A child was born beneath a starless sky.
The night of a blood moon, believed to be an omen of greatness for anyone born beneath it.
But, that wasn't the case for Clarisse Garenbloom.
That night... the sky bled red, the stars turned away. As if the sky itself was bleeding at her misfortune. As if even the constellations could sense the injustice that would be bestowed upon her and they refused to bear witness.
It was a beautiful night at the Garenbloom manor. A Hundred lanterns lit the estate as magic celebrations filled the air. An enormous gathering to celebrate the birth of Clarisse Garenbloom.
But that night would soon take a dark turn as the physician led Viscount Garenbloom out of the room. The woman in labor, Viscountess Evandra Garenbloom, had already lost too much blood.
Evandra cradled her newborn against her chest. Her pale skin was like the moonlight, covered with sweat and tears as her strength weakened with every soft breath.
Yet her arms never trembled.
The child did not cry.
"She's too quiet." the midwife whispered, glancing over the still newborn. "My lady, she..."
"Clarisse," she whispered, naming her between labored breaths. "My little bellflower."
"I'll get the physician," panicked the midwife, her eyes darting the door.
"She lives," Evandra whispered, her voice muffed, but certain. "She breathes."
The midwife's eyes darted to the doorway, fearing the worse, awaiting a second opinion. But no one came.
Viscount Garenbloom stared from outside the room, mumbling to the physician.
"Is there anything that can be done?"
The physician shook his head,
"My lord... I'm sorry. She's lost too much blood."
The viscount grabbed the elderly man by his collar, angrily whispering,
"I'm talking about the child. Her noble mark wasn't glowing..."
The physician stopped moving, stunned.
"I... I didn't notice, my lord."
Lord Garenbloom glared into his eyes as vines wrapped around the physician's neck,
"Fix her! She's a Garenbloom."
The vine threw him towards the door as Lord Garenbloom stormed away,
"We've sacrificed too much for a defect."