Yellow for level 1, Orange for level 2, Red for level 3, and purple for the highest level that is level 4. The four categories in of the magic she was aware of.
Esme did not know if there is anything else as she has not seen much of the world. As much as she remembered, her life has always revolved around the castle, the beautiful gardens, flowers, catching butterflies, paintings. It has all been everything nice.
"Esme, hold me tightly," Marlene's voice snapped the little girl out of her thoughts.
She glanced at the woman's worried face. Her aunt has already attained level 3 despite her young age. In the lands of Nevesray, she is said to be the most powerful woman after her mother.
"But, we can't escape. There are guards all around us," Esme tilted her head as the water droplets slid between her long lashes, gliding across her small face.
Marlene smiled, "They are but weak humans," She spoke in her gentlest tone as she stroked her niece's head, "Nowhere as strong as your Aunt. Be good, Esme. Hold me tightly."
Her gentle yet stern tone prompted the little girl to obey her and she did as she was told.
"Princess Marlene, you should surrender," The head of the guards pointed his sword at the woman.
"How bold," A red ray of light shot from her index finger slitting his neck, and in the next second Esme found her vision blocked by her Aunt's palm to prevent her from seeing the sight of blood.
"Anyone else wants to try?" The gentleness in her voice was gone as she removed her palm from the girl's eyes.
Esme looked at the guard who provoked her Aunt earlier, his body was on fire and it turned to ashes in the next moment.
She tightened her grip on the woman's hand feeling her heart race rapidly. She was taught to stay calm in all situations but she was losing it slowly today.
Esme closed her eyes and after inhaling a deep breath, she opened them with a hint of clarity within.
'Everything will be over. We will get through this together,' She convinced herself over and over again.
Nobody dared to come closer to them. No matter how trained these guards were, the magical abilities are only possessed by the people with royal bloodlines. In front of her Aunt, they all were weak.
"Uh..." A soft groan prompted the girl to look at the little boy sleeping in her Aunt's arms.
Marlene let go of Esme's hand and patted his back, "Sleep, Arlan. Everything's fine," As if her whisper worked, he stopped moving and continued to sleep.
The sky was still dark with the occasional thunder and heavy rain reigning the sky.
Esme clutched her Aunt's gown in her fist tightly, not letting it go for a second. Her body was turning cold.
"Move," Marlene looked at the guards blocking their path. Even though they did not try to attack, they were not making the path to let them go.
When they didn't move from their spots, two shining rays shone once again taking their lives on the spot.
Esme closed her eyes. It was an instinct or fear, she didn't know.
She was not used to all this. Their family has always been a loving one or that is what it has always looked like. She has been taught to be respectful to everyone, even to the guards. And the events of today are all haunting her, every inch of her thoughts.
Marlene made her way out of the castle gates holding Arlan in her arms while her other hand remained fixed on the little girl's shoulder, giving her a sense of comfort amidst the dread she has been feeling.
"Stop right there, Marlene!"
Esme could feel her Aunt's grip on her tightening the moment they heard that fierce voice that had them freeze in their spots.
Her Royal Uncle no longer felt like an uncle to her.
Not after she witnessed the way he treated Brother Adrian.
Marlene turned around as she pulled the girl closer to her, "Do you have to be so ruthless, Brother?" Her tone did not sound familiar. No longer was it gentle neither was she talking to the King respectfully.
The man's goldwork thread embellished tunic shone as the lightning struck. On top of it was the surcoat depicting the emblem of the Reis Family.
He has always worn it but for the first time, Esme felt like she was standing in front of the King, not her uncle. His indifferent eyes made the girl shrink back.
As if noticing her discomfort, Marlene gently stroked the girl's back, her gaze still locked with the King.
"I can be more ruthless if you don't go back to the castle right now," His emotionless voice was colder than the weather.
Arlan who was already awake arms was put down on the ground by Marlene.
"What do you want me back in the castle for? So that the world won't know how the King has taken the life of his nephew?" Marlene was bold with her words but there was no lie in them.
