Prologue

In a country named Amare, two little children are playing in a shady forest right in front of the French country mansion they're living in.

"Can we change the game?" a girl named Cheska asked. "I'm tired of running!"

"How about hide and seek? It's perfect! We're in the woods."

That sounds like a good idea. Her eyes are sparkling as she nods her head in response.

She volunteered as the one who will look for him since she doesn't like the idea of hiding. She's so much good at it that's why in the end, she has to show herself or hide in the most obvious places only for the game to end.

When she reached twenty, she walked into the forest and stopped for a while. She remained her silence while her eyes are keenly looking for Kenneth.

Lamentably, she got nothing. There are no shadow movements. She closed her eyes and let her ears be her ally.

She dismissed everyone including the world itself. She dismissed the sound of the wind and the birds chirping. She only hears what she's after.

"Ah!"

She opened her eyes as soon as she heard Kenneth's slight step. Wearing her champion smile and smirk, she walked gracefully to where he is hiding.

Effortlessly, she stopped behind a tree, then whistled.

His shoulders jerked. He went to the deepest part of the forest, really far where no one would be able to see him from the mansion.

But as usual, that technique didn't work on Cheska. She still found him right away—without even bothering to shout and ask where he is.

He was found because of one slight mistake—he moved.

"I can't believe you still got me..."

She smiled with a slight smirk, proud of herself. "Of course! I am Cheska Zeign Vinci Blood—"

"Cheska!!!"

She snorted. Someone from the mansion just interrupted her. The distance didn't help them to get away from that clamorous voice.

"Oh...that's auntie Victoria, right?" Kenneth asked, looking in the direction where the voice came. "I think it's already your training time."

"Well, yes." she crossed her arms. "I'm going to train despite being tired. Thanks to you."

He chuckled and raised his both hands, surrendering. "You're blaming me now? You can refuse me anytime."

"Tch," she turned her back and walked away. "You know I can't do that. You're my best friend."

Kenneth only smiled at it. Cheska might be cold or spoiled but he knows, as her best friend and her childhood friend, she has a very sweet heart.

They parted ways when they finally reach the mansion. Cheska has her own thing and so is he.

"Are you ready?" Victoria asked in the middle of their walk.

Cheska didn't answer it but the cross on her arms remained. She's not actually ready, that's what she wanted to answer in response but she knows, even if she does that, she will still have to attend her daily training. So, why bother?

For today's training, she's going to study how to play with swords, how to use them to kill someone, to make someone vulnerable, and even to use them as a defense.

"Not because it's a sharp long tool, it's only for harming. Sharp tools can also be a shield, a barrier too," her trainer said.

And that's why Cheska thinks of her swords not as a weapon but as the extension of her arms. That's why whatever it takes, she is not letting it drop to the floor or let her opponent take it away from her.

She was gasping for air after one duel. She managed not to drop the sword.

However, she's drained. Sweats are dripping down to her body, glaring at her opponent. He might be innocent, she still blames him for exhausting her like this.

Since they're already done, she let her body drop to the floor.

"Lady!"

She jumped as she heard her mom's voice from her back with her husband.

Cheska has a big resemblance to her glamorous mother named Rowena, the current mistress of the Mafia World.

Due to this resemblance, everyone thinks and says that she will inherit her mother's title and throne when the right time comes—when she's finally old and matured and strong enough to rule the Mafia World.

"Wow, you look so tired, Cheska..."

If her exhaustion is that obvious, then why can't she have a rest now? She wants to ask that question but is too tired to speak.

"You should take care of yourself, little one! You're soaking wet!" Arvin, her father scolded. He knelt behind her and placed a clean blanket on her back.

"We saw your performance, you're getting better and better so keep it up," said Rowena as she brushes back the hair blocking her small face. "My goodness, lady! You're so dirty! Were you playing again before your training?"

She knows her daughter well.

"If Lorenzo saw you like this—"

"What? He will come?!"

Finally, she found the will to speak.

Rowena looked at her, worried about how Cheska doesn't know how to take care of herself. It's understandable since she's still a child, but she hopes she learns forthwith how to be.

