I grew up alone. I grew up in a Red village. I didn't know anything about my heritage except I was Red and my parents before must have been so too. Until one day, a Silver lord went up to my front doorstep and spoke to my parents about something. The mysterious man had claimed to be my biological father. He introduced himself to me as Henry Titanos, a lord of the Silver high house, House Titanos. He told me that my real mother (who was red blooded) had passed away some years ago and he spent that time searching for my whereabouts. I didn't understand at all. In fact, I was scared of the Silver man standing before me, and hid behind my parents skirts for protection. The man-Henry looked a little hurt at my reaction. After all, I didn't know who he really was and what his inner motives were to take me away from the only family I had ever known. I was reluctant to go with him until my "parents" said that I should, pushing me onwards towards him. I was scared to leave but they told me that Henry would care for me well. I didn't want to leave but I swallowed my fear, said good bye to my parents and my siblings and left. I was soon brought to a fancy estate with silver and purple colours.

I was led down a hallway where an older man was waiting for us. Henry had explained the situation to his Uncle Ethan Titanos and requested that his uncle watch over me and raise me up as if I were his own. He said that he would be leaving to fight the Lakelander war within the next couple hours and that I was entitled to what he was given since I was his daughter, the one with Titanos blood. It even got to the point where he got on his knees, pleading for them to take me in, which they rejected head on multiple times. Despite my Silver heritage, Ethan was opposed to the idea since my blood was Red, something he called "the common colour". My father had begged him once more to take me in since he would be going to the warfront and couldn't protect me if he did went away temporarily or permanently. After lots of pleading, Ethan finally gave in.
I remember Henry taking in my hand and promising me that he would return one day. He told his parents that I would no longer be Mare Barrow, but Mareena Titanos of House Titanos, under his name.

Those were the only moments I had with my father. No less than a month later, we received a letter with the king's seal saying that he had died in battle. I never got to know either of my parents and although I had experienced loss at a young age, I didn't understand the tears my guardians shed. Now it was up for Ethan to raise his nephew's daughter as was promised.

Uncle Ethan also had another niece under his care named Charlotte Titanos, a cousin who was only three years my senior. She was a pure, Silver blooded oblivion meaning that she could make anything she touches explode. Her powers always intrigued me since I had none. Reds were normal, Silvers were like gods to us, possessing powers we though were never imaginable. We had a very close relationship, spending time together when we could. Charlotte too was left an orphan by the war so we had at least something in common. Unlike me, she was still lucky enough to meet her parents before they passed. But even that could not stop us from being close confidants of each other.

A few months later, I had electrocuted a maid working for the Titanos family by accident, displaying signs of Silver powers. Somehow, I had the ability to control and create electricity, despite having red blood. It was something that was unheard of- until now. There might have been others before me, but this was the beginning for my family.

Unce Ethan and Aunt Nora were very shocked and scared to learn this since this meant that I was different from the other Reds who lived below. But all of us had to keep our mouths shut for I could be executed. What would the crown think of a Red with Silver powers?

Nevertheless, as part of his responsibility he had promised my father years ago, Ethan also trained me in using my ability in secret aside from the other required subjects like singing, dancing, drawing, and more. Because the last thing we needed was for me to use my lightning suddenly, at the wrong place and wrong time. At least I could keep it hidden better when I was in control.

After a few years of this, I turned sixteen.

It was time for me to join court.

I open my eyes to see the sun is shining through. I had just woken up from a dream and the picturesque image in front of me makes everything just so perfect.

The details of the dream are a bit hazy. All I remember was running towards something, a blurry outline of a person at the end of the field of grass waving at me. I vaguely recall running there because I felt like I had to get there, almost as if I just needed to. But for each step I took only made the person move two steps farther away from me. To be honest, it felt like the person had stolen something from me and I had to get it back. I kept on running until I stopped halfway to catch my breath.

And that's when I woke up.

I watch the curtains sway ever so slightly, the sun rays casting patterns through the window, and the stillness of the trees outside. I wish it could be like this every morning; calm, quiet, and tranquil.

"Young mistress! You are going to be late if you don't move now," I'm quickly dragged out of bed by my maid Nanny, tripping halfway. "Today is court day! You would make a good first impression if you didn't show up late!"

Couldn't that one moment of peace last longer?

I laugh tiredly at her words as I stumble behind her. "I won't be late. I've already prepared everything beforehand. And don't call me that."

"Call you what?"

"Young mistress. I hate the sound of that...that's more for my sister actually." I make a face. People with the same colour of blood as me still address me as a person above them. It's only because my dad was a silver from the high house. The colour of your blood is everything in Norta. It divides the ordinary from the extraordinary, the abilitied from the non-abilitied, and the high and the low. If you have silver blood, you are granted some super human power whereas if you have red blood, you're normal. Reds are forced to work while Silvers live in a lavish residence and "rule" over them.

"But still," she waves a hand as she helps me get into a plain looking dress. "People will think I'm rude if I don't do that. They'll say all sorts of things about me."

I smile. Nanny has been my long time- well- nanny. She tended to the working servants as well as both my parents, working tirelessly to ensure our well being, making sure we all were comfortable. She also manages the estate and has big heart and cares for everyone who works here. No wonder she's so well respected and admired here.

As soon as we're done, I take a look in the mirror. The dress is both purple and silver due to House Titanos's house colours. It's short sleeved, backless, pinched at the waist and is has a V shaped collar. Not as flashy as the other noble ladies in court but it is presentable enough. My hair is also styled plainly with a simple braid and a few pins here and there to keep it neat.

