I am Valery Roberson, the youngest daughter of the great General Roberson, from a clan of warriors. The army of the Roberson family is one of the strongest and most prestigious.

We have defended the border for generations.

My mother passed away when I was quite young, only two years old. My father and brothers decided to send me to live with my aunt in the city, so I could be educated as a lady of high society.

Life with my aunt was challenging; she dubbed me the wild Roberson. She focused her attention on my cousin Amelia, and her husband did not want me in their house.

One day, while walking, I saw a boy being beaten up. Without hesitation, I intervened, swinging a stick at them. They turned to laugh at the other boy, saying that I was braver than he was. I was only 6 years old.

That day, I made a great friend. Yes, Tomas became my friend. We would play in the forest every day, which was fun and very funny. I especially liked his blue eyes. One day, as we said goodbye, I gave him a kiss on the cheek and told him,

Valery: "When I grow up, I'll be your wife."

Tomas laughed in response: "I'd be delighted."

Seeing this, my aunt was appalled, and that evening, I was severely beaten - according to her, to correct my misconduct. Her husband, Duke Antony Ferre, decided to send me back to my father at the border. He mentioned in his letter that I was a bad example for his daughter, Amelia.

Upon hearing that I would be returning to the border, my nanny, a short and stout lady, offered to go with me. Nanny Greta was the only one who showed me affection in that household.

As I left, I could only miss my friend Tomas. That day, I failed to appear at our usual forest meeting spot. I vowed to return.

Tomas

I am Tomas Belmonte, 10 years old, the youngest son of King Leonardo Belmonte. I have three older siblings – Leonardo, whom we nickname Leo after my father, my other brother German, and my sister Irene. We are very close. My mother, Queen Merida, is very kind and the most beautiful of all, or so I thought until I met the most gorgeous and brave girl in the kingdom. We became friends, and that's where I learned her name was Valery. She's 6 years old and lives with her aunts. I never knew that Duke Ferre had a niece because he only brings his unbearable daughter Amelia and his wife Dorothy to the castle.

It's been a week since I've seen Valery. It's strange; she's never missed our play dates. I'm really sad, and my sister, who's 14, notices.

Irene: "What's wrong, little brother?"

Tomas: "I haven't seen my friend Valery for a week."

Irene: "Tell me her name and I'll find out."

Tomas: "Thank you. Her name is Valery Roberson, niece of Duke Ferre."

Irene: "Roberson?"

Tomas: "She's the daughter of General Roberson. I'm off to train."

Tea time arrives at the castle, as various distinguished families attend the gathering.

The queen and her daughter enter, starting their afternoon tea with the usual talks among young royals.

Irene: "Duchess Ferre, and your niece Valery?"

Dorothy: "You know my niece?"

Irene: "I met her in town, but haven't seen her for a week."

Dorothy: "She returned to her father at the border."

Irene: "She's so young to be in such a dangerous place."

Dorothy: "My brother misses her."

Merida: "Let's move to the garden; there are lovely new flowers."

Irene excuses herself and goes to find her brother to tell him what she discovered.

Tomas: "The border is dangerous. What if I never see her again?"

His older brothers notice the little one is sad and concerned.

Leo: "Don't worry; the General will take care of her."

German: "Leo is right, plus her brothers Jaiden and Dikson are excellent warriors."

Tomas: "You're right."

A maid interrupts his thoughts, calling him for lessons with his personal tutor.

Meanwhile, Valery arrives at the border where her brothers Jaiden and Dikson are waiting to guide her to her new home. The house isn't large or luxurious, and they only have one cook.

Valery steps down from the carriage while her brothers look on attentively. The twins' eyes widen in surprise upon seeing their beautiful sister.

Jaiden: "Little one, you look just like mom."

Dikson: "Yes, the most beautiful girl."

Valery: "And father?"

Lucas Roberson: "You are grounded. I read the letter your uncle sent, and I am very disappointed, Valery. You will do everything Mrs. Margo tells you."

Having spoken, he turned toward his horse. But an upset and angry Greta strode after him.

