My name is Hanessa of house Godfall, a ducal house located in the South of the Calyndor Kingdom. I was the firstborn of 3 siblings. But before I had siblings, I had always felt like a lump in my chest was not quite filled. I was apparently walking pretty early compared to other children, and roamed the halls of the manor we lived in. Everything was so shiny, and pretty… and empty… I felt extremely alone. I had daddy and mommy, along with my butler and the other staff, but they had work quite often and never played with me for long. But when I was a little over 3, Leovarion, the then heir and oldest son, was announced to be born. Though that didn't concern me as much as I had a brother, and when he was born and I saw his little figure, I squealed in joy. A part of my soul that was seemingly empty was filled, and I laughed and cried tears of joy.
Then, not 2 years after Leovarion was born, Kaelis came into our lives. She was so very small, it felt like half the size of Leovarion, and she looked like the spitting image of our own Mother. My brother inherited both my Mother's and Fathers looks, and people say I look like the female version of my Father. But I couldn't understand all of that. I just knew they were adorable, and I would protect them. I loved and adored being an older sibling to my brother and sister. Though I could barely play with Leovarion and just swaddled Kaelis on occasion, I was extremely happy.
It was like that for 2 years after Kaelis was born, when we received an announcement from our Father to go to the capital of our nation, north to the Bay of Sylvaren, where the capital, Sylvaren, was located. Because I was the oldest and most competent, along with Leovarion, seeing as he was the heir to the Godfall ducal line, we were informed of this on my 7th birthday, and we were to leave within a week of this news. This was uncommon information, seeing as our tutor, maids, and butlers all told us we were only eligible when the eldest turned 10. But there were apparently circumstances that permitted us to forgo these restrictions and allow us to expose ourselves to life as high nobility.
I, personally, was hoping to meet other kids in the capital. I am a bit too old to have romance conversations with Leovarion yet, or he just didn't care, and Kaelis just started her first few little words. But in the week packing up to prepare us for this trip, Leovarion griped the entire time, "Why do we have to leave. I understand, but common… I was making friends with people." He pouted. My brother sure was cute, but he truly needed a reality check. He is the heir, and needed to not act so childishly.
"You do realize this is the time of one's life where one becomes true nobles, we are given a chance to meet people and showcase how powerful we are," I said matter-of-factly, but I couldn't help a bit of teasing. "But who knows, maybe you'll find a little girl to take as your fiancée. I know you like that one maid girl, but you cannot marry her," snickering behind my hand.
"Wh..wh…WHAT are you talking about?" Leovarion exclaimed in a panic, blush reaching towards his ears, "Girls are gross, shut up. You're always like this, Hanessa…" He pouted in the corner of the room, while I snickered the entire time. Maybe I took my teasing a bit too far, being so blunt, he was only 4 now.
"Hey, hey Leovarion, I'm sor…" I was going to apologize, but he interrupted me. "You won't find a man if you treat him the way you treat me. You're only 7, but you have that mouth of yours, you'll have to go to one of those convents… meanie!"
A vein popped on my head, and I smiled in anger, "Leovarion. Watch. Your. Tongue. Or. Ill. Hit. You." I said through gritted teeth. He jumped back and apologized. He knew this was a sour subject for me; any local lords of Earl or Counts families had intruded their sons, and I've knocked them out for being too arrogant towards a Duke's daughter. I loved mommy and daddy a lot, and any disrespect towards them I could NOT tolerate. I have too much pride in the name Godfall, such blatant disrespect… though my Mother swiftly punished me for whenever I did this. Our conversation came to an end then, and we continued to pack stuff we specifically wanted to bring whilst the maids and butlers packed the essentials… which was a lot. From outside, I could see at least 4 carriages per member, 20 in total, for this excursion, not including our transport or security details. It actually made me feel a bit excited. The capital, I truly wonder how amazing it will be.
The day of arrival has come, our estate was slightly outside of our domain's center, and where the… "Hey mommy what's that called again?" I had been told by our tutor, but the name was confusing.
"Honey, are your tutors not teaching you?" She sighed in exasperation. I lowered my head, ashamed. She noticed and chuckled. "Don't worry, you're still young. But you will need to understand this, seeing as you are the eldest."
