meant, or what could've happened to me because of it. It explained the birthmark on my lower right shoulder. It was the mark of a beorc with laguz blood in their veins, a mix of the two races if you will. More importantly, the kind that were hated by both beorc and laguz alike, all across Tellius.

Yes, I was a Branded, my mother had been a raven-laguz from Kilvas and father, a Beorc from Daein. The Laguz referred to us as the "parentless" and in my case I suppose they're right. Once I was born, my mother lost her power to transform and, although I don't have any details on the nature of their relationship, I believe that may be partially why I wound up alone in that orphanage in Nevassa.

I should also tell you that my real full name is Petronilla, one of my parents must've picked it out for me and that is what it says on my birth certificate. Though I've been called "Petrine" as long as I can remember, I personally liked the sound of that better, and besides it was easier for people to say. I only bring up this because of some of my later actions regarding my name, but I'm getting ahead of myself. (Only on rare official occasions would I hear myself referred to as "Petronilla")

Despite the dreariness of my experiences, there was some hope. At the age of 4 an older couple came to visit the orphanage looking to adopt a young daughter. I still remember that day clearly.

The matron of the orphanage asked all the young girls to come out to meet the couple and I made sure to stand tall and smile. They seemed to take a liking to me; after all I certainly stood out against the other sad-looking girls.

The woman returned my smile and bent down to my level to speak with me and said, 'Well aren't you looking nice today." (I did make sure to wear my best dress that day). She continued, "what's your name?"

"My name's Petrine!" I answered happily.

Then the man, her husband, turned to me and said, "Well miss Petrine, you certainly seem like a nice girl."

"I sure am!" I replied, "And real pretty too." Then then I remember twirling around in my dress, as if trying to impress them.

The woman then turned back to her husband and they began talking to each other. I only picked up on little bits of their conversation here and there-words like, "adorable….we could…well, if you wanted…we should…" etc. Then the spoke to the matron and she in turn spoke back to me, "Petrine, Lord and Lady Palmeni would like to meet with you."

I remembered also just how happy and excited I was. "Really? You want to adopt me?" I asked eagerly, as if I couldn't wait another minute.

"We were thinking about it." The woman said with a smile, then she seemed to be giving me a good look over and for a moment looked… sad. I didn't know why then, but I believe now it was because she had seen my brand and knew exactly what that meant.

I was then brought into a separate room- the main office- I suppose it was. I just knew it as the room where other children had gone and never returned- which means I would be leaving also, to new home and never have to see this stuffy old orphanage again. Adoption was ever orphans dream and mine was finally coming true.

What followed next was a series of questions. I answered each and the couple seemed pleased with my answers. Being young as I was, I don't recall them specifically, nor do I recall what my responses were. In all honesty, I think the Lord and Lady already knew my story before they met me so the questioning period didn't seem to last very long.

However I do remember the last question, how could I ever forget it?

"Petrine, would you like to become our daughter?"

"Yes!" I replied eagerly, for what else would I have said?

/-\

The couple that adopted me was in fact a noble couple-Lord and Lady Swynford, the Duke and Duchess of Palmeni. They came from one of Daein's oldest noble families, one of the wealthiest as well. I learned later that they adopted me because they were unable to have children of their own, and had always wanted a daughter. But why pick me, over any other girl?

It was because I was Branded, contrary to what you might think ,especially in Daein where the anti-Laguz feelings are strongest. A Branded girl has a very slim chance of ever getting adopted, Lord and Lady Palmeni knew this and decided to save me from a dreary fate. As a young girl I loved them dearly, and to this day I still do. To them, I was their darling little daughter. I was no longer just 'Petrine" but "Petrine Swynford, the young Miss Palmeni". 'Miss Palmeni" it sure does have a nice ring to it doesn't it?

Of course I lived in luxury from that moment on. We had a grand manner near the famous Palmeni Temple, a historical site on our property. I had my own exquisite bedroom, a whole wardrobe of new dresses and even my own servants. What a change from that cold room at the orphanage! Life was good and simple. My parents would tutor me, I would spend the days playing with dolls or toys, I had so much to be thankful for.

Then there came the day I was to visit the royal court, to meet Daein's king and queen for the first time. That's where my story really begins- The day my life became intertwined with that of the royal family.

The day started off simple enough.

"Miss Petrine, your Lady mother wished you to be wearing your best dress when meeting the king and queen today." Ankerette, my headmaid told me.

"I know that Ankerette, but must I?" I asked, "It's uncomfortable…" And it was quite! Noble children are dressed as miniature versions of adults, which meant the girls wore dresses just as tight and figure-flattering as those of the court ladies.

"Yes Miss." Ankerette replied, "You have to make a good impression, this is the first time they'll be seeing you. You don't want to look like some commoner off the street do you? You're a Duke's daughter!"