Greta: "General Roberson! YOU MAY BE HER FATHER AND A HERO, BUT I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO SPEAK TO MY GIRL THAT WAY. I'VE HELD THAT LITTLE ONE IN MY ARMS SINCE SHE WAS 2, AND SHE NEVER RECEIVED PROPER TREATMENT FROM HER GRANDPARENTS OR AUNTS. SHE LIVED WITH ME EVER SINCE SHE ARRIVED, FAR FROM THE DUKE'S MANSION. SHE KNOWS HOW TO READ AND WRITE BECAUSE I TAUGHT HER, WITHOUT LUXURIES OR TUTORS. I WON'T TOLERATE YOU TREATING HER POORLY JUST BECAUSE THAT SNAKE OF AN UNCLE WROTE TO YOU!!!"

After speaking, the nanny heads back to the house carrying her luggage, leaving a very taken-aback Lucas and his right-hand man and friend Marcos trying to suppress laughter. No one had ever spoken to Lucas like that.

His brothers were quite surprised by what they had heard.

They envisioned their little sister living like a princess, thanks to all they had endured at the border.

Presently, the Roberson twins, Jaiden and Dikson, are soldiers like their father, seventeen years old and have been battling to protect their kingdom for as long as they can remember.

What their sister’s nanny related had greatly angered them.

The cook, an older woman named Margo, was the mother of Marcos and knew Lucas well. She understood that those words had provoked his anger, as he had sent his daughter to the city at her parents’ request to care for his granddaughter.

Margo: My beautiful girl, come, let me show you to the room. I'm Margo, the cook, and Carlos' grandmother – he's over there playing.

Greta: Excuse me, ma'am, I get upset when someone mistreats my girl.

Margo: I understand perfectly.

The women head towards a room, not large but comfortable.

Margo: You both can sleep here.

Greta: Thank you so much.

Margo: Greta, forgive me, may I ask how old you are?

Greta: Of course, I'm 39 years old.

Margo: Surely you left behind a husband?

Greta: No, it's just me and my little Valery.

Margo smiles, it's clear Greta loves Valery deeply.

Days go by, and the little one hasn’t seen her father, only her brothers. She's sitting when a group of children approach her.

Carlos: Hey, are you the city girl?

Valery: My name is Valery.

Carlos begins to mock Valery, causing her to get angry. Unable to hold back, Valery hits Carlos, and the children start fighting while the others watch.

Then entering are Lucas with his sons and Marcos, witnessing Valery handing a beating to Carlos. Her brothers laugh, while their father shakes his head in disapproval.

Greta, hearing the commotion, rushes out to find her little one fighting.

Greta pulls Valery away from Carlos and begins to dust off her dress.

Greta: My little blossom, what have I told you about fighting?

She then feels a strong voice behind her.

Lucas: Blossom? Ha, I’d say a whirlwind.

Marcos looks at his son: Ha, you’ve met a blossom with thorns.

Lucas: Who started this?

Valery looks down, saying nothing, and when Carlos tries to speak, she stops him.

Valery: We were only playing.

Lucas: Hmm, that’s a rough way to play. Look at you, all tousled and dirty. Your punishment, for you both, will be to feed the horses.

Carlos looks at Valery, nods, and they both head to the stable to tend to the horses.

As Greta tries to speak...

Lucas: No, Greta, your little blossom deserves the punishment.

Greta goes inside the house, muttering something that amuses everyone.

Lucas just shakes his head; he had lost authority in his own home.

Meanwhile, at the stable, the children feed the animals.

Carlos: Sorry for fighting with you.

Valery: It’s okay, it’s not the first time I’ve beaten a boy.

This sends Carlos into a loud, hearty laugh, drawing Valery’s attention.

Valery: What’s so funny now?

Carlos: You are amusing.

The children laugh while they feed the animals, marking the beginning of a great friendship.

Dinner passes in complete silence, with nobody speaking. Before going to bed, Valery kisses her father on the cheek, leaving him surprised as the girl runs off. Margo and Marcos exchange glances; it's a good start. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, the alarm for an attack sounds. Lucas, his sons, and Marcos head out to fight.

The children and women stay inside their houses.

But then there is crying. Valery sees a house ablaze and runs out, followed by Carlos.

