Hard, very hard rough concrete ground, a little bim of light that came from something barely called a window.

“Ughhhh uhh” I managed to let out.

At this point my vocal chords were worn out, sores and wounds all over my body, I could barely move a finger and not feel a painful sensation in my whole arm.

At that point I was almost on the verge to pass out, then I heard large movements of the feet’s all over the concrete ground it was vibrating I managed to glance at the prison door.

There I saw people getting out of their cells, I wanted to shout for help but I could barely make out a whisper before I fell unconscious.

Just before everything happened

The Graham Duchy was the most powerful and wealthiest family other than the imperial family in the empire over 15% of the empire were owned by them

Sometimes the imperial family even take loans from them that’s how wealthy they were.

Not only do they have wealth but influence all over and beyond the empire, they were the nobles of the nobles, and the highest of the highest.

People would wonder why they haven’t taken over the empire and for most people it remains a mystery but only a few knows that an oath was made between the founding empire and founding nobles of the empire.

That they won’t fight for the throne, so because of that they all lived happily together and formed a strong empire. After generations of generations the oath became weak and the trust became loose.

“Please! Please! Don’t kill us!”

The bloodbath of the Kalis family one of the powerful founding noble family was found to have been plotting treason against the empire.

When the king found out he started to suspect the Graham family together because they were both very close with one another.

“ I can’t do this your majesty” in the middle of a huge hall with expensive interior design a man is seen kneeling down with his sword on his right.

His knees were trembling and his hands shaking every word he uttered came along with a stammer although not hot but he was sweating profusely.

“YOU DARE DISOBEY A ROYAL ORDER!” the king who was sitting at the front of him yelled his hands were shaking too but instead of fear it was out of anger.

“I can do anything but this!” “I know that what Alex did was wrong and he deserves death but anyone, ANYONE but me can do it” the man kneeling said in a pleading tone.

The king gave out a sigh and softened a little bit

“I hear your second daughter just turned 6 recently, what was her name again? “Aries”?”

The statement made him shiver and changed his stance.

“How about this, if you finish this mission I’ll make it your last and you can finally sit behind the desk you’ve always wanted”

It was silent for a while, the king with a smile on his face came down from his throne and towards the man into his ear he whispered “I want it done by tomorrow, all of them” and he walked out of the hall humming a sweet melody.

The man knelt down alone even tho allowed to leave he stayed there and sobbed silently.

After an hour he left the palace and went straight to the Kalis residence that has an equal size to the palace maybe that’s what pissed the king out so much.

“Welcome back, Duch Graham I’ll imfo-“ before the sentence was completed she was killed. He went all around killing anyone he sees on sight.

There were 5 founding noble family that contributed to the empire the Kalis family was known to be cunning and the Graham family was known for their swords skills.

So they were the ones who won most battles for the empire, they always lead and came victorious and was second to none. While the Kalis family was know for their intelligence and made tricky plans in the dark.

They were the mastermind to the plans and plots made and because of that they did grew out of their heads and planned an overtake (when they overthrow the ruler by force and take over) which was a very big treason and would cause the death of the whole family including other generations.

Of course it got found out by the king and with the oath bond already weakened he started to get suspicious of the Graham family because they were very close with each other.

Allen the head of Graham family no matter how much he begged the king he turned a deaf ear to him and to protect his family. Allen did the unthinkable, he killed his best friend’s family and him.

“Allen you can kill me but not Jason please!” Alex begged with his dying breath.

“WHY! WHY! I told you to let go of the idea, I TOLD YOU DIDNT I!!” “And now we both have to do something we don’t want to do”

“I know Allen I know but he isn’t fit to be king even if it’s not me at least you, you were always the rational one among us. YOU DESERVE TO BE KING”

“Alex you think I don’t know what your doing here, manipulation? you always loved that” Alex said gripping his sword at the edge of its neck.

“My son...he’s still 3 years”

“You didn’t know that? Before you plotted treason that will not only kill your son but all your family!”

“You always knew I hated going to wars I hated everything about them, am not like my father!” Allen shouted with tears in his eyes.

