June 1928 CE- Grand Duchy of Azalea

"Mother, is it true we are visiting Father today?!" A young girl, Aurelia, just reaching adolescence with her innocent, bell-like voice, asked eagerly.

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she clung to her mother, Lady Seraphina, known as the Flower of Azalean Society for her mature beauty that captivated both men and women alike.

Rumours even whispered of the late Archduchess Arabella's fondness for her, advocating for a union with her eldest son.

"You shouldn't bother our dear mother too much, little sister," her older brother, William, gently chided.

He moved with graceful ease, opening the car door for their mother, Lady Seraphina, before moving to do the same for his siblings. His actions, though unusual for a noble in Azalean society where such tasks were deemed beneath their status, spoke volumes about the close-knit nature of their family.

The Marigolds were known not just for their noble blood, but for the genuine affection that bound them together.

Once Lady Seraphina and all four siblings were comfortably seated in the custom-made limousine, a marvel of craftsmanship imported from Harkovia, the convoy began its journey.

The three escort vehicles in front led the way, followed by the limousine, with three more vehicles bringing up the rear. The convoy moved smoothly down the tree-lined avenue, the sun casting dappled patterns on the road as it filtered through the leaves.

Inside the limousine, the atmosphere was light and filled with the murmur of familial chatter. Aurelia, the youngest at eighteen, could barely contain her excitement. She was brimming with anticipation at the prospect of seeing their father and sharing her latest academic success.

"Mother, do you think Father will be proud of my essay?" Aurelia's voice was a mixture of hope and excitement, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at Lady Seraphina.

Lady Seraphina smiled warmly, her elegant features softening. "Of course, darling. Your father will be very proud of you. You've always made us proud," she reassured her daughter, her hand gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Aurelia's forehead.

William, sitting opposite them, watched the exchange with a fond smile. He was the eldest and felt a deep sense of responsibility for his siblings, a role he took seriously but with a light heart.

"Don't worry, Aurelia. You'll be the star of the family dinner tonight," he added, his tone teasing but affectionate.

Valerian, the second eldest, was more reserved but his presence was a steadying force. He glanced out the window, ever watchful, his mind attuned to the heightened security concerns that had become their new normal.

Dahlia, the second sister, was busy reading a book, but she occasionally looked up to join the conversation, her comments sharp and witty, adding to the lively atmosphere.

As the convoy moved through the rocky road entering the forested area near the port city of Harborlight, the mood remained light and cheerful. People went about their daily routines, oblivious to the tension hidden behind the convoy's tinted windows.

The Marigolds knew about the dangers lurking in the shadows, but they tried to keep things normal for the youngest member, Aurelia who never took the political games of the family seriously.

It was rumoured that a few factions were aiming for the Azalean Throne and that the main royal family would be their first target.

"Do you think Granny is in heaven?" Aurelia asked, her innocent question breaking a brief silence. She had been very close to the former Archduchess Arabella and missed her dearly.

Dahlia looked up from her book, a smile tugging at her lips. "Of course she is, Aurelia. Granny is probably organizing everything up there just like she did here. And if you're a good girl, you'll meet her again someday, when you're very old and wrinkly," she added with a wink, trying to keep the mood light.

Aurelia pouted, crossing her arms. "I'm not a child anymore, Dahlia! I'm eighteen!" she protested, though her irritation quickly dissolved into laughter as her siblings chuckled.

"You may be classified as an adult by a human. But you are still a child to us, Aurelia. As Aurans we live a lot longer than humans," William reasoned.

"Fine! But I can still taste wine right?" Aurelia said as she pointed at the bottle on the table.

"Sure you can have some Aurelia.," Dahlia replied with a wink.

"Looks like our little sister is all grown up," Valerian said, his tone mock-serious as he joined in the teasing, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Aurelia stuck out her tongue, but she couldn't hold back a grin. Even William cracked a smile, enjoying the easy banter.

