As dark as night could be in sunlight

I kneeled in front of my father in the throne room. Despite being his first-born son, I felt not a single connection to the man. In fact, I was quite certain I would be the one to murder him when the time was right. "Rise." He spoke. I kept my expression stone cold as I always did. I did not risk showing vunerability in front of this monster. Not ever. As I stood up from my position on the floor, I looked around the room, a maid kneeling at the foot of my father's throne blushed as she took in my appearance. I winked at her; she was not wrong I was quite dashing, perfect for the role of prince in my father's play. My long, silky white hair fell over my shoulder. "Can you not dress as a prince should, you look like a common fearie." My father scoffed. I hated the ranking system, for good reason to. People were placed in positions of power not because they were trusted, or remotely benevolent as a ruler should be but because of birth. This caused the ranking of what is called High fae, half fae and fearies. High fae were the royals, powerful bloodlines that started the whole system centuries ago, then there were the common folk, they were less blessed by the Goddesses and were thus less respected, their bloodlines were still pure, then there were the fearies, they were of mixed blood from the elven kingdom, which doesn't exist anymore, the only remains are seen in the mixed blood of the powerless fearies. They lived far away from the High Fae kingdoms as they were preyed upon and enslaved. "I was out riding, I apologize, your highness." I said avoiding my father's gaze. I started kicking my heel to the extent that small jolts of pain erupted from the irritated muscle. My dragon hides boots clicked against one another, much to my father's annoyance. My father scoffed. "You know very well why you're standing before me." He spoke. I simply nodded; he didn't deserve to hear my angelic voice. His pointed ears twitched as I continued to kick my heel. "The sun is setting on my time as the king of this fine country and is slowly rising for yours, Jinn, I have had every tutor in the country here to tutor you in the ways of ruling a kingdom in the ways I deem satisfactory. Now I have one last task to give to you as King and as your father." I rolled my eyes at the pathetic excuse of a metaphor; this entire country was rotten with corruption and so drenched in the blood of innocents nobody would be able to fix it again. I knew what his 'task' was I had anticipated it for quite a while. "Your coronation will be on your 18th birthday. Next week there is to be a ball in favour of getting you a bride. You have until the week of your coronation to propose marriage. I trust you will not disappoint me." He said leaning backwards in his throne. He rested his head on his fist smirking. He was aware he had won this game He had won for ten years"You are dismissed.' He stated formally. I sped out of the room, out of the castle towards the training grounds. Before long I found myself in the training ring. It was a large round structure perfect for combat training. I locked eyes with Vermilion, he was my father's best warrior and for as long as I could remember my best friend. "Not good, huh?" he said gesturing to his subordinates that they were dismissed. "You have no idea how eager I am to rip off his head!" I yelled. My hands shook as the built-up tension in my chest exploded. I released a hoard of toxic black smoke manipulating it to solidify into twin swords. Vermilion smirked as he pulled his sword from his belt. He positioned himself in a practiced defensive stature, holding up his left hand he gestured for me to attack. I smirked storming forward. Our swords clashed releasing black smoke. I stepped back gaining leverage as Lion lost his footing, he stumbled forward but regained his balance mere seconds later. He bent down backwards my swords crossing over his face cutting off a single strand of hair. Just as quickly as he had bent forward, he was up again. I swung my sword only to be blocked by Lion's. His midnight black hair falling in front of his face effectively blocking his view from my next attack. With careful precision I swiped his leg out from under him. Before he could respond I had my knee on his chest and both my swords held flush against his wrists. He panted lightly a soft smile on his face. The both of us enjoyed these brawls. "That would be ten thousand seventy-one to a mere eight hundred." I said gloating at my victory over the general. I evaporated my blades and held out my right hand for Lion to take. Once stable and back on his feet Lion brushed off his fighting leathers. "What got you so fuming anyways?" Lion asked eyeing me carefully. He knew I had visited my father and was prepared if I came back ready for a fight. He knew that I might get defensive if he asked too many questions. I rolled my stiff shoulders. "The fucker wants me to get married." I spoke. My necklace gem burned into my skin. I sighed; my magic wanted out as my emotions were turning into a whirlwind of negativity. I took a few deep breaths and looked over to Lion who had placed his hand on my shoulder. We walked over to the water table. Lion poured each of us a glass and handed mine to me. I leaned on the wall and pulled the pulsing gem from underneath my shirt. Standing there fingering the chain I stared at the stone. "You know, you could always pay a girl to marry you and then get a divorce as soon as you got rid of your father." Lion said looking at me. I laughed lowly. "Yeah right, every girl in this kingdom is dying to fake marry a prince only to divorce once he's f*****g king." I said setting down my goblet harshly. I solidified my swords again conjuring up an army of shadows of the dead in mere seconds. Lines of shadows surrounded me stepping closer to me. Some were warriors who had died on this piece of land, others century old mages. Every single one aimed to attack me. I screamed as my blade clashed with the first soldier in front of me. My heart pounded in anticipation. The sound of a thousand screams blended itself into the back of my mind I began slashing through the shadows the air around me becoming thick with black smoke. I stabbed and slashed until I stood alone in a whirl of slowly evaporating smoke, sweating and panting. "All this power and yet, I cannot do any good with it." I said looking down at my trembling hands. I heard Lion laughing loudly. Then I heard high heels clicking on the marble floor. I couldn't help but feel that the girl had the world's worst timing. I squeezed my eyes shut. Awaiting the verbal lashing about to be thrown at me. "Did you throw a tantrum again?" Zelda said. I could practically hear the disgusted expression on her face. I looked up scowling. My little sister stood all dressed up in a light blue gown complete with lacings and bows in her curled hair. My younger sister, just like me, had been born with snowy white hair. Hers had been curled and styled in a very lady-like manner. This did not suit her, at all, especially not with the sour expression on her face. She stood staring me down, sweaty, dirty and frustrated. "Yes, Zelda, if father told you, that you had four months to find and marry a woman would you not be a little bit frustrated?" I said sarcastically. I pushed past her earning a disapproving glare from Vermilion. "Why are you all dressed up like an insufferable lady?" I asked from behind her back. She scoffed and walked over to me. She looked me up and down. We were about the same height but that did not mean she could not look down on me. Before I could register what had happened her small fist collided with my cheekbone. The two rings on her fingers cut deeply into my skin leaving a rather deep gash. My hand flew up to my now bleeding face. "What the f**k!?" I shouted. She folded her arms seemingly not feeling a shred of remorse at what she had done. I stared her down black sparks crackling between my fingers. "Oh, calm down, sparks. Our dear father informed me that there is going to be a ball and that you and I must go and personally invite our guests." she said rolling her eyes. She showed obvious distaste in the fact that I was supposed to get engaged but she was not one to ignore our father's commands. "Go to your chambers and meet me in the foyer in twenty minutes. Please dress properly." She spoke. Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked off. "She's the f*****g worst." I mumbled earning a pat on the back from Vermilion. I sighed wiping the blood on my shirt.