“Is that what he offered you? Freedom? Freedom from what, going to war was your freedom can’t you see what’s he’s doing to you he making you abandon your nature YOUR TRUE NATURE AS A GRAHAM!”

“SHUT IT!” “not another words from your defiled lips you traitor”

“Ahh it seems like I got it right aye, ah I remember when we were little you trained so much like it was your last and your eyes always shine until he came in”

Allen looking at Alex with doubtful eyes said nothing “so what”

“Garson completely changed you”

“THE KING’s name shall not be said by your mouth!” Allen hands trembling weakly

“Look at you already shaking you were never like this, what would people think if they saw the mighty Allen like this”

“I don’t care about what your relationship you share with him but my last advice for you as a friend is not to keep trusting him”

“You of all people shouldn’t tell me about friendship or advice every words that slips out of that hissing tongue you think I don’t know? That from the beginning of this conversation you were buying time for your son to run away”

“That’s right hah Allen you finally got something right”

The sword coated with red thick blood pierced through his body as Alex smiled he died.

Allen looked around for his son found no trace of him

“Run away and never turn back” he’s whispered under his breath as he walked away.

And after that in everyone’s mind “the Kalis family is dead.

“Psss” don’t you want to see the new baby. A little girl just about 5years whispers into her brothers ears.

A little girl with big round eyes, rosy lips and round face, her glossy platinum colored hair packed in a pig tail with shiny jewels as decorations on her hair.

Next to her was a boy around 10years with similar hair color but this time with a short hair cut, he had slender eyes and beautiful grey eyes and seemed to be called handsome even at his young age.

“You can see her later Laila” he said as he continued studying a book ten times the size of a dictionary.

“Brother pleaseee”

He didn’t say anything he just continued what he was doing, Laila suddenly jumped off the chair and ran away.

“Father isn’t around today, mother went out with her friends and brother is studying” Laila thought “maybe I should try sneaking out”

Because the two masters of the house wasn’t around Laila was able to successfully escape out of the house.

With her she carried a huge back filled with snacks thinking of this trip as an adventure. It wasn’t the first time she had left the house alone but each time it was more exciting than the last.

But before she left she wore a hat that covered her rare silver hair and her eyes that was passed down only in the Graham family.

She walked into a forest to look for treasure not before long she walked into someone.

“Who’s that” she asked as she heard heavy breathing around the trees she walked a bit further and found a boy laying in the ground exhausted.

Before that

“Jason I need you to listen to me”

“You have to run, run far away don’t ask anyone for help just run and never return please live” as screaming was heard from the next room.

“Dad what’s happening” little Jason said almost in tears but his dad just shakes his head and pushed him toward the door and watched his son run.

Now

“Are you awake”

Jason woke up and found himself under a tree, terrified he shifted backwards but that seemed to have confused the little girl who sat next to him.

To Jason this girl seemed like an angel maybe from his angle but he saw the most beautiful girl in his life.

“Who are you”

Laila looked at him closely and smiled she stretched out her hands and pulled him up

“My name is Laila” she said excitedly

“I found you laying over there exhausted so I brought u under a tree away from the sun”

Jason was still mesmerized by her speaking cause everything she said sounded magical

“My name is Jason”

“Anyways u seem exhausted your lucky I got my adventure pack today” Laila then got some food out of her bags and fed him.

This happened for about a week until one day

“Am leaving here” Jason said

Over the week Laila bonded deeply with Jason and Laila hearing this made her scared. But she expected it, he didn’t seem like he was going to stay long anyways.

“I expected it anyways, that’s how my parents switch up when they had Aria, I was just the other one” Laila said tearing up about his leaving.

“Laila it’s not like that” he said trying to stop her crying “I’ll come back to see you I promise” he said as he did a pinky swear with Laila.

He then gave her his necklace he always wore “here you go it’s what my mon gave me I love it so much but I’ll come back to get it” he said

Laila held the necklace tightly “do you know where your going” she asked Jason told her what happened but his not response made it clear, he didn’t know what he was doing.

Laila handed him her bag filled with food and essentials and gave him all the decorations she had on her hair and her jewelries.

“Laila I can’t take this” Jason said refusing the huge gift.

