| Born in a cold, desolate mansion, Lysette Van Haro was the youngest of three kits. Named so after her father's mother, she was doted on by her father and despised by her elder brother and sister, and mother. Her mother had never wanted a third kit, and was jealous of the attention her husband showered on the child. Following their mother's lead, James and Lydia hated her also, and never took any notice of her. It was her father who shielded her from most of their bitter words and violent tendencies. Had she been as witty and clever as James, or as charming and lovely as Lydia, she might of pleased her mother more. But as it was, Lysette was plain and quiet, so quiet in their company that they thought her dumb. When Lysette was eight, her father and protector took ill and died. Before he died, he made his wife promise to look after Lysette forever. Although they were both her parents, you would never know it towards the mother's manners toward her. She agreed although not happily or readily. Without him, life for Lysette became more miserable than it had already been. Unprotected, James commenced violence against her for any little thing she did wrong, treating her more like a slave than a sister. Lydia used Lysette as her personal servant, picking up her room and taking her clothes to the wash. Their mother never mentioned Lysette among her children, only talking about Lydia's talents and James' accomplishments. Lysette's happiest times were when they were all away, for they never took her anywhere with them, or when they just left her alone, and she could sit and think, or look at books. By the age of fourteen, Lysette decided she could take no more, and ran away from the manor to board a ship bound for a country far away. As the ship left the fogged docks, she decided to never mention this country as her homeland, and to never claim Elena, James, and Lydia Van Haro as her relations. |