[Valencia Freya, Flashback...]
[12 Years Ago...]
[Geneva, Switzerland - International Heroes Association Headquarters - 1st Floor: Garden.]
The polished floors of the International Heroes Association gleamed under harsh fluorescent lights.
Young Valencia, barely eight years old, clung tightly to her father's leg, peeking out nervously.
It had been weeks since her mother's passing, a void she could barely comprehend.
Her gaze fell on a young boy, only a year younger, who gripped his father's hand.
Florian Alexandre Etienne Valois, heir to the French throne, even in his youth carried an air of entitlement.
"Gerrard," Florian began, his voice smoothly sympathetic.
"I offer my sincerest condolences for your loss."
Gerrard's stoic facade almost slipped, a feeling of pain flashing in his eyes before he steadied himself.