The car continued down the winding road, the trees arching overhead, casting dappled shadows on the ground. As they approached Harborlight, the coast came into view, the azure waters shimmering in the sunlight.

"Hey, look! It's Harborlight!" Aurelia exclaimed, pressing her nose against the window to get a better view.

The city sprawled along the waterfront, its whitewashed buildings gleaming in the afternoon sun. Beyond the city, the harbour was bustling with activity, with ships of all sizes and colours anchored in the bay.

Dahlia, who had been quiet until then, spoke up. "Father says Harborlight is a melting pot of cultures, with immigrants coming from all over the world to seek their fortune in Azalea." He always seemed to know interesting facts about places, thanks to his love of reading.

Aurelia nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with curiosity. "I hope we can see some sailors from faraway lands! I've read about them in Father's letter, and they sound so exciting!"

"I've read about Hetalia and their war with Serapharan nation..." Dahlia said softly.

William scoffed. "Hetailians are nothing but barbarians. They are Money goblins and uncivilized," he declared a look of disgust on his face. "They only won because they got lucky and because they bought out most of their allies."

Aurelia shook her head, looking solemn. "The Hetailian victory was not a fluke, Will. The people of Hetailia sacrificed many lives to defeat the Serapharans. We sent forces there as well. Webïrú even..." Aurelia's voice trailed off as she saw her brother's expression darken.

"Those fake Orientelans are no different from the Serapharans," William muttered, his face flushed with anger. "A human-run nation is destined for failure."

"That's enough, William," Lady Seraphina said sharply, her blue eyes flashing with disapproval. "There is no need to speak ill of others. We are Azaleans, and we are above such petty squabbling."

William bowed his head, chastened by his mother's words. "Yes, Mother," he replied contritely. "I apologize for my outburst."

Aurelia patted her brother's hand reassuringly. "It's all right, Will," she said gently. "We all have strong opinions, but it's important to remember that we are not always right."

Seraphina nodded a small smile on her face. "And with that, I would like to remind you all to be on your best behaviour while we are here in Harborlight," she said.

***

⇐Meanwhile somewhere in Azalea ⇒

"Are you sure my lord… don't you love your family?" The head maid's voice trembled with concern as she dared to question the ambitions of the man seated behind the ornate desk, his expression hardened with determination.

"If they love me, then they should accept their fates and allow me to be a step closer to gaining the crown" Lord Reginald said confidently. His fingers idly drummed on the desk, the sound echoing in the silence of the room.

The head maid's eyes darted around nervously, taking in the opulent surroundings. She had served the Marigold family faithfully for many years and had an innate sense of loyalty to them, despite the increasingly eccentric behaviour of the Lord since the death of the Archduchess, his mother.

"But... shouldn't we wait till young Aurelia returns from her studies?" The head maid, Mayrilan asked cautiously. "The duchy is already shaken from the loss of the Archduchess and the constant unrest. Surely there is no need to risk losing another member of the family?"

Lord Reginald's eyes narrowed dangerously, his expression hardening further. "I will not repeat myself," he said coldly. "Mayrilan... Do you... Doubt me?... " The implication was clear and the head maid gulped in fear, shaking her head.

"No, my Lord. Of course not," she replied hurriedly.

Reginald smiled at this and slowly stood up, walking over to the window that looked out onto the garden below. "Good," he said. "I have plans for this duchy... and they cannot be delayed any longer."

"B-but my l-," the head maid hesitated, her next words caught in her throat, but before she could speak, a sudden loud bang reverberated through the room.

The man's arm moved swiftly, a semi-automatic pistol from Solaria in hand, the shot echoing in the chamber. The head maid slumped forward, blood pooling on the polished silver tiles.

The other retainers in the room recoiled in shock, their faces a mask of terror as they realized the consequences of defiance. Among them, the body of one of the man's most trusted aides lay motionless, a casualty of loyalty misplaced.

