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Being from the ancient and noble lineage of the Herondales wasn´t enough to be a girl accepted by society, especially if it was rumored that they were capable of see ghosts.
Lucie did not care about the comments of the people around her, and it wasn´t that she had an interest in date someone, after all she was only 10 years old. However, the rumors had become incessant, but the most direct were towards her brother James whose golden eyes hard to hide were enough gossip of the demon blood he had inherited, her brother who was always taking care of her or teasing her, but the the fact that he had thrown up on his own shoe years ago would be something she would take revenge on in the future.
Someday James would separate from her and go to the Academy, and their paths would be divided because she planned to publish her books or become an Iron Sister, but she would have to investigate further this second option. Both had grown up together with their cousins in London and Idris, but they always had each other, in addition to the company of Jessamine who had taken a particular affection for Lucie, was always with her and advised her on the ribbons that would favor her, but for the pirate who had fled successfully after a major robbery in London´s bank that was an irrelevant issue.
The meetings at the Institute seemed tremendously boring to her, so she used to sneak out to play in the garden and prepare her stories that her father would later ask her to tell stting on his lap. After her experience in the forest of Brocelind with the changeling boy a few months ago her ideas were pouring through her mind and the cloudy days in the city turned eeverything in a Dickens novel worthy of being captured on paper.
Jessamine seemed to have no interest in her right now, maybe she was gossiping about news from the Enclave. So while she was tracing a map on the ground with a stick that she had found near the gate, two shadows covered the sunlight: Rosamund and Piers Wentworth.
"What a surprise you're alone again." Said the younger sister.
Lucie blew out an exasperated breath. Piers was a little old to play Rosamund's childish games, but that didn't mean he didn't like being her accomplice. Lucie chose to ignore them as her mother had told her: the most interesting women are always the most whispered about.
As she walked one foot made her slip against the ground, she luckily put her hands in time to hold back her fall, but both brothers surrounded her. With her head held high she stood up and imagined that she could make them disappear with her eyes, no matter what size she was. She could emerge victorious as the brave Princess Lucinda.
"I'm not alone." She said firmly.
"Oh yeah? I don't see anyone, or is it true that you are surrounded by ghosts? " Rosamund said.
"I have heard at the Academy that boys are not interested in girls like you." added Piers following the game.
"For your information I am not interested in ridiculous boys, after all I will be an Iron Sister." She said proudly.
"I don't think so, I doubt they accept demon blood in the Adamant Citadel." Rosamund said. "Maybe you should, after all they never marry and you don't have a chance either."
"As if that was my purpose in life." Lucie snorted.
"The other girls also think you're weird Lucie Herondale, talking to the air." She said between giggles.
"I'm not talking to the air, it's with my friend Jessamine." She said trying to end this at once.
"As I expected, surrounded by ghosts." Pears said. "It must be from your mother's demon blood."
Lucie felt her blood boil. "Some may have it, but they don't behave like one as you do."
Although cruel children exist it didn´t mean that they were really cruel, sometimes they repeated the same things that their parents said without thinking about the feelings of others. What Lucie least wanted was people talking about her mother, that sweet person who combed her hair as if it were the most luxurious thing in this world and slept with her on stormy days.
"So this is what they teach children now." A strong and feminine voice spoke, it was her aunt Cecily. "Also, I don't think kids with poisonous mouths look very pretty, they remind me to demons shax."
The Wentworth brothers lowered their faces and shrugged. Annoying someone younger than you was one thing, but getting caught by an adult was at another level of shame, especially if the famous Cecily Lightwood was that person. Before she called their parents, they ran off. And warm arms wrapped around Lucie.
"Come my Little girl." Her aunt murmured to her, who had knelt to be at Lucie´s level.
"I'm not sad auntie, I would never be ashamed of my family." Said sniffing her nose.
"I know, Cariad" she said as she ran her hands through Lucie´s hair. "I am very proud of the woman you are becoming."
Cecily got up from the ground and took Lucie by the hand as they walked through the garden.
"Is it normal auntie?"
"What, Lulu?"
"I-I don't have girl friends." she whispered.
"Oh my girl, I wasn't one of many friends either until I met your mother, Sophie and Charlotte." She continued “But you will go with your mother to France, won't you? To visit the Carstairs family, you might become friends with their youngest daughter, Cordelia. "
"B-But what if she thinks I'm weird too?" She said innocently. "Or she laughs at my stories."
"I'm sure Cordelia will be your friend," said Cecily. "You are a Herondale after all, and the Carstairs love us." She finished laughing.
"I want to have a friend and be a famous writer, share my stories with people beyond my family." Lucie said, as she remembered the words she had said in the forest.
"You will. Just as I chose war, you choose your path and no one should judge you for it," she added "Herondale girls are stronger than everyone thinks, as well as beautiful" ended up giving Lucie a finger little touch on her nose
"Thank you auntie." Lucie gave her a big smile and Cecily's heart melted.
"You´re welcome my Lulu." Her auntie said, gently squeezing Lucie´s hand.
They both walked into the Institute when Enclave members left the meeting. Her father, Will Herondale, as soon as he saw his youngest daughter, he ran, not caring what the other guests would say, and took her in the air fondly, whispering over and over again the words Fy nghariad Bach, and giving a smile to his sister.
Years later the doors of the great ballroom in Langhman Hotel were opened and a gorgeous girl with brown hair and pale blue eyes entered with a bright smile, holding the arm of her fiancé, a thin boy with black hair and Green eyes that did not depart from his beloved, both would be part of the new generation of Blackthorns. Followed by her brother, James Herondale and her parabatai Cordelia Herondale. And other members of her family as the Lightwoods. Mundanes, Warlocks and Shadowhunters were gathered in what would be the autograph signing of the Best Seller novel The Beautiful Cordelia that had been a success throughout Europe, everyone was there for Lucie.