~_o_~ This means that I switch POV's.
…)o(… This means that, while the POV stays the same, the time or maybe even place has changed.
Hope that isn't too confusing! And thanks to Ili for all of her work with this!
Chapter One: Vea and Ildri
"Vea! Where in the world are you? It's been ages since I told you to fetch my food."
Vea sighed from where she stood in the kitchen. Frustrated, she closed her eyes and muttered to herself. She tried her greatest to swallow the frustration, remembering her kind family. It was hard though. Her entire body ached with overwork. She craved a nice warm bed to rest her sore back, or a large pillow to lay her stiff neck upon.
But life didn't work that way. Once, only several months ago in fact, she had been able to do all of these things. Relax and order someone else around. But now 'someone else' had become her.
Now, day after tireless day, Vea had to work for her mother and sister. She would gather logs, start fires, feed her mother and sister their daily meals, clean the house, feed all of the animals, oh how the list dragged on!
Wiping the irritating sweat from her forehead, Vea left behind the butter churner she had been working on and turned towards a small fire feeding off of several logs. Vea expertly cracked a couple of eggs into a metal pan, patiently waiting to flip them.
The end result of her labors in the kitchen was a delicious meal; cooked eggs still sizzling, hand made toast, wild grown berries, and two glasses of strawberry juice.
This food only made her journey towards her family harder. She struggled upstairs, still awkward with her new-found duties, as Vea managed to almost spill all of the plate's contents.
The girl arrived at the front of a large and bold her lip, she thrust her way in. The room was dark, its occupant sound asleep - causing Vea to recall saddened memories, I used to be able to do that…
After awkwardly thrusting the platter of food unto a small book shelf, Vea turned to shed light into the room. As the curtains drew upward, darkness tried to flee to every corner - but to no avail. The window had been designed to allow the most light into the room in mornings, and it pursued its purpose well. Too well.
The lump buried underneath the piles of blankets stirred. It seemed to cringe, and then pulled a pillow over its head. "Why must you irritate me so, Ve-idiot-a?"
Hardly cunning in her awakened form, Vea's step-sister was even worse in her sleepy state of mind. It took her several moments to adjust to being awake, and once awake, she wasn't any less grumpy. "Where's my food? You should have it right here, right now!"
Curtseying, and still stung by her sister's previous comment, Vea murmured, "I-I'm sorry, Clare. Maybe I could make it up to you?"
Clare only chuckled cruelly. "Oh, yes, dear. You certainly can help me. Would you mind leaving? I don't feel like tolerating you any longer."
Closing her eyes to prevent tears, Vea nodded her head quickly. She always listened to her sister, her beloved Clare. After all, she was older, prettier, and far wiser. "Of course, dear sister. Let me know if I can do anything." She turned to exit the room, but halted at the door-way. Vea peered back at her sister and added, almost with embarrassment, "Do-do you think it would be appropriate for me to attend the ball with you and mother?" As the words exited her mouth, she inwardly cringed. I already know the answer…
Clare didn't bother looking up from her food, and on that note, she didn't even bother to fully swallow the large bite of food in her mouth as she responded. "Imt's not apprompriampt amt all." Pausing to chug down the glass of juice, she continued icily, "Besides, what would you want with a ball? Don't you remember what happened to the last one you attended?"
Vea nodded, having known her sister would say that. Her mother and sister were always out for her best interest, she told herself. And, of course, they were right. The last ball had been a disaster - and she surely didn't want to mess anything else up. She did have one question though, and was rather hesitant to ask it. In the end, her need for another person's opinion conquered and she heard her quiet voice whisper, "Clare, um… Why do you get to attend the ball? Why can't I go, too?"
Clare sighed, rather indignant. "You and I both know why, sis." Vea cringed again, feeling the answer was obvious; scanning her mind to find it. "And don't feel bad." She stretched luxuriously, and continued only after a satisfying yawn. "You'd slip up somehow. Say something that mom or I would regret. You're not good with keeping things in, you know. It really is for the best if you just stay here."
Accepting the answer, Vea left without any further argument. She really wasn't good with words — and was nefarious for spewing any secrets she had. It wasn't out of spite, or meanness of nature; more from longing for respect. If she knew things others didn't, perhaps they would respect her and want to be her friend if she told them.
Of course, Vea's big mouth had gotten her into her degrading situation in life. The mournful girl reflected the sins of her past while she retreated to the kitchen for her mother's breakfast.
