Mare POV
Early mornings used to be foreign to me. Now they're not.
I wake up ahead of time every day just to prepare for court. My life has only gotten more social compared to before. The question "will you be coming tomorrow" has an automatic answer. I'm adjusting to how life should be like.
I find court life a little more thrilling than usual. Perhaps it's because I have more friends. Some Silvers are reluctant to add me into their social circles. But I manage, especially with Tristan around. Heron was a little annoyed that he hangs around her more often, but does not object. Because of that, Tristan is a familiar person in my life. I wonder why he likes to socialize with us more than anyone. Perhaps it's because of his return home. It's not everyday you get to see your family or their friends.
Nanny and I picked out my dress the day before. It's the usual type. Long, cinched at the waist, purple, minimal design yet presentable, the edges embroidered with a little something. Due to the warm weather of today, my dress sleeves are short. I wore my hair long to cover up any part of skin I don't feel comfortable showing.
The carriage drives by and time seems to move slower. Charlotte isn't here because she needs to practice. This is her last day before the Queenstrial. All her energy must be put into winning. Although the lack of a partner in the same transport makes the ride boring, I'll put aside my own selfish desires for my cousin. She'll need it.
Sadly, Charlotte is not the only one absent. Lately all three of my friends have not been showing up. They all told me that their parents wanted them to train and as a result, they would be away on the last day to finalize some performances. It seems to have put everyone on edge, watching the amount of girls disappear. The leaders of each High House are watching the others like hawks and keep information tightly sealed behind their closed lips. Quite frankly, since the competition is tomorrow, only the essential persons from each family need attend for today. Still, there are some come on their own will.
Though the number of Silvers competing in the Queenstrial are slowly dwindling, Evangeline still has not left. It seems she wants to make herself seem a little more intimidating to the rest of the High Houses. House Samos is already known for their strength and prominent position in Silver society. Whenever I see them, I feel uneasy. Even the power House Titanos has accumalated cannot match them. And the additional favour given to us because of Charlotte makes us wary instead. Favour in court is like the wind, blowing in a different direction all the time.
My thoughts are momentarily interrupted by King Tiberias's voice ringing through the large hall. "Court is dismissed for the day."
Court is dismissed? It's rare for such an occasion to happen. With such few people in comparison to normal it seems logical. Although essential persons may still amount to a considerable amount, it will be no where as much as the original. As such, there would be fewer reports and fewer opinions to continue a meaningful discussion or bigger picture.
As usual, I gather myself and walk through the crowd to find my uncle. He's quite easy to spot in purple, a stark colour against the rainbow sea of people. I'm usually accompanied by a group of friends or at least my cousin but due to the current circumstances, none showed up. As I had predicted, the absence of companions encouraged some Silvers to mock me in broad daylight. More comments could be heard in proportion to whispers. I do my best to pay no heed to them and focus soley on my task. I just need to walk a slight bit further in one direction to get a clear view-
"Well, well," a voice says behind me, clearly belonging to Evangline. "If it isn't the Lady Mareena Titanos."
The high, breathy, yet cold voice stops me in my tracks. I already know who it belongs to.
I turn my head to verify my guess. It is indeed Lady Evangeline. She and her friend's have been eyeing me ever since I stepped into court, waiting for the right time to pounce. I hoped to slip past them after to avoid any conflict, but it seems they are intent on making my life a little difficult.
Evangeline approaches me with confident steps. The clack of her metal heels above marble make clear, distinct sounds that can still be heard within the bustling hall. Her dress, unlike mine, is styled much more. The metal monstrosity she wears is made of unspecified sharp flowers, each petal ending in a point. Its polished surface reflects the light and my own reflection. She smiles and our eyes meet, black on blue.
"Greetings Lady Evangeline," I say with a polite curtsy. Say only what is required.
"Greetings to . . . " she pauses, wondering how she should address me. She finally settles on a name, better than anything I had expected. "Mareena."
The absence of formalities does give an off putting feel to the overall environment. Titles are often used in a public setting unless you have a special relationship with that person and or having their explicit permission. Calling a person by their first name without either relation or consent is almost insulting, comparable to a servant and master setting.
"I apologize Lady Evangeline but now is not a great time to chat," I say with the most sincere tone though I feel nothing of the sort. "Please forgive me for the brevity of today's encounter and I shall be on my way."
With a light curtsy, I turn back, preparing to walk away. My inner self prays silently, hoping she won't continue pressuring me further. I might not be able to make it to my uncle, but the slight possibility that I'll be able to make it back to my transport quickly enough is still there.
