Laceheart was a prominent and established name in Marchen, the fame they held was undisputed that the other families could only seethe in envy and anger for all their plans to bring this household down were a wasted effort. Marchen was a country striving to publish stories sold worldwide and because of this unusual but abundant way of people's living, Marchen became labeled as Capital Country of Stories. The quality of published works they distribute never diminished and with that said, the Laceheart Family was top in penning the most authentic and renowned beautiful stories.

"Another victory to us, what are we if not gods themselves?!" The cheery statement came from Ramon Laceheart, the current head of the household and company they owned. He would never go out without a handsome garb to make him look above anyone. A man in his mid 40s that showed years of experience and intelligence in those cunning gazes. He raised the glass as a gesture of cheers to the people present in the venue. "Remember who we are, ladies and gentlemen!"

From a far corner leaning against the window, a tired sigh escaped a man's lips as he took a silent sip in his own glass wine. He was clad in a white and gray dress suit while his neck-length white hair was combed back to give a neatly handsome appearance. Parties were supposedly lively, a vibrant gaiety to forget about the sources of stress but Alessio Laceheart started to dislike this social occasion in general.

It was one of the main triggers to his tautness and boredom.

"Salutations to our household's creative minds! Never ceasing to produce such unique and vivid stories that capture the hearts of many!"

"Perfection brought to life, the pride of Laceheart family!"

"Nothing less to be expected from Midori!"

"There she is!"

Applauds and cheers turn volume louder in-sync with the arrival of a figure from the grand staircase. A woman in her early 20s with a natural air of sophistication and confidence about her that would make other females look dull in comparison.

Midori Laceheart reveled in the attention, chin held high for she knew her worth and there was no need to tilt down. "Thank you everyone you are all supportive of my ventures! I only did what I am fated to do—as the best and stellar author in the family!" Her tone was laced with humor, she chuckled and the others also laughed in unison but no one disagreed with that statement for in the eyes of the Laceheart Household, she was indeed stellar.

Haaaahhh, the sigh Alessio released was longer after witnessing such cringe sight. Why was he here again? He took his silver pocket watch from the inside pocket of his waistcoat. "What a nuisance, how long am I going to have to pretend this party is rubbish?" He spoke in a deadpan tone.

Extended family they may be and one of the oldest in Marchen, so was the wealth the Lacehearts held and so throwing such huge occasion like this was never an issue, they treated it as natural as breathing.

His dual-colored eyes slid to the left, far from where most people were worshiping Midori. Hm?

"...Alessa?" The default stoic mask Alessio wore slowly faded and morphed into confusion, puzzlement was gleaming on his uniquely colored eyes--left was raven black while right was a candid glowing blue that he usually covered with his bangs.

The person he was pertaining to didn't appear astonished but rather baffled and uncomfortable looking around with discomfort while trying not to be noticed from the floor length curtains where she was trying to obscure herself in.

But when it came to their youngest sibling, Alessio never missed. He walked to Alessa's hiding spot, towering intimidatingly over her. "Why are you down here?" There was a subtle hint of softness on his handsome face.

Alessa Laceheart was youngest daughter of Ramon, a few younger than Midori but nothing more vivacious than the latter. While the popular jet-black hair woman who came from the grand staircase was used to spotlights beaming above her, Alessa embraced the idea of standing alone basking in silence away from merriment.

"My apologies...I got impatient waiting for Alyssa" Her voice was soft and almost inaudible, those wide tourmaline pink eyes lowered down. "She said we are going to dress up in her room tonight because she bought these new dresses from the new sponsor she acquired last week"

Despite the lack of gossamer and loud sparks on her lime green knee-length dress, in Alessio's mind, Alessa was prettier tenfolds than his cousin over there. An amused chuckle came from his lips as he reached out to gently pat Alessa's head. "I'll wait with you, Alyssa probably got stuck choosing between two shades of red again. Do you want to eat something? Let's get snacks from the buffet table before going to your room, little one"

Big brother, when will you stop addressing me as little one? I am not a child" Alessa frowned, grumbling softly and despite the disagreement in her tone, she would never sound imposing at all.

Many people outside the Laceheart Household found it unbelievable when presented with the fact that Alessio, Alyssa and Alessa are siblings. The common remark was the youngest looked nowhere near similar to the twins' features—whereas Alessio and Alyssa mutually shared snow-white hair and different-colored eyes, Alessa was a strawberry blonde with doe pink eyes.

"I will go with you in the buffet area and you can choose which food you want to bring back to your bedchamber" Alessio added, warmth glistening in his black and blue eyes.

Just as they were to leave the party venue, an hourglass-shaped woman in a scanty dark blue dress walked languidly towards Alessio. She didn't hide the sharp disdain in her gaze when she briefly scanned Alessa up and down. "Fancy seeing you here, I thought I will not get a chance" The woman exaggeratedly tossed her head back that got her permed sea green hair tumbling around her shoulders.

There was a twitch on Alessio's eyebrow, an irritating tick. "Fancy not, Cor"

Cor thought the white-haired male was playing hard to get, she smiled widely and approached closer, pretending that Alessa wasn't nearby. "You really don't like filtering your words, do you? But that is what makes you a great Story Critique, many is drawn to the sharpness of your tongue akin to a sword..." She trailed off, eyeing Alessio in a not-so-innocent manner. "It brings me curiosity to what else that tongue can do and if you're just as cruel behind closed doors"

Alessio held his sister's hand and began to pull Alessa away, "I don't waste my time on bootlickers, find another man who is mindless enough to give in to your stupid libido" He didn't need to turn around to see how much he vexed Cor with his snarky remark, he was only proving her more how right she was about the unfiltered words. Are all females around me will always be this thirsty and nonsensical? Do they not know to do anything beyond sexual satisfaction?

A light squeeze on Alessio's hand from the strawberry blonde girl. "She seems into you"

"Fortunately, I am not"

The reception was connected to the spacious party venue, nothing in the mansion was cheap. Literally everything one's eyes would catch from the draped of dark amber curtains, chandeliers and tables, all of it cost more than a minimum wage earning. The buffet tables lined up properly in a corner and managed by staff to avoid discord, some dishes served tonight were limited edition and foreign to peasants.

"Strawberry shortcakes, puff pastries, frozen yogurts--" Alessa began enumerating her chosen food, tourmaline pink eyes widening and sparkling in excitement.

Her older sibling deadpanned, "All desserts? Why don't we have at least one main meal, I don't want to end up being high on sweets the entire evening..." The scowl was back on Alessio's face as he noticed red marks on Alessa's forearm, it wasn't that obvious because of the sleeve of her dress.

It seemed Alessa also realized and quickly jerked her arm back, pulling the sleeve down to hide the marks. "We can have one pasta meal with chicken then? Or what about those international dishes there?"

The rise of Alessio's chest became evident, his breathing was deep and he was already too serious to be swerved in another topic. "Let me see your arm"

"I am totally faring okay, big brother"

"I wasn't asking, let me see your arm"

"No—"

"Alessa."

Oh hell, once Alessio used that tone it was hard to get around anything. Alessa learned about this multiple times, he was such a stern big brother. So with a blanket of reluctance, she brought her arm closer to Alessio. "Okay..." And she slowly rolled the sleeve back to reveal not just one mark but more.

Bruises of red and purple marks on Alessa's forearm like an unwanted muddy stain.