I grumbled but put on that dress anyway. After squeezing into it, Ankerette brought me out to show my mother, who seemed delighted with it. "oh Petrine! You look wonderful, like a princess!" she said.

"Thank you mother, but um…" I replied, "How long do I have to wear this..?"

"At least until the dinner party is over dear" My mother said, she must've noticed my fidgeting and known I didn't find the dress all that comfortable, "that's what we've been invited for."

"Dinner party?, will they have good food?"

"It's the royal family dear, you can expect no less than the finest. Now come along, your father's waiting for us outside in the carriage."

The capital city, Nevassa, wasn't far from Palmeni, just a short carriage ride in fact. So I followed my mother outside into our carriage, an especially grand one. Personally, I didn't really care about meeting the king and queen; just getting to try the food was excitement enough for me. Ah, but I was only 4- what would you expect?

The ride to Nevassa was short, but I found it quite boring, making it feel more like an eternity. All I did was stare out the window at the landscape as we passed it by. I saw grand manors such as ours, but also the impoverished homes of commoners. I didn't think much of it then, for me it was just more things the watch as we made our way to capital.

We did arrive soon though, and I was breath-taken upon seeing the Daein castle. It seemed enormous compared to our humble manor at Palmeni. And it was grey-all of it-the whole castle was painted in a dark grey color that made a sharp contrast against the deep blue of the nighttime sky.

"that's the palace…?" I asked my father as we stepped out of the carriage and onto the sidewalk, "it seems so big!"

"Yes Petrine," he replied, "the castle houses the royal family as well as all their servants-which is more than we have- so it has to be quite large."

"…we won't get lost will we?" I asked.

"Not if you stay close to us." My mother replied. I then grabbed her hand and followed her and my father into the palace. As we passed through each room I admired everything with my childish fascination. There were paintings of former kings and queens, all of the furniture was also exquisite-more so than ours. I was almost afraid to touch anything lest I break it.

Then, the large doors leading into the Great Hall were swung open to reveal nothing less than a grand royal party. Noble guests-all dressed in their finest- were bustling about and chatting to one another underneath the glow of a exquisite chandelier. Everyone looked so regal and important that I suddenly felt very small- as if I had snuck into someplace I didn't belong. I looked back up at my mother whose hand I was still holding onto.

"Don't look so worried dear." She said, "We're just going to meet the king and queen."

I nodded and went back to gazing around the room. The king and queen of Daein huh? I tried to pick them out from the crowd. .But before I knew it, I looked up and there they were- none other than Daein's very own king and queen. The said something rather formal sounding to my parents- I didn't really pay attention to it- I was too busy admiring them.

The Queen was the one who caught my attention first. Her hair was a dark shade of blue and she wore loose about her shoulders, it was thin- she didn't have too much of it. Her dress was not covered in bows, ribbon and lace like the queens in my storybooks, rather her dress was sleeveless with a black bodice and long dark grey skirt. And more importantly, she was pale, almost ghostly. There seemed to be something unhealthy about her. Not in a bad way, it just seemed like she never enjoyed good health-often prone to sickness.

Physically however, her husband was in every way her opposite. (Despite the fact that their hair colors were of similar shades). He appeared athletic and strong. He seems as if he had never known an illness. I wonder what ever brought these two together when they appeared so different.

While I had been observing them I almost didn't hear my mother say; "and this is our daughter, Petrine, the young miss Palmeni."

I smiled up at the royal couple and said in my most regal, polite voice possible, "nice to meet you your majesties, I'm Petrine- er the Lady Petrine!" I then curtsied (a position I also found uncomfortable). I wasn't quite sure when to stand after curtsied so I remained close to the floor.

The Queen the spoke to me, she must've thought it amusing how little I knew of royal etiquette "ah, my dear- you may stand up. It is an honor to have you attend our court." Her voice was as regal any she certainly had the bearing of a great queen, "I am Queen Beatrix, your mother has told me much about you."

"What did she say? Something good right?" I replied.

Queen Beatrix replied with a small laugh, "of course my dear, only good things. She told me of how you were their darling little girl, a perfect angel."

I beamed with pride; I always enjoyed compliments, even if they came from my parents.

"I know you haven't been here long." Beatrix continued, "but do you like it her at court, Lady Petrine, You don't find it too boring do you?"

"No!" I replied, "um… I mean, it doesn't seem so bad."

Beatrix then turned to my mother to speak, "Lady Palmeni, now that matters are arranged, won't you and your husband be moving in to the court, rather than staying at the dusty old manor of yours?"

"If you would wish us to stay your grace," my mother replied, "my husband can send a telegram to our servants to bring over our things."

"Splendid!" the Queen replied, "How would you like to stay here at the palace Petrine?"

