The bright sunlight lit the green way. Not one cloud hung in the humid but bright sky. The plastic like grass was stiff under metal shoe soles. This was nothing like the movies. Curse the movies, no, curse the sky. How dare it shine on when it felt as if the earth was crumbling. A pair of bright grey eyes traveled across the damp earth before traveling upwards towards the faces of those surrounding her. Tears, almost every person there was crying. Why wasn't she crying? She didn't know, she felt no emotion. Except, for guilt, guilt that she could not cry. She looked away from the people, looking at them only increased her guilt. Her eyes skimmed the ground before stopping.
This was why they were here, this one black and golden box. Curse this box. If only it was never made, then maybe we wouldn't be here. The thought had crossed her mind, but she knew that this box had nothing to do with it. Minutes past in silence.
"He was a good man." and
"I'm sorry for your loss." was all she had heard for the last few days. She was so done with the pity. She wanted to scream.
She glared at the cold unmoving coffin, this is your fault. If you had just stayed alive I wouldn't have to be here. She turned away, the artificial sun glare hitting her face. Silence held her while the minutes past. At least, she was alone, or at least she wished.

"Do l-leave me alone." she internally added herself to the curse list for stammering. A hand landed on her shoulder.
“Come on sis, don't be like that.” A red headed male gave her a slight grin. “I'm not your sister.” The girl said pushing his hand off her. “Yeah yeah. I get it, just come on father is waiting.” he said before rolling his eyes and walking off. She sighed and blew a piece of pale blonde hair from her eyes. “Yeah, yeah.” she mocked him in a deep voice before turning and following after him.
A Middle Aged man tapped his foot impatiently, “let's go you two!” he called just as a sleek white train car pulled up. The three persons stepped on to the deserted train car. The girl reached up and grabbed a rung from above her head. She took one last look at the small enclosed greenway, artificial sunlight, and gray headstones, before the windowless door shut.
“Sorry about pops, guess the poor bastard couldn't live.. Even for his only kid." The redhead leaned closer to her.
"Shut up Artemis. Don't talk about my father that way." she growled.
"It's not his fault." she half whispered. Artemis watched her in silence scratching the back of his head, "Well Obsidian is excited to see you. He want to come to the funeral but Father said no." he said trying to change subjects.
The girl looked up at him curiously, "Obsidian? I haven't seen him in awhile." Her eyes seemed to sparkle with interest.
"How is he?" she asked. Artemis smiled glad to of caught her interest, "He's great! Lately, he's started his lessons with the tutor, and his was basically bouncing off the walls when he heard you were coming to live with us!" he paused. She looked at him, "oh. I see. Who wouldn't be excited to get a new sister." she said she frowned slightly. "Yeah.. Well.." He looked at her awkwardly.
"Smooth." he muttered to himself under his breath. The rest of the ride was silent.
About twenty minutes later the train car stopped. The doors slid open to a single hallway, doors stood on all sides going for quite a ways away. The middle aged man walked off first, the two young adults following behind. "Here we are." He said unlocking and opening a door. "Thank you Cyrus." The boy said before walking in. The female just nodded her head to the butler before entering.
"Paradox!" A high pitched voice called out. A spiky haired boy just around the age of ten burst around the corner, sliding across the marble floors, before reaching the blonde who held her arms out to him.
"Hello Obsidian! Look how big you've grown." She smiled at him, as he released her from a hug.
“Yes, well I've been eating my vitamins!” He twirled in a circle holding her arms out.
“Also, didn't you notice! Something is different.” he said stopping on his toes and petting his crazy mop of hair.
“Hmm… Did you get your hair infused purple?”she asked playing along. “You got it!” He grinned at her.
The young boy was tall for his age although still only reaching just past the waist of the girl. He had a head of bright orange hair with shimmering purple ends making it look like an exploding sunset. His crystal blue eyes shined against his pale skin. He wore a black and white laced shirts with matching class, that basically screamed high ranked.
“Paradox is it true you're coming to live with us?” he asked looking up at her. She pet his head softly, “only for a bit.” she said cautiously.
“Yay!!” he called jumping in the air before latching onto his brother's arm.
"Hear that Art, Paradox is coming to live with us!” he said happily. His brother gave a cheeky half smile, "Yeah I've heard." he said smiling lightly.
The brother contrasted greatly with his younger brother, his hair was a bright fiery red. His skin was slightly darker than his brothers but dotted with small tan freckles. Around his early twenties, he was an average height with a slightly muscular build. Finally his eyes where a yellowish hue making him look almost reptile compared to his younger brother. He also wore the high ranking black and white clothing.
