CHAPTER THREE

<p>Over the years the kingdom of Aegalia has experienced lots of changes with the royal family marrying from outside the kingdom. Due to Aegalia's wealth and rich heritage, the remaining four kingdoms tried to take advantage through marriage with the sons and daughters of the remaining kingdom as well as commoners intermarrying. The current king Aelfdene got married to the beautiful princess of Thanbra princess Cassia together they both have five children, three boys, and two girls. With the second and third boys being twins as well as the girls. Nonetheless the royal family of Aegalia has six children. It is said that the king while he was still a prince lead the people of Aegalia to war against the kingdom of Xevaria. The Xevarian king upon seeing how fierce the Aegalians were decided to call a truce in a show of good faith sent Elysia one of his best potion makers to Aegalia. Prince Aelfdene was mesmerized by Elysia's beauty that he decided to take her as one of his female consort. Elysia however blamed the prince for disrupting her once peaceful life as well as her being in a strange land as a peace offering. When the prince became king and got married to Queen Cassia he kept Elysia as a mistress. It so happened that Cassia and Elysia took in and gave birth at the same time. Due to Elysia's status as well as the circumstances of her being in the palace her child was not recognized however no one can change the fact that he is royalty. Elysia though an ordinary maiden came from a line of strong magical bloodline it is said that her ancestors were dreaded for being able to control dark magic those who can control dark magic are called the dark ones and very few possess such ability. Elysia's family happens to be the last family with people who can control dark magic with Elysia being the last of her kind. People say Elysia's uncanny ability for potions comes from the dark magic coursing through her blood. Elysia not being able to overcome the fact that she gave birth to a child of the man she hates committed suicide shortly after she gave birth. The midwives being afraid of the child's pitch-black eyes which happens to be a characteristic of the dark ones left the child to his fate and fled. The King having been told of his mistresses fate as well as the possibility of his son being a dark one the last dark one after the death of his mother declared the child an abomination but since there is nothing he can do about it considering his blood flows through the child he instructed that apart from food and other necessities the child should be left alone. Fate however was not on the king's side three days after the birth of his two sons the seers came to the palace to visit the newborns as well as to test them in case they have any magical ability. Throughout the four kingdoms, those with powerful magical abilities happens to be members of the royal lineage. They especially have control over the elements. It is rare to see a commoner with elemental magic. Each kingdom has seers who act as custodians of their history as well as moral judges. Though the king is above them however their words stand for they are not known to be corrupt thus making their words sacred. Whenever a child is born into the royal family the seers come to bestow their good wishes as well as test the child's magical abilities. The seers tested the young princes Cleon and Casper and discovered both have great magical powers as well as the fire element. The King though wanting nothing to do with Cleon decided to keep an eye on him just in case he might be useful to him in the future however he made sure the child knows how different he is.<br/> The kingdom of Aegalia though protected from war and invasion from enemies outwardly, internally a fierce battle is going on. Though the Royal family are the ones with great magical abilities regardless they are families who make up the king council and these families also have strong magical backgrounds. With council members vying for the throne as well as their sons and daughters competing among themselves. The palace is filled with unending drama.<br/> I was still caught up in my head when I unconsciously stopped at the gate I was brought back to reality when I heard one of the guards at the gate asking for my name. Evelinde Hale, I replied to the guard. Miss Evelinde what brings you to the castle? I was selected yesterday and I was told to come today for the second stage of selection I told the guard. After checking my name on the list of people for the second stage of selection I was allowed to enter.</p>