Shaded cold grass pricks my skin. The castle, from a distance, looks beautiful and majestic. People like me aren’t allowed in the palace but my brother is. He got an invite months before.

*You’ve been invited to the annual echo ball! In honor of the young emperess’s 15th birthday please bring a small gift*

“Wait. Veren, where’s yours?” Clade asks, concern growing over his face.

I offer a small smile

“Those of the void are not invited into the palace.”

Clades mouth drops. “They can’t invite one twin brother and not the other!” He throws the invite in the ground, “I’m not going without you!”

I sigh, “Yes you are.”

He open his mouth to argue but I cut him off,

“I will come with you but I can’t cross the bridge.”

“We can just sneak you in!”

I point to my eyes. Pitch black, the mark of Void.

“W- well we could uh-“ Clade droops. He knows there is no way for me to enter the palace without being killed.

“This is an amazing opportunity for you!” I smile, resting a hand on his shoulder.

“There will be people coming from all over the kingdom, and possibly some from other lands. I bet you at least one of them is looking for a personal seamster.”

He looks up at me, sadness filling his eyes. He still nods though. Clade knows I’m right. I won’t let him give up his best chance at achieving his dream for me.

“So Mr seamster, what are you gonna wear?!”

He smirks.

“Veren. Get me my sketchpad.”

•-~-~•

Part two coming REALLY soon

I just don’t have time to finish it rn