Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

Lyrah woke up in a cold sweat after a series of rough dreams. All of them were visions of possible futures, dozens, hundreds even. All of them centered on one person: Lucius.

The worst part about having the Mark of Prophecy was that while she could control it during the time she spent awake, her dreams and sleep belonged solely to the mark. In the land of dreams, she simply followed along as it took her to whatever possible futures it wanted to show her.

"It looks like brother dearest will be meeting father soon." She muttered while stifling a yawn.

Outside the window, the first light of the day began to color the horizon. The sun had yet to show its first rays, but the sky was beginning to brighten. Lyrah had gotten accustomed to waking up around this time recently thanks to the different dreams and nightmares that possessed her lately.

Most of these dreams she would not tell Natali, or anyone else for that matter. Some things are best left unsaid and unseen. Were she to share some of the visions she had she could either guarantee their outcome, or prevent them entirely. To achieve the best possible future for her friends and her brother, she needed to be careful.

Every step was a guess, every move a risk of failure, but this careful dance through a field of eggshells was a necessary one.

"You don't know me yet, brother, but I've seen you…watched you since I was a little girl. Though we never met, it was like you were always there with me… just like Natali. I will get you and mother the future you both deserve. I promise."

"Mmm… Lyrah…what are you saying." Natali grumbled from the other side of the room.

They shared a spare room in Grandpa Wally's personal quarters and as such, Lyrah's early rising behavior was starting to rub off on her best friend, who was very much not a morning person.

"Oh, I am so sorry my dear Natali!" Lyrah sung out. "Since today is a day off, and I wish to apologize how about I treat you, me and Rena to some lovely food at the markets!"

The white-haired girl stared at her blankly with an annoyed expression on her face. To others she looked the same as always, but Lyrah was able to tell. "I want a crepe."

"Okay! Let's get crepes… oh and some tea… oh and I heard this new bakery in town has these sweet and puffy cookie-like things called macarons! Shall we try them?"

Lyrah giggled as Natali let out a small groan at the amount of energy being displayed so early. However, she got out of bed and got herself and Lyrah ready for the day. Natali was in her standard maid attire, while Lyrah wore a simple, green gown that was accented by her dark hair and silver eyes.

Her hair had a single braid running down the back of her hair that was topped with a silver hair clip that matched her eyes.

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"As beautiful as always, my lady."

Lyrah smiled and allowed the 'my lady' comment to pass this time. Since they were planning to go out in public, they needed to maintain the image of master and servant.

Grandpa Wally was also already awake, something that old people tended to do for some reason. He was making himself some breakfast in the kitchen area while also brewing a special blend of coffee that was… processed… by a cat-like creature that lived in the jungles of Raleron.

"Oh, good morning my lovely young ladies. Care for some morning coffee? I am preparing some eggs, toast and a side of oatmeal for myself, shall I prepare servings for you as well?" the old man offered with a smile.

"I shall take a cup of coffee Grandpa!" she chirped. "Also, Grandpa, I wish to treat my friend Rena and Natali to some crepes and sweets at the market, maybe some light shopping, might I borrow some funds?"

"Oh, my sweet granddaughter, you need borrow nothing. Will ten thousand gold coins do?"

"Yes Grandpa! That will be more than enough!"

Lyrah jumped up and gave the old man a hug and kiss on the cheek while he passed over a sack of coins, which she divided in half and placed one half in her own storage ring and the other in Natali's.

The maid gave her a judgmental glare for being so brazen to ask for money from her grandfather, but Lyrah was simply helping him out. Grandpa Wally loves doting on children and as his only great-granddaughter, it was her turn to be spoiled.

Besides, when they moved in he urged her to not hold back and tried to give her a few million gold coins the first time she asked to go to the markets, so ten thousand was pocket change for a man like him.

After enjoying a cup of coffee, Lyrah jumped up again and gave her grandfather another hug and kiss. "I will see you this afternoon grandpa!"

"Be careful you two. The young miss as well when you see her. I've heard rumors of strange lunatics in the capital lately, so be weary of strangers!"

Lyrah smiled and nodded before finally exiting his residence and heading towards Rena's dorm. Natali followed behind at the appropriate distance for a servant. Few students wandered the halls this early on a day off, but there were a few others meandering through the place.

One such boy was a redhead that Lyrah, Natali, and Rena particularly disliked. Thomas von Petra, the person who would almost certainly take over the Petra family now that Rena was excluded from the running.

In his time at the academy he had gathered quite the posse of cronies who were more than willing to do his every bidding. Most likely, they did not respect him any more than Rena and them did, but they were too shameless to admit that and wished only to ride on his coattails to the top of nobility.

Lyrah avoided eye contact with him, but she could feel his and his gang's eyes on her back. After their first meeting when she exposed that she knew of his whimpering and sniveling at Lucius' feet in the forest trials, he had a strong dislike for her.

Granted, he had a strong dislike before that as well, but he was willing to put it aside to try and get the next Oracle on his side, politically. Thanks to her little stunt though, his pride would not allow him to continue those plans so he settled for glares in the hallway, like a child.

"Natali, I must tell you something before we see Rena. You must not utter a word. You must also agree to listen to what I have to say, and ask me no further questions. If you do, I will never divulge a prophecy to you again. Am I clear?"

"Yes, my lady." Natali whispered.

"Things will be tough for you and Rena. But trust me when I say all three of us will get through it… together. It may take a while to recover, but remember that all three of us are in this together. Okay?"

"I understand, my lady."

She nodded satisfied with Natali's answer. "Alright, let us fetch the redheaded girl and eat some sweets! Oh I'm just so excited to try a macaron!"

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