Episode Two: First impressions

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

-Unknown

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-Previously- On The Masked Queen-

"Your coming home tomorrow. "

Before me stood a majestic piece of architecture. The servants bowed and greeted me.

The door creaked open, "Mi'lady?"

-To be continued.....

♢

Aryen's POV-

A dignified and elegant elderly woman was standing by the door with two maids at either side of her. Her smile was kind and bright.

I remembered mother telling me someone will be visiting me.

She took the liberty and entered. "Young Miss, I hope you've not forgotten but your mother must've told you about a certain Sofia Vasques."

I nodded my head and asked for the maids to prepare refreshments. "Yes. May I know what the purpose of your visit, however?" Mother never told me why she'd be here.

She was stunned for a while before answering, " Miss Aryen, please let us sit down we have quite a lot to talk about." And now we were the only two left.

"Miss, please, slow down. I cannot run as fast!" An exasperating voice was shouting out after a girl sprinting ahead that seemed to be chasing something or perhaps someone.

"Well, Masa, you can try to catch up to me while I catch this little naughty puppy." It was Aryen's voice.

The cute puppy yelped and we all stopped when the puppy hid behind protectively someone's legs. My sight traveled to the figure and I remained silent.

'Ah! I remember.....How long has it been...since.'

'Was it that time when a party was being held to celebrate my joining of the Youth Summoners? I was perhaps 9 when my celebration party turned into chaos because fathers illegitimate son had come as the successor the family and business. Everyone was shocked and confused, I was too. Because I knew no matter how much estranged mother and father were, father placed family above everything else and so naturally he respected the boundaries of marriage. This was purely impossible. But this lost boy, some years older than me, looked so much like father and so nobody questioned his origins. However, no illegitimate had been produced as the head of a family of such great importance and his ranking was lower even if he was a boy. I was backed by my mother and my own talents, even father allowed me to compete. Else someone from a branch family would be chosen to become the head.'

I had only ever met him twice after the party. Once, because I wanted to see this interesting new brother of mine, we only looked at each other for god knows how long and didn't say a word. That day mother had come to know of this and she coldly replied, "Listen, Aryen, you will understand my words deeply today. That bastard is not your brother and should you ever dream of having a affectionate sibling relationship with him! How could he possibly compare to a true and legitimate child such as you! You....you are the next successor of the D'mitreyev family."

Since then I'd try hard to avoid him and concentrate on my studies however it did not go so well when I bumped into him because I was chasing a dog that had peed on my shoes deliberately. That dog was his, and that day was long because we played thoughtlessly and foolishly with the dog. As nice as it was spending time with him, I was sent to the boarding school and never came back to this house like I am standing today.

He smiled reminiscently and the following words naturally escaped his mouth, "This little puppy is that dogs sixth baby..."

'Wow! Cute, nothing like it's mother'

perhaps I had been to indulged in the remembering the past that I had not noticed a fully grown man in his early twenties, stating at me intently. He looked rather masculine and his aura was gentle but domineering.

I turned around to return, I did not want to bump into them...

"Ah! Aryen! Where are you going?"

"Pardon my bluntness, however.....Mr Callius D'mitreyev, I don't remember we are close enough for you...to call me directly by my name." I had stopped in my footsteps and now confronting him.

There was silence. "Have a good day."

Callius's POV-

I sighed and return back to my former position. 'She used to be more cuter.'

"She seemed to be in a hurry, huh?" Lorenzo spat with sarcasm.

"She's always been shy and....like that.."

"No! It isn't shyness. She was clearly looking down on you, like you weren't worth her time.

But it's quiet expected." Anger and irritation was dripping from his words.

I pondered for a while and smirked before teasing him to direct the conversation differently, "Hump! You were ogling at her, beautiful, is she not?"

"Yes. She is indeed beautiful. However no matter how beautiful a diamond is, it's still unfeeling." Lorenzo seemed to truly dislike her.

My head was low to the table we were sitting on and I sheepishly mumbled, "Ouch! That hurts, who knows you might fall for her."

"What?!" His onyx green eyes widened in shock. Seriously, even though he is always around women.......

"What I meant to say was, 'Don't lose a dimaond, precious and rare, for a stone that can be found everywhere." His face was totally worth seeing.

"Since when did you become poet?"

"hahahhahah, I've always been one." I winked playfully when his face pulled a serious expression. Right the aftermath analysis....

"You know your really working hard. Harder than possible. Why....."

He's always questioned why I work so hard and what for. To be honest a part of me knows whilst the other is plain black and empty.

"I feigned a wronged smile and replied, " Well I'm not like the both of you, born geniuses. So, I guess I can only work hard....."

"Sorry, what? Both?"

"Wait, you mean your half - sister? " Realisation suddenly hit him.

"What? Don't tell me you didn't know she is a-"

"of course, I know. Just don't compare me to the her."

I looked at him in disbelief. He has never acted this way before...

"What, do you hate her?"

"No, I just am- I don't know, forget it" He jumped from the chair and handed me brown document up in which 'Confidential' was written upon.

Before walking out he turned around for the last time and said, "I think I know why you might want to become the next head."

The reason why I wanted to win this title?

Because I want to change what was never or might never be changed, something Aryen might never realise in her entire life. That girl.... she is innocent and easily manipulated...If she wants this title, she needs to open her eyes.

Lorenzo's POV-

My mind wondered to when she appeared accidentally in front of us.

At the time I thought....

*Her playful antics of chasing a puppy seemed cute and loveable. Who is she? Her creamy pale skin bathed in the sunlight and radiated even brighter. She looked simply beautiful. Her long platinum hair was floating in the air gracefully whilst her rosy lips was lost for words. How could anyone be so perfect....I was truly mesmerised by this beauty. Who would not be?

But when Cal revealed her identity, I was shocked. I had heard of the only daughter of the D'mitreyev family: 'Her beauty is one to last a century', 'her talents know no bounds'...But I was completely caught off guard. I was not meant to be. Her unpredictable appearance somehow obstructed my flawless plan... Something changed within me when I setted my eyes on her; The world seemed to vanish. You shook my heart violently and my strong resolution was withering away. It's frightening. I don't like people who do that....I seemed to dislike

that attribute about her; her identity and* she......

Perhaps, I lost my destination midway when I chanced upon to see the one I vowed to never meet...

'....... Aryen...'

To be continued-

♢

"Arrogance doesn't let you know the fragrance of love."

-Srinivas

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