Summary: It's your typical romantic plotline....with a twist! Plus, it has cute stuffed animals.

Requested by: 

Villainess: Alyss, a lonely girl who only has the companionship of her plush rabbit and the scorn from everyone else.

Heroine: Farrah, a commoner girl who rose the ranks to become a massive success.

Male Lead: Spirit Lord Arcana, the most powerful entity in the kingdom, under the guise of a cute fluffy bunny plush.
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Love, it seems, is measured by how much you are adored by others.

When a man loves a woman, he will do his best to be her protector, shielding her away from the slings and arrows of misfortune. When a woman loves a man, she becomes his best friend, encouraging him and making sure to point out his misdeeds. Parents love their children enough to discipline and reward them.

I never got the feeling that someone loved me.

Here I am, on my graduation day, standing among my peers. Everyone is looking lovely in their ceremonial robes. All of their families were there to congratulate the transition from student to adult. 

The man I thought loved me for years was in the arms of another. Not just any other, but the school sweetheart Farrah. The two were acting lovey-dovey toward one another for the past couple of hours. Crown Prince Frederick and the girl from the slums Farrah were the power couple of the school. 

Oh and the other pieces of eye candy she called her "friends". Among them was my estranged brother who was glaring at me from across the room. The other man was the new spell master who had the power to make anyone disappear. With all those men by her side, you would assume she was some sort of harlot or woman of the night. 

However, this was not the case.

I sat aside of all the festivities, sipping silently from the glass in my hand. Champagne for recent graduates? How appropriate. Some of these people will be drunk or passed out by time the night is over. All I had to sip with was my adorable stuffed animal which I carried around everywhere I went. Reflecting back on my schooling, I realized I never made any friends, lost the love of my life, and lost faith in humanity all within the span of four years.

How sad...

Before my dark thoughts could sink me even lower, my dear Oz was snatched out of my hands. I looked up to glare at who had taken him before realizing it was Farrah herself surrounded by her bodyguards. The commoner girl had some nerve to act all pious and innocent when she was the reason I was friendless and fiancé-less. It's quite disheartening when you think about how much she had sacrificed to make my life more miserable and yet labeled me the bad guy.

"You still carry around this ragged old thing? When will you finally grow up Alyss?" She held the rabbit in her hands as if the thing repulsed her. "You would think someone of your stature would not carry around plush novelties like this all the time. What are you, some sort of baby?"

I didn't feel much like talking to her since she could sic her hounds at me. So, without any emotion, I held out my hand as if to demand her to give Oz back to me. She sneered at this, but turned her face back to her innocent façade.

"Poor Alyss! You have no family to go back to, no fiancé to love you, and the only friend you have is this little stuffed bunny. I feel so bad for you." She leaned forward, whispering in my ear. "Just admit defeat and come to my wedding ceremony. I promise not to kill you afterwards if you just tell everyone here that you are nothing but dirt under my shoes."

I wanted to cry, I wanted to spit cruel words, I even wanted to smack her. My blood ran cold by her false accusations and the way she looked down at me. Where did this air of violence even come from and why did she take it out on me? 

Where did it all go wrong for me?

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My birth was a tumultuous experience. My mother took one look at my cold, vacant stare and wanted nothing with me. My father utterly despised my very existence, calling me a "monster" and "beast" because of my dour appearance. The maids abused me when they both weren't looking, giving me rotten food, and cold water to bathe in, and my clothes were covered in dust. Whenever I tried to ask for more, they would scoff at me and say I didn't deserve anything for a living. Mother did enjoy just keeping beautiful things around her life, but not me. My father was a social man that made his money in the market of fine jewelry and trinkets. Both were considered high class and wanted the finest-looking children at their side. Being lesser than what they expected, I was given the name Alyss. 

One day, I met my older brother whom I hadn't known about due to being isolated. I thought perhaps he and I would be able to bond with one another due to our parental neglect. I made sure to wear nice clothes or at least what was available that wasn't ruined by the maids and made my way to the family garden.  My brother was their heir and I was never allowed to meet him until now. As I raced out into the gardens, a brief moment of peace crossed my mind. Would he love the sister who was hated and mocked? Would he finally be the one to break me out of my misery? I was so excited that I forgot what family I was placed in. 

