Warmth.

That was the first thing that came to Ellie’s mind as she moved. As her limbs extended, they no longer felt weightless. Yet, all the pain and aches that she once had, were gone. Her brows furrowed as she snuggled her face against something soft. A moment passed before her eyes flung open, her raising her head from the bed.

“Where….”

She glanced around the room.

The room was huge, the bed taking up a third of the space. The curtains that adorned the wall of windows to her right were pulled back, allowing the sheer to cover the dull light that was coming through. Despite this, one could easily tell that the room was ornate and glimmering of wealth.The walls were decorated with a floral wallpaper, with little gems pressed in occasionally on some flowers to make them stand out. The leaves of the flowers and petals were lined with gold leaves. She glanced up as she could see the deep wood details on the edging of the floors and ceiling.

Ellie’s face was blank for a moment as she took in the space, her eyes trying to process her surroundings. Even the furniture was ornate. It looked like it was made of ebony, a deep, rich brown color that complimented the gold and white of the walls.

She adjusted her position, moving from lying from her stomach, to now sitting up on the mattress. She pressed her palm against her cheek and eye as she flinched.

“What the…”

Why am I in my old room?

She paused as she felt where her palm touched. She could feel a sinking feeling in her stomach as she felt over the soft tissue on her cheekbones. Her hand started to tremble as she proceeded to move her fingers over her eyelid.

It was the same. But she was born with only… two… eyes.

Color drained from her face as she felt over the eyelid, feeling the eyelashes. Her eyes darted around the room, locating a mirror. The sheets flew from her lower body as she hobbled towards her reflection. Her legs were stiff, yet she didn’t have enough time to focus on her legs with the growing concern of her face. One of her muscles seized as she tumbled, her hand slamming against the surface of the mirror as she panted.

She could feel the chills running down her back as she slowly raised her head. Cold sweat gripped at her skin as she finally locked eyes with her reflection. To her dismay: another set of eyes sat on her cheek bones.

A hollow feeling was growing in her chest. Her chest felt like it was tightening as her mind sped through her thoughts. Last she remembered:

Cale and her had died.

She was sure of it. The people who had caught them in that little town in the middle of nowhere. Where they were sure they had finally escaped, only for word to get out that they were the demon spawn of Duke Xander.

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They were quickly surrounded by waves of both humans and monsters, stating that they were to pay for the crime of their father’s transgressions and for the ruining of the empire. Not that either of them could hold it against them. Cale and her had simply looked on at their father murdered people for sport. Even hosting an event once a year, where humans and monsters alike would battle for the highest bidder. It was a cruel exploitation of the class system.

Implementing high taxes to pay for his high lifestyle. Throwing extravagant parties once a month, only to simply eat a grape, and throw out the remaining food because he didn’t like the way it smelled.

Even having the emperor under his thumb because he was seduced by their mother. That stupid fool couldn’t hide the lust reeking from him even if he wore the strongest perfume in the kingdom. Their father thought that it was a great use of his wife’s time, while she went along. Just as complacent as her children.

It was a repulsive site to witness, not just for Cale and Ellie, but for the people of the empire as well.

The once great Empire of Ruyesan was crumbled by a demon and his family. Caused by the fact that Cale and Ellie would rather continue to live in ignorance and the life of luxury than to speak on behalf of those who suffered.

And why should they?

They were the only Dukeship in the entire empire. Their father made sure of it. Everyone kneeled in their presence. Yet due to this greed and complacency, they paid the ultimate price. Their parents' limbs were chopped to the point that they could no longer heal, burned at the stake, salt thrown at them and finally hung to show the end of the empire.

Cale and Ellie were able to escape during the chaos, surviving on glamors and small, odd jobs here and there. Without riches to their name, they were no better than rats, taking anything they could for nourishment.

When they were finally caught, one could hardly believe that they were the once great Witherell inheritants.

Their skin was charred from being burned on the cross. Hands bloodied from the spikes that were mashed into their bones. Nails pulled from their fingers. They had been stabbed and salt and sage rubbed into their wounds. Cale’s tongue cut and her horns sawed off. She knew it had happened.

She had felt it happen. The repeated actions of these people letting out years of abuse and subjugation.

Ragged breaths came from her as she glanced up, looking at her petite frame. It looming besides her reflection. The reflection showed her messy pool of lush, wavy red hair, running to her mid-back. Not a single scrape or hardship showing on her skin. In fact, her skin looked as smooth as silk, radiating health. It all nicely wrapped in her baby pink nightgown.

A violent urge to vomit overcame her senses as she shuddered. A deep inhale came through her nose as she locked eyes with her reflection. Her magnificent eyes simmered back like rubies, staying true to her nickname: The jewel of the Witherell’s.

She hesitated as she tried to straighten herself. Focusing on her reflection, her eyes lowered to the shut eyelids on her cheekbones. Taking a deep inhale, she tried to open them. A moment of her standing: Nothing but darkness. Her cheeks gained a faint flush of embarrassment as she opened her eyes again.

Taking a hard gulp, her hands hesitantly moved towards her cheekbones. Using both of her hands, she pulled at the skin of her lower left eye. She winced as she could feel the eyelid slowly open, a shiver running down her skin as she could feel a slight pop. As the eyelid slowly opened, she gained an extra layer of vision.

She closed her upper eyes as she tried to focus on the left eyes vision.

The world was gray.

All the bright colors of the room were now black and white. She peeked upwards, catching a glimpse of herself. She was surrounded by a… mist? It was full of the colors pink, green and a dull hue of a deep red.

What?

The eye started to feel dry as she let it go. Back surrounded by darkness as she slowly blinked her regular eyes open.

All of her emotions started to burst forth as her brain felt like it was being crushed.

Augh! What is happening?

She kept her eyes shut as she dashed to the bed, burrowing her face under the pillows. Her head pounded for a moment as it began to fade. She nuzzled against the mattress as she pondered what was happening.

She was herself… it seemed. But now she had been born with two sets of eyes.

Perhaps this was all a dream? A terrible dream that she was remembering as she floated in the nether.

She stretched out her legs as she took a deep inhale.

Focus on making a white circle in your mind. Once you do, you’ll fall asleep. Focus on a white circle…. You’ll….

She drifted into a sleep, secretly hoping that this was just a cruel trick as penance for her crimes.