"Are you sure you don't want any special ornaments?" Nanny asks. I nod my head and heave in a sigh. "Although I am Lord Titanos's niece, I feel burdened to ask him for such gifts. After all, he was good enough to give me a place to stay with my type of heritage."

"My lady is very lucky for such fortune to fall upon her. You are a daughter of a noble family, much more than what the Reds here can ask for."

I smile glumly. "My father could have the purest Silver blood possible, but what use is it that if the colour of his child's blood is red? I'm still below everyone else."

"Ah don't think such thoughts!" Nanny scolds, "No one would dare judge my precious child. No matter the colour of your own blood, you are just as pure and kind as anyone can be. Now, let's get you ready for your travel." She drapes a small, elegant coat on my shoulders which I quickly put on. "Keep yourself warm in the meantime. The carriage is waiting downstairs so you must make haste."

I smile and hug her. "Thank you so much for this morning."

"Alright now child," she pats my back and pulls me off of her. "They're waiting for you."

I let go and rush downstairs, keeping my hand on the mahogany and white birch banisters to steady me. Although the spiral staircase I take is wide, spacious, and made of quartzite, you can never be too careful.

By the time I reach the ground floor, there are two transports waiting outside. One of them is for my cousin Charlotte and I while the other for my Uncle Ethan and his Aunt Nora.

"Over here!" my cousin waves from one of the transports. "Over here!"

I run over to the doorway. "Charlotte!"

Charlotte was one of the only companions I had with me since a young kid. She's been through thick and thin with me and we've become so close that I refer to her as sister sometimes. We might as well be. It's quite obvious from the way we act that we are that we are close companions and confidants of each other.

"Mareena!" Charlotte helps me in and closes the door. "You're finally here! I don't know what took you so long since today is an exciting day for you," she waggles her eyebrows, hinting at my debut at court. "Are you nervous at all? I mean, most people are when it's their first time."

"I'm not," I reply keeping my eyes to the floor. "I'm only worried about what it will be like there." Charlotte looks increasingly concerned and I speak quickly, "I just think that since my blood is red, the Silvers won't really welcome me."

"They will with me around at least," my sister smiles confidently. "And I already have a group of friends that might like you. Some of them are have already heard about you and have expressed their desire to meet you. Finding allies won't be so hard with them around."

"I hope so," I smooth my dress. "I just don't want to be the target of gossip and bullying that's all."

I know what Silvers can be like to those below. There was one time where I saw a Silver was a nymph, slowly drowning a Red just for the fun of it. There was another time where I saw a servant punished just for looking up at his mistress. From what I know, they aren't scared to step over people who have no power to defend themselves.

"And you won't! With me and everyone around, no one would dare touch you."

"You never know. Not many people are as kindhearted as you are and that's partly due to the fact that you grew up with me."

Somewhere inside me, I still believe Charlotte wouldn't treat me the same way if I wasn't raised by the same guardians as her. She's silver blooded and the reason she wasn't raised to be as arrogant of them is because of me. I still think my presence has made Uncle Ethan and Aunt Nora think a little bit about their treatments towards Reds. It doesn't matter now since she isn't the enemy; it's the rest of the people I'll meet. I'll have to be a little more wary around them.

"I grew up with you and I'm not ashamed," my cousin says. "Another good piece of news, the king has also been hoping to see you for a long time so make a good first impression."

I roll my eyes at Charlotte. "The only thing I will do is recite as many passages from books, as much as I can remember and sit in silence. No harm done right?"

This is true. All I wish to happen is for me to go unnoticed and cause as little trouble as possible. The minute I get in there, I'll be stepped over like I'm a Red by the other Silvers.

"You should talk with the others, make yourself acquainted with as many people as possible, and integrate yourself into the system," she advises. "Once you do that, everything will be much easier to handle, even the bad stuff."

"Thank you for your suggestions. I will keep them in mind when I get there."

"That's the spirit!" She smiles happily. "Everything will turn out much better than you would expect."

"Hopefully it will," I look out the window to see my Uncle and my Aunt approach their coach. Before long, the carriages start to move forward.

"Woo-hoo!" My cousin looks ecstatic. "We're off!"

I pray to some faceless god that today won't be so bad as it could be.

There's a scene where Margaery Tyrell (YES GAME OF THRONES) walks with Sansa in the gardens. I know I can't describe clothing very well, but the dress I wanted to describe is the one Margaery is wearing. For those who are new to Game of Thrones (GoT) If you're unsure which scene that is, Margaery should be wearing a blue dress. Just imagine it in purple and silver.

Author's Analysis:

- There is the Silver/Red class system in the story. If you think about it, having Mare completely Silver or Red would make the story a little simpler since she has a defined status or rank. If she is Red-Silver, it would be much harder for her to find where she is in society. She's been whisked away from poverty and hardship because she has silver blood, but the colour of it is still red meaning that she's below her silver relatives and is denied some of the privileges they have. One example is that she's unable to compete in the Queenstrial (she wouldn't be able to in the first place because of her secret ability, but if she didn't have to hide her ability) since her blood is red. Additionally, her sister (actually cousin but they grew up together so they refer to each other as sister) Charlotte can move around freely with the other women without being excluded like Mare.

- When Henry Titanos asked for Mare to be "under his name" I just meant that people would know that she is his daughter as opposed to Ethan Titanos's (since Ethan is technically her legal guardian). I might add some snippets of Henry's history with Mare's mother as the story goes along. How would you guys like that?

- "Young mistress" is a literal translation of "xiao zhu" in Mandarin. (I think that's the spelling for the word. It also directly translates to "little master" but it is also used for female concubines.) Sorry if it sounds strange in English, but it sounds so much better in Mandarin T^T