"I thought you all swore to serve me?!" "I thought you all swore loyalty to me," the man's voice cut through the stunned silence, his tone laced with disappointment. "I do indeed love my family but I cannot let them get in my way to the throne! So anyone else who objects should perish and I am disappointed in all of you."

As the Lord swivelled his chair to face the view of Harbourlight's government district, gunshots erupted behind him, drowning the screams of his retainers as masked men eliminated them all with the Webïrúan SM-15 submachine guns.

Lord Reginald Marigold simply closed his eyes as he listened to the cacophony of death, his mind already on the future and the steps he needed to take to achieve his goals.

After what seemed like an eternity, the gunfire stopped and the room fell silent once more. Lord Reginald opened his eyes and turned his chair back to face the masked assassins, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Thank you for your assistance," he said, his tone polite but firm.

One of the masked men stepped forward, his voice muffled by the balaclava covering his face. "Our pleasure, Your Grace," he replied smoothly, inclining his head slightly. "We have men stationed at the point, are you sure about this? You could be with your family right now," the masked man asked.

Lord Reginald shook his head. "No, this is necessary. My plan must proceed as intended," he said firmly. "And besides, Mother must be so lonely in heaven," he added, his tone softening slightly. "Now go, there is much work to be done."

The masked man nodded and gestured to his comrades, the group of assassins quickly filing out of the room. Lord Reginald watched them leave, his expression thoughtful.

"I will not let anyone get in my way. Not even my own family," he murmured softly, his words echoing in the empty room. "I will become the Archduke of Azalea and I shall make Hetailia and Webïrú mine."

***

⇐Somewhere along a street leading to the family estate⇒

The rocky roads were bumpy, but the limousine kept moving towards the Marigold Estate.

Aurelia sat in the middle of her older siblings, William on her left and Dahlia on her right. Valerian was across from them, ever vigilant as he watched the scenery pass by.

Outside, the sun was setting, casting long shadows on the ground. The convoy was nearing the Marigold Estate, a sprawling estate situated on a hill overlooking Harbourlight.

Aurelia could barely contain her excitement, eager to see her father after so many months apart. She pressed her nose against the window, straining to catch a glimpse of the familiar house.

Suddenly, the driver swerved to avoid a pothole in the road and Aurelia lost her balance, tumbling into Dahlia's lap. She caught her easily, steadying her with a gentle hand. "Careful," she said with a fond smile.

"Sorry, big sis," Aurelia replied, sheepishly. "I'm just so excited to see Father again!"

Dahlia laughed softly. "Father will be happy to see you too." Her voice was warm and affectionate as she gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Aurelia's forehead.

Suddenly, one of the escort vehicles exploded in a ball of flames. A shock wave rippled through the air and the limousine swerved wildly. Dahlia caught Aurelia just before she fell, hugging her tightly. "It's okay," she said, trying to sound reassuring despite the panic she felt.

"What's happening?!" Aurelia asked, her voice shaking. "I'm scared," she whimpered, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"I don't know, but we'll be alright," Dahlia said, keeping her voice steady. "It's going to be okay, we'll protect you," she reassured her, drawing her into a hug.

"William! Valerian!" Lady Seraphina exclaimed, her voice filled with fear and urgency. "Dahlia! Aurelia! Are you alright?!"

"We're fine," William replied, his tone calm despite the situation. "Is everyone okay?" he asked, looking around at his siblings.

"Yes," Dahlia answered. "Aurelia is shaken up, but she'll be okay."

"Are we being attacked? By whom?" Lady Seraphina asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"I don't know," William answered grimly. "But we'll get through this," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "Drive! HIT IT!"

The limousine driver immediately floored the pedal as the remaining escort vehicles moved up in front and behind them. Aurelia stuck close to her older sister and covered her eyes so that she couldn't be more traumatised by the scene in front of them.

