"Love is magical, and don't you just love magic?"

It seemed as if everybody knew how to manipulate magic except me. I hadn't ever been able to, although both my mother and my father had been able to. That was, before they had suddenly dropped out of my life without even leaving a note.

Now I was still surrounded by magical people.

Anybody who didn't have magic seemed as if they held the status of a peasant here, and everyone with magic was snooty and proud. I was neither; I had no magic and yet my only relatives had magic coursing through their veins. I was royalty, but without magic. Useless royalty, in the eyes of everybody else. Useless.

What made someone magical? Did they have a special type of blood? Did they uses ten percent more of the brain? No, neither of those could have made sense. I had met some magicians who were absolutely bonkers; they couldn't have possibly been smarter than I. And I had seen magical people killed; their blood still was red as it dripped, and they looked no different in chemical perspective either.

I would do anything to get my hands on some magic. Was it a gift? If it was a gift, how could whoever gave this gift want to give it to those with evil hearts?

My questions would never be answered, but soon I wouldn't care.

I lived in a palace with my Aunt and Uncle at the time. It may seem pathetic that I still live with my family, but living in a castle certainly isn't the worst place in the world. I'd much rather live here than in a much smaller house of my own. I rarely ever run into my Aunt and Uncle anyway, mostly keeping to my own.

Things changed when Queen Regina stopped by for a visit. Our kingdom had scammed her, and she was here for revenge.

She pulled her horse drawn carriage into our property. I watched from the parapets as she walked calmly into the entrance way, which led straight to the throne room. It was the time of day when Aunt and Uncle would meet with villagers, so Regina would be a nasty surprise.

Despite my Aunt and Uncle having some magic of their own, it seemed as if they were unevenly matched. I heard some screams from the throne room as I ran to gather a satchel, already planning a quick escape.

Now was my best chance at escape, perhaps to someplace were I could be accepted for who I am.

It was all thanks to the foreign Queen Regina.

With agility I hadn't even known I possessed, I raced down to the throne room. Six spectacular marble statues had formed, and the Queen was examining them.

My Aunt and Uncle sat at their thrones, looks of shock on their faces. His arm was raised as if to cast a spell, and she was reaching toward his arm with a frightened expression.

Four guards flanked them, all of which had been charging toward the door, where Queen Regina had entered.

No loss to me. I had barely known the strangers. They had merely taken me in out of obligation. An obligation that apparently my own parents had been above keeping to.

Regina had noticed me, and she swiveled around, her gown trailing behind her. It was blood red with black accents, and it made her look amazing.

I think it may have been that exact moment that I had decided I would not leave behind the life of royalty as I planned. Perhaps a change of scenery would help though?

"(Y/n), at you service, your highness. I am unlike my aunt and uncle, and I wish to enter into your service so that I may redeem myself from the evils which my kingdom has held against you." A deep bow of my head accompanied the short speech.

She had taken me on, and after a few months in her procession as one of her most loyal followers she approached me with a question.

"Why is it, (Y/n), that you left your kingdom so many months ago? You could have been a ruler, but instead you chose to join me."

"You emanate power, my queen. Power and magic. Two things which I have never known. My family cast me away, leaving me to my own devises, only because I had no magic. You treat people fairly in ways of magic. Your guards are a mixture of magical and non-magical folk, as are your subjects."

"You are my most loyal subject. I can always count in you, (y/n). And so, for that reason, I will help you. You have never failed me, so I will not fail you. The magic you seek can be given as a gift, and a gift it shall be. You will have power and magic."

It seemed as if a burning cavity had appeared in my chest, and I couldn't help but scream. Even after a minute of pure torture, I was barely able to form a few words.

"Why- Why does it hurt so much?"

"I will give you one hint. Love is magical, and don't you just love magic?"

Love.

Was this a joke? I felt as if I were dying here, and now the Queen says that the only way for the magic to take its place is to let love into my heart? Who did she love?

But I did love somebody. I just never had accepted it before.

The fire in my chest dwindled and turned into a warm, calming feeling in my chest.

"Who do you love, (y/n)?" Queen Regina asked quietly, as if asking for a secret.

I whispered back, as if I were sharing one. Which, well, I guess I was.

"You."