I nodded my head, feeling like I was about to cry. Our Mother was a very… very strong woman. She was a person who could do magic, to such an extent that people were afraid of her. But she continued and said, "They are what make the Kingdom of Calyndor so powerful, and more importantly, why we are the Ducal House of Luminar. These are ancient pillars that connect the world and stabilize our planet, the Sanctuary Pillars. Our kingdom has 3, along with the capital, and 1 further North, we hold extreme power." She said with unabated pride. I remember hearing about this from my tutor, but to understand it further, my mom filled me with pride. We were Godfalls.
"There are only around 100 or so left in the world, and they connect trade, travel, and immigration to every corner of the world. Our ancestors were the first to discover this one and bring it into operation. So we were in this Kingdom, given the role of Duke, second only to the King himself." She continued, leaving me in shock. I knew how important the King was; he was the center of everything in this country, but we ranked number 2… my joy in hearing this couldn't be swayed. But for some reason, Mother looked… scared. "There are only… 100 or so left. Our ancestors from us, from Human nations, to the Dwarfs of the mountains, and the Elves of the forests, and even the Dragon, Basilisk, and Naga races… and some… much scarier peoples I cannot tell you about yet, have destroyed 90% of them.
I gapped, what… would happen if all of them were destroyed… so I asked, and Mother gave me a strained smile "I don't see that happening, just know we are the protectors of this Sanctuary Pillar, and even if we must go to war with the King, we protect this till every single human, dwarf, elf, beastman, and everyone else in our territory is killed. That is our burden, why we are the mighty Godfalls!" She said in not her motherly tone… but her Duchess tone.
I shook my head, and our conversation, little though it was, made me certain. I must become stronger, I must protect my family. Mother and Father will not live forever… and I could not dare see my family be killed over this. I steeled myself from that moment, and I will gain strength.
We eventually went through the portal and went to the city that made up the heart of our Kingdom, Sylvaren. I was entranced, though not as naturally beautiful as our territory; it was breathtaking. The city was that of white and gold; every building was perfect. I could see no flaw at all in this place.
"Wowwww," Said Leovarion in amazement, even Kaelis's eyes were sparkling. "Shin-eh…" she said. Gosh, she was so freaking adorable! But they were right. This is where we would be living for the next year. I will take everything I know and become stronger for my siblings' sake.
We took the carriages to what was a giant estate, smaller than ours but still opulent. "This is where we'll be staying for the next year, little ones," Dad said with his kind smile, though it's hard to tell because of his mustache. "I know this is unconventional, but in time, you will understand. Now, let us enjoy the beauty of this city, Sylvaren."
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1 year later, our time was up in the capital when I turned 8 years old. To be frank, my disappointment was immense.
Despite how beautiful and amazing the city was, everyone was mean. The children were spoiled and flaunted their parents' status as a way to get stuff done. I have an amazing relationship with my Butler, Karl, but the children of the noble family and other houses, such as the Thornblade Marquess of the eastern frontier to the mainland, and the Aquin Earls of the central provinces, treated them horribly. They spilled tea and drinks on them if they weren't the perfect temperature, spat on them, and kicked them down. Every single time, without fail, when I saw this injustice, I beat them bloody. Sometimes, however, because of my lower age, they beat me up, but I put up a hell of a fight. The only family that seemed worth a damn was the royal family with the crown prince and his brothers and sisters, but we barely saw them. The prince, the oldest in the family, was my age but was forced to take classes and attend royal meetings next to his Father, the King.
I sometimes attended with Father and Leovarion in meetings with the King, but they were few and far between. I mainly spent my time absorbing as much knowledge as I could, and eventually learning the sword. Much to my dismay, I seem not to have an aptitude for magic; I was not born with the organ necessary to use such magic… which made me disappointed. But my strengths in absorbing knowledge and engaging in physical combat were shining, each time I beat up a spoiled noble brat that was. After I think the eighth or ninth noble child I beat up, and subsequent scoldings from my Mother, our Father actually saw that outside of study, I have potential as a warrior. So his buddy in the capital trained me in the art of the sword.