"I don't know where we're going but drive!" William commanded, his tone urgent. Lady Seraphina remained silent, her expression unreadable as she clutched her daughter's hand tightly.

Dahlia tried to soothe Aurelia while Valerian remained silent, his gaze fixed on the window as he watched the city go by.

"Aurelia, remember what mother said? It's going to be okay." Dahlia said soothingly. The rest of the family remains quiet. Lady Seraphina gripped her daughter's hand tightly, her face pale with fear. Aurelia was unable to respond, her voice shaking as she tried to hold back tears as she held to her Auran horns.

Suddenly another escort vehicle burst into flames as a cannon round detonated directly on it, causing it to veer off the road and fall off the cliff, plunging into houses below.

"Everything is going to be alright, Aurelia. I'll make sure nothing happens to you," William said, his tone firm, trying to mask the fear that was gnawing at him. He crouched down next to Aurelia and began checking her for any injuries.

Aurelia nodded shakily, tears streaming down her face as she clung to her older brother. "William, who are those people? Why are they attacking us?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't know, Aurelia," William replied, his voice grim. "But we'll get through this, I promise." He glanced over at his mother, who was staring at the burning wreckage with a horrified expression, her hand covering her mouth. Dahlia was crouching beside Aurelia, her face pale but determined as she tried to comfort her younger sister.

Dahlia looked around her surroundings, The fires from the destroyed convoy were spreading quickly through the narrow streets and were engulfing the houses and shops on either side. People were screaming and running in panic, trying to escape the destruction.

She'd heard of many bad rumours surrounding Harborlight and her father's business practices there but she'd never expected this level of chaos and carnage.

Aurelia sobbed quietly, clinging to her sister Dahlia's arm as if it were her only lifeline amidst the chaos and terror enveloping them. Her delicate frame shook with fear, her wide, tear-filled eyes reflecting the horror of the attack.

Dahlia gritted her teeth, fighting to stay calm and think clearly despite the adrenaline racing through her veins. She knew she had to get her sister to safety, and she had to do it quickly.

The convoy had been moving smoothly down the winding road, the trees arching overhead and casting dappled shadows on the ground. The serene scene shattered in an instant as 65mm shells struck the escort vehicles in front of them.

The blasts reverberated through the limousine, and the world outside erupted into flames and chaos.

The driver, reacting with impressive speed, managed to swerve the car, narrowly avoiding the burning wreckage ahead.

Inside, the atmosphere changed from lighthearted chatter to silent terror. William, always the protector, tried to shield their mother, Lady Seraphina, while Valerian and Dahlia instinctively reached for their youngest sibling, Aurelia.

The limousine's interior, once a haven of familial warmth, now felt like a fragile cocoon on the brink of destruction.

As the two remaining escort vehicles accelerated to take the place of the destroyed ones, Dahlia's instincts screamed at her that something worse was about to happen. Her heart pounded in her chest as she made a split-second decision. There was no time to think, only to act.

"Aurelia, hold on tight," Dahlia whispered urgently. With a burst of strength, she reached for the door handle and flung the door open, the cold wind rushing into the car. In one swift motion, she pushed her little sister out of the limousine, her heart in her throat as she watched Aurelia tumble through the air.

Aurelia landed on a laundry net strung between two buildings, the impact cushioned by the hanging clothes. The young girl clung to the net, her small body trembling but unharmed. Dahlia's sigh of relief was cut short by the deafening roar of an explosion. A 65mm shell struck the limousine, engulfing it in a fireball of intense heat and smoke.

Dahlia didn't even have time to scream. Everything was a blur. There was a sense of falling, followed by an intense wave of pain, then darkness.

In the cover of the rocky Rigg, a group of men looked through the binoculars at the burning limousine. Some of them had smiles on their faces, others had looks of grim satisfaction. One man, an older gentleman with a commanding presence, watched the scene impassively.