The last ball she had attended had been entirely ruined for the family! And it had been her fault… or so they had told her. Prince Barlow - the Crown Prince's younger twin brother — had been seeking a bride. He would select a favorite at that particular ball and propose to her in the Royal Garden.
Clare had had her heart set on being the chosen girl. She had primped and pampered herself for days and days in advance, in hope of gaining his Majesty's high favor.
Vea, on the other hand, hadn't really believed she'd be chosen. Clare had told her countless times that her sister had no reason to excel over any other girl — and Vea sincerely believed her sister. She had always believed Clare. Always.
But that didn't mean she couldn't be excited and attempt to look her best. And so, the day before the ball, she spent a few hours primping and preparing, even without hopes of gaining the Prince's favor. The remainder of the day, however, was spent helping Clare with her preparations. Both Vea and Ella, their maid, labored side by side as they styled Clare's voluminous, dark hair. By the end of their efforts, her face had been so covered in rouge and other make-ups that Vea and Ella could hardly recognize the girl.
During the preparation, Vea recalled miserably, she and Ella had been in the basement, trying to decide which ribbon color should go with Clare's dress. That was when the lowly maid had asked the question.
Ella had been enviously watching the preparations all day. She wasn't the smartest creature about, which was why her step-mother was so unsatisfied with her and had sent her to work. But even the blissfully ignorant, as many would call Ella, wanted to be beautiful.
Her voice oozed with longing as she murmured, "What ball will you two be attending tomorrow evening? What will it be like?"
Fala, Vea's mother and Ella's step-mother, has set up specific rules around the home. Ella was to be informed of none of the locations of the Balls they attended, for if she managed to go… she would surely shame the family with her stupidity.
But on that moment, in which Vea felt a special connection with her step-sister, she had stupidly described all that she knew of the exciting escapade of the morrow. Ella had listened intently, which was rather unusual for her, and hadn't spoken much for the rest of the day.
As a general rule, Fala would grace Ella with more chores than usual on ball days. She had always told Vea that she hadn't wanted Ella to be bored at home.
And that made sense. At least, back then it did.
But the lowly Ella was nearly finished with all of her chores when Vea and the others prepared to head to the castle. Vea had been the only one to pay her any mind, and therefore the only one to notice this fact. And, by not informing the others, she committed the second great crime.
Her punishment was received days later - after Ella had thoroughly seduced the Prince into marriage. Vea's punishment was to take Ella's place.
At first she found that she didn't take well to doing all of the strenuous labor. Vea had complained endlessly until Fala and Clare had explained the situation to her. Not only had she muddled up the entire kingdom by allowing Ella to be a princess, but Vea needed the hard-work. Men, she was told, liked women who could handle such chores.
So the first few months had passed by without general complaint after that. She worked and helped Clare and Fala prepare themselves for exquisite balls. She would be given more chores, just as Ella had, to complete on those days.
It had only been several days earlier, actually, that Vea decided the situation wasn't fair. Or, at least, that the extra chores weren't fair. She had always found the idea brilliant… when Ella was the maid.
But a different perspective had certainly changed her mind.
And her frustration blazed inside of her, though Vea would never dare to disrespect her mother by saying so. She shuddered at the idea, as she approached the woman's bedroom.
Still asleep in the most grand bedroom of the entire building, Fala's features were shrouded by darkness. No light sprayed over her face, making her countenance terrifying and imposing.
Vea found herself shaking as she hurriedly thrust aside the curtains. She couldn't believe her own mother's sleeping figure could terrify her so. But, of course, it was nothing. Fala was a good person.
She had to be.
~_o_~
A large rat pattered over a dark stoned surface. It slipped in between several massive metal bars that shot up to the ceiling.
Inside of the cell, enclosed by these bars, a young girl stared out. Hatred glimmered in her blue eyes. Scraggly, greasy, and oily red hair clung to her sweat dampened face. Filth stained her body and her clothing.
She leaned backwards, receiving support from the walls behind her.
As a guard walked by, not paying her any mind, the girl's voice whispered coldly. "Fool. You should be bowing to me. Do you hear me? Bowing!"
Though he heard her, the guard paid her no mind.
It was daily routine. When walking by Ildri's cell, completely ignore her. The new guys were taught of her craziness and the old guys secretly mocked her.
After all, she was insane!
About a year before, Ildri had tried to steal the throne from her employer, Princess Penelope. When the girl was to be married she had to journey to the Crown Prince's kingdom. On the way, Idlri held her hostage. The maid then dressed herself in all of Penelope's royal garments.