But all the training and learning have come to an end, we were told by Father and Mother that we will be returning to our domain. The time it took to get there and leave the capital felt like a blip of time. In that time, my little brother and sister grew but were still just babies. Leovarion was still adorable as ever and was oblivious to the injustices, and Kaelis was too small to understand anything and was mainly with Mother or her butlers. She clung to Mother like sap, which was so adorable. The packing and departure of Sylvaren took only 3 days, much quicker than when we took to get here. I assume that was because we left a lot of our stuff at our estate here, but I hope it's because we grew up and knew how to better ourselves.
When we finally arrived back from the capital, my little brother, little sister, and I were in a state of confusion. Without any time for rest, pampering, or anything else we've experienced whilst in Sylvaren, why was it that we were having a family meeting? Ever since I can remember, we have never had an official meeting before. Even when I beat up kids, it was a 1 on 1 meeting with my Mother or a slight scolding from my Father. What could be so important to warrant this?
We waited in the meeting room for what felt like hours, though I imagine it was only an hour or so. But then a knock came from the door, and in came 2 people, Lovis and Seri. I've seen them before in and around the estate, but why were they here? Then my gaze fell down towards 2… babies… BABIES? Why were there babies? I was going to turn to my Mother and ask what was going on, but then they bowed and stopped all thoughts of concern in my brain.
"Duke Aurelian and Duchess Valerienne, along with Mistress Hanessa, Lord Leovarion, and Mistress Kaelis, we, Lovis and Seri, servants of the house of Godfall and protectors of Amaranthine and Siegfried, have brought Siegfried and Amaranthine to you. Here they are." Seri said, whilst bowing to our Mother and Father, holding them out to them.
My brain was not working… Siegfried… Amaranthine… who are th… WAIT A SECOND, I have new siblings! I blurted out in glee, "Oh my God their both so cute!" I was not expecting this. When did Father and Mother have another kid? How? Why? It doesn't matter! They were the picture of cuteness. Both had white and black hair, different on each side, like looking into a mirror, but it was different to our Mother and Father… but the most shocking of all was their eyes… they looked like molten gold…
"They both look so cool! But that comes with the territory of being the children of high nobility!" Said Leovarion with a prideful thump to his chest. I sighed mentally. He got a bit of an ego in the capital, but he was still the shy, timid boy. I could tell from his gaze that he was happy to have more siblings.
All the happy thoughts I was having came to a stop when Kaelis spoke, though… "They… look scary… W..why do they have black and white hair… and… g-g-golden eyes. They don't look like mama or dada…" the atmosphere in the room shifted in an odd direction… what? How can you say this, Kaelis? That's unimaginably rude even for you…
"Kaelis, don't say such rude things. Has your tutor been slacking? I should've expected as much from an outside instructor," Valerienne, our Mother, said in utter exasperation. "Watch your tone, Kaelis, and you two as well, Hanessa and Leovarion. You are the representatives of the region of Luminar, where the people of Luminareth call home. Also, you are in the presence of your Father, the reigning Duke, of the 3rd most powerful nation in the world. I will instruct your tutors to instill this within you thoroughly…" She finished shaking her head. While I was happy she stepped in for our new family, I feel she should be harsher on Kaelis rather than scolding us. Kaelis is shy, has been ever since she was born… but her attitude was weird.
"Now now, dear, no need to be hard on them. They are only children, and children aren't meant to understand this stuff." Our Father said, thankful for his backing. He's always been a kind man with a gentle face. Anytime I was sad, I'd run to him crying. I hope to marry in the future a man as gentle as he was… Though much to my dismay, from what I experienced in the capital, boys sucked… But Father continued, "We must let them have some semblance of freedom before the society of nobility breaks down their world views. Besides, this is a joyous occasion. Siegfried and Amaranthine, my darling children. Welcome to your home!"
My heart was a flutter, I have new siblings, but a stress I never knew about came creeping up on my back, my responsibilities just grew. But it's fine, as the eldest sibling, I will protect them. Welcome to our lives, Amaranthine and Siegfried, my precious siblings.