The Dark Lord's Daughter

The beatifically sweet smell of lavender and orchid floated in through the open window. The sunlight filtered and flooded the nursery with comforting warmth. The perfect weather to celebrate Nino's birth. But not even the servants paid any attention to the wonderful weather. They could only focus on the stunningly beautiful child nestled in Queen Esmé's arms. She smiled down upon her daughter of two weeks, as her maid Alla, and Alla's daughter Lillian cooed and tickled Nino's soft, pale cheeks. Lillian was excited. She hadn't ever seen a newborn baby up close. Everyone marveled at how small Nino resembled her mother. Her hair was darker and blacker than Queen Esme's, and her eyes were greener than her father's. They were tiny, lime green fountains of sparkling crystals. As she lay quietly sleeping, Esmé couldn't drag her eyes away, or stop smiling. She was also elated at how much love Nino received from her father, Overlord Sain Betelgeuse. Esmé knew he would have preferred a son, but he seemed to pay no mind. He was over joyous for his daughter and heir. The birds were chirping melodious nocturnes until the outcry of a bullet split the air and into Esme's neck. The maids screamed and snatched Nino from the limp arms, as the others lifted Esme from the chair and onto the bed. Lord Betelgeuse and Lord Lundgren busted in at the commotion, and Lord Betelgeuse fell to his knees beside Esme. Alla went to the window to investigate, but nothing was there, nothing seemed to give telltale signs of any gunman. Alla began to sob heavily as the maids scurried about in hushed whispers, trying to awaken Esmé, and putting herbs on her wound. It was no use. Too much blood had already been spilled, over the bed and floor. Lillian cried silent tears of fear while Lord Betelgeuse yelled in outrage, muffled by the covers he had his head buried in. Esme's face resembled that of peaceful sleep, like the one Nino was still in. Nino had not awoken but was breathing vitally, and no trace of blood was on her, to their relief. Lord Lundgren drew back, head down and hands folded in a sympathetic gesture. Alla collapsed beside her Queen. Nino would never know her mother.