Work Text:
Athanasia de Alger Obelia was 5 years old when she had realized that she had gotten bored of everything. Who could blame her though? She was a child prodigy.
She was 2 when she had already started speaking and writing in fluent and perfect obelian. She was 3 years old when she had found out she could use magic. She was 4 years old when she was completely fluent in artlantian, sycansian, and even pascal tongue. The maids of the Ruby Palace called her the Genius of the Obelian bloodline. Oh how the maids wanted to brag about their beloved princess so much, but the little princess told them to keep quiet about her achievements. She had teachers quitting left to right, claiming they had nothing else to teach her.
The little princess knew she had nothing left to learn, she was perfect at everything of course. Whether it be as simple as embroidery, to difficult things like politics and swordsmanship. She had perfected it all. It disappointed her a little bit, leaving her always craving a challenge.
That was until, she had gone out that cold night during the banquet.
The loud music of the banquet could be heard from as far as the Ruby Palace, within the walls held a small golden haired princess. The princess tossed and turned in her bed, annoyed at the loud music. She wrinkled her brows in annoyance and angrily got out of her bed, cursing under her breath. She glanced out the window, muttering something under her breath.
”Maybe I should go out for a little, some fresh air maybe.”
The princess grabbed an overcoat, and walked out the bedroom. She casted an invisibility spell, quietly tip toeing outside the Ruby Palace.
She must’ve gotten lost somewhere while her mind was drifting away, because she realized that the music that annoyed her so much sounded very close. She looked up, seeing bright lights peaking throughout the trees. She heard a few people talking, the princess quickly hiding behind a tree.
”- I heard the Marchioness Elzalia talking about the next auction held by the Phoenix Rose society. My brother is planning to go.”
The Phoenix Rose society? What the hell is that? I’ve studied every book of politics known to man, what are they talking about? The small princess wondered, inching closer to hear the conversation.
”Hey man, you know the Phoenix Rose society is a dangerous place, they sell slaves there you know? Who knows where those people are going?”
People? They’re selling slaves?
”Who cares about the slaves? It’s the kids that are being sold there.”
Oh my god. The small princess covering her mouth in shock, listening even closer.
”Rumor has it that hundreds of nobles, from barons to even dukes go there, either to buy kids for adoption or for their dirty pleasures. Crazy bastards. I heard that kids even young as 4 being sold there!”
”Keep your voice down man, do you think the emperor knows about this?”
”Why would you think he would know? If he had, i’d think he would’ve killed every noble in this empire. This is probably the only thing the royal family doesn’t know about.”
The small princess was shivering, not from the cold, but in absolute fear. Not once has she ever heard about nobles having a secret society to trade slaves and children for gods sake. Why hasn’t she heard about this before? I’ve heard enough. The small princess ran back to the Ruby Palace, not caring if she was heard by the nobles at the banquet, she needed to get home and she needed to get home now.
The princess opened the bedroom door, rushing under the safe covers of her bed. She never thought herself she could be this scared of something. She thought of herself as strong and mature at the age of 5, but here she was, shivering under the blankets of her bed.
I guess even someone like me could be scared shitless.
The princess laughed at herself, calming herself down. She didn’t even notice that the loud music of the banquet was no where to be heard. The princess peaked out from under her covers, looking at the lights of the ballroom.
She put her feet on the floor, walking towards her telescope that one of the maids bought for her birthday. She aimed the telescope at the ballroom, looking at the nobles walking about the banquet throughout her telescope. She had found what she wanted, the person the two nobles were talking about. Marchioness Elzalia. She was known for stirring up trouble within noble society, being known as a whore from the nobles. A year ago she was caught in the bedroom of the Baron Grition. The small princess backed away from the telescope, walking over to her desk to grab a piece of paper.
She scribbled on the paper before setting it down, staring at it for a moment. Letting out a small chuckle, she folded the paper and set it within a drawer, walking back to her bed, and falling asleep.
That walk for fresh air wasn't so bad, was it?
The piece of paper laid within the drawer of her desk, and on the piece of paper, had the words written,
”The Phoenix Rose Society:
1. Marchioness Elzalia.”