Chapter 1

THE FIRST ARC

Chapter One

*nine years ago*

The streets were relatively busy for the fact that the country was on the verge of war. Although many people wanted to leave to prevent harm from coming to them or their families, the Queen forbid it. Typical of her really, she was a vicious bitch.

The Royal castle stood proudly in the distance, guards patrolling around it peacefully. The poeple inside the castle must have been enjoying themselves, knowing that they were about to bring chaos to a country that had minded its business since it was established. But that was the price of power. Being taken over by greed and wanting more.

Gwen clicked her tongue and she watched the castle with a sharp gaze, The number of times she had imagined it going up in flames and everything and everyone inside perishing. Or storming the halls until she found the Queen and slicing off her head with one clean swipe of a sword. It was a little too many times but she had no problem thinking of it again and again.

The Queen was the reason why the country was so hated. She was the reason why so many people were going to die. She was the reason why she was watching the castle from the inside instead of being in the castle itself.

She leaned against the wall of the alleyway that was shrouded in darkness because of the tall building next to it. It meant that no matter how long she stayed there and how many new ways her face could twist in disgust, no one would see her. It was a crime to have any sort of hostile or negative thoughts towards the royals and so this was all she could do.

Although going to jail didn't seem like such a bad idea, her poor mother would not be able to handle it, and so she kept her thoughts to herself. Besides, she would not be able to enjoy the demise of their empire from a jail cell. Because she wanted to be the one leading it.

After a while of fueling her hateful thoughts and hoping that her stare would cause the castle to collapse, she moved from her spot, pulling her hood further over her face and walking down the street. As she walked, her eyes glanced over the posters plastered all over the walls of the buildings for the millionth time. Each of them either promoting some sickening propaganda about how they were a superior country and that they should 'enlighten' the other countries, or they were military enlistment posters. Trying to entice the youth that their cause was worth fighting for.

A load of bullshit obviously.

With the rule preventing families larger than three people from leaving, it created a lot of unrest among the citizens. There was not even an exception for young children apart of larger families. Even if a mother and child tried to leave their government documents would show that she was a part of a large family and prevent her from leaving. People thought they could leave in little bits but they were stopped from crossing any borders and sent back home. So now, all that they can do is try to stock up on essentials and pray the fighting didn't get too bad.

Gwen's breath came out in a huff in front of her and she clutched her clothes together to her body. The town was gloomy. Grey clouds that looked ready to burst and not a trace of the sun anywhere to be found. That was the weather of Paria-Drea. Cold and miserable, and when the sky felt extra nice, everyone would also be sodding. It seemed like that was the mood today so Gwen picked up her pace.

Her house was a little while away from her usual spot and so she walked for about ten minutes before she stopped before the butcher's shop. It was a three-story house. The business took up the first floor and she lived with her mother and stepfather on the other two.

The familiar clinking of the bell on the door sounded as she pushed it open. The smell of meat and fish wafting into her nose. She had known this smell her entire life and she always fluctuated between hate and apathy for it. Her stepfather looked up from behind the counter at her. He was a big man, had a beard, and always wore a hat on his head. He had on an apron and always looked threatening when he held up his cleaver and dismantled his produce.

"Oh it's you, Gwen, you should not be out in this weather, you could catch a cold," he said, worry evident on his face.

"I know dad, but walking clears my head. Especially with all going on."

He nodded. "I know, this country's morals are so incredibly off, it makes me wonder if the royals have any sense at all."

"I know right." she smiled and shook off her hood, her short blond hair appearing.

It fell just above her shoulders and had a slight curl to them at the ends. Gwen always preferred it to be short. It was less of a hassle to deal with and she found that she looked better when it was short.

She walked past the counter and through the door leading to the back. The room she entered was where they kept all of their already packaged and cut meat. Further back was where all the bloody stuff happened and Gwen would forever be thankful that she didn't have to pass through there to get upstairs.

To her immediate right was the door that was connected to the stairs that took her up. As soon as she opened it, she was hit with refreshing warmth. The heater of their house really did wonders. It was connected to three fireplaces on each level of the house and when they were all lit, the heat would spread through the iron pipes and vents, warming up the entire house.

"Mom," Gwen called as she walked up the stairs, entering into the living room.

She moved to the room to the left which was the kitchen and she found her mother skinning a fish. She wore gloves, thankfully, and concentrated really hard.

"There's no reason for you to do that. We live with a butcher you know."

Her mother looked over at her. She had black hair, it was tied up into a bun and they both had the same brown eyes. She gave Gwen a wide smile.

"I know, but I like doing this. It makes me feel useful."

Gwen knew it made her feel useful but she still insisted that there were many other things that she could do. Although Gwen hated dealing with fish in any sort of way she still went and grabbed a pair of gloves and joined her mother. She was doing this for them and not for the shop but the smallest thing that she could do to help made her really happy. Which was why her stepfather always left her fish to skin when she needed to cook for them, even though he insisted many times she didn't need to.

"So, did you go to glare at the castle again?"

"One of these days it will be strong enough to burn it down." she insisted.

"Uh-huh, I'm sure."

There was silence and she knew what was coming next. It was something her mother always told her. But Gwen could never see her side on things and it always made them quarrel for no reason.

"I just, I don't want you to waste your energy on them. Forget about them, find your true passion in life and live a life of happiness."

"I will find happiness when that Queen's head is on a platter." she sneered and stabbed at her fish.

Her mother sighed. "I know honey. I know how you feel about the Queen but your resentment isn't going to do anything. There is nothing we can do. We have a happy life here and I don't want you doing anything that could get you hurt."

"She took everything from you."

"You don't need to remind me." her tone was sharp.

Even after twenty-two years, her mother still carried herself with the grace of a Princess. She walked like one and she talked like one and frankly, she sang like one too. She was also very kind and forgiving like one.

Gwen knew that the only reason her mother held back was because she was afraid. Afraid of her wretched sister. Afraid that if she marched up to the castle claiming that she was the 'dead Princess' and that her sister plotted to kill her all those years ago then she would really be killed again. But Gwen would hold her hand through it all. And she would stop anyone in their way, and anyone who tried to harm them.

"The date is not set, but once the troops from Paria-Drae set out to Estril then it's all over for them. If you face her now then maybe you could stop her."

"I cannot stop my sister. She is too influential and powerful." she rested down her knife. "Gwen, I believe that everything will sort itself out. I believe that the Queen will get a taste of her medicine and that Estril will come out fine. Without our interference."

"You don't know that."

"No, I don't know that. But what else is there to do but hope?"

She is even cheesy like a Princess.

"Take action, fight back."

"And get killed in the process."

"We won't get killed in the process. I will protect you. She does not know that you are alive so we will have the element of surprise."

"Gwendolynn." her voice carried defeat.

Gwen took off her gloves and grasped her mother's shoulders.

"And most importantly, she does not know that I exist."