Chapter 103

EVERYONE thinks that the gentry was nothing but a social hierarchy that took advantage of our daily lives. We, as the common folks and peasants of the Niapachad Island, might not be agreeing to this social system but it was the only one that we got.
Many have speculated that the gentry hides something from our common knowledge. Well, here I am, Miss J, to debunk some of the rumors and maybe put them to a stop. We cannot think that the gentry was hiding something.
This is my initial hypothesis as I have come to find the reason for my latest research. And here you are, reading it right now. I have spent some time with a gentleman that was from the gentry. Really, he was from the Higher Court, the court that was serving the young queen Arabella Dragomir as well as her prince consort, Aiden Dragomir.
I know it was hard to believe but I can assure you, all the information that I have collecting has been sort out and it was the only conclusion that I have come to agree with after this social experiment ended.
For many of you, you might know about the history of our beloved country. Here is the summary of that.
Niapachad Island.
It was located on the west side of Crete Island in the Aegean Sea. People don’t usually take notice of the island because it was an independent country since the beginning of the time. The richness of the land makes it one of the most sought lands in ancient times but there was something that was compelling the explorers to set their foot there.
They say that the island was haunted by supernatural creatures. And maybe they are…
By the time of the Industrial Revolution with England tried to be the leader of such revolution as the revolution took place around the world at that time with steam engines and other inventions, Niapachad Island was far more advanced than the rest of the world but they chose to be a traditionalist country.
And by that I mean, the country was ruled by monarchs and the gentry was still in the system of social hierarchy. Their choice in the clothes department was still in the time where everything was still in the 18th century Edwardian.
Niapachad Island was divided into 5 main regions; Belikov, Kain, Vyckos, Raine, and Fell. They have something in the regions that made people wanted to go there. In Belikov, it has Royal Molftus at the center of the island. It was ruled by the Duke of Belikov.
In Kain, we have St. Betown, named after Saint Betown, which was known for its arena that people went to see in the east of the island for the Contest of Champion that was held once every year to see who was the strongest amongst the islanders. And it was a way to blow off some steams as well.
In Vyckos, we have Stonelockteco that was located in the South. It was famous for its mining history and heritage. Locals and tourists alike were sprawling in the small town to get their hands on the jewelry that was the finest on Niapachad Island as well as around the world. The young queen of Niapachad Island would have to compete to get one of those.
Then, there was a coastal city in the west of the island. It was ruled by the Earl of Raine and it was a small city with elaborate legends of all the supernatural creatures. Whether it’s true or not, it’s debatable.
It was said to be sprawling with vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches, and wizards, as well as demons. But it was never proven to see those supernatural creatures to walk down on the street of the city, terrorizing people.
It was assumed that the locals were bored and come up with those legends.
Well, that was before everyone knows the island and when they did get a better history of the island, they wished that they never did.
What was Porphyria?
Well, it was said to be a genetic mutation that was carried by one or two parents and passed it down to their children. It was causing the porphyrins to build up in the body and harms the skin and sometimes it would be on the nervous system as well.
The symptoms can be seen as early as 12 years old or on average when the children were 15 years old. They would have severe abdominal and chest pain, vomiting that could result in blood as well as fever and high blood pressure. It would usually go on for days or weeks.
But after the children were passing that stage, that’s where the real changes started to show.
Their skin would be pale and the eyes would be lighter than usual as the blood was not enough in their bodies. Most of the locals around did not have these cases. It was rumored that it was the gentry that would have this mutation.
Why? It was never been told to the public or how they could be getting this from one generation to another generation or from one family to another family. It was a secret that the locals wanted to know.
And that was the history that you would read in the pamphlet if you were to visit the island. Beware, you might not want to leave for all the richness that the island has to offer. But would you stay was another question that you have to answer as the night was not what it seems.
Oh and one more thing, don’t forget to look behind your shoulders because who knows what might be lurking around at night.
Sometimes, the symptoms of having Porphyria was related to the stories of the gentry on Niapachad Island. How they stay inside the house all the time and barely seen when the sun was up. But they lurked during the nights.
Most people did not believe it to be true until they saw it for themselves and that was the first sign that they are in danger.
But are they truly in danger? Now, that’s a question that did not answer up until now.
Last but not least, we have North Msallste that was overseen by the Baron of Fell. It was famous for its extraordinary theatres, art, and cultural exhibitions. It was beyond its time and the tourists and locals alike love it so much.
The nightlife on the island was different from the daylight. Why, did you ask? Well, it was because the gentry mostly went out of their mansion and houses when the night falls upon the sky. It was the best time of entertainment well as the business was booming.
The nightlife offered something that daylight can’t. The life of the theatre, the balls that were being organized by the gentry and were invited for anyone that wanted to come, and the sight of the gentry that was rumored to be handsome out of this world.
You don’t believe it? Why don’t you step onto the island and see it for yourself? We’ll be waiting for more tourists to come and see the spectacular heritage that Niapachad Island has to offer.
One thing that never forgot to be mentioned if you are planning to come to Niapachad Island, was stated that Porphyria, a genetic disease mutation, was high up in numbers on the island. Was it proven? Not exactly but the locals would have a pale complexion and their skins would turn to blisters if they were exposed to the sunlight for a long period.
But can we truly believe what was being written by our ancestors that have been here for almost 100 years now? It was not relevant to the new society such as ours. We have evolved and changed as we were going up and up with our society and the revolution that was going on around the world.
This is what I have summarized when I spent my time with the members of the Higher Court:
The young queen was capable of any monarch that can rule over the country.
The gentry was not hiding any secret and any rumor that they were Vampyre and they have that because of the Porphyria, it was not true.
Last but not least, my research will come to an end as I am getting married and settle down. I know you might be thinking that I will have some time to put aside what I love doing the most, writing and giving the information to you all.
But I have promised my fiancé, who is now my husband, that I will be focusing on our marriage and give it all. But know this, nothing is more important than to make sure that the history that we learned was real and maybe, just maybe, if you were enticed by a gentleman, you might want to get to know them before you come to a conclusion.
As I said, History has changed as much as we are.
(Adapted from *The Island*)