By the Owls Wings

Introduction

    I've always stayed in my family's castle. I have never been allowed to leave its high walls for my 20 years of life, and I never thought that I would be able to. 

    I've always been sick, and weak. Same as my mother was, and it was the reason for her death. My father has always been ashamed of me for that; at least that's what he's told me. He always told me that I should be ashamed for how poor my health is and that I will never find a husband for that reason. 

    Although that changed in the flash of an eye one day, and I was told that I was going to be married later in the week to a knight. When my father brought up the news, he beat me and told me that if I messed up this marriage that he would do worse than he did that day. 

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    My name is Willow Hollis, I am 20 years old, and I am the daughter of Frederic Hollis, Duke of Hwen, one of the seven kingdoms of Veritas. I have always been the outcast of my family, especially compared to my sister Grace. 

    Grace is perfect in all ways in our father's eyes and to everyone else in our lands. She has long flowing golden hair, that never tangles and never has a strand out of place. She has soft pale features, and eyes the color of the ocean. She is flawless in every way possible, and every eligible man has proposed to our father for her hand when she comes of age. 

    Myself in comparison to her is nothing. My hair is grossly red, which tangles even when I sit still, and when brushed frizzes without avail. My skin is covered in freckles, which make me look spotted more than anything else, and isn't perfect as my sister is. My body is skinny and frail, threatening to break if not handled with absolute gentleness. Then to my eyes which are a forest green that is seen rarely and seen as an almost cursed thing. 

    All in all, in comparison to my beautiful sister, I am nothing and deserve nothing. This is why I was so surprised when I found out my father had found someone who wanted to marry me. Although I wasn't told anything other than that he was a lowly knight, who was previously a baron and had land in a far-off land called Trudid. We didn't know anything about one another, only the little information my father allowed. 

    Although despite that all being said, I have a good feeling about our future together.