Ten years ago…
In La Forte's mansion in the capital, a loud cry could be heard echoing through the marbled walls. The voice of the owner's daughter continued to get louder as seconds passed by, yelling the same thing on repeat.
"I don't want to wear this dress! I told you to get me something pink. Who wears black at a funeral?!"
Almost everybody in the empire knew that wearing other colors except black at a funeral was considered disrespectful. It was common knowledge for all but Calista La Forte, the good-looking yet stubborn princess of the La Forte Dutchy.
Regarding Calista, she had emerald green eyes that glowed like precious gems behind her thick eyelashes, long and wavy, well-nourished blond hair, and a captivating smile that nobody could resist. Boasting an appearance comparable to a goddess in legends, Calista only appreciates beautiful things.
Not to mention her beauty, Calista was born with a golden spoon.
As the hard-earned child of Cyrus La Forte, the head of the La Forte family who vowed not to have another child after witnessing his dear wife's difficult childbirth, Calista knew she was her father's one and only heiress—the treasure of the La Forte family.
However, the little girl who thought she had the world under her feet became more fearless as the days went by.
"Please get me a new personal maid. She's ugly," Calista said while averting her gaze from the nth maid who tried to endure her tantrums 24/7. Firing maids one after the other became her habit simply because she didn't like their appearance.
"Don't say that in front of her!" Cyrus La Forte could only scold his daughter nonstop and sigh as she never listened to him.
"Then I won't be eating my breakfast. The food looks disgusting." Calista covered her mouth with disgust painted on her face. "And by the way, I won't be attending the funeral. I have no clothes to wear."
Cyrus had always been patient and understanding to his only child but that very child ran her mouth with unkind words he wondered where she learned from. His discipline didn't work at all…until a certain person came across his mind.
Cyrus thought it might work again and so he tried to use 'him' against his daughter's intolerable attitude.
"Calista, have you prepared yet? The Crown family will be disappointed if we don't attend the funeral of their former head. We're quite acquainted with them too." Cyrus loosened his tie as he turned his back to leave his daughter's room.
He didn't plan to leave for real so in the back of his head, he was praying for Calista to argue more.
"Dad, I said I have no clothes to wear. This is for the sake of the La Forte family. I would rather not go than embarrass myself in front of the crowd while wearing a black dress."
Just as expected, Calista made another complaint which put her father in a better mood as it went just as he planned.
"Alright. If you insist," Cyrus responded and grinned before turning around to face his daughter. "But Calista, if you continue acting like this, I will have you married to Damian Crown."
Cyrus La Forte knew his daughter's type and Damian Crown was totally the opposite. It was not that Damian was lacking, but unlike Calista with flawless skin, the former was scarred on the face. A huge scar almost covered half of his face and made the young boy infamous in high society.
For the very first time in his life, Cyrus witnessed how fear crept into his daughter's eyes. He didn't intend to inflict fear on her but he would do anything to discipline his only child.
"If you don't listen to me, I'll plan your engagement with Damian."
Calista wasn't able to refute what her father said. She knew deep down that her father could do anything if he wanted to. He could even disown her at any time and she was well aware of that.
The confidence she had in years for being the only heiress her father had slowly dissipated against the idea of getting married to Damian Crown, the horrible-looking boy who was only lucky to be born into a family with greater wealth than hers.
"Dad… No way. Anyone but him," Calista said, trembling. She had an unpleasant expression on her face.
"You heard me. Get ready if you don't want me to set an appointment with the Crown family. Ah, I almost forgot. It will be the funeral of Damian's grandfather. You will surely meet that boy there so remember your manners, understand?"
With contemplation in her eyes, Calista replied. "... Argh! Fine. I'll wear the most decent black dress piled over there."
From then on, the threat to 'marry' Damian became Cyrus' ultimate weapon against his spoiled and bratty daughter. At first, Cyrus was just going to use Damian to make Calista obey him once but seeing how effective it was, it became harder to not mention the boy's name whenever he wanted Calista to behave.