They carefully rescue a baby and a woman. Intercepted by men, Valery grabs a sword. The men laugh at the child's courage. Carlos too finds a sword on the ground, and they start fighting. Valery inadvertently stabs one of the assailants, and he falls on her, covering her in blood.

Carlos also kills another man. Jaiden arrives swiftly on his horse, finding his sister and Carlos bloodied but unharmed.

Greta and Margo rush to attend to the children, as Lucas enters the village and sees his daughter and the woman with her baby who thanks Valery for saving them.

Adults are taken aback by Carlos's words.

Carlos: Valery, I'll follow you into any battle.

Lucas looks at his friend; both decide that the children should begin training. Despite protests from Greta and Margo, the training of both children commences.

Under Marcos and Lucas's strict supervision, the children commenced an intensive training regimen, with Jaiden and Dikson imparting all their knowledge to the youngsters.

Meanwhile, in the city, Tomas longed for his sole friend, forever adorned with the medallion she had gifted him—a token from Valery that he never took off.

From a distance, his brothers watched him, no longer the impish boy who eluded the castle's confines each afternoon to play in the town.

They now knew the identity of his playmate: General Roberson's daughter.

Leo asked, "German, do you think the girl will return?"

German replied, "The situation at the border is grim. Last night, an attack claimed several families' lives."

Leo added, "Yes, I heard it from father."

In the Ferre mansion,

Lorena queried, "Why did you send Valery to the front?"

Dorothy retorted, "That child is a nightmare; she just overshadows Amelia. Whenever they see her, all the comments are about her beauty and her lineage."

Lorena reminded her, "Your brother will be upset. When I went to fetch her, I promised we would take care of her."

Dorothy scoffed, "She's always had a meal."

Lorena concluded, "Daughter, you are remarkable."

Dorothy confessed, "Living in the shadow of her mother, Jazmin's beauty and immense talent captivated everyone. When she agreed to marry my brother, I felt a huge relief. I know Antony married me only because Jazmin was my brother's wife."

Lorena replied sympathetically, "Jazmin was a wonderful woman; it's pitiful to hear you say these things, daughter."

Following the argument with her daughter, Lorena left the mansion. All the employees inside missed the young Valery dearly, a vibrant light in their lives—cheerful, humble, and offering love to everyone, irrespective of social class.

The characters:

Jazmin Lorens, the daughter of Count Daniels Lorens and his wife Catalina, was a stunning young woman with brown hair, hazelnut eyes, and the loveliest of smiles. Her sweet and well-mannered demeanor was complemented by her ability to converse on all royal matters with grace and distinction. Knowledgeable in politics—a subject normally forbidden for women to discuss—she would engage in conversations with her father and brother, who welcomed her opinions. Her brother, Javier, was friends with the handsome soldier Lucas Roberson, from a distinguished military family. Lucas began his career as a rank-and-file soldier and became the envy of many when he announced his marriage. Jazmin gave up her countess title to marry Lucas, against her parents' wishes.

Dorothy, Lucas's younger sister, was an elegant blonde woman with brown eyes and dignified bearing who harbored envy for Jazmin, feeling constantly outshone by her.

Antony Ferre, smitten with Jazmin and the sole heir of Duke Esteban and Patricia Ferre, was a tall, athletic man, knowledgeable in politics and arrogant. He married Dorothy upon learning that his beloved had wed a military man.

Lucas Roberson, a tall, fit man with blonde hair and brown eyes, was stern in nature but softened only in Jazmin's presence, whom he deeply loved.

A year into their marriage, they welcomed twin sons, Jaiden and Dikson, and then the war summoned Lucas to the border, with his wife and children accompanying him. Jazmin was beloved for aiding wounded soldiers and local villagers, assisting in numerous births, including that of Carlos.

During a battle, Jazmin gave birth to their daughter, Valery. Tragically, two years later, she died in an enemy attack, heroically defending her daughter and other children with a sword, succumbing to her injuries.

Count Javier Lorens, a young man with brown hair, hazelnut eyes, tall and athletic, was a warrior in the royal troops, safeguarding the king's security.