In the land of Lyria stand two of the most powerful houses that served the empire. The house of Estrella and house of Scretia. The house of Scretia consists of the best and strongest knights. While the house of Estrella consists of the smartest scholars.

Among the members of these two houses are two young kids. Zachary Elliot Scretia and Lycia Monique Estrella. Although the two houses get along the young kids however did not. The two would often pick a fight with each other since they were very little.

"You're too weak, no one would like a person that's weak"

"Well, you know what else is weak? Your brain! All you have is brute strength! A girl wouldn't like a stupid man!"

Childish fights as such was always present whenever the two cross paths. But...

"Don't touch this brat, I'm the only one allowed to bully her"

"You speak as if you can actually be on the same level as the Zachary Elliot Scretia himself"

When someone else mess with them, the other is quick to protect them as if they were friends.

The two children grew up together. Their childish banter gradually soon into something more.

"Don't think much of it, I only saw these then picked them up" Says Zachary as he shoved a bouquet of flowers into Lycia's face.

Then the two children soon became lovely teenagers. When the time for Lycia's coming of age ceremony, Zachary offered a gift that she wanted the most.

"Be with me. Be mine and I'll be yours." Zachary knelt infront of Lycia in the middle of a crowd while kissing the back of her hand. She was loss for words and tears suddenly flowed down from her cheek. In panic, Zachary stands up and hugged her trying to calm her down, then Lycia said...

"Yes! Yes I'll be yours!" When these words were uttered, Zachary lifted Lycia up then spun her around. They put their foreheads together then laughed.

Everything was going smoothly. They we're happy and everyone supported them.

But fates have another plan...

While going out, the two had experienced an assassination attempt. Zachary protected Lycia but suffered from a heavy injury. Lycia never left his side and was patiently waiting for him to wake up. But then suddenly...

"Who are you?"

Zachary forgot everything. From the very first time they met and the time that he asked her to be his. Along those memories, there was no traces of the love he had felt for her.

But Lycia wouldn't give up. May he regain his memories or not, she will still be with him no matter what. That was until she arrived.

A girl from the rural areas of the kingdom suddenly arrived. She was besides Zachary. She was the one accompanying him. She was the one that made him smile again. She was the one who brought light to his eyes again.

How could Lycia still stay by Zachary side? Now that he looks at that woman with the gaze he used to look at her?

At the imperial palace, two dukes are discussing with the current emperor. They are discussing about things that will concern the kingdom. Duke Estrella and Duke Scretia are the most trusted people of the king. They are also second the the imperial family when it comes to power.

House of Estrella alongside with the house of Scretia is one of the most powerful household within the empire. House of Estrella produced many scholars.

House Scretia is also a powerful house that produced many outstanding knights. A legendary knight that saved the war came from house Scretia. They are also called the sword of the empire.

Duke Scretia and Duke Estrella are also very outstanding men. They have been friends with the emperor since they were young.

"Ah I just remembered, didn't you say that you brought your daughter here today Alvis?" The emperor suddenly brought up in the middle of a conversation.

"Yes I have, she had been begging me to bring her here. I hope it's not a problem" Duke Estrella answered.

"No, no. I am pleased that the child have interest in the palace."

"What a coincidence, my son is also with me today. I thought that it will be better for him to see what the palace is like since he wants to be a knight" Duke Scretia also brought up.

"Talking about the children makes me feel old. How old is your son Nathan?" said the Duke Estrella.

"My son is currently 10 years old. And I believe that your daughter just turned 7 didn't she?"

"Yes, it was last week"

"My deepest apologies for not attending her birthday"

"It alright. I know that you're busy raising the future swords of the empire."

"Their age isn't very apart. The two should get along very well" The emperor said.

"Yes that will be very nice since Lycia doesn't really come out"

While the three men are talking, there was young girl sitting in the garden, her back against a wall of leaves. The little girl had a long straight white hair and clear blue eyes.

'I came with father here today thinking that it will be fun yet this is not fun at all'

The little girl frowned as she reads her book while sitting on the grass.

'Just how long are they going to talk?'

Her mood grows worse. There was nothing interesting for her in the palace. In her tiny mind, she still prefers the house of Estrella. She was just about to get up when something ran past her.

'A bunny?'

She stared a the little fluffy creature. She come near it then picked it up. She hold it in her arms.

'Who's bunny is this?'

The little girl stared at the bunny when she heard someone shout.

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"

A young man suddenly jumped down from a nearby tree then snatched the bunny in her hand. He has messy black hair with deep green eyes.

'This kid! That was so rude! Wasn't he taught about proper etiquette?!'

The young girl's mood worsen.

"Hey where did you ran off to?! I was looking everywhere for you, you little brat!" The young man lifted the bunny then began to scold it.

"It seems that you have not been taught very well. Shouldn't you apologize first rather than scold an animal?" The young girl stood up then crossed her arms. The young boy seems to be alerted then quickly held the bunny close to his chest.

"Why should I?! You're clearly trying to steal Fluffy you bunny thief!"

"You...named your rabbit Fluffy?" The young girl raised an eyebrow and her face is clearly full of disgust. The young man grew red.

"Yes I did! You got a problem with that?!"

"You're not very manly"

"You're not even girly!!"

"I don't need to be girly. I am simply elegant the way I am"

"You! Just who do you think you are?!"

"Me? I am Lycia Monique Estrella. The only daughter of Duke Alvis and Duchess Ivy Estrella." Lycia said proudly.

"I didn't say to actually introduce yourself!! Argh! Well then I'm Zachary Elliot Scretia!"

"So you're from house Scretia huh? Strange. Our families have a close relationship but I just can't seem to like you."

"Well I don't like you either!"

