A/N: Photo of Darcy Le Roi, but with golden eyes :D

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The sweet song of birds echoed from the well-maintained garden around the Beauprés' white mansion, filling every corner of the stately home with life and tranquility. As the captivating rays of the morning sun chased away the shadows of the night, its light penetrated through the arched glass windows along the hallway. Its warm glow reflected on the white marble floor and gave a spotlight effect on the portraits hanging on the wall.

Even though the morning scenery was heart-melting, Zoe rushed through the hallway, her eyes fixed on the huge double doors far ahead. She always admired how its black color complimented the embossed silver vines of roses, especially the leaves carved from emerald stones.

Seeing the roses reminded her of her mother because it was her favorite flower. Due to that, anywhere she turned, there were roses; from paintings to vases and furniture, even the fragrance of the hallways didn't escape from her love.

At the thought of her parents, anxiousness bubbled inside her.

"It's been a while," she whispered, pinching the bridge of her nose, "I can't believe sermon will be the first thing I will hear from them."

The peculiar event last night paled her sleepless azure eyes, making her eye bags to look more pronounced. Her head pained even more from the memory of her futile research. Just thinking about the eyeless creature looking back at her gave her goosebumps. But what remained a mystery to her was the young man's words.

"I thought of testing your skills," he said back then, "but it seems that you're completely incompetent. If I hadn't killed the tracker, you're probably dead."

She could hear him whispering repeatedly like a ghost haunting the living.

"Could it be that those two are aliens? And I just witnessed the bravery of the superhero protecting us in secret?" She slightly shook her head with a grin, but her heart told her otherwise. "I should just ask Dr. Hughe... and Gilbert too. He definitely knows something."

Upon seeing her approach, the two servants pulled the doors open. Zoe cringed from the sudden brightness of the luxurious chandelier hanging above the long antique table. No matter how many times she experienced it, she always forgot to avert her eyes.

Unlike the all-white corridor, the dining hall was painted in olive green and outlined with gold. Crimson curtains beautify the windows on both sides of the hall, each one neatly tied by golden ribbons to allow viewing of the green landscape outside. Even with the dark paint and decorations, the whole room was bright due to the morning sun pouring from the windows.

Zoe let out a deep sigh and inhaled, the scent of freshly baked pastries whipped away the sweet fragrance of roses in her lungs, and caught her stomach squealing in hunger. Her heart briefly calmed with the buttery aroma, only to speed up again.

She didn't want to see her parents like this. She would definitely be scolded, then end up cowering, accepting everything they threw at her. The feeling of being powerless to defend her beliefs wasn't the best way to start her morning.

She locked her red hair at the back of her ear and quickly paced the room, her boots creating faint squeaks as they slid on the polished floor. Her eyes automatically drifted at the enormous portrait by the far end wall.

It was a pale yellow-green shield marked by a golden fleur-de-lis with a lion and an eagle standing by the sides. Their family crest. The story behind it was the only fairy tale Zoe knew that was real.

While closing in at the end of the table, she noticed something was wrong. Her parents were nowhere to be found, instead, it was her older sister and eldest brother. Just the sight of him doubled the tension inside her.

"G-good morning!" she greeted with a smile, but her eyes wouldn't meet theirs.

She sheepishly took the seat next to her youngest sister, Catalina, who was busy munching the chocolate muffins. An array of bread slices, cakes, and fruits was laid on the table, but only one food made her eyes twinkle. Pancakes.

"Ah, great timing!" Patricia clapped her hands, pulling Zoe from her trance. "We were just talking about Catalina's birthday party. Is your dress ready?"

Zoe met her gaze, brown eyes scintillating with excitement. "Yes, it was the dress sent by mom from Italy. Speaking of mom, I thought they arrived last night."

"Yes, they came after us," she broke eye contact and turned to her meal, her curled blonde hair falling off her shoulder. "However, there was an urgent matter in our branch, here at San Francisco, that's why they left this morning."

"I see." Zoe looked down at the pancakes and started serving herself, her hand slightly shaking as she reached for the food tong. "We already have a lot of money, so why do they have to work at a time like this?"

"It's because of a time like this that's why they have to work."

She didn't understand what she meant, but the bitterness in her tone was so audible that even Catalina glanced at her, yet her face had an impenetrable façade.

"Anyway, I arranged another party tonight just for the whole family, so don't look so disappointed. Also, make sure to be at your best. Noble families will be attending the event this afternoon."

The red haired girl simply nodded. This was the part she hated about her two older sisters. They were all about looking good and pleasing other people, especially those from the higher society. She didn't want that, especially the dresses. She preferred jeans and boots, which scream adventure. It was the reason she was closer to her two older brothers, with their eldest brother as an exception.

The siblings continued their breakfast in silence, with only the song of birds resonating within the hall. The view of the garden outside made Zoe thankful that her eyes could wander elsewhere, even though they were on roses, grass, trees, and more roses.

As time stretched like forever, uneasiness crawled inside Zoe. She could feel her brother's cold gaze, but she dared not bat him an eye. She tried to focus on the four pancakes on her plate, now swimming in chocolate sauce. But with the atmosphere of a brewing storm, she couldn't enjoy even a bite of her favorite food.

"I heard from Gilbert," Zoe froze at the sound of Siegfrid's voice, deep and emotionless. "You ditched your bodyguards again, and for what? To buy a bottle of glue?"

She turned to her brother and noticed the deep crease made by his frowning brows, shadowing his brilliant blue eyes that reflected hers. He seemed older compared to the last time she saw him during Christmas. She could see new faint lines around his thin lips and forehead. It was made even worse by his blonde hair combed backward.

"I- I um... was only hoping to accomplish something on my own."

He scowled and made the colors melt from her face. It was replaced by the familiar chill she only had when talking to him. She wasn't sure why he always gave her the cold shoulder, as though she was never part of his family. It felt so heavy and uncomfortable, but most especially, painful.

She shifted in her seat, feeling the beats of her heart in her throat.

"I'm tired of hearing your selfish excuses. As a punishment, I'll remove your bodyguards."

"But that's absurd! I--" she blinked and stared at his brother in surprise, allowing the information to sink in. "You're removing my bodyguards? Isn't--"

"They will be replaced by a personal bodyguard that I personally chose."

"That's... that's great!" For the first time, Zoe found herself giving her brother a genuine smile; however, he just brushed it aside. "If I could easily ditch six bodyguards, then it's much easier with just one bodyguard!"

"Is that so?" Her brother's menacing expression popped her bubble.

She gulped after realizing that she blurted it out loud. She felt sweat dribbled down the side of her face.

"Well, I uh... didn't mean that last part."

"I have no time for this." Siegfrid gazed at the far end of the room and called, "Darcy."

The huge double doors instantly swung open, revealing a young man in black suit.

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Dedicated to ScarredForest

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XOXO