When I reached the meeting place, there was my brother sipping tea with a small bundle in his arms. The maids around him cooed and gave him praise just for existing. As I approached him, they got really quiet and stared at me like I was nothing less than a speck in his sunlight. My handsome brother with his long silver hair, cold grey eyes, and deathly pale skin made me feel slightly insecure about how I looked. Gathering courage, I came to him with a bright smile on my face.

"Hello, brother! It is nice to finally meet you!" 

Aidan gave me an indifferent gaze before faking a smile in my direction. He took the bundle in his arms and threw it in my direction. Surprised by this gesture, I opened it up to see a cute bunny plushie! It was adorable with its green button eyes, red ribbon, and soft body. I gave it a tight hug and felt warmth and joy from the small gift. I went to open my mouth to thank him but saw him getting up to leave.

"Brother, where are you going? I thought you wanted to meet me?"

The smile he faked dropped so quickly, making me back away in fear. He stared down at me with a cruel glare and said chilling words that would haunt me for life.

"This is the only time I will ever acknowledge your existence. Ask nothing from me and do nothing that would cause harm to my legacy. You are nothing, you will leave nothing behind, and you will die alone and loveless."

It was those words...those chilling words...that would haunt me for the rest of my life. Hugging the only item that was born from some lingering thread of love, I was cast aside once again into the shadows.

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Meeting the crown prince was supposed to be a joyous occasion. 

Oz, my stuffed bunny friend, and I were placed in a carriage by my darling mother. Today she was wearing a green dress with matching emerald earrings, necklace, and rings. For the first time since my birth, she actually paid attention to me and decided to dress me up herself for a visit to the royal family's party for the queen's birth. Since the queen loved green, mother dressed me in a cute green dress with a ribbon around my waist, a sunhat with a similar ribbon, and a cute green necklace. She even made a bowtie for Oz that was deep green. I've never had a close relationship with my mother, even though she claims we do.

"Alyss, promise your mother one thing before we reach the castle." She said, fixing her makeup in the compact. "You must not speak unless spoken to, whatever you say will bring either shame or honor to our family. I don't want you talking about your home life or mention anything about your father's business. And for heavens sake, don't speak to that stupid rabbit as if it were a person!"

There it was, the speaking to Oz part the made the maids think I was harboring a cursed doll. Out of everyone in the large house, Oz was the one that made me feel something akin to friendship. Of course when you live with a socialite mother, busines oriented father, cold brother, and countless mean maids, you have to take what you can get. It's quite silly for me speaking about my troubles and woes to a plush, but it was better than having a journal to write in and be stolen for blackmail. Oz was just safer and easier. 

Nevertheless, all I could do was nod in agreement. We reached the castle where everyone was excited to see my mother due to her accolades. The second we stepped into the garden, I lost sight of my mother and found myself lost. Hugging Oz, we wandered for a bit as the words of adults mocked us.

"Isn't that girl a little old to be carrying stuffed animals?"

"Look at her hair. How garish and drole."

"I bet she comes from a low-class family with how nicely she's dressed."

Tear threatened to flow down my face as I ran into the hedge maze. Finding the middle, I sat there and wept bitter tears of how I would never fit into this form of society. Why was I hated so much? Did I even deserve to be here with the glitz and glamour of high society? 

Footsteps were heard as a shadow loomed over me. I wiped my eyes to look upwards and saw a young boy smiling down at me. His radiant smile shone down like the sun on a bright day. His golden locks, green eyes, and chubby cheeks gave him an air of innocence. For the first time since my brother, I felt hope bubble inside me. Who was this young man and why was he paying attention to me? Another lady came up from behind him and gave me a soft smile.

"Fredrick, who is your cute little friend here?" The woman asked, patting the young boy's head.

"No mother, I have no idea who she is, but I would like to know her." The boy picked me up and brushed off the dirt and twigs. 

"Um...a pleasure to meet you. My name is Alyss and this is Oz." I made Oz wave a paw at the two. "He's very nice and sweet!"