It became Cyrus' hobby whenever he felt like taking a break from headaches caused by his daughter.
Days passed and the date for the funeral arrived. Calista was 12 years old when she met the boy she least wanted to see.
"Calista, wear this veil to hide that look on your face. We're attending a funeral so try to cope with the atmosphere," Melissa La Forte told her daughter. "It won't cause you a quarter to show a hint of sympathy in your eyes, dear. I wish you mean it though."
"Hmp! I don't even know the old man. All I know about him is that he used to be the most wealthy man in the country and we're the second. Now that he's dead, does it mean we're the richest?"
"Calista! Watch your language. Remember, I'm still considering Damian to be your future husband," Cyrus said in frustration. He had to use Damian's name if he wanted to shut Calista's mouth.
"I think it's time for you to get a new tutor. You seem to forget what your previous tutors have taught you. Should I have you attend the same class with the young Lord, Damian?" Cyrus knew it was impossible but he mentioned it anyway.
Calista looked away with her eyebrow raised and a pout. "Why do I need to study? I'm the heiress of La Forte. The Crown's family head is dead too. We no longer have any competitor, Dad."
"That's because I worked hard for our family to reach this status and to maintain it! And the Crown family has Damian as the new master now. You should be grateful that we're still here for you. Damian has no one now that his grandfather passed away." Cyrus gave his daughter a stern look.
"You have no idea how privileged you are, Calista."
Melissa let out a sigh and rubbed her husband's back. "Take it easy, dear. Don't forget that she's your daughter. Don't overdo it." She bent over to close the gap between her mouth and Cyrus' ear.
"Just send her to a boarding school as we've already talked about," Melissa whispered.
"Mom! I heard it. I won't be going to any boarding school. Never!"
"Hah! Forget it. Just act properly when we're with the others later. Better keep your mouth zipped if you have nothing good to say. Are we clear, Calista?" Cyrus's veins in his neck appeared while he was holding back his anger.
"If you don't want to be sent to a boarding school, behave. Otherwise, I'll call Damian to our place to study with you. Right, marriage should start from friendship. Don't you think, dear?"
"I agree," Melissa replied to her husband, clinging her arm around his and leaning her head on his shoulder.
The ride to the Crown mansion where the funeral was held ended when the carriage entered a gigantic gate and stopped in front of an glamorous mansion.
Calista's eyes widened when she stepped out of the carriage. All along she thought the La Forte mansion was the grandest until she found herself inside the Crown's estate. Her mouth gaped as she gazed around her.
"Wow!" She mouthed behind the black veil she was wearing.
Her mind wandered to the overwhelming surroundings as she thoughtlessly walked away from her parent's side, amazed at the beautiful and unique things she saw for the first time. From the huge fountain and the stone path, every little thing that she could find was beautiful.
Calista feasted her eyes on the view her vision could reach. Her feet brought her to the garden with lovely flowers of different kinds. Tears started to swell in Calista's eyes as she stared at the blooming roses.
It was her dream to roll over the bed of roses, enjoying the sweet fragrance of the flower while feeling its smooth petals pressing against her skin. Subconsciously, Calista jumped over the rose bed with her arms wide open. Her eyes shut. She didn't think about the consequences of her actions while doing it.
She was a sucker for pretty things and roses were lovely.
"Whoa! Wonderful!"
Wiggling her legs and arms as she rolled over the bed of thornless roses, she opened her eyes expecting to see the clear blue sky. Unfortunately, Calista was horrified to see something else.
It was at that moment that Calista learned that black has different shades. Just like the boy standing in front of her. Jet black hair like the moonless night, a black suit like the usual black she saw her father wearing, a shining black tie, and the faint shade of black orbs trapped in his eyes—his sparkling gray eyes—made her heart skip a beat.
She wasn't certain who he was but a particular name came to her mind as her eyes locked with the stranger.
"Damian…" Calista mumbled through her shaking lips before she lost consciousness.