Chapter Text
“Wake up, my lady.” The sunlight had barely begun to peek through the transparent curtains of your room, and yet Ethel still shook you. Displeased, you groaned, but reluctantly sat up.
“What? What is it?” Ethel chuckled warmly at your tired state, amused, and helped you get up from bed. “Is it my birthday?”
“No, far from it.” She chuckled, petting your hair affectionately, but did not disclose any more. You followed her down regal, spiral stairs, all the way into the dining room, where your mother and father were discussing something. Even at only eight years of age, you had a feeling it was serious. As soon as your mother saw you, however, her frown dissolved.
“My child!” You rushed forward, suddenly very awake, into your mother’s arms. She cradled your head, mumbling sweet nothings into your skin as you recounted your strange dreams. Your father, though not very affectionate in the ways your mother was, smiled softly at your antics.
Once you were finished, you sat beside him, thanking the servants who placed juice, scones, and other breakfast items in front of you. “You’re becoming quite the educated princess,” your father remarked, proud of your politeness. It was something your House flourished on; Kindness and respect. It flooded your planet in alliances and adoration.
After breakfast, your parents pleasantly surprised with no lessons for the day. You spent those hours in the gardens, enjoying the sun on your face, grass in between your toes, and running water of brooks underneath your fingertips, all with Ethel by your side. She was your caretaker, someone who nurtured you when your mother was absent. The two of you let the day pass by leisurely, until when the moons began to rise. You had dinner, took a bath, and went to your room, expecting your parents to come to tuck you in. It was tradition; Your father would tell you one of his many stories, your mother would hum you a lullaby, and that would signal the end of another successful day.
Today seemed to be different, for when the door opened, you were greeted with none other than Ethel. “Sincerest apologies, my lady, but the Duke and his lady are at a meeting.
“A meeting? This late?”
“Sadly. But I will wish you goodnight, yes?” You nodded glumly, disappointed. Ethel sat on the edge of your bed, patting your leg sympathetically. “Do not fret- They will come kiss your cheeks once you’ve fallen asleep.”
Ethel sang, and Ethel read a storybook, and Ethel even made voices for each character, but it felt different. Eventually, you did fall asleep, deep and dreamless.
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“Wake up, my lady.” A wavering voice and harsh hand shook you awake, causing to groan. Immediately, the hand was clasped over your mouth, muffling your sounds. You jolted, becoming increasingly aware of your surroundings. The stench of something burning itched your nose, and the deadly silence only intensified it. Ethel stood before you, eyes darting around as she dragged you up. Her usual calmness was replaced with something more severe, dangerously cool. “Do not make a sound. Do not look back. Cover your mouth and nose with your robes. You will follow my lead exactly, understood?”
Frightened, you opened your mouth to object, but she shushed you, leading you out into the halls. Heat smacked you in the face as the once bare and dim corridors filled with smoke and fire, causing you to cough. Still, you did as you were told, bringing your night robes up to your face. The two of you rushed through the palace hand-in-hand, Ethel’s warning ringing through your head; Don’t look back. Banners and paintings clattered to the floor, scorching the already stained tiles. Screams teared through the air, ringing in your ears far after they’ve quieted down.
After what felt like agonizing hours, you were out. You and Ethel clambered onto a nearby hill, legs aching and sore. You slowed to stop, even as Ethel tried to pull you away, an itching feeling in your gut told you to turn around. And so you did.
The palace was in ruins. The House Galiante flag, once hung high above the gates of your home, now limply fell to the ground, the edges torn from the inferno. You looked to the cities, heart shattering at the flames that licked at your people’s domain. And the bodies- Oh, the bodies. Even from afar, the fire radiated waves of heat across your face. You stumbled, knees buckling and collapsing under the weight of it all. Smoke already began to blow across the once clear sky.
“My people.” Bile threatened to rise from your throat, bitter and burning. Your House, your planet, reduced to ashes in mere moments.
“Enough, child. We must bring you somewhere safe; the bloodline is in your hands.” You felt Ethel’s painful grip on your wrist as she pulled you up, taking your shoulders to move you away from the scene. “A shame, this is. We must start over, the Reverend won’t be pleased…”
The Reverend?
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“What is your name?” You were not exactly sure who’s asking; It was a lady, from her voice, but a black veil covered her features. You gave it to her, pride filling your chest once you recite your last name. You weren’t exactly sure where you were either. Once your legs gave up on you, Ethel had brought you to a bunker, ignoring your pleas to see mom and dad. After a while, this figure had appeared, with two girls in similar attire behind her.
“Her mother was Moira, Reverend. The one who married into House Galiente.” The mystery woman hummed at Ethel’s words. You could feel her stare embedding into your face.
“Galiente, yes, I remember. A shame they’ve fallen, this one would’ve been a perfect Bene Gesserit.” Something akin to grief filled your gut. Fallen?
Ethel, however, seemed fine, if not a little nervous in front of this “Reverend”. Her motherly nature had halted and transformed to something colder, farther away. “She still can be, miss. Her family was known to have close connections, many to Bene Gesserit in positions of power like her mother. Surely one will take her under their wings. The Atreides perhaps? I heard the two Houses were quite devoted to one another.”
The Reverend contemplated over this. “Atreides… Jessica? Well, it seems possible… She may be able to redeem herself after birthing a son. Yes.”
“I do not want to leave.” Your whiny voice interrupted them as you crossed your arms, petulant. “I love my planet, it is mine to rule once I am of ag-”
A harsh sting on your cheek and a cry out soon followed. “Insolent girl! Do you not understand the significance of what has just happened?” The Reverend growled, hand still on the skin she had struck. “Your planet is gone! There is not one human to rule, for they have all burned.” She then turned to her mysterious followers, asking them to call in the ship, before continuing with Ethel.
“My decision is final. This wretched girl will live with the Atreides; she will learn to use our abilities and the Way. Once she is mature, we may take her as our own. For now, she is an apprentice.” And with that, the Reverend was off.
“Child, do not cry.” Ethel sighed, placing her hand on the irritated skin of your cheek. Instantly, the pain seemed to dull. “She is strict, but what she says is true. You must abandon your childishness.”
“But I am a child.”
“Ah, but a child of Duke and Bene Gesserit heritage. One of the most admirable Bene Gesserit, if I may say. You are different.” The girl smiled, letting you clutch to her robes. “Do not despair, you will not be alone. The Atreides have a boy, Paul, your age. You two will study together, spar together. I’m sure it’ll be alright.”
You mulled over the idea, letting the repetitive motion of Ethel’s palms smoothing your back relax you. Finally, you gave her a nod. “Okay.”