Annabelle was born an unwanted child. She knew this from a very young age. Her parents, Pearl and Richard Barton, married solely to merge their families' companies. They did not love one another, but they needed an heir. So they did what was necessary to make that happen. Once they were successful, they went to the doctor for an ultrasound, where they discovered they were getting two kids for the price of one. A boy and a girl. Her parents came from traditional families, and desired a male heir. Thus, they made an instant decision. The boy would be the heir. The girl would marry a powerful husband to strengthen the family. When the children arrived, they were named Andrew and Annabelle. 

Pearl and Richard devoted all their attention to Andrew. They brought in the best tutors for him. Hired six servants just for him. Ensured he ate the finest foods. Showered him with gifts on his birthday. Took him to parties and galas. Meanwhile, Annabelle was raised by a nanny and a single maid. She was permitted to sit in Andrew's basic lessons in reading and math. At the age of eight, she was shipped off to Grace Academy, a year-round, all-girls, boarding school. She remained there over holidays. Her family visited just once a year, to maintain appearances. Perfect grades did not result in additional visits. Acting out only resulted in generous donations to make the staff look the other way. Only the yearly visits occurred, where Pearl and Richard reminded her to behave with class and stay away from bad influences. As long as Annabelle didn't cause a public scandal, her parents didn't really care what she did. The students of Grace Academy all came from influential families. It didn't take them long to realize that Annabelle's powerful parents did not care for her. The other students largely ignored her as a result. Making friends for the students of Grace, was done for the sole purpose of growing their own power and influence. Annabelle was therefore useless to them. Craving socialization, Annabelle threw herself into books. The Academy had a vast library, and a friendly librarian, willing to order new books to satisfy the little bookworm. The characters in the books she read became her friends. Annabelle ran around Prince Edward Island with Anne Shirley. She cozied up in the log cabin with Laura and Mary. She picked out important gossip with Miss. Marple. At 14 Annabelle discovered Princess Ariyana, Protector of Acandar. It told the story of a princess  who, with the help of her friends, saved her homeland from destruction. Ariyana (Ari to her friends) must take on corrupt officials, magical beasts, assassins, and an invading army. Ari and her allies beat them all, with magic, swordsmanship, and teamwork. Annabelle loved the story, and read the book again and again. It was her cornerstone during her last years at the academy. She kept it on her at all times as graduation approached. It was in her bag when her parents came to inform her that she was to be married two months after graduation. And it remained in her bag Annabelle ran from them, sprinting through the gates and into the nearby town. Blinded by her tears, Annabelle failed to see the oncoming bus. Annabelle and the contents of her bag flew through the air, the book and the girl crashing simultaneously into the pavement.