"My, what an adorable imagination!" The lady knelt down at my level and patted Oz on the head. "And will you and Oz join Fredrick and I for some sweets here in the maze?"

"Mom! This was supposed to be our time together!" The one called Fredrick exclaimed, his face turning red. 

"We can afford to have one extra guest for our tea party. Do you agree Alyss?"

For the first time in my life, there was a ray of hope shining her smile down at me. Not even my own mother smiled that bright in my direction. I nodded my head rapidly and clasped my hands into hers. Realizing what I just did, I hastily snatched my hand out to avoid mockery or scorn. To my shock, the nice lady took my hand sweetly and Fredrick's. We had a pleasant party all to ourselves without the prying eyes of any nobility. 

For once, I was at peace.

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My mind blinked out of the sweet flashbacks of my simple childhood to see Farrah walk to the stage followed by her harem, Oz still in her hands. She tapped the crystal ball, gaining the attention of the entire class and the families there.

Batting her eyes, she smiled at the crowd. "I'm so excited that I was elected class president and graduating with honors at this magic academy. I'm sure if the wizard Arcana was here right now, he would be smiling down at me from coming up from the slums to the highest honor in the kingdom."

I ruffled a bit at the start of her speech. The legend of the Spirit Lord Arcana was one of the oldest stories in the kingdom. It spoke of a powerful wizard who had magic unparalleled and could do whatever he so wanted. Nobody knew what became of him since he seemingly vanished off the face of the planet so long ago. However, all his teachings and practices were still used to this day. I would spend hours in the night reading up on him alongside Oz. 

Farrah continued, "I'm also proud to announce my engagement to Crown Prince Fredrick! I have invited all of you to attend. I'm also grateful for the Nightfell Family for adopting me into their family as they sponsored my schooling here. Their heir Aidan has become my very dear brother throughout the journey."

I felt myself shrinking down at those words. I remembered how she invaded the household months after the party at the castle. A mousy little girl with big bright eyes of curiosity. I tried to gain her attention, form a sisterly bond with her constantly, but was brushed aside. She got along with my mother since she was prettier than me. She formed a close bond with my father since she always sung his praises. The maids loved the fact that she didn't creep them out at all. Even my own brother favored her over me, gifting her nice dresses and jewelry while I got the hand-me-downs. The dress I wore right now was one of my mother's "ugliest" dresses that she thought would look gaudy on her, but suit me best. 

I tuned out the rest of the speech before I found myself being taken by the arms. I snapped out of my stupor as I kicked and squirmed to get out of the hold of my brother and the spell master Collins. Both had angry looks on their faces. I turned my head toward the stage to see Farrah crying in Fredrick's arms. Before I could wonder what was going on, I was suddenly bonded down by some magical threads and placed inside of a rather large magic circle. Around the room, nobles and students gave me looks of disgust and indignation. My own parents were indifferent, although their eyes were cold. 

"Alyss you are terrible! How could you treat Farrah so coldly after all she wanted to do was form a bond with you! No wonder nobody likes you since you practice witchcraft and the dark arts! This stuffed animal must've been a medium for your chaotic ways." Fredrick threw Oz down at my feet. "Conspiring against royalty, threatening a fellow student, and practicing dark arts are punishable by death! Alyss Nightfall, have you any final words to justify your actions?"

That stung since I had no idea what he was talking about. I was being framed and now I was going to die for the lies that Farrah spouted! How was any of this fair on my side? Now the tears were coming down my face as I fell to the ground. What did I do to deserve this terrible fate?

Fredrick and Farrah held hands as they stared down at me. Farrah's face may have been stained with tears, but a smile was clear as day on her face. The magic circle burned underneath me as the fire that was about to be summoned by Collins was going to burn me to a crisp. I took one last look at my beloved Oz and closed my eyes.

"ENOUGH! I FORBID THIS!"