"Not yet Titanos," Evangeline snarls. I pause and look back again. Without wasting time, she approaches me, both sides flanked by her friends. They follow her around like magnets attracted to its counterpart. Evangeline's eyes narrow, obviously upset at my attempts to sabatoge whatever plans she has in store for me.
"Lady Evangeline," I say politely, curtsying. There are too many eyes around for be to reduce my use of formalities. "I'm afraid I really don't have time to spare-"
"Mareena," she replies with a hint of contempt. "It's never polite to run away so quickly from a polite friend."
I keep my mouth tightly shut to avoid saying anything I might regret. One major lesson I learned in my childhood was how to be silent and non confrontational. It makes me an easy target for most Silvers. But it also provides an easy weapon and defense. Silence is better when at a loss for words.
"Oh!" Evangeline exclaims, cutting me off. Her eyes scan the area around me. "You came alone? Without friends?" She laughs lightly with an unpleasant tone to it.
It isn't uncommon for me to face ridicule at the hands of other Silvers, but to be faced with one without warning and upfront is what shocked me. Usually such boldness is kept hidden away for the sake of self-preservation. But this is Evangeline of House Samos. They are unafraid of such deeds. It's evident that she's been sharpening her claws, waiting in the shadows for a chance to strike. This must be a pastime of hers and I'm truly flattered she's given me so much attention.
"Lady Evangline has great memory," I reply, keeping my cool. Never give them a reason to suspect or accuse you. It will not turn out well.
"Of course I do," she says, smiling. It is anything but kind. "Though it does seem as though the Red rat's friends have abandoned her."
I keep my mouth tightly shut, suppressing any sort of anger or negative emotion building up inside. Still, I look calm on the outside, looking down occasionally for a change of view. Evangeline's attempts to rattle me are unsuccessful at best. She begins to circle me, hoping to catch me off guard and watch for any sudden movements. I don't give her any.
"I suppose you learned to be as low as the Red servants in my palace," Evangline remarks. "Silent, always silent, and stricken dumb in the presence of pure Silvers."
Pure. That word. That word had never applied to me .My father told me that I would always be loved no matter what. But there's always something wrong with me. It lives in my blood, making it the wrong colour and of impure strain.
My silence has finally made the magnetron snap. "You are difficult to budge." Every word is like a knife cutting keep into me. "But don't be pretentious. Even your current rank cannot surpass the servants in my family's estate." The Silver leans in, her voice lowering to a whisper. "You're nothing and will always be nothing."
My eyes flutter, the only indication of a reaction. Still, I hold my tears back. This isn't the first time I've experienced this and it won't be the last. I've become so tolerable to such treatment that it has become easy to not show little emotion to comments. Such torment is nothing now.
"It seems Lady Evangline is very much interested on other's rank," a voice says behind me. It's a familiar one. I don't bother turning around. I don't need too. Blue eyes, black hair, and a warm presence comes into view.
"Greetings to His Highness," Evangeline curtsies and plasters on a smile. The change in attitude is astounding. One moment she is a venemous snake trying to bite others with poisonous words, and next other she's a docile, harmless bunny. Of course, Maven is smarter than to trust a Samos Lady that easily. He positions himself in front of me, almost hiding me from view. Both Maven and Evangeline are at similar height and never once do they break eye contact.
"It seems as though you have so much to think of other's statuses," Maven says tilting his head slightly without breaking eye contact. "What about elevating your own?"
The magnetron's eyes widen. "Your Highness-"
"You're not the only one who covets the Queen's position," the prince eyes turn cold. "But it seems as though you don't want it enough. You obviously have spare time to torment a young girl as a form of entertainment."
"And Your Highness cares if I do take my anger out on some obscure child of mixed breed?"
"House Samos is a family of good priciples. Did your father never teach you not to bully others?"
Instead of admitting her fault, Evangeline only smiles. "My father taught me never to bully Silvers."
The heat around him grows hotter. "Leave her alone," Maven says, his voice growing dangerous. "Putting someone down else doesn't make you better. Because no matter what Evangeline, you'll be nothing but a person with a cold, empty, and bitter heart."
Evangeline glares at the prince and curtsies politely. "You've already ruined the fun far enough. I'll take my leave. Oh and"- she turns back to me with a glint in her eye- "tell your cousin I give her my regards. Hopefully something terrible doesn't happen before the big day."