While Penelope, thought to be a lowly servant, had to heard geese for a living, Ildri masqueraded as the princess.
She was, unfortunately, caught and thrown into prison.
But having a taste of riches and glory had changed the girl. She had always been power hungry - but now she was obsessed with reclaiming that power.
Even then, Ildri's blue eyes searched the guard up and down. She hoped to see just a flash of gold - the beautiful way it reflected light, it's gorgeous color, the smooth touch…
She closed her eyes and leaned backwards when she assured herself there was no trace of a golden glimmer. After all, the man was only a lowly guard. "I hate you people!" Watching the guard vanish around the bend, she dropped her head into her hands. "I hate you people… so much…"
Ever since she was a child, Ildri had hated the social system. Cursed into peasantry, she couldn't even have the opportunity of raising her status. She was doomed to stay in her wreck of a world forever.
Or should have been.
Ildri wasn't the type to sit around and do as she was told. Intelligent from the beginning, she devised a plan to save herself from the depths of poverty. And when her parents passed away in a carriage accident, she carried out her plan. Thanks to this lust for a higher rank in the world, Ildri was alive. For, without it, she may have died of starvation on the streets years ago.
But she didn't.
Harboring a plan, Ildri managed to beg her way into a job as a scullery maid. And then, later, the maid of the Princess. And soon - her best friend.
But it was all a ploy. Ildri had hoped for riches - now, as she felt a bug crawl up her arm, and didn't move it - she knew she had failed. She was supposed to gain fame, fortune, everything by befriending the princess…
"I shouldn't have to rot in this prison." Her voice, though spiteful, would have saddened any who heard it. No one spoke in this dungeon. The prison was lonely, and in order to overcome the loneliness, Ildri would talk out loud. It didn't matter who heard her anymore.
Nothing mattered.
Nothing but revenge.
At that thought, Ildri clenched her fists. A lone tear struggled its way down her grimy cheek, and her voice was pugnacious as she whispered, "You'll never bring me down, fools. I will get out of this stupid cell. And when I do - I'll destroy you all! I'll become more rich, more powerful, more -"
A voice from another guard that was crossing his way by her cell, interrupted the girl's diatribe. "Shut-up, you lousy fool." The old guard leaned into the bars, pressing his face against their cold surface. "Nobody cares about you, or what happens to you. I could kill you right now and-"
Ildri glared at him for only a second. Her mind whirled with ideas on how to silence his annoying voice, and in only seconds following, her spit flew across the cell. It struck him in the face.
The guard screamed in disgust, scrubbing his cheek indignantly.
"You, brat! I outta' kill ya!"
Ildri only shrugged herself further out of reach. "You are not authorized to hurt me."
Though the guard scowled coldly at her, he recognized this fact. And eventually, he had to continue walking. Of course a few unnecessary words could be heard down the hall he had vanished into.
Ildri's voice was icy and crisp. "One day soon, you will bow to me. As it always should have been."
Well, that's all for now, folks! Tell me what you think!
Iliana11: Thanks for helping me beta! I don't know why Doc X is being weird. You've read this chapter before, though?
Captain Fantastic: Thanks! Please continue to enjoy.
Miss Papillion: Yay! Your reviewing this story! Those are good questions. Too bad I ain't helping you answer them.
Mockingbyrd's Tune: Hmm… I was kinda' wondering if that made things a bit confusing. Thanks for telling me. I will fix that! You know, with all of my stories you've reviewed… You always mention that you like the lines that I use the word 'oozing.' From now on, if I use that word, know that while writing it… I was thinking of you. :D Hope you liked this chapter!
Evanstar202: I am glad you liked it! The idea is fun and really allows me to explore different areas. I hope you continue to enjoy!
EstrangeloEdessa: Always the critic. But, then again, you really have to be. I'd be worried if you didn't note my grammar. I'm hoping it was at least a bit better? You are right about that orb. I wasn't sure how I wanted to describe it, truthfully. And, being in a rush, I just decided to label it orb. When writing that first line, I was still unsure. That is going on my MUST FIX list.
ElvishKiwis Venerated Ancestor: Your review was so sweet! Thanks! An out of control fire? Do you think I should fix that sentence somehow in order to avoid confusion? Unfortunately for you, your going to have to find the answers to your questions as the story moves along. Be patient, K? I'm gonna read your ficathon entry soon, by the way. ;)
pepperoni-and-poison: I finally granted you with my latest release. Do you have an sort of comments to add now? Even if not, why not click that review button... just to give me a hello!