CHAPTER 1 - NEVAEH

In the western part of the globe existed two great kingdoms - Walreece and Gavaria. One known for their wealth, and the other for their power. Despite their differences, both kingdoms had maintained a fragile peace through diplomatic efforts: Treaties. However, the Lord of Gavaria unwarrantedly threatened war on Walreece.

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Nevaeh ran her fingers through her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear only to have it slip right out again and take its rightful place in front of her left eye, swaying whenever she moved. She stared at her reflection in the mirror before locking her gaze on the mirrored image of the woman behind her. She forced a tight smile.

“You can always visit” Mabel said to cheer her up and Nevaeh released a defeated sigh,

“How?” she asked, her back still turned on Mabel.

“Then I will always visit,” came the reassuring tone.

Mabel stepped closer to place a hand on Nevaeh's shoulder to have the girl turn and hug her.

“Why does father always do this?” She whispered.

Mabel stroked her hair tenderly, “You'll be fine, I promise” The older woman said softly, breaking the hug and kissing the girl's forehead before retreating and stepping out of the room.

Once Mabel was gone, Nevaeh let everything sink in before crouching on the cold floor of her room and letting out silent pained sobs.

Why did everyone she cared about have to leave her eventually? She hated this life! She didn't want someone new, she wanted Mabel.

Mabel had been her governess for all of six years now since her mother died when she was too little to understand anything. Her father, Lord of Walreece had provided a series of governesses for her. She had cried the same when her first governess, Lady Gwendolyn, whom she had formed a bond with suddenly left. But Mabel, her fourth governess was more than that. She found a mother in her.

She found her mother in her.

Neveah was an only child of Lord Matthieu Ramon and the Late Lady Heaven Ramon nee ‘Rosse’. It was times like this she missed her mother.

After her mother's death, Lord Ramon had never let his daughter out of the mansion's gates unless absolutely necessary. She feared she would never see Mabel again. She laughed at how pathetic her life was. She wanted to curse this day but Mabel said she would be fine. She always has been and she would now.

A knock came on the door. Hearing it, she got off the ground, straightening up her dress.

"Come in," she said, not bothering to hide that she had been crying, she assumed it would be her maids. Mabel aside, the only people she could call friends were her two personal maids Vivian and Arlene and her assumptions were confirmed when they both stepped in with Vivian holding a rectangular-shaped box.

"Lady Neveah" they both greeted.

"I said not to call me that anymore" she admonished for what felt like the thousandth time.

"Forgive me," they said again in unison. "We've been asked to always address you with respect." This time it was Arlene who spoke as Nevaeh dabbed her moist lashes with her kerchief. Both Vivian and Arlene didn't comment on it. They already knew why she cried.

"It's just us here" she reminded the maids that she didn't have to address her so formally when they were in private.

"Lord Ramon wishes to have a word" Vivian cut in. Vivian was always the one to hit the nail on the head. She never sugarcoated her words either. Arlene was much nicer on the other hand.

Nevaeh knew what this talk would be about. It was always the same. He would send away the governess she had gotten accustomed to, then he would talk about why he did what he did. Then she would get a new governess. She wasn't a child anymore and she was tired.

"And the package?" She asked Vivian who looked down at her hands like she just remembered she was holding on to something.

"It was sent for you from-” Vivian read the seal “-Gavaria". Arlene perked up at the mention of their neighbouring Kingdom.

"A gift?" Nevaeh asked in suspicion “Since when do Walreece and Gavaria exchange gifts?” She reached to take the box from Vivian only to have the maid take a step back.

"Lord Ramon wishes to see you...Now" Vivian reminded. "You can have a look afterwards.”

“And I said, I do not want to see him…” Neveah narrowed her eyes at Vivian “…Now give me the box”

“Apologies Neveah, but this is not the time to rebel. Your father was serious” Arlene piped in and Neveah stubbornly crossed her arms across her chest.

“And unless you want to get us in trouble, you should go to him” Vivian added, tucking the box under her right arm.

“Fine” Neveah relented, pushing herself up from the bed and exiting the room. Vivian placed the package on the bed before deserting the room to the servant quarters with Arlene in tow.

Neveah made her way down the hall to the garden where she normally had ‘the talk’ with her father but he was nowhere around.

“Gage” she called out to the gardener passing by “Where is my father?” She asked when he came to her.

“Good afternoon, Milady” he bowed in greeting “He hasn't been outside today. Perhaps Vincent would know”

“Okay” she responded, turning on her heels to head back inside.

Why didn't she think to ask the butler earlier?

“Lady Neveah” Vincent, the butler acknowledged her when he saw her approaching.

“My father?” She asked

“In his study room, milady” he replied and she gave him a curt nod.

Lord Ramon's study room was off limits. Why was she being summoned there now?