"Lady Evangeline," Maven puts out a hand to stop her from leaving, "this isn't something any Silver should do. If I see you doing this again, I won't let you walk away as easily."
The magnetron meets his eye and smiles. "Then you best bet that I'll shall remember Your Highness' teaching well. But for now, enjoy the company of the half-breed. If I were you, I wouldn't want to dirty my reputation by association."
"You know Lady Evangeline, some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. Sadly, you are the latter." The prince smiles, sarcasm evident in his tone. "Good day."
With a sneer on her face, the magnetron finally departs from the scene. She's sure to send me a look of contempt before turning away, her metal dress winking in the afternoon light. I breathe out a sigh of relief knowing that the threat is gone. I'm safe now in this sea of snakes.
"Mareena, you aren't hurt are you?" Maven asks, turning around to face me. "I know Evangeline inflicts physical harm sometimes towards her own servants."
"I'm not a servant," I reply, looking away. "She'd be spilling silver blood at the same time if she tried."
"Well, obviously she didn't treat you like a lady either."
"So what?" My eyes snap to his, slightly angry. "It's not like any one is going to treat me any differently."
"People aren't treating you respectfully, partly because they're rude, but also because you don't demand it."
"And even if I did, would they really listen?"
"If you truly were Silver, you wouldn't be so weak."
I think he regrets those words as soon as he says them. It's an insult and we both know it.
"You have no idea what it's like to live in my shoes," I say slowly. Even if we're friends, I still have to speak cautiously. "You are in no position to judge me for who I really am."
"So is being silent going to solve all your problems?" He smiles, but it quickly fades. "I admire and like your personality but you only run away and avoid conflict. You won't ever fight when it's needed."
"And if you were me, would you do the same?" I smile back when he doesn't give an answer. "I'll take my leave first."
With a shallow curtsy I turn away, a feeling of anger rising within me. Maven doesn't know what it's like to be in my position, to be in between worlds, never belonging to just one. Yet if I think about it more, his words make sense. Why am I always so weak? Why do I always seek protection from others when I know I am strong inside? Physical power can stay hidden, but I am capable of everything else. I know I can do it.
The scenes quickly change from the familiar white marble to a bright green as I find myself outside. Without waiting, I enter the nearest transport belonging to House Titanos. There, I give myself time to catch my breath and everything that's happened so far.
"Send me to the Titanos esate," I say to the driver. "If my uncle asks, tell him I've come home early to accompany my cousin."
The driver gives me a singular nod before sending me off. I watch the fresh vivid scenery pass by, sometimes too quickly for me to process the image. The blur of colours finally merge together making my heart quicken and my breaths faster, almost as though I'm gasping for air. I clutch the side of the carriage, gripping onto what seems like cushioning. It's soft, almost conforting as Maven's voice echoes inside my brain along with another's.
"If you were truly Silver, you wouldn't be so weak."
Instead of an empty seat in front of me, I see the image of a maid. One that I knew inside out. Her hair is all static, spikey even, with the smell of burnt flesh. Smoke runs off her body, filling the transport with it's colour. It, no, she smiles. The evil kind.
I can't breathe.
The girl smiles, disappearing in an instant. She passes by so quickly, I even begin to question if I really did see her. But it seemed so real almost as though Elia was right in front of me again for a round of torment.
Right. Her name was Elia.
Years of suppressed memory and I finally am able to dig up a name. Elia.
Her face appears before me again, vanishing like the smoke off her body. It scares me, shocks me. I never want to relive that part of my childhood.
As soon as I arrive at the estate, I don't bother waiting for someone to open the door. I fling it open myself, running towards the mansion the fastest I can. I hear the driver or someone call after me but I don't stop. Everyone's words- they echo in my head almost like a chant.
"She's House Titanos's mutt of a lady."
"Oh look it's the red blooded bastard."
"If you truly were Silver, you wouldn't be so weak."
My footsteps continue onward, finally reaching the door into my room. I push it open as quickly as I can. Anything to get away from the rest of the world and the questions they may have for me.
Just some manner of peace and calm for me to recover.
Hey y'all! Really short chapter, I might edit it later, but um, MERRY CHRISTMAS! If you don't celebrate, well, then have a happy holdiay :)
I might add a little more, I usually don't have this little out and it's kinda making me sad, but let the chapter provide some comfort that I haven't forgotten about writing. 2021 was still pretty bad, but things are looking up! Stay positive :3
See you all some time soon ;)