' If the world is as corrupt as been said then I'll be the only good in it ' - Dove McAllister
In Achillesville, money is power, it has always been like that. Individuals without money is just like a disposable bag, even the poor do not even consider their own kind when it comes to matters of money.
Money
That one word that can bring chaos, betrayal, rivalry, friendship... It can mould whatever situation into its desired shape and can get rid of anything if it wants to, those in possession of it can do anything with its ability and a living example of those individuals, in Achillesville, are the Achers family, the family of the dukes.
They were given that title because the family has always produced capable dukes till date. Power in Achillesville is hierarchical and the Achers never dulled at that, but the current Achers were a little... Surprising.
Only a son was born, compared to the other Achers in the past, it was indeed surprising. People loved to see competitions and power struggles between brothers, now, there won't be any because it was sure that the only son of the current Achillesville duke is the heir. So boring.
As if to make things more tedious the duchess took in again after five years and birthed a girl after many assumptions that her pregnancy was going to be a boy. This made the current Achers... Unique, no power struggles, no blood shed, no friendship with outsiders to ruin your fellow blood. For the inheriters it was wonderful, but to the locals it was an interesting show which screeched to a halt at the most interesting part.
The duke of Achillesville sent his son abroad to study since he was five. Before he turned five, he escorted his parents to balls and important events in the palace. So he was quite well known in the wealthy world. The locals of Achillesville has seldom catch a glimpse of the boy and things were made complicated when he was sent out. Things happening in the dukes family were too hurried and strange.
Following that, the news that a strange girl with full white hair recently relocated into Achillesville circulated the whole dukedom. Hearsay states that it was a witch from centuries ago who refused to die that has come to haunt them in the form of an harmless innocent girl. This news was enough to push aside the happenings of the Achers for a while due to its tremendous unicity. It has never occurred in the dukedom where a girl had a headful of white hair and rose quartz eyes, the beauty in them was termed bewitching and tempting and thus she was avoided, even women tried their best to get thier husbands away from her. She was just a kid. That was what she said until she turned 19.
Dove McAllister was the most gossiped girl in the dukedom, even when she did nothing but glance, people still ran away as though she ascended from hell. Although she loved the peace, but couldn't stand the loneliness. Her mother was the only person whom she relied on, her father had passed on no later than when she could form a word. As if that wasn't sufficient, her mother had caught on a terminal illness which could only be managed and can't be cured. This was the plight of the rumoured girl which no one can see.
Since early years, the girl whose childhood was supposed to be fun and free of stress was ruined by intensive work. From caring for wealthy families gardens to doing manual labour for petty coins, Dove hasn't taken breaks to relax or pamper herself as she is a lady. Many attempts where she was harassed, but she was strong enough to resist them and fleed when needed.
Despite all the hateful stare and sidelong glances from people, someone was friendly towards her, and that was her best friend, Isabelle. At first Isabelle was just like the rest — scared. But slowly they began to understand each other due to the fact that they were both alike and worked in same place. As usual, people will say words, who would want to be associated with a witch?, they'll whisper. Yet nothing pierced through Dove's heart because the years of constant taunting has created a shield on her heart. It doesn't hurt much anymore.
" Let's go get some walnuts" Isabelle said, dragging Dove alongside her as they approached the walnut stand. The seller recoiled as he saw Dove, but in the matter of buying and selling no one is exempted , no one cares where the, money is from as long as it enters their pockets everything and anything can be overlooked, including the witchy features of Dove.
" How do you sell?" Isabelle asked the man, whom was distracted by the rumoured girl's presence.
" 2 silver coins for 10 walnuts" The man said, trying his best to ignore the fact that the witch girl was standing in front of him.
" That is cheating, isn't one coin the market price for ten walnuts?" Isabel asked, bargaining with the man. The man seemed annoyed at this and his face twisted in a frown. For a moment He even forgot that the witch girl was present. That was to the extent money problems can take someone.
" Who follows market price these days, no one cares about that. My price for ten walnuts is 2 silver coins, do you want to buy or not?" The man asked. Isabelle looked conflicted. She and Dove didn't have breakfast before going to work and the walnuts here are tasty, her mother always gets it for her if she visited the market. Dove, seeing her friend conflicted was saddened, although her friend's financial situation was better than hers that didn't make them any different. Saving money was the principle need for them and spending huge money for something small was not worth it.
" Isabelle you don't have to do this, this will just shortage your money and you might not have anything to spend when the money is needed, just save this and when I get to my house I'll make you some snack and send it to you" Dove said holding onto her hand, dragging her away from the stall, she did not miss the blaming and hatred eyes from the stall owner and the words he said.
" As the words goes, she is truly bad luck, even ruining my sales"
Dove ignored that and continued pulling Isabelle away.
" Dovie, those walnuts there looked amazing I was planning on getting them so you could taste them, when my mom got them for me the last time she went to the market, I was planning on sharing with you, but the taste was too heavenly to be shared " Isabelle said with a look of guilt and drooling on her face.
" It's okay, we could get more later in the future " Dove smiled, hooking her hands with Isabelle as they walked home.