Once upon a time there was a Country said to be blessed by god himself and therefore the people lived in harmony. Among them a saying was often spoken "Dreams stir the heart to act and within them resides Freedom.". This was the Kingdom where Dreams came true –The Kingdom of Somnium.
In this blessed Kingdom a not so blessed child was born. Her name was Rubianna. Born into poverty, she became the victim of her parents greed. While Rubianna starved her parents filled their stomachs, her body was adorned with bruises. At night she dreamed that her parents would look at her with love and adoration but when she woke up she was met with eyes that were only filled with disgust and hatred towards her. She tried everything to please them. She begged in the streets through rain and snow, yet all she received were beatings and insults.
Rubianna didn't know what crime she had committed to be so unloved but deep in her heart she felt like she deserved it.
Rubianna's hair, which was honey-colored was always cut short -- almost boyish-- with a knife by her mother. She was not allowed to grow her hair out. The short hair was meant to remind her that she was not worthy of having long hair like the other girls and so Rubianna began to envy those who had long, well-kept hair. She felt insecure about herself that every time she saw her own reflection, she only saw her imperfections. She hated her dark green eyes, which were as lifeless as a candle burned out. She hated the mole on her left cheek. She wished she had fair skin like the noble girls she had seen on the streets while begging.
As Rubianna grew older, she felt there was no purpose, no meaning in Life. She just lived, without dreams or hopes. She was a hollow shell, nothing more than the product of her parents abuse.
So when Rubianna was sold off at the age of sixteen she was not surprised. She accepted her fate, then despair is what she deserved...right?
"We've sold you to the Viscount's Valenti household. Gather your belongings and leave." her father said bluntly. His tone was as cold as a winter storm.
Yet Rubianna wasn't suprised or shocked nor did she tried to protest. She meekly nodded and rose from her chair. She didnt have any belongings in the first place, she lived in the house like a Stranger.
"Let's pray that your ugly face doesn't get you chased out right away!" her mother sneered, her voice dripping with utmost disgust.
As Rubianna departed, the cruel laughter of her parents rang in her ears. She knew they were overjoyed and would surely hold a celebratory feast.
On her way to the residence, she looked out of the carriage window. The sky was adorned with grey clouds, a sign that rain would fall soon. She didn't look forward to working at the Valenti household nor did she thought of it as an escape from her abusive family. No, for her, life simply went on which meant more despair.
When she arrived, it had already rained heavily. She gazed at the Mansion before her, towering and proud against the grey sky. She made her way to the front door,where the headmaid awaited.
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly as she took in Rubianna. "Where is your luggage?" she asked, her voice firm, no doubt, from years of commanding the maids.
"I have none," Rubianna replied, her face unreadable, giving nothing away.
The headmaid gave her a sharp once over before huffing "Follow me." she commanded.
Rubianna trailed behind as the headmaid led her through the halls of Mansion. Every polished surface gleamed despite the dim light. The walls were adorned with portraits of stern ancestors which seemed to watch her with judgement.
The headmaid stopped at the maid's dorm and turned to face Rubianna. "Your duty will be the laundry." she said.
Rubianna nodded "Yes Ma'am" she replied, her voice even and calm.
As the years passed, Rubianna was now nineteen. She now worked as the personal Maid for Annette Valenti, the Viscount's daughter also known as the "Flower of High "society.
Rubianna felt envious, though she would never admit it. Annette had everything she could wish for: a loving family, a fiance and effortless beauty.
Rubianna kept her hair short, a lasting reminder of the abuse she had suffered at her parent's hands. She believed she was unworthy of even this small thing.
While brushing Annette's glossy red hair, Rubianna had a calm expression. Inside, jealousy gnawed at her, sharp and relentless.
In her own eyes, she was a monster, born to suffer. Even life itself felt like a luxury she couldnt claim
It was a cold winter night. Rubianna was sleeping deeply. Then a creak from the hallway jolted her awake. She blinked into the darkness and though it was hard to see, she could make out that the beds in the dorms were all empty.
"how strange," Rubianna thought to herself.
She lit a candle to get a better view. As she sat up a cold gust of wind brushed against her skin. She slipped her feet into her slippers and approached the door. It was slightly ajar. She pushed the door open and it squeaked loudly in the silent dorm.
She made her way through the mansion but found no one. The Halls were silent, the shadows stretching long in the candlelight until she reached the grand hall. The door was slightly ajar, a faint glow spilling out. Hesistantly, she peeked inside.
Her Stomach twisted and her hands started to tremble. Corpses were scattered across the floor, the metallic scent of blood thick in the air. Rubianna's eyes widened in horror as she recognized the lifeless forms of the Viscount family and their Staff
She took a step back and bumped into a vase which shattered loudly on the floor.
"Shit." she muttered. She ran as fast as she could. She did not see who the Culprits where neither did she wanted to see.
As she ran down the dark hallways which was only illuminated by the moonlight she felt a sharp pain in her leg and seconds later she fell to the floor. An arrow pierced her leg and she was unable to run.
She heared footsteps approaching her and soon enough she could make out ann shilouette in the moonlight: It was a man, his face hidden behind a mask. His black hair shone in the moonlight just like his eyes. Like a predator stalking its prey.
Rubianna tried to crawl away but her efforts were useless. She looked up one last time and that's when she saw it. A silver sword, its blade glittering in the moonlight, slick with blood. her breath caught and a shiver ran down her spine.
In that moment, it felt like all the emotions she bottled up over the years poured out at once.
No. She didn't want to die like this--not like this. She hadn't even begun to live her own life, trapped for so long by bitterness and tied to her trauma. Her chest tightened and tears stung in her eyes a wave of panic swept over her.
Her eyes widened, pleading silently for mercy though no sound escaped from her lips. In that cruel instant, the silver blade pierced her heart. Scarlet bloomed across her white nightgown,spreading like a dying star in the pale moonlight. She coughed,the bitter taste of blood filling her mouth and her body shivered as life slipped away. The wolrd blurred around her and for a fleeting moment, she thought of what could have been, dreams unclaimed, moments unlived.
As she drew her final breath,Rubianna overheared the accomplice talking to the man
"Your Highness, the traitor have been eliminated." the accomplice spoke formally.
Then everything went black....
Rubianna was scared, it was cold and she was alone.
Then suddenly she opened her eyes again
"What the--"
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