“Just take them, they might seem like just hair clips but two of them can buy a small house” she said as she forced them into his hands.

“Bye Jason I can’t wait to meet you again”

That was the last thing she said as he smiled at her and left.

Back home her dad was back, the atmosphere was very bad and she got caught going outside the house.

Her father questioned Laila and her brother.

And then her brother took all the blame “it was I who allowed her to go out!”

Laila wanted to say something but she read her brothers lips saying it’s for the better.

Her father wasn’t in his right mind so no pleading would work he punished his first son harshly and Laila had to to watch it happen.

Every since then their relationship grew cold and barely talked.

After that Laila stopped leaving the house, she couldn’t even if she wanted to so she stayed at home and started etiquette lessons. While thinking about the boy she met.

“Mom are you feeling better” The Graham family was filled with the sounds of coughs and faint smell of blood.

Laila accompanied her mom when she was sick and helped her by her side, Allen Laila’s father was too ashamed to spend any time with his family so he kept his distance.

Being with her mother kept her under so much pressure as her mind were filled with how to help her get better, that experience wiped away her memories of Jason. To her he was just a passing moment.

Until.. She died.

The whole house went into mourning but there wasn’t much difference because it already had a depressing atmosphere even when their mom was alive they had no attention given to them.

All except from Aria though because she was the last child and instead of silver hair and grey eyes, she took after her mother who had dirty red hair and dark brown hair and instead of slender eyes which most Grahams had she had huge eyes.

Because of all these, Allen treasure her soo much because of his love for his wife, she just reminds him of his wife so much.

Laila and Tyler allowed it since it made their father smile so much and Aria was able to feel loved too.

Laila clocked ten immediately although not even close to adult hood her beauty was the talk of town.

Her unusual characteristics wasn’t the only thing that stood out in her, because of her cold childhood she spent most of her time studying.

But because women weren’t allowed in school at that time she turned her intelligence into going to social gatherings.

For nobles, this is their own silent war that’s even more dangerous that an actual war because you don’t know who your enemies are.

They around saying things coated with sugar sweet words but actually have a deeper meaning than what they say, to be able to survive in such circle one has to have influence and power.

That’s what the Graham family had, even with the odd atmosphere at home when they go out they act like a happy family.

“My parents found my fiancé” said a girl with blonde hair and plum lips,

That seemed to have caught others attention, sound 4 more others were gathered at the table including Laila.

She didn’t say anything just listened.

“Anyways I saw him yesterday and he seemed head over heels for me” Carlie laughed “he looked really pretty so I agreed”

“Woah Carlie your amazing”

“I can’t wait till my parent find a fiancé for me”

As Laila listen she felt irritated and disgusting “your still ten” she said in a low tone something like a whispering.

She sat at the highest table even though this is just a ten years old gathering but what happens is nothing childlike.

Every noble child, one way or the other isn’t how they seem they are, in a gathering like this the highest ranked noble stayed at the beginning of the table.

Even the host of the party doesn’t have the right to do that and once the highest noble speak everyone must stop talking, that’s what power feels like. And the fact that it exist between 10 years old is what is more scary.

These young nobles have been taught etiquette at home and practicing it from young is what is ideal. “That’s why they grow up to be monsters” Laila thought

“Aren’t you a little too young to be talking about marriage” Allen said sternly at the little girl.

“Allen your still so strict about everything, ten years is already still too old most people to get engaged, girls usually get engaged when they are born” Carlie said smiling.

“Carlie is right, it’s better to have your husband with you from young so you can watch him” said another girl with brown hair called Aisha

“Aisha was I speaking to you?” Laila said now a little louder.

Aisha bowed her head apologizing to Laila.

“Big sister Laila” Carlie said “aren’t you suppose to be engaged”

Laila looked at her coldly “what do you mean”

“I heard you were once engaged from birth to the Kal-“

“Shut it” Laila said as she cut off Carlie “you know it’s a crime to speak of a traitors family like that.

“I’m getting tired so I will get going” Laila said as she stood up to leave.

The other girl stood up and bowed to her until she left.

“I can’t believe this who does she think she is” Aisha said annoyed

“It’s enough, the walls as have ears and I was the one who invited her,” “are you indirectly blaming me?” Carlie said

“Never!”