There was a gust of wind that nearly blew my face off. I opened my eyes to witness the stunned faces of everyone in the room staring at something behind me. Slowly, I turned to see a rather handsome man standing there in all his glory. His eyes were like emeralds sparkling in the right light. His hair was short and gold. He wore a green suit, a dashing white cape, a red ribbon around his neck, and matching gloves. Not only that, but the power he was radiating was enough to force everyone to fall to the ground. He snapped his fingers, freezing everyone as he snapped the binds off my bond. With a wave of his hand, the magic circle vanished completely. 

"I've had enough of the foolishness that has been rampant for a greater part of this young lady's life. How quickly are you sheep that you would follow the wolf into the den?" His voice was loud and booming. "Alyss Nightfell is innocent by all accounts and I have witnessed each and every deed that was done against her by the so called "Favored Child of Arcana" Farrah Lessen!"

He floated upwards with me in my arms, casting a dark shadow over the stage. My heart was beating rapidly as he swept a hand underneath my chin.

"Truly you are more fairer, more brilliant, and more of an honest woman than she will ever be. I am proud to call you my friend and in the future, my wife if you'll take it." 

My mouth struggled to form coherent words and sentences as my mind was trying to grasp what was going on. Down below, murmurs and gasps from the crowd caused Farrah to look at us with venom in her eyes.

"How dare you! Who do you think you are coming in here and saving that heinous villain from her fate!" 

The man glared down at her, making another motion that sealed her lips. "That's enough barking from you wolf. Frankly, you and your boy toys deserve a more proper punishment for all that you put my beloved through. Her family as well since neither of them thought of taking her feelings and mind into account." 

Holding his hand up, it started to glow as Farrah, Fredrick, Collins, Aidan, and my parents were dragged upwards. The man smirked, making me float with his magic as he used his other hand to open up a portal nearby. The faces of those who caused me grief were full of fear as one-by-one they were sent through this portal and sealed away. The nobles and students screamed at this, but he used some more magic to scatter green dust down on their heads. To my shock, the whole party disappeared!

"W-W-W..." I started to say before he placed a gloved hand on my lips.

"Do not despair, my dear Alyss. Those who caused you harm have been sent to an alternate dimension where they will live out the rest of their days all by themselves. What you don't know is that your parents had gone bankrupt and were thinking of selling you to an older gentleman to make money. While that Farrah planned to have you killed, I decided that a more suitable punishment for her was to be all alone with her "real" family and her boy toys till eventually she'll go mad at the lack of attention placed on her. After all, without loyal followers and gossip, she won't last long." 

I gulped at his words. That did sound like a fate worse than death for her. She was an attention seeking glory hog.

"As for your living arrangements, the queen has graciously signed papers to adopt you into the royal family. The king agreed to this as well since he believed Fredrick to be inadequate to rule a kingdom if he believed the words of the hungry wolf. They are waiting for us outside the school to take us home for a celebration of your graduation."

"I-I-I...who are you?" I asked, visibly shaken by all this change.

"Don't you recognize me at all? I thought the green eyes would've been a dead giveaway!" He smirked, then flashed the ribbon in my face. "I'm heartbroken Alyss. You are breaking your beloved Oz's heart."

"OZ!" I wasn't expecting a man to be from the plush rabbit I used to sleep with! "If you are Oz, then who are you really?"

He grabbed my hand and placed a chaste kiss upon it. "Spirit Lord Arcana, at your service always milady." 

If you asked me how I felt about all this change, I wouldn't be able to form the words. Gone was the family that abused me. Gone with the loveless paramour who left me. Gone was the girl who was responsible for every bad thing that happened to me at school. Anyone and everyone who had ever called me rude things, spoke poorly of me, or even hurt me were gone. I ruminated on these thoughts as Oz, now Arcana, sat beside me in the carriage to the castle. Had everything just changed for the better? Was I truly going to be happy in these new circumstances?

I leaned against Arcana, allowing my eyes to droop.

Perhaps...I did deserve it all. 

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Oh my gosh, I finally got this one done!

Do you know how long it took me to finally get the story down? A whole month and then some! I kept changing the ending, fixing up the middle, and trying to get so much in that I caused myself to block! The person requested a long one, so I didn't want to disappoint.

I hope you enjoyed this NeverWasHuman!

Heads up for the next requests! I apologize for the delay! Requests will be fulfilled soon!

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