"This is getting no where. I'm leaving. You have fun with your fluffy"

When the sun starts to set both the dukes and their children went home. As soon as they arrived at house Estrella Lycia immediately went to her room.

When she opened it, a young man with blue hair and golden eyes was sitting in her bed.

That man was Alexander. A gifted child sponsored by the Duke Estrella. He was a slave that saved the Duke's life so they took him in and later found out about his brilliant mind.

"You seem in a very bad mood" Alexander greeted Lycia as his eyes still glued in his book.

"Ugh, I met an annoying dog at the palace" Lycia layed in her bed.

"He was the son of Duke Scretia. Probably the same age as you. He's too arrogant. I hope father won't make me marry him"

"You're too young to be thinking about marriage. And besides, Duke Estrella won't do such thing"

"You're right. It's nice having you here Alex"

'how did it come to this?'

Lycia slowly peeked through her book to look at the young man sitting across her with his arms crossed. She gritted her teeth in annoyance.

The man sitting across from Lycia is none other than Zachary Elliot Scretia himself.

Why are these two in the same room you ask? It dates back about one week ago.

Lycia is laying on her bed when her personal maid, Layla came in.

"Young miss, the duke told me that you should prepare to go out. I will help you now young miss" Lalya said. Lycia dropped her book, although curious she let Layla help her get dressed.

She went out and saw her father waiting for her by the carriage. She and her father went inside. Although she is extremely curious she didn't dare ask. It was when they stopped at their destination she noticed where they are.

'House Scretia?'

In front of the house is Duke Scretia and his third son. Duke Scretia smiled when he saw Duke Estrella and his daughter.

"Old friend you're finally here!" Duke Scretia welcomed the two Estrella.

"I see that you have grown since the last time I saw you Lycia"

"Greetings Duke Scretia, I am Lycia Monique Estrella. The only daughter of the Estrella household" Lycia gracefully lifted her dress then bowed.

"No need to be so formal little girl, ah and here's my son. Zachary, greet our guests" The boy who's behind his father came forward with an annoyed face.

"Yo duke and-- YOU?!" Zachary pointed at Lycia where the girl only returned with a frown.

"Zachary I take it that you two already knew each other" Duke Scretia looked at his son but the young boy only scoffed.

"Then things will be much easier" Duke Estrella added. The curios Lycia looked at his father.

"We have a very important thing to discuss. It may take a while for us to finish and it will be hard for me to come home for a while. Duke Scretia offered for me to stay here until our discussion is finished. He also suggested that you come along so you wouldn't be lonely since he already has three sons for you to get along"

and that is why this two are in the same room together.

'Unbelievable father, am I someone that desires friends? And even if I do, I don't need someone like this man to be my friend'

Lycia continued to glare at Zachary.

Zachary who finally noticed Lycia's glare flinched.

"Can you stop looking at me like that?! I hate this as. much as you do! I should be practicing to be a knight now! Why do I have to accompany you?!"

"I never said that you need to accompany me. Also if it's you that'll be the one accompanying me then I rather be alone."

"Hey you're rude! That's not the way to talk to someone being nice to you!"

"I see no part of this as being nice"

Lycia returned on reading her book while Zachary glared at her. Then suddenly someone knocked at the door. Then a woman who looked like Zachary came in.

'His mother?' Lycia thought as she glanced at the woman.

Duchess Scretia came in holding a plate of cookies in her hand. Zachary immediately come running towards her then took the plate out of her hand.

"Mom I told you that you should just tell the maid to do the work. There's no need for you to exhaust yourself!"

"I just brought these in. It's not exhausting"

"Still!"

The duchess smiled then patted Zachary's head.

"My, my dear child is worrying about me how cute"

"Stop treating me like a child!"

"Zach you are ten"

"That kid is more of a child than I am!" the. Zachary pointed towards Lycia.

'Your brain is much more childish than mine' Lycia scoffed.

"Then I will be not disturbing you two anymore." with that the duchess left the room leaving the two behind. Zachary put the plate of cookies down on the table.

"Hey you want some?" Zachary offered. Lycia looked at the cookies then took one and ate it.

"So even you eat cookies huh?"

"I am a human. Just what am I in that stupid head of yours?" Lycia continued to eat another cookie.

"Who's head is stupid?!" Zachary frowned then took a cookie.

"Anyway, with that icy attitude of yours it's surprisingly that you like things that are childish"

"Nothing is childish when it comes to food. And I'm not icy, I just do not like to fool around."

Lycia put her book down then looked at Zachary.

"That woman, is she your mother?"

"Huh?" Zachary with his mouth stuffed with cookies looked at Lycia. He was surprised. This was the first time she asked something.

"Of course she is. She's Duchess Katherine Scretia. The mother of us brothers" Zachary's eyes seemed to sparkle when he talks about his mother. However there is still curiosity in Lycia face, Zachary immediately knew what she's curious about.

"Her behaviour isn't very noble like huh?" at his words Lycia looked away.

"I never said anything"

"You don't need to hind it. It's already known by people anyway"

Lycia slowly looked at him again.

"Then may I ask the reason?" Zachary grew silent for a while then started telling his mother's story.

Katherine was just a slave. The former duke of house scretia bought her to be a maid. There she met the only son of the household, Nathan Elias Scretia. Back then Nathan was just a talentless man that people began to doubt whether he's capable of being the heir. Then he met Katherine. Katherine never stopped believing Nathan and was the most loyal person towards him.

When Nathan became the duke, even with many oppositions, He still married Katherine and made her the Duchess. The two soon had three sons. The first son, Ashur Navin Scretia. The second son, Theodore Hendrix Scretia. And finally the third born, Zachary Elliot Scretia.

Zachary was never ashamed of his mother. In fact he was very proud of her. As Zachary continued his story, Lycia watched her with envy on her eyes.