“Daddy no please!”

Immediately Laila entered the mansion she heard Aria’s scream. She immediately ran toward the direction.

She went toward her father’s study where she saw a dozen of maid gathering but not doing anything in the situation.

She looked In to see for herself, there so saw her father feeding Aria something she was allergic to.

Because of the status of employees and employer the maids had no right to interfere with what their master did, because it won’t end at getting fired but no one would hire someone fired from the Graham family.

“Dad stop this!” Laila scream with a whole movement of her silky silver hair, her silver eyes trembled with fear l as he’s dragged Aria away from the father who was now very angry.

“WHY WONT SHE EAT THIS, HER MOTHER LOVED THEM SO MUCH” her father said sternly in a low tone but Laila heard it.

“SHES NOT MOM!” Laila screamed

Immediately these words entered his head he slapped Laila, even with this the servants were take by shock and Aria who was just 5 years old stopped crying.

Laila felt the place were she was slapped, because she was pale it showed it was bruised and clenched her sister’s hand “I think it’s time you take a little break from Aria” as she carried her sister out of the room.

Leaving her father collapsed on the ground.

After that news spread around about how unstable then head of the Graham family is and how he hit his own daughter.

Even though Laila still attended social gatherings no one dare questioned her.

“The measure of our torment is the measure of our youth”

“Duke Allen Graham the head of the Graham family was found dead”

Fifteen years old Laila couldn’t believe, it was just a normal business trip he usually goes and now he’s died?

“Sister..” Aria let out a whimper. She wasn’t supposed to be here. “Is that true” Aria asked, Aria is now 10 years.

“Aria go back to your room” Laila said harshly to her younger sister who sheepishly walked away.

“Tell me more about what happened”

“On xxth day and x month the duke was found dead in his carriage, investigations are still carried out and it’s mostly an accident caused by bandits”

“Thank you” as she dismisses the messenger after hearing the news her father was dead she didn’t know what to feel but one thing she knew was It wasn’t an accident

The whole family was seen in black again the funeral room was quite. No one cried no one said anything it was just Quiet

“Laila you have grown more beautiful” a distant uncle said.

“Who’s this” she thought as she glared at him with her pale eyes

Laila could see through his smile that showed his decaying teeth, he’s not here to give condolences he’s here for the vacant position

Laila didn’t respond with anything but “thank you”

“You and your sister need someone to look after you” he said with a nasty smile

“Distant uncle you seemed to have forgot that I have an elder brother” she said and she looked at him with annoyance

“If you don’t stop what your doing you would be kicked out of the house immediately” she said sternly.

The uncle was taken a back and left hissing underneath his breath saying “who does this ***** think she is”

That wasn’t the only one, she had to deal with family members she had never met or heard came to meet her for similar reasons.

“You should get married to my son, before it’s too late”

“When will you find a husband”

“Now your dad is gone who will guide and protect you”

“You at that age now”

“What exactly will happen to your sister, think about it”

Those are the comments Laila received as the oldest present. Aria was sent back to her room immediately the ceremony was over and Tyler was in school when the news of her father arrived.

So she had to see the relatives off as curtsy.

For some people fifteen year later was when they got married but Laila who isn’t even engaged was a target of the society.

Now her father was gone no one could protect her from such rumors anymore, as complaint piled up against her, instead of mourning it turned into a marriage meeting where the relatives and some other influential people came with proposals for their sons.

They say it as good opportunity to get the first daughter of the Graham family who’s known for her beauty and brain.

Suddenly someone bursted in and everyone’s attention was focused there, it was Tyler the first born.

“Am so sorry” he said as he panted and the. He ran to hug Laila who stood in shock

“Am so sorry for letting you go through this” he said as he hugged her tightly, there Laila who haven’t cried since her mother died broke down and started weeping.

The people around felt a little guilt but they couldn’t care less about how she felt, what they wanted was an answer

“I will be taking care of the Graham family as the rightful heir” Tyler announced after a while.

“My sisters will be under me and if they don’t want to get married they can even die in this house”

The whole place was in shock, usually when something like the son takes over the family he would sell his sister for more influence and wealth.