It's not like they will always be on her side to scold her and make her remember things she must do and must not.

"Yes, he will," Arvin answered. "and he will stay here for a while until you leave for Margarita."

"I'm so excited! What dress do I have to wear? What time will be here?!"

The two looked at each other, both surprised by Cheska's enthusiasm. Just a while ago, she's gray and sad but now, her face is full of rainbows.

"He will be here for dinner. You still have a lot of hours to prepare so you can calm down."

"Calm down? I am calm!" she defended. "I need to take a bath. Right now!"

She's taking her exit when Rowena spoke. "Where are you going, lady? Your training isn't yet done!"

Cheska being Cheska didn't stop from running. "You said it yourself, mom! I'm getting better and better! Bye!"

Rowena was about to speak again but she already left the training room. She didn't bother to shout or to chase her anymore. The little girl needs a rest.

A couple of hours have passed and it's finally dinner time.

Cheska is surprisingly still in front of her vanity table, sulking. She had a lot of time to prepare but after she took a bath, she accidentally fell asleep.

Yes, she just woke up and she's going to be late—no, she is already late.

If not because of her mother, she might be still sleeping now. Rowena visited her room because she forgot to tell her about their shooting today.

Now, she has to dress up not only for Lorenzo but also for it.

And that's why she's sulking. She hates pictures.

"Cheska!!!"

She sat properly in surprise. "Yes, mom?!"

"The photographer is here! Come down now!"

"In a minute!"

That's a lie. She's still not wearing her dress and her hair is still untouched. Her preparation won't be done in a minute.

After half an hour of quick preparations, she left her room. Gladly, several maids helped her, or else, she might still be inside her room, choosing a dress or fixing her hair.

Rowena greeted her beloved child with a glare. "In a minute you said. Do you know what time is it?"

"Uhm...no..." she shook her head and smiled. "I don't have a watch on my wrist—"

"Lady!"

She pouted. "I'm sorry, mom...You see, I'm already here! Let's start the shoot now!"

The shoot is for their family portrait where they are all wearing clothes more elegant and classy than what they usually wear.

The photographer is having a hard time taking pictures because of Cheska's younger sister who is still a baby.

And not just that, the photographer is also having a hard time because of...Cheska.

"Lady!"

"No! It looks stupid!" she crossed her arms persistently.

Rowena only sighed at it. Since the mother is bested, it's time for the father to step up and shine.

"Just for this time, Cheska. Please?"

She looked at him, irritated. "You always say that! I still don't know why we have to do this. Again. I mean, we already have a lot of pictures hanging on the wall! Are you planning to create a museum for our faces?"

And the father is also bested.

"Cheska, just for now."

And it's time for her brother, Christian to step up and shine.

He's looking at her spoiled sister with irritation. He doesn't understand why she can't smile for just one or two seconds. It's not like she's going to die because of it.

"Why?" she ignored the looks.

"Because this is our first family portrait with Xeign. Can't you be a good sister for her? She deserves to have a family picture like this. We did this before when you were still a baby.

She pouted and looked away. They thought she's not going to listen to it.

But when the photographer saw her awkward smile, he instantly clicked the shutter button. That will do.

In a snap, Cheska is frowning again.

After the shooting, the photographer left. Since he's not from the mansion, he has to leave right after doing his job.

Ever since the incident at the lab of Kenneth's dad, Kiel Hwang, Rowena and Arvin became more protective and the mansion became more secured. Not anyone can enter and not anyone can leave without their permission.

The mansion is big enough to fit all the members of the Lee family. Despite their number, they're still having a hard time seeing each other every day.

The mansion is that big. Even Cheska often lost her way.

That's why someone still has to take her to the training room. They're grateful because she knows where her room is.

Or maybe she doesn't know where the training room because she simply chooses not to know despite being there every day.

She hates its existence. And when she finds something uninteresting, she tends not to remember it at all.

On her way to the dining hall, a guy who's taller than her and wearing formal attire is walking in her direction.

When she saw who it was, the rainbows came back once again. Her face brightened up as if she sees something so sumptuous.

"Lorenzo!"

"Hi, Cheska," he greeted with a smile. "I was about to pick you up. Looks like you're already done. Shall we go now together?"