Esme bit her bottom lips. Her brother Adrian was...no more...Her hands trembled, her eyes burned as she felt weird stuffiness in her chest.
Endure. She told herself. She can't break down. Not right now when their family has turned into enemies. Not right now when her Aunt is standing alone, ready to fight everyone for their sake.
"Marlene!!" The King's angry voice boomed and in the next second a purple ray of light shot in our direction.
Marlene did not back down as she faced it head-on striking her power straight at him.
The King was promoted to level four a few days ago. Even though he had attained the powers, he had yet to refine it and that made it possible for her Aunt to face him head-on until a strike was aimed at her.
It was too late by the time she realized it. Esme pushed Arlan away and closed her eyes but the pain she expected never came.
Her breathing was still uneven as she opened her eyes. The sight that greeted her made her stagger.
Esme covered her mouth with the back of her hand at the sight of her Aunt's bleeding wrist.
"Y-You are despicable," Marlene glanced at the King who was standing aloofly with her eyes filled with hatred.
Esme felt like her feet were no longer in her control as they made their way towards the woman.
The girl grabbed her wrist, her heart prickling painfully as the woman's blood tainted her small hands.
The red imprint on her Aunt's wrist glowed before it started disappearing bit by bit.
Her Aunt was losing her powers. Her main nerve was injured. It didn't take her long to realize that. The royals possess magical powers as they are born with the main nerve that only shows up after they are ten years old. But once the nerve is destroyed, a person will either lose some of their abilities or all their powers.
"Esme, run!" Marlene pointed her chin towards the boy who was wailing behind her, "Take Arlan with you and run from here. I'll hold them back," She pushed the girl away from herself.
Esme looked at the woman's face in the darkness. As the lightning crackled, those concerned eyes came to her view. She walked back to her and held her hand again, "Hold them back with your remaining powers?"
Marlene looked at the girl, not knowing what to say.
"We won't survive. Since we can't escape, let's die together," Esme had imagined a long life ahead with little big wishes in it but since it has come to this, she will not be deluded. She was not young anymore, She will have to accept the truth.
She was 14 but she didn't have an ounce of power in her. There was no awakening of the main nerve in her body when she turned 10. Even if they make it past the gates, they will be dead outside.
Marlene looked at the girl blankly as if she was looking at her for the first time. She did not realize when that tiny Princess she had held in her arms grew up like this.
Unaware of her Aunt's thoughts, Esme looked at the King who was looking at them in impatience and anger, "You can-"
"Brother," Her words were interrupted by Marlene.
'Thump'
Esme looked at the woman in disbelief as she knelt on the cobblestone path, "Please let them go."
A burst of derisive laughter echoed making the girl shiver, "Never had I ever imagined that there will be a day when my arrogant little sister will kneel like this," The King's voice was filled with delight, "Beg me. Maybe I'll spare these wild seeds."
Was he the same Royal Uncle who wouldn't sit at the dinner table until she and Arlan weren't present there?
Esme's fingers curled into a fist as her other hand gripped her Aunt's hand, "N-No..." Her voice was hoarse.
"I beg you, Brother. Please let them go," Marlene did not spare a glance at the girl. The helplessness on her beautiful face was apparent to everyone.
Why? Everything was fine the way it was, wasn't it? Where did it go wrong? Why did Brother Adrian leave us? Why was Aunt kneeling and begging in front of the King to spare us?
Esme couldn't cage those tears anymore as they burst forth. The small droplets of rain caressing her face told her that it was not a dream, it was a reality.
She wished she wasn't so powerless, so weak.
The tears that she has been holding all this while broke all the barriers and rolled down her cheeks.
Suddenly, the small droplets of water crashing on her face turned fiercer so much so that her body hurt. As she looked around, everything appeared foggy around them.
Marlene stood up and held both Arlan and Esme in her arms. Gritting her teeth, she moved her fingers creating a shield atop their head but unlike before, the red glow in the shield was wavering.
"Catch them!!!" The King's cold voice cut through the whistling wind.
But that did not stop Marlene. She was not going to let go of the opportunity that God has graced them with.
She must escape.