Laila stood her ground and escorted them all out of the hall.

“I thought you wanted to escape this family” Laila said breaking the silence.

Originally Tyler had planned to run away without his father knowing.

“That was before he died” “I couldn’t leave you two just to save myself”

“You didn’t have to, I had it all under control”

“YOU THINK I DONT KNOW!” Tyler screamed as he held Laila strongly with his grip

“Know what”

“That you plan on shouldering all the responsibilities, there was no way you would have survived them!”

“You don’t know! I had a plan everything was going smoothly before you came in”

“Smoothly? You dare say smoothly! When you were on the verge of breaking down before I came” “that’s how you have always been I know you still feel guilt from years ago but it’s all gone it’s the past”

“Is it? IS IT TYLER! I could have said something but I stood there watching you get beaten” “I was the cause!”

Tyler hugged Laila tightly as they both fell on the ground in silence.

“Have you checked the left drawer”

After the funeral they all decided to pack their fathers office together instead of the maid.

“It seems like this one is locked” Aria pointed as she tried to force it open.

Tyler went to Aria and seemed to monitor the patterns in the safe

“That’s the same pattern mom draws when she’s alone”

“It’s the Kalis family symbol” Tyler said

“You mean the traitors family that was slaughtered years back?” Laila asked as she went towards the drawer with caution

“Why does dad have their symbol with him, if this is found it could be a crime even for us”

“This is connected to mom too” Laila said as she tried to remember something

“Before mom got too sick to stand she would always stare at a drawing with this symbol in it”

“Brother! Sister! I found this key!”

They both looked at the same time and opened the box.

Inside was filled with letters, old letters that the papers couldn’t be found just anywhere.

“This is from the Kalis family, the papers they produce this type of paper but it got stopped since it went out of business”

“Allen Cristen Graham” “Isn’t that dad’s full name?

“Mary Blon Kalis”

“That’s.. mom?” “Mom was part of the Kalis family?”

“What exactly is happening! Dad married from the Kalis family? More so ever it seems like they were quite close”

“Dad was the one that charged in the killing of the Kalis family” Tyler said lowly “why would he do that”

“He was ordered to” Laila said “the King ordered him to do it”

“Still..”

“Sister, brother look at this” Aria said as she brought out an old painting of..

“That’s mom, that’s dad who’s the other two men”

“Look at the symbols in their cloths!, it seems like this was done before dad got married cause mom was still wearing the Kalis symbol”

“They look so young.. This other man.. It’s the imperial symbol!” Laila exclaimed “they were a friend group and the king was part!”

“What exactly happened between them”

“At least we all know why mom got sick all of a sudden”

“She found out her husband killed her family and there was nothing she could do about it, so she fell ill from the shock”

“She refused to see dad all the time..” “Mum...”

“So dad married his best friend’s sister?”

“Yea..”

After a minute of silent to take in what they just discovered

“Am not changing study rooms am going to use this one” Tyler announced

This brought attention of the two siblings attention

“That’s great brother now I can finally leave this dusty *** office” “don’t worry I’ll call the maids on my way out” Laila said as she excitedly walked out

“I kinda heard her swearing when we were dusting the desk” Aria said “anyways my friends will be over soon, I don’t want them to see me in this state”

Tyler left alone in the room shocked at his siblings petty betrayal “hahahaha” he laughed as he sunk into the huge arm chair, but then he saw something in between a book.

“I did it to escape, everyone was watching me I had to protect my FAMILY! It wasn’t my fault I tried to warn them but they didn’t listen, Nowadays I feel guilt for the death of my wife because I know it’s all because of what I did. I remember when we were still young and would go around the empire together but what changed.. He’s coming to get me, I can feel it I won’t live for long so am writing this. I don’t know who will find this but find the last descendant of the Kalis family”

It was dad’s handwriting Tyler thought “but what does he mean by last survivor, that’s means he let one go!”

“Have you tried this new cake shop opened in street xx”

“Aren’t those for peasants you can have them made in your house when you want”

It was another social gathering for Laila this is a daily normal thing

“Linda it’s different becomes it’s made by someone else”

“Chela you can just hire the person”

“Then that takes away the fun of actually buying”

“It’s the same thing!”

