Designed Puppet

10 years ago…

"Your son is slowly getting recognition within the military. The crown prince may be his best friend but nobody can question his ability and fast adaptation of various fighting techniques." Kashie Xelt mentioned while sipping coffee with his husband Muner Xelt in Haelan Villa on a lazy afternoon. They were here waiting for Sigor Haelan whom they've visited to discuss business strategies, specifically merchant routes. Sigor is a wealthy, semi-retired businessman whose connections are far and wide.

They were talking about their son, then 16-year-old Donne, who entered military training at such a young age. He and the crown prince were together in martial arts training since age 9. He was set to be a regent for the crown prince in the future but as his importance in the overall defense system of the Kingdom progressed, he ended up becoming the Commanding General in the current time and the crown prince became the King and Supreme Authority of the Military. Regarding military affairs, the two are almost of one mind.

"Yes, it's been seven years and the two have grown inseparable and ruthless in training. We need to find suitable wives for our son to ensure his vitality is replenished promptly." Muner is worried. There have been continuous attempts to destabilize the kingdom and borders are in constant breach attempts. The military defense is becoming tight and though the training makes their bodies stronger than ordinary men, a constant supply of vitality-essence remains a big necessity.

Soon a handsome man in mid 30s went out to greet them. Kashie's eyes flickered. Her husband failed to see his wife's admiration for the host.

"Welcome to my villa!" Sigor hugged Muner brotherly and joined them at the garden table.

"Brother, how are you holding up? Being a single father must be tough eh?" Muner asked.

"Oh, you know. The kid's a reminder of my misfortune, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Raise the cub and marry her off in the future."

"It's been 8 years, don't you feel like having another wife? You are still very young, all things considered." Muner probed, though he himself has no additional wife. He loves Kashie too much and having one son was enough.

"I'd rather focus on the mercantile business. I get to go out a few months at a time and see a lot of places and new fascinating products. Anyway, that is why you were here right? I mean, your son is busy training with the crown prince. Both of you should either create another one or do business!"

Kashie blushed when Sigor's focus shifted to her for a few seconds before going back to the purpose of their visit.

"Well, we need your expertise then. There are various routes and merchant groups have different priorities when it comes to trading. Right now our products are —-" the group started discussing. The servants continued to refill their teacups and provide snacks.

After 30 minutes, an adorable 8-year-old girl entered the garden with a butterfly net trying to catch one swiftly moving white butterfly. Her innocence is so refreshing.

The Xelts immediately noticed her. Muner looked at her admiringly while Kashie looked with a complex expression.

'She looks exactly like Eloise', Kashie silently gasped in her heart.

This is the little Meara with a cloth covering her left wrist in a bandaged-like manner. She's wearing a yellow sundress and sandals with her hair in pigtails.

She fell on her knees not noticing the unlevelled ground and the cloth in her wrist got loose. Kashie immediately ran to the little girl, like a caring mother.

Sigor drank from his teacup. Unaffected and unconcerned with Meara's falling.

Kashie helped the girl get up in a pretense of concern. However, her eyes secretly went to see the mark that Meara had; silently trying to catch a glimpse of her ability.

In haste, her nanny Lione caught up to her and tied the cloth firmly around her wrist. She apologized, thanked Kashie, and gently coaxed the girl to eat some snacks inside the Villa. Nanny Lione knew Mr. Haelan might be angry if Meara disturbed his meeting with the guests.

Later in the evening, Kashie is drowning in the sea of books inside the family library. Muner has been looking all over the villa for her before finally finding her there.

"What's all this?" He asked his wife. His eyes were wide in surprise as his wife is not fond of reading and yet, here she is frantically searching for something.

"We don't need to worry about Donne's essence replenishment. That little girl Meara has a 3-color-gradient mark. Her abilities are not only healing and relaxation but she has a red one. I still haven't found any reference for this color but it should be a special one!" Kathie has her right hand stuck in a paragraph of the book, "When Curses and Blessings Overlap."

"Okay…? But what do you mean? Shall I propose marriage for the children?"

"Her wrist was covered by a cloth. Probably to hide it. I also assume they do not know what it means to have more than one mark color. Her mother Eloise has two colors which is a rarity already. I remember she always hid it when we were young. She has green and blue which is a little faded. She tried to pass it on as one color only. Green. Her mother was so scared too of being accused as a cursed child. So they hid it well and tried to find information sources from temples and hermits."

"So again, what do you propose?"

"We'll make sure it gets out that she has a 3-colored-gradient mark and create rumors that such a mark bears a curse. I also noticed the shape of her mark is a serpent instead of the usual spherical, squarish, or triangular shape. So it's very fitting."

"But that's a tragic thing to do to a child! She may grow up shunned by society!" Muner gasped. Surprised at how cruel his wife is to think this way.

"Honestly, I don't care. I just want to make sure nobody would want her till such time that we need her for Donne. If Donne agrees and likes her, she can be a wife. If he doesn't, just make her a concubine. We can offer lots of penns for Sigor. But right now... talks of marriage are a bit... We can but..." Kashie got lost in her thoughts.

Muner agreed unconsciously. His heart was puzzled. 'Why do I feel like she especially hates this child?'

Kashie on the other hand truly doesn't care. She wants Meara's ability for her son. But she hates Meara. She looked exactly like her mother Eloise. And Eloise… was the reason why her supposed marriage with her white moonlight and childhood sweetheart Sigor didn't happen.