20th July 1818, 4th Era

I lifted the silk covers off my body.

As daughter of a high noble, my life is pampered beyond belief.

Looking at the gold-plated clock in the corner, I barely slept 2 hours before that dream.

2 years ago, when I turned 7, I since then always had that dream, repetitively, its always so terrifyingly lonely.

I don’t want my dad to think I’m cursed, I don’t want him to abandon me. I’ve got nothing else like him.

Slipped on my bunny fur slippers, I dragged myself to the door, panting desperately as I tried to push it open.

Insomnia really takes a toll, especially on someone of my tender age of 9.

“Ariel! You okay? Are you feeling sick? Dad will always be here.”

A stream of reassurances, questions, and worry streamed out, as I poked my head into the hallway.

With the most determination I could put into a smile,

“Yes dad, I just… Couldn’t sleep…”

“Come on here, I’ll stay with you tonight.”

From the first day I could remember, he has always been there, my mother gave birth to only me, dying a few weeks later.

As my dad said those words, a minister dressed in velvet merchant clothes spoke out.

“Sire, our lands need urgent financial matters to attend to.”

As my dad stared at him, with eyes burning of fury like hellfire, the plump man shivered and excused himself.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Now my dear little princess, you want dad to read you a poem again?”

“Yep! Read me the poem of Alteria?

“Ha, you love that don’t you?”

Leading me down the mirrored corridors, into his office, he sat me down on one of the mahogany chairs.

Picking a book, worn from years of constant use, titled, “Collections of Legends”.

Using his most supple voice, he spoke with a delicate attitude.

Once upon a time

There was a girl in the Great Desert

A dreamer, a leader, a bookworm

But alas, there was a darkness

Rallying the people with utmost charisma

She led the fight against corruption

Triumphant day after day

Battle after battle

She drove the them to The Black Citadel

Emerging victorious

She led the war stricken people

Into the Green Continent

Building the Alterian Empire

Thousand years ago

Its unexplainable, but the only time I can sleep is when I read or hear this story, a sense of greatness washes away anything else on my mind, and keeps that dream away.

Before I knew it, my eyelids drooped , but not before my dad picked me up, while soothingly whispered

“Goodnight, my little girl, goodnight.”