“Not it’s not!”

“Yes it is!”

“No it-“

“It’s enough” Laila said sternly

Because of how strict and ladylike she was they nicknamed her “Teacher” because she would stop petty argument and neutralize the atmosphere.

“Young miss Laila” said a high rank noble named Carlie, she seemed to be the only one that can speak on the same ground with Laila

“It seemed like your the odd one out in our group” she mentioned smiling cheekily

Laila looked around at the ladies gathered and couldn’t find anything different

“What do you mean Miss Carlie”

“Oh no, I don’t mean cloths miss Laila I meant we all are engaged if not married already” “but you mm I don’t see it”

Laila look at Carlie for a while before she spoke “I feel like we have had this conversation before” “and I thought I meant it clear about my thoughts on marriage”

“But you see your about the reach your age of coming ceremony after that it will be hard to find a husband”

“ENOUGH! I made it clear that I shall not speak about this anymore, if this is why I was invited then I will see myself out”

After Laila leaves

“What does she think she is, no matter how beautiful she is if she’s not even able to get a man” Aisha pointed out

“I like her eyes” Carlie said smiling coldly “I always thought she was blind because of how grey her eyes were now it’s just too beautiful”

The other ladies bad mouthing Laila stopped and felt ashamed.

“You know what I’ll leave too have a nice day ladies” Carlie said as she walked away

As the first daughter of the Graham family not only that the most beautiful maiden in the empire, she receives thousands of proposals within and outside the empire.

But in the end her brother uses them as fire wood. “Brother what are you doing!”

Laila exclaimed as she saw her brother throwing the letters into the fire place

“Am spending less on firewood” he said as casually as possible,

“Even if we were not planning to accepting them they are still nobles that sent the letters” she said as she calmly sat down.

“Mm they spend so much on a piece of paper am sure they knew it could be used as firewood anyways” Tyler said as he watched it burn.

“Whatever do as you wish”

“Have you started planning for your age of coming ceremony”

“Brother it’s still in a year time I don’t think it’s a need to rush”

“Where did you come from Laila, other noble ladies would start planning ten years prior”

“The same for you, aren’t you supposed to be married? As the head of the Graham family you need an heir you know” Laila said cheekily

“When I have two sister why would I worry about an heir, i will just pick a child from Aria or you”

“If your waiting on me then good luck” Laila said as she bid goodnight to her brother.

Silver hair and grey eyes, skin pale and white like snow. It was almost like she was made out of porcelain.

“But why isn’t she married”

“Does she want to live off her brother for ever”

“Once her brother gets married her and her sister is over”

“I obviously won’t want to live with my husband’s younger sister”

As the years pass by comment like these increased and each time more brutal than ever.

Although the two sisters don’t look alike in the slightest ways with Aria’s dull red hair and brown eyes that resembles her late mother brings in an innocent country side beauty.

Unlike her sister who’s features was taken from her late father was more like icy rich untouchable beauty.

But even though their beauty were contracting when they walked together people would experience summer and winter at the same time.

Not forgetting Tyler the oldest and only son who also took after his father’s feature but his eyes was more silver than grey and has the same vibe as Laila.

When Tyler and Laila walked together they were the perfect representation of the Graham family Beautiful but powerful

“Congratulations!”

It was already the 18th birthday of Laila in a huge ball room filled with crystal decorations, chandeliers that seemed to reflect thousands of lights.

Even the flowers were made of pure transparent glass, the table cloths were designed with the family crest on it.

It was a party that represents how wealthy the family was

“Laila Graham is entering the ballroom!” Announced the announcer

Everyone turned to look at the goddess like human that just walked in.

Her dress that was adorn with crystals and a white gloves with jewelry that can’t be found anywhere.

She wore a crystal hair set on her long silver hair that seemed to move with every move she made.

Her transparent glass heels as she walked light makeup in her face that was there just for protocols

“I hope you all enjoy the party, Thank you for coming”

Thank you guys for checking out my story!!!!! Im so exciteddddddd that you guys enjoy my work…. I made this chapter a little longer ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️