When growing up, Isabella was tormented by her family except for her oldest brother. Daniel was the only one who she felt truly cared for her. She holds all of the memories of her brother closest to her heart. Looking back, she wondered how he was the only one in their family who didn't see her as a monster.
Unlike her brother, her other brother Charles was disgusted even at the thought of his sister. He truly wished she hadn't been born at all. Every time Charles and Isabella crossed paths in the castle, he would look away and keep walking. He had made his mind Isabella was not his sister when he had seen her use magic soon after she was born.
The night Isabella was born, the servant who had taken her into her room was ordered to care for her. She was supposed to do so by feeding, clothing, changing, bathing, and soothing her so her powers would not cause any problems. Not surprisingly, when the woman, Sarah, went to pick up the wailing newborn, she became too frightened and ran off. That's when knights or armored servants started to take care of Isabella; not that it was much caring for a little baby who should've been loved and cherished.
Isabella was left to cry most of that night. Eventually, little Daniel wandered into his new little sister's room. His big eyes gazed with curiosity and happiness at his little sister.
"Hello Bella!" he said softly, in a sweet manner. "I'm Daniel, your older brother. I'm sorry for running away earlier- Father made me" He looked at his little sister wondering why she was being locked away. He didn't understand why their family hated her when they never got to know her.
"I promise I'll never hurt you. I'll protect you, Bella. I see good in you and no evil like how our parents said. I love you". He caressed his little sister's head. As soon as he started speaking to her, Isabella stopped crying and stared upwards in a daze. "I bet you're hungry" Daniel said and then proceeded to feed Isabella while still touching her head. In that moment, everything was fine and everything was at ease.
Suddenly, their father burst through the door shouting "Daniel! Get away from it!". Rushing towards his son, the king grabbed him and shoved him towards the door.
"There's nothing wrong with her!" Daniel shouted to his father.
"Lies! She must have put a spell on you! She is evil, son!" Rowan shouted.
"No, she's not! She wouldn't harm a soul! She's an innocent baby! She is my sister and I love her!"
"That demonic infant is not your sister- and she never will be unless she is stripped of her powers!" Rowan shouted. "Guards! Take the prince to his chamber and keep him there until further notice!" He turns to Daniel, "You will stay in your room until you see the evil that has struck this family. She is not pure nor innocent- she is a monster!"
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Daniel was punished from time to time by his parents for being blinded by who his sister truly was. He was frowned upon by his siblings sometimes as well.
Later on, Rowan decided to talk with his son. He approaches his son's door and says while knocking, "Daniel? May I come in?"
Hesitantly, the upset and confused five year old boy responds, "Yes".
King Rowan enters the room, placing a plastic, sympathetic look on his face. One that anyone could have seen through. He sits on a chair near where his son is fiddling with a small wooden bird.
"You're not upset with me, are you?" Rowan asks his son while leaning towards him. Daniel doesn't say a word. "Son," he said in a clear voice, "I did what needed to be done". He paused for a moment then carried on, "We cannot have that child destroying everyone and everything in this castle". He paused, trying to find a more carrying voice, "I did it to protect you, to protect us.''
Daniel stays quiet for a moment, then says, "You don't even know her. She's just an innocent baby- and she's my sister". He looks up from the wooden bird and looks his father in the eye with disappointment. "You said no matter how normal or different our family members are, we should love them for who they are. You said no matter how our little siblings come out, we love them with all our hearts. You said I'd protect my younger brothers or sisters and care for them. Why are you treating my sister like this?"
For a moment, Rowan was at a loss of how to rebuttal what his son had spoken. He knew he was right, but he believed the child was evil! So he said, "There is darkness in that infant you call your sister. She isn't safe to be around nor is she as pure as you may think. That child's soul is not good, therefore she is not part of this family. We may be bound by blood, but nothing more; for she is not family".