She meant I would get to live here- at the story-book like castle- I couldn't believe it. What little girl would pass up the chance to stay in a palace and feel like a princess? "Of course I'd like to stay!" I answered, "I like it here!"

'Very good." Beatrix said, "you parents have already discussed the matter with me Petrine. I would be glad to have you as a member of my household. You will become one of my maids-of-honour. And you will receive an education worthy of someone royal."

"Maid?" I asked unhappily, 'Do I have to clean house or something?"

The queen gave another shy laugh, "not at all sweetheart." She said politely, "a maid-of-honour is a title for any young girl who works as one of my special servants. You get help me with my wardrobe and whatever other tasks I'll need your assistance for. "

"Oh. Well that doesn't sound so bad." Truly, it didn't-especially since only a select few noble girls were ever chosen to wait upon the Queen.

"Good. It's settled then." The Queen using her regal tone of voice again, "hmm… but one more thing Petrine- since you're my maid, and a part of the royal household, you shall accompany Prince Ashnard to his lessons. I trust you had a tutor at home didn't you?"

"Yeah I did!" I replied, " but, um… who's Prince Ashnard?"

Beatrix smiled like any proud mother would as she replied to me, "Why he's my son Petrine, he's about your age. He's also Daein's own crown prince."

"Oh. Okay." I said, "can I meet him now?"

"No, I'm afraid not now. He's still busy with something or other. Ah, but why don't you sit next to him at the banquet?"

"Okay!" I replied eagerly. When I was that young I was eager to make friends (and so far I hadn't seen any other children at court-Let alone ones that were my own age.) In fact visiting the castle as a whole was an incredibly exciting experience. Then again, I didn't really know why I was brought to court. Now, however, I have since then learned the real reason. It was the one word I remember over hearing from my father's conversation with King Remondyn:

Betrothal

My parents wanted to betroth me to none other than Prince Ashnard himself, in fact the whole matter had already been arranged. It wasn't anything unusual in fact; most nobles are betrothed as children (some even before they're out of infancy). It was good match, a great one in fact. If we were married, I would be Queen of Daein and Ashnard would inherit the wealthy Palmeni title and lands. There was something both parties would be interested in. Marriage for nobility is usually more of a finical deal-made for money and not for love. In fact, love was often absent from the marriages of royalty and gentry. My parents, along with the King and Queen wished to remedy that by having me grow up alongside the prince. What parents wouldn't want their daughter to be queen one day?

And so it was from that day forward that I became Queen Beatrix's maid-of-honour and was welcomed into the royal household. And if all went according to plan the royal household might one day be my household, and I would have my own maids of honour. But sadly nothing ever goes according to plan does it?

By this point I found myself growing quite weary of just standing and talking with the queen. Like I said earlier, there weren't many children around the court. I then tugged at my mother's sleeve, and she then turned to look at me. "When do we get to eat?" I asked her, 'I'm really hungry!"

"Soon enough dear, you must be patient." She replied. But for someone as young as I was being patient was not a simple task. That, coupled with the fact that only adults seemed to be at the party only made the wait for the banquet seem even longer.

Instead I turned my thoughts to what it might be like to live here at the castle. I would be like one of the princesses in my storybooks. And then one day- I would be queen. And to my young mind nothing could every go wrong; I imagined nothing even remotely close to the tragedy that would strike Daein in the years to come. Oh, how wrong I turned out to be…


So, want to keep reading yet? This is actually going to be my longest story I think, so except some delay between chapters. I also wanted to pack some little bits of symbolism in there, which you may or may not have caught, so allow me to explain...

I got 'Swynford' to be Petrine's surname after Katherine Swynford, a famous or rather infamous medieval woman. Katherine entered the royal court as a commoner, and after she gained the queen's favor she had a short lived marriage to a minor gentleman (hence the surname 'Swynford', it just stuck) upon his death though, she began a long affair as Prince John of Gaunt's mistress.

And from then on she's been remembered as rather the rather villainous type. But I've been doing some studies and she's not as bad as they say (just made some poor life choices)

Also quick note on Beatrix, I'm basing some of her character off Margaret Beaufort, who wasn't very physical strong but boy was she imposing!

Now about my naming of characters...

I also found it interesting that after I named my character Beatrix, i found her name meant "one who brings happiness" I think it's rather fitting. (I chose well ;) ) so interept it how you want.

For Petrine, I decided to make her full name "Petronilla" for reason that'll be more clear by the end of the story.

And finally, I got the name Remondyn out of my own devices, though really I just changed some letters from the name Raymond, which means "guards wisely" and... I guess it kinda fits, if you squint.

Anyway, you'll see a ton more of this in upcoming chapters since I'm basing events in the plot off my medieval studies :) (it's going to get way more exciting, trust me!)

Oh and Reviews are always appricated (but please be nice)

Until next time!