"All targets eliminated," a distant voice said. The elderly man nodded, his expression unreadable. "Excellent work, gentlemen," he said. "The rest of Marigolds have been dealt with, and Azalea's future is secured."

***

Dazed, Aurelia struggled to her feet. The acrid smell of smoke and burning metal filled the air. She looked back at the burning wreckage of the limousine, tears streaming down her face. The reality of her family's fate hit her like a physical blow, but she had no time to grieve. She needed to get away, to find safety.

Stumbling through the narrow alleyways, Aurelia's mind raced. Her family was gone, and the world as she knew it had shattered. But amid the overwhelming grief, a small spark of determination ignited within her. She would survive, not just for herself, but to honour the memory of her family.

Emerging from the alley, she found herself in a quieter part of Harborlight, far from the chaos of the attack. She spotted a small, secluded park and collapsed onto a bench, her body trembling with exhaustion and shock. As she sat there, struggling to catch her breath, a kind-looking woman approached, her eyes filled with concern.

"Are you alright, dear?" the woman asked gently, noticing the state Aurelia was in.

Aurelia nodded weakly, unable to find her voice before collapsing into the woman's arms. "It's going to be alright," she said softly. "You're safe now."

***

21st Allison Street, Black Rock building- Webïrú:

Two weeks later...

"Sir, we've received an urgent report regarding the situation in Azalea," Agent Rod said, his voice tense as he handed over the dossier to Director Mathew Brown.

Brown swiftly flipped through the documents, his brows furrowing as he absorbed the grim details. "What in blazes is happening in Azalea?" he muttered, his gaze fixed on the reports detailing the recent attacks on the noble family.

"Seems like a targeted assault, sir. The family appears to have been under heavy fire, but there's no clear indication of the perpetrators," Rod explained, his tone betraying the gravity of the situation.

Brown leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the desk as he processed the information. "Any word from our assets on the ground?"

"Nothing concrete yet, sir. However local informants suggest internal strife within the noble circles. There are whispers of power struggles and ambitions for the Archduke's seat," Rod said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

"That could very well be what's motivating these attacks. The timing is suspicious, and it's not too far-fetched to assume someone is taking advantage of the chaos to position themselves for the throne," Brown mused, his eyes narrowing.

"But without solid proof, we can't be certain. If we try to intervene then all of our efforts from Operation Cassity will be a waste," Rod replied, shaking his head.

"True, we can't afford to jump into action just yet. But we need to stay vigilant and keep monitoring the situation closely. Anything else to report?"

Rod hesitated for a moment as if he wanted to say something else. But after a moment, he simply shook his head. "The first princess, 18-year-old Aurelia is being treated in a hospital in Hetailia, sir. She's the only survivor of a recent attack on her family's convoy."

Brown sucked in a breath, his expression darkening as he pondered the implications of the attack. "The royal family of Azalea are notoriously close-knit. This can't be a coincidence... Who would do such a thing? And why?"

"It's possible that this was an internal issue, sir. Perhaps a disgruntled noble or a rival family trying to seize power. But without more information, it's hard to say for certain," Rod said, his hands clenched into fists at his side. "From local reports, the other 5 princes and 1 princess denied allegations of their involvement in the assassination of the first prince and his family."

Brown nodded slowly, his jaw set as he contemplated his next move. "Hmm... Where is the princess again? Hetailia's hospital?"

"Yes, sir. The hospital is located in the capital city of Hetailia, Hull. She's under heavy guard, though there hasn't been any sign of further attacks," Rod said, his stance still rigid.

Brown sat forward in his chair, his hands clasped in front of him. "Use our local assets in Hetailia to gather more information. We need to get to the bottom of this quickly before things escalate further and put a yellow alert on the Western Border Security Force"

"Understood, sir. I'll pass on the orders to our agents and Lieutenant Jones immediately," Rod replied, straightening up and saluting before turning on his heel and exiting the room.