Odette

The king dismissed the meeting and declared a "parting" ball for those in the palace. It was his way of honoring those who gave to the king. Plus, the king always liked himself a party. As soon as they were dismissed, Odette knew as well as her sister what was waiting for them. From the look on the lord of Caderis' face, she assumed Julien and Kaden were probably going to go through the same thing. Evangeline gave her an assuring smile as if she was trying to protect her in any way possible. Odette was grateful to have a sister like Evangeline, although she felt like she was failing as an older sister. She was supposed to be the one to protect and comfort her, not the other way around. Eva has always kept her feelings to herself, always kept her walls up, which left Odette feeling helpless. She thought the day Eva ever opened up to someone would be a miracle.

Odette linked arms with her sister taking strength from her as they made their way to their quarters. The east wing was given to the Mirari's while the left was given to the Caderis' to avoid further conflict. The two sisters made their way into the common room of the wing where they found their mother talking to one of the maids. Her eyes then looked behind Odette's shoulders before worry lines crept around her eyes. Odette held back a shudder as the door slammed shut behind her, her grip tightened on her sister's arm.

"All of you! Out!" Her father barked orders as the maids scurried like frightened mice out of the room. Her mother left along with them, she usually liked to be far from their father when he was angry. They didn't blame her for running away and leaving them with him. She was what their father feared they'd become. She was wed to her father by force as a business deal over a piece of land. That's why Odette had to be queen. She would not become her mother.

Once alone, the sisters turned to look at the Lord of Mirari who in turn was glaring at his daughters. "You are supposed to be better than those Caderis."

He spat it out like he had tasted something disgusting.

"But father-"

"No buts," he said. "During your journey, I need you two to definitely stand out. By the end of your trip, I want the king to be blown away and for the court to be fawning over you. Now, get ready for the ball. I want you two to be the center of attention."

"Yes father," the girls said at the same time. Odette knew just as well as Eva that there was no point in arguing with their father. Ever since a young age, he's been filling them with hate for those of Caderis. In a way, she was grateful. Women's only power was being used as a bargaining ship for either peace or riches. Their father wanted to give them titles people dream and fear for. Despite all this, she felt like pawns in a game their father was playing to shame the lord of Caderis.

The lord smiled at his daughters' obedience before getting up and leaving the chamber.

Odette let out a sigh as soon as he was gone. "Sometimes I wish I can fail to spite father if it weren't for the need of not letting Julien surpass me."

Evangeline agreed. "I'm just waiting for the day we succeed and for when father stops complaining, and most importantly seeing Kaden's devastated face when he sees that I have won."

Odette laughed and agreed with her sister. She could see the fuel that raged inside her when speaking of Kaden. "Although, it would be easier to hate Julien if he wasn't so handsome."

Odette couldn't deny it one bit, not even if she wanted to. Julien was handsome, he had the Caderis gene of dark brown hair and sea green eyes that ran in the family. Though Julien was thinner than Kaden since he spent more time studying instead of training, Odette thought it made him seem more gentle. Someone gentle, unlike her father's hard demeanor. Even though they fought all the time, he was never too harsh. She noticed he was careful in not stepping over a line. She sometimes imagined he was protecting her in way, not that she'd ever admit to anyone in fear of sounding like a hopeless girl. That was the last thing she needed when the crown was so close to her grasp.

"Odette!" Evangeline gasped.

Odette knew Evangeline hated when she spoke like a girl. Where Julien was merciful, Kaden was ruthless. He crossed lines and didn't look back. Even if faith had it for them to be raised to not hate each other, Kaden knew how to get under her skin. Eva's hate for him grew large, but there were moments when Odette could have mistaken them for friends.

Odette blushed and laughed. "Don't worry, I would rather die than be with a man as aggravating as him."

Julien found any way to demean Odette. In any subject that he slightly excelled, he made a show to remind her. She knew she was a great scholar and would not succumb to Julien's taunting.

Evangeline sighed in relief. Odette knew her family would all die before any romantic thought even dared to cross her mind. It couldn't happen, it wouldn't happen. A Mirari could never like a Caderis, it was not possible.

"Good," said Evangeline. "Now, let's show those boys what they want but can't have."

***

Kaden

Kaden knew when the vein in his father's forehead throbbed like that then he was in for an earful. "I am very disappointed in the both of you."

"Father, we-"

"There are no excuses, how hard is it to outshine a bunch of women?"

Their father always used that against them. Just like the rest of society, he still believed women were not meant to surpass men in any way. Kaden hated that. That was why his mother lived in their house in Caderis and not with his father in the castle. He drove her away. Plus, he had witnessed the greatness a woman can accomplish. Evangeline never gave him a break, she was a hard worker.

"They are not just a bunch of women," said Kaden. "There is a reason we've been head to head."

"They are talented women," said Julien agreeing with him.

Even thought they hated the sisters, both men could agree to the women's talents. If they weren't then this rivalry would have ended a long time ago, but they've proved everyone wrong with their strength and wit.

The lord's nose flared in anger. "This is why you two will never accede to anything. By the time you are back from this journey I expect Julien to be crowned and Kaden to be the grandmaster."

Fire burned inside Kaden. He clenched his hands so he wouldn't do anything foolish in front of his father. Satisfied by the fire burning in his sons' eyes, his father stood up and straightened his clothing before walking out the chamber.

Kaden grabbed the nearest thing beside him, which happened to be a chair, before throwing it against the wall letting it break into pieces. His chest heaved in anger.

"Calm down brother, don't let him get to you," said Julien trying to calm down his brother. Kaden was usually very laid back, the only people he had seen able to get under his skin were his father and Evangeline.

"He exasperates me, maybe I should marry Eva to get under his skin," he groaned. Oh what he would give to see his father's face then. Marrying the enemy? He thought of how priceless that would be.

Julien let out a short laugh. "More like get under her dress."

Kaden's anger seemed to seize as he joined in his brother's laughter. "Do you blame me brother? Not only is she the only one who is a worthy competition for me on the field but she has got a body that makes angels' jealous. I wonder how she will look tonight."

Kaden has always been attracted to Evangeline. Especially when he had started to hit puberty and Eva's body had started to fill out more. She was the golden-haired princess with eyes like the sky that you hear about in those tales much like her older sister, but the difference was that this one had a fire inside her that cannot be put out. Something Kaden admired, she had a dangerous edge to her that he had never seen in all the girls he had met. It was only natural for a man to be attracted to her.

Julien seemed disgusted by the thought of his brother being with someone from Mirari. "You can't possibly fall for her."

"I'm not," Kaden leaned back against the wall. "I would probably kill myself if I had to live with her for the rest of my life. I just wouldn't mind some action."

Despite Evangeline being every man's physical dream, she sure knew how to push all of Kaden's buttons. He can't imagine himself being with a witch such as herself.

Julien nodded his head in agreement. They both knew any association with those of Mirari was just absurd. "Now, we need to plan how to succumb to father's wishes."

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For some reason a WHOLE CHUNK of writing got deleted, like 2000 words! I think I cried for two days. And I had written it months ago so I don't remember it to rewrite it! So be patient with me, for I am currently a sensitive soul.

I know this chapter is short, my apologies seriously, but the next chapter will be put up fast and it will be longer I promise!

But do not be slient readers!

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