The Zienteks are a family that everyone in Elmswoods knows, though few truly understand. To the world, they're legends—unshakable, dangerous, and impossibly elegant. But if you spend even a moment with them, you'll see how hilariously imperfect they are.
Take their journey to the coming of an age party celebration, for example. They'd been traveling for over a day in their ornate carriage, the air inside heavy with both exhaustion and anticipation. At the center of it all was Duke Maverick Zientek, the head of the family and a war hero whose name alone commanded respect. He sat with his signature calm, his grey hair and hazel eyes giving him an air of unshakable authority.
Beside him was his wife, Caroline Zientek, a woman who seemed born for royalty, even though she wasn't a queen. Her golden hair, sprinkled with freckles, and sky-blue eyes hinted at her origins in a neighboring kingdom—a place known for its beauty and power.
Their children reflected this powerful lineage in different ways. Gabriel, the eldest, or Riel as they called him, had their father's silver-grey hair but inherited his mother's piercing blue eyes. He carried himself with an effortless confidence, the kind that made him both admired and envied. Then there was Ezra—Zr to his family—the youngest and most striking, with his golden hair and hazel eyes that seemed to hold secrets even he didn't know.
The family arrived at the royal palace in grand fashion, as one might expect. The towering gates opened to reveal the sprawling courtyard, the attendants falling over themselves to welcome the Zienteks. When they stepped into the ballroom, every eye turned to them, and the room fell silent.
Whispers began almost immediately:
"Oh, the Zienteks are here…"
"Have you ever seen a family so composed?"
"They're dangerous, they say. Untouchable."
And yet, while the Zienteks exuded grace and power, they weren't exactly what people thought. Behind closed doors, they could be clumsy, messy, and utterly human. But appearances were everything, and tonight, they had to play their part.
Duke Maverick headed straight for a group of noblemen, his presence commanding attention. Caroline moved through the crowd with the kind of elegance that turned heads. Gabriel and Ezra lingered at the edges, their watchful eyes taking in every detail.
Then there was their daughter Charlotte. While the rest of her family commanded the room with their presence, she had her sights set on the refreshment table. After all, who could resist the allure of a well-stocked banquet? She moved quietly, grabbing a cocktail and sampling the hors d'oeuvres with unabashed enthusiasm.
But her quiet escape didn't last long.
The moment the royal family entered, the entire ballroom seemed to shift. Their aura was undeniable, a wave of power that swept over the room. Conversations ceased. Heads turned. And for a moment, even time itself seemed to pause.
She froze, caught off guard by their presence. Her gaze locked onto them, and in that instant, her hand slipped. The cocktail she'd been holding tumbled from her grasp, its contents splashing across her pristine green-and-gold dress.
The gasps were immediate, the whispers louder now. She stood there, staring at the spreading stain, her moment of composure shattered.