Paradox smiled, "yes I guess we are family now." she said. "Does that mean I can call you big sis?" Obsidian asked. "Of course." she smiled reluctantly. Obsidian giggled, "yay big sister, big sister!" he cheered.
"Obsidian!" The butler, Cyrus, appeared, his white hair tucked into a cap. "It's time for your evening lesson." he called. The little boy dropped his brothers arm, "oh... Yes sir." he quickly followed after the retreating butler giving a quick bow goodbye.
"He sure has grown more mature." Paradox smiled lightly. Remembering a time when he hadn't listen to orders as well. Artemis came up behind her, "he sure has... Little sis." he snickered.
Paradox turned to him," You may not call me that!" she frowned at him. "You will call me, cousin Paradox... And if you must, Cousin Para." she said. "No fair sis!" Artemis playfully teased her.
Paradox was tall with a thin build, although shorter than Artemis by a head. Her skin was so pale it was almost translucent, and her light grey eyes helped with her royal looking appearance. Long blonde hair tumbled down her shoulders all the way to her waist. So light it was almost silverfish white. Bangs swept across her forehead. She wore one plain brown dress. Although she looked fragile she also, compared to her cousins she looked poorly. Which wasn't far from the truth.
"Ugh. Go away... Art." she gave a slight smirk as he frowned at the nickname. "Fine. I think father wanted to talk to you." he said motioning for her to follow.
After a short walk they stopped at a large wooden door. "I'll leave you here." Artemis said before nodding his head and leaving.
Paradox looked at the door she gulped slightly. Why was she so nervous, it was just her uncle. She reached up and knocked on the door. A hollow sound echoing through the empty hall.
"Come in." Called a deep voice.
Paradox reached for the handle her hands shaking slightly. She gripped the handle and pulled the door open.
"Uncle Morison," she said shakily, and stepping into the office. "Ah! Paradox! So good to see you darling."
Paradox entered the room it was stark white with white leather chairs and no windows. A man sat in one of the chair on the far end of the desk. She walked in and sat at the other end.
“I give my regrets at not being able to attend my brother’s funeral.” he said while he looked at some paperwork.
“That's ok Uncle.” she said softly although she wished she could disagree.
"Thank you for letting me stay with you.” she said sadly.
“It's no problem… Especially with it only being with us for a short time.” he said. Paradox frowned slightly and looked down her hair falling into her eyes.
“Paradox, I'm sorry. You must know this is the best thing for all of-”
“us, yes uncle. I understand, I wouldn't want to take up space in your home. Betrothal is the best option.” she almost spat, she hated this with a passion.
Uncle Morison was a tall man in his midfiftys. His eyes where a yellow red like his eldest sons. His hair was kept a red brown, his skin tan from exposure to the sun.
“Yes. I'm glad you think so. I know it is sudden but your fiancée will be coming to meet you in two weeks.” he said, seemingly unaware of Paradox’s disagreement.
"Don't you think I'm a bit too uncultured to marry someone of such a high ranking?" Paradox asked grasping at straws, trying to find any way to get out of the arrangement. "Nonsense, you are so lady like for your father's... Social standing. In any case though, I've set up lessons for you for the next few days until he arrives." Her uncle seemed done with the negotiating side of the discussion.
"I come from a lowly family though. Won't that ruin their name, to marry a nobody like me." Her foot began to tap impatiently. "Darling, although you may of been born into a lowly family, after your father, my brother, passed, you became a part of this family. As sad as I am to say it, your father failed at the economic side of life. Being a part of my family moves you almost three ranks love.
" He put the paper down he had been studying throughout the conversation. "Besides, the Royals offered a price for your looks not your rank." he said matter of factly.
Great, so basically I'm being sold to the highest bidder, she thought as she crossed her arms. She sighed, nothing could be done, she had been given away and there was no going back.
"What's his name?" she asked In a depressed tone.
"I believe I already said it was the royals." He replied.
"Not their surname. What's his name? The one I'll be marrying." she said feeling as if she were at her wits end.
"I believe the fellow's name is Angel." he said looking at her.
She snorted, "Angel? Angel Royal? Could he have a more stupid name."she asked rhetorically. She snickered slightly, earning a disapproving scowl.
"Young lady, you are not to make fun of the higher a names, this young man is the heir to the royals franchise." he said sternly.
She covered her mouth and cleared her throat, "I- I'm sorry." she said softly. Suddenly small tears formed in her eyes.
So this was her fate, to marry someone she didn't know of, all because of one stupid box.