Royal Blood

It was a grim night.  Great, fat droplets of rain were splattering mercilessly onto the cobbled streets of Eresus. This could only mean one thing: Autumn was coming.  I trudged back from the market, my arms empty of all supplies and my empty pouch slapping against my thigh. It had not been a good day. Not only was I soaked through with the rain, but I also had nothing on me after a day's worth of begging. No food, no water, no clothes, how were my family going to get through this Autumn? Enviously, I turned my gaze to look over at the homes I passed by. If I peeped in through their windows, I could see coal roaring in the fireplaces, bread cooking on the stoves and children holding newly knit jumpers and stockings. They all looked like they had everything. The grinning beams on their faces were unmissable. They were happy.  My home looked nothing like that. It was perched on the edge of Eresus, with broken windows and shutters that did

I nodded uncertainly. My legs were still shaking from the ordeal; I was trembling. How on earth did I manage to get away with that?  "Of course," I stammered, gazing shyly up at the girl. I then turned my attention to the loaf of bread that was outstretched in my hand.  The loaf wasn't of perfect quality. I had crushed it and dented it in several places. So much that it no longer looked much like a rectangle. Nonetheless, crushed bread would likely still taste like nice bread and I was too hungry to complain. Breaking apart the loaf into two sections, I timidly passed it over to the girl. She accepted it gratefully, nibbling on the portion of her section.  "I'll give my hat to you," She said between mouthfuls, "This is a good loaf of bread to be getting into a heated foot chase for."  I took a bite. It tasted too heavenly for words. The bread seemed to almost melt in my mouth, calming the raging storm inside of my stomach.

I felt as if my whole body was floating on cloud nine. I practically was skipping from foot to foot, feeling giddy, rapt and elated. Talking to Adeia had helped numb the pain inside. She made me feel more optimistic that things were going to be okay, she made me feel safe, she made me dare to hope that things will get better. I stealthily padded down the stairs to the ground floor, on high alert for any signs of guards. The last thing I wanted was to end up behind bars for something silly such as trespassing. Thankfully, I didn't run into any other people except a few exhausted maids, carrying baskets full of neatly folded washing. They stared at me but were too tired to do something more than lightly grunt. As I tiptoed down the stairs to the kitchen, a wave of realization washed over me. I had shouted, snapped and acted in such an uncivil way towards Haidyn and Mahra. My cheeks flushed a tinge of red when I thought of how impolite I had been. I tried to jus

I drifted off to sleep that night, listening intently to my Aunt's soft breathing. I decided to snuggle in beside her, unable to sleep on my own. I felt relaxed, knowing that somebody I loved was by my side. I knew that she loved me. I knew that she would protect me. I knew that she was there for me. And I was so fortunate to have her. If I didn't, I would have no idea what I would've done. With my father gone and all... she's been the only motherly figure to me in my childhood. My heart throbbed at the mere thought of my father. I missed what life was like before he caught the sickness. The way he hugged me when the air around me was static and stormy. He would hold me tight and promise me that things would be alright. And it would all be over within a few hours. I couldn't help wishing I still had him to tell me that life at the moment would be alright.  I woke up feeling tired and groggy the following morning. The open, beaming sunlight was st