Family.
A simple word, yet one that had little connection to my life. Or rather, a word that had acted more as a shackle or a brand, bringing more harm than good.

To me, family was a cold, mechanical father; a mother who valued the House of Aeschylon over the Imperial Family or the Empire; and an older brother who enjoyed undue privilege simply for being the firstborn, far beyond his abilities or temperament. Even if I tried, I could never feel familial affection from them. As someone far removed from the succession, I was ignored by those who …