No one in Ilysia knew exactly how it happened, but we were faced with an awful truth: the emperor had been murdered.

He and his retainers were struck down near the northern territory of Pruin.  There were few survivors, which thankfully included the imperial siblings. The prince was only nineteen when he watched his father die before him - his sister a year younger. The blame was placed on a group of rebels camped nearby. Almost immediately, they were executed. The trial didn't even last a day.

Despite the imperial family's insistence that it was all over, rumors began to surface. There were whispers of treachery among the people. An enemy in the palace. Treason on Pruin's part. The prince paying the rebels off. There were too many stories to count.

For my part, I wanted nothing to do with the rumors.  My father was among those killed that day, aiding the escape of the imperial prince and princess. I didn't care how it happened. I just knew my father was dead. My mother couldn't bear living within the castle walls without him.

So she took me and my younger sister away.  Elya was only two.

The first week was miserable. We had hardly any food in our stomachs nor a decent roof over our heads. Work was scarce. My mother was able to earn some gold with her needlework, but it was hardly enough to care for all three of us. 

I wanted to help, but none were willing to hire a girl of fourteen, especially in the industrial areas.  So I did the only thing I knew. I sold the prettiest blossoms I could find on the side of the street. Though I never earned anything,  it was good that I did, for that is how I met Lord Moliner.

The lord of Althana took pity on us and offered a home on his estate in exchange for menial labor.  My mother worked in the kitchens and patched clothing, whereas I was responsible for keeping the floors clean and the gardens beautiful. I admit I found adjusting difficult at first, but I soon got used to it. I had to. It was either work or the streets. Life gradually got easier from there. I had a small, but livable room and good food on the table.

I even found a friend in Lord Moliner's only son, Aiden.

Aiden was - and still is - a treasure. Every day, he would request that I clean his quarters while he studied just to have someone around his age to speak with. I grew not to mind it, despite the constant teasing.

"Serving girl," he would say. "You missed a spot while polishing the floor, and as I cannot recall where it is, I'm afraid you will have to start over." And then he would return to his complaints about his studies or the meetings he had to attend. Each day was the same. I'd clean his quarters. He'd tell me of his woes, and occasionally I would tell him of what I did that day. As our friendship blossomed, he had his father grant me my very own patch of soil where I could grow flowers of my own. I only wish it could have lasted forever.

I never learned how or why, but the estate began to lose money, and Lord Moliner became even more desperate to marry Aiden off. Aiden, despite thriving off attention, rejected every woman who came to call on him. Lord Moliner became frustrated,  but despite it all, he never even threatened to force a marriage.

The servants began receiving fewer rations for food. At first, it was barely noticeable, but our meals soon consisted of nothing more than a bit of bread, some dried meat, and some milk. My mother began giving her small portions to my younger sister, insisting she would be fine. She was practically working herself to death. So I did my best to assist, going to town to sell the finest flowers I grew in my little garden- the only things I truly owned. I hoped that it would do more to put food in our mouths, but it was ultimately useless.

  I was ultimately useless.

Aiden began disappearing at night. He would return in the late mornings with his knuckles bruised and the occasional bloodied lip. He refused to say anything about it, even to me. It broke my heart. But still, I was determined to put an end to it for both Aiden's happiness and the well-being of my mother. One afternoon, once I was sure Aiden was nowhere near to argue against it, I marched straight into Lord Moliner's office and made my demands.

"If you stop pressuring Aiden to marry," I said, " and provide more food to the servants, I am willing to be married off to a wealthy man and bring some gold back into our coffers."

At first, Lord Moliner laughed at me. I have to admit, the idea did sound absurd. It took some convincing to show that I was serious, and much to my surprise, he accepted my offer. The old man and I struck a deal.

If I could somehow find a man willing to marry me and provide support to the estate by the end of the year, Aiden would be free to do as he pleased. For at least a little longer. The money to feed the servants would have to come from the man who took me as his bride. The moment I left his office, I began to weep. I had fully come to grasp what I had just done. It was far too late to back out now.

And I felt positively ill.

The letters stopped just as promised. Much to my dismay, there was little change in Aiden. He still stayed out late, still returned with scrapes and bruises, and still said nothing about what he was doing. It got worse when he found out about the deal I made with his father.  Aiden was livid.

Why? I have no clue.

Aiden refused to speak to his father for weeks. He would constantly try to convince me to back out of it, but I stood firm. He began disappearing more and more after that. 

Months flew by, no wealthy man seemed interested in me. Either they saw no benefit in the arrangement, or they had no desire for a "foreign" wife. Some part of me was relieved. I wasn't ready to marry, and the thought of sharing my life with a stranger was nothing short of frightening. But when I thought of Aiden and my mother, the guilt I felt was enough to keep me awake at night. 

 Perhaps the old man was only humoring me,  I thought. He knew that what I requested was impossible. No man would pay money to wed a dressed-up servant girl.

But then, halfway through fall, that letter arrived.

Lord Moliner of Althana,

The Imperial Family of Ilysia summons Miss Lorelei Ciar to the palace so that she may attend the coronation of His Highness the Crown Prince Asier Rayan Ilysia. As the daughter of Roald Ciar, who bravely gave his life protecting the Imperial family, Lorelei will be offered a chance to become the bride of our future emperor.

You and your family will also be compensated for seeing to it that Miss Ciar and her family were treated well whilst in your care.

Lorelei Ciar will be expected to arrive by the month's end.

(Please send Mila Ciar our regards should she still live)

-The Royal Council of Ilysia