The castle's stone walls stood as a testament to the weight of history, their grandeur a constant reminder of the expectations that came with royal lineage. Princess Stephania navigated the opulent halls with a sense of detachment, her footsteps echoing through the silence. Born to King Everard and Queen Lirien, Stephania was destined for greatness, yet she harbored a secret that threatened to undermine her very existence: she possessed no magical abilities.
In the kingdom of Eldrida, magic was an integral part of the nobility's identity. The royal family exhibited the most potent powers, while nobles and courtiers wielded lesser but still impressive abilities. Commoners, on the other hand, struggled to conjure even the faintest sparks. Stephania's inability to manifest magic made her an outcast among her own family.
King Everard's disappointment in his daughter was palpable, his eyes dimming whenever Stephania's name was mentioned. The queen attempted to intervene, but Everard's disdain ran deep, fueled by his own sense of failure. He saw Stephania's lack of magic as a reflection of his diminished legacy.
To shield the kingdom from the shame of a magicless princess, Everard kept Stephania hidden from the world. She was confined to the castle, her existence a closely guarded secret. Meanwhile, the king's mistress, Lady Marcella, and their illegitimate son, Prince Ryker, received more attention and favor. Ryker's impressive magical prowess further solidified Everard's affection for him.
As Stephania walked through the empty corridors, she caught glimpses of Ryker's training sessions with the castle's magical instructors. His laughter and shouts of excitement echoed through the halls, a stark contrast to Stephania's isolation. She wondered what it would be like to wield magic like Ryker, to feel the rush of power and the admiration of others.
The sound of her maid, Elara, entering the room interrupted Stephania's thoughts. "Your Highness, the king requests your presence in the throne room." Stephania's heart sank, her mind racing with possibilities. What could her father want now?
She followed Elara, her footsteps echoing through the castle's silence. As they approached the throne room, Stephania steeled herself for another confrontation with her father. Little did she know, her life was about to take a dramatic turn, one that would challenge everything she thought she knew about herself and her place in the kingdom.
Stephania's eyes widened as her father's words cut through her like a knife. "You'll do this, Stephania. You'll marry the prince of Calonia and help me bring down Vorga." His voice was cold, devoid of any warmth or compassion.
She felt a surge of rebellion rise within her, but her father's reminder of her incompetence crushed her spirit. "You're useless to me without magic, Stephania. This is the only way you can be of any use to our country."
The words stung, but she knew better than to argue. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do it."
As soon as she was dismissed, Stephania rushed to her room, the facade crumbling the moment she was alone. She collapsed onto her bed, overwhelmed by memories she thought she'd long buried.
Her father's torture chambers, the pain, the fear, the desperation. All those failed attempts to coax magic out of her. The disappointment in his eyes, the cruelty in his words. She remembered the day he gave up on her, the day he turned his attention to Ryker, her stepbrother.
Ryker, who was showered with praise and affection, while Stephania was left to gather dust. And now, her father was using her as a pawn in his game of power. The thought made her stomach churn.
She thought of her stepbrother's mother, Lady Marcella, and her ruthless ambition. Stephania knew her father was blinded by his desire for power, but she couldn't help but wonder if he realized the monster he was creating in Ryker
As tears streamed down her face, Stephania felt like she was drowning in her own despair. She was trapped in a life she didn't want, forced to play a role she didn't choose. The marriage, the alliance, the war – it all seemed like a never-ending nightmare.