"Of course! Of course!" she nodded repeatedly. "I would love it!"

Lorenzo chuckled at it, finding her funny and cute. They walked along the long hallway side to side.

"Where's auntie Michelle? Is she already in the dining? I want to see her again! It's been a long long long time since the last time I saw her. Is she still pretty—well, I mean, mom is still prettier so—"

Lorenzo halted and his smile faded. Cheska did the same but confused.

His eyes remained in front, looking like a statue, standing tall and not doing anything at all.

"Lorenzo?"

There are grief and anger in his eyes. What's with those eyes?

"Actually, she's not—"

"Lorenzo! Cheska!" they both shuddered in surprise. Lorenzo was interrupted by Rowena. "What are you still doing there? Go inside. Everyone's hungry!"

"You don't need to scare us, mom..."

"Oh, I didn't mean to. Come in. Lorenzo, your things are already in your room. You're just right beside Cheska's, okay?"

He only nodded in response. Rowena showed him an assuring smile before turning her back.

"Lorenzo? You were saying?"

"It's nothing. Let's...just go inside."

She didn't bother to protest or to convince him to speak about it. She only followed him silently and sat beside him.

Everyone's trying to have a conversation with him. Some are asking if he's okay and how's he's doing and some are asking if he will be fine there.

He responded with positive answers, telling them he's fine and he will be fine with his new home.

Cheska is quite bothered. She can't understand any of their conversations. Why are they asking Lorenzo such questions?

But she remained her silence. She didn't bother to ask or interrupt their conversations. She's afraid her mother might scold her while Lorenzo is still on her side.

She doesn't want him to hear such words. She will only be embarrassed.

A couple of days have passed and within those days, Kenneth, Lorenzo, Cheska, and the others played with each other. They cherished every moment before Cheska leaves the country.

When she was about to leave, Arvin can't stop himself from crying. Everyone's expecting Rowena to be in tears but she's not crying at all.

Even Cj is having teary eyes but no one can see it because he's looking away.

The girls, Cheska and Rowena, told Arvin a lot of times not to cry since she will be back eventually after how many months. There's no reason at all to be so emotional as if she's on her way to the afterlife.

But Arvin? He's unstoppable.

"You're my princess and you will be far from me!" he reasoned. "How are you going to take care of yourself?! Why did we even plan this, Rowena? What has gotten into our minds?"

She only sighed.

"I'm going to take care of myself, dad! Don't worry!"

She sighed again.

"So, don't cry!" she glanced at her brother. "You're a crybaby, brother!"

He flinched. There he is, thinking that he's doing a great job concealing his feelings for his sister's departure.

He bravely looked at her, one brow is raised. "Am I crying?"

She only gave him a frown with rolling eyes. Her brother might look strong but he's too coward to admit that he's a cry baby like her father—they're so much alike.

"Aisht! Why are you being like this! I'll be back don't worry! It's not like I already know how to live alone? Anyway, I'll get going now. I might miss my flight—"

"You have your own airplane, Cheska..." Rowena reminded with a sigh. Just a simple yet important detail and she has already forgotten about that.

She gave no attention to it and started to walk away with her waving hands. She's not that sad because she's leaving and will be away from them for how many months.

Contrary to that, she's excited.

"Don't cry too much! It's not like a god is leaving or something!" she said. "And oh, don't forget to give Lorenzo my letter. You can give it to him when he's awake or...if he finally misses me?"

Rowena silently watched her daughter and completely ignored her dramatic husband.

Every step her daughter takes, her heart sinks. This is the first time she will be away from them since she was born.

"You're special, little one," she muttered with a proud smile. "not because of your eyes but because of who and what you truly are..."

Excitement filled Cheska's body as she takes her steps away. As said before, right after Rowena gave birth to her, they became more secured and more protective.

But now, she's having a cool adventure—that's how she describes it.

She thought everything would be fine until the end. She was indeed having fun. She was so excited. She was excitingly looking forward to her so-called 'cool adventure'.

But all of it vanished into thin air.

Because her plane crashed.

And 'til then, she was believed to be dead.