Rolando Galvin beamed brightly as he set down some papers on the desk in front of him then picked up a picture of the former king. "Well Nathan, I know you would be proud of me if you could see me now." He began to speak as if Nathan could hear him.

He looked around the room he was in and it had taken a long time for him to be able to own this palace. "Even though you all may be gone, this palace will be a museum to what life was like when you were here. I am making sure everything is preserved and fixed to its golden days." He mused.

He set down the picture and sighed looking out of the frost-covered window in the dark daylight. "Though the only bad thing about restoring this place is telling those who come to relive the glory how you guys perished that fateful day." He ran his fingers over the golden frame of the Rosenberg family.

His eyes glanced over some newspapers which had the following headlines: "Rosenberg Royals Claimed To Have Been Murdered." "Rosenberg Royals All Assumed Dead." Many, many more headlines said the same things, all of which claimed that they never survived nor left the kingdom.

His eyes held a certain sadness that always showed when he spoke about them. "If only you had listened to me and let your guards protect you rather than being the hero. You had your pride, didn't you? Your family was the most important thing to you, but was it worth your death? Your family's death as well? All you had to do was let someone else protect them, not only yourself." He rhetorically asked the picture of his dear friend.

He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind. He walked back over to the table and picked up his notebook flipping through pages after he picked up the pen. "Everything seems to be going right on time. So far, the only thing that happens to be done is having everyone here to do their jobs. Not much else has been done." He mumbled to himself.

He picked up some papers that documented those who were currently working on the palace. He wanted to have more but not many people wanted to work, mainly because most were still bitter about the royals or they didn't want to be looked down upon for working on the palace.

Vincent Convilment sighed as he sat down on a nice cushy chair in the common area in the castle that he had just walked into. He ran a hand through his floppy black hair as his hazelnut brown eyes watched his guardian scribble down whatever he was writing in the notebook. "Rolando, are you ever going to tell me what you are doing? You are always gone and I get stuck here helping rebuild this place." He frowned.

Rolando looked over at Vincent, he knew he was not going to keep it quiet for long. But he hoped it would stay a secret for as long as he could keep it. "Whatever do you mean Vincent?" He asked playing innocent, it was the best he could do.

Vincent groaned. He couldn't believe he was playing dumb. He knew he couldn't hide much from him. "With the visits to the orphanages, the phone calls, the cabinet full of red marked folders? You seem to be doing research and I know it's not for the palace. You seem so jumpy and put stuff away when I come into the room." He pointed out.

Rolando sighed heavily. He knew there was no way around it now he knew that bit. "Do you really want to know Vincent?" He questioned closing his notebook and setting it down on the table beside his chair. It happened to be a rhetorical question since he already knew the answer.

He shook his head moving the candle a bit away from him so it wasn't shining right in his eyes. "Once I tell you, you can not go crazy with the idea because I am doing it the right way." He explained knowing that sometimes Vincent got a bit carried away.

Vincent gave him an amused look, now this was serious if Rolando gave him that talk as he did. "I really want to know. I promise to try my best to not go "crazy" with whatever you are doing." He used air quotes mainly because he had never really gone crazy over something. Yes, it did get out of hand, but never crazy.

Rolando took in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. "I am sure you heard the rumors that the oldest princess is alive? And people have, around the world, claimed to have the oldest royal daughter." He began to explain then paused to make sure Vincent was following along and the boy was on the edge of his seat.

Vincent thought about it and shook his head, pursing his lips. Had he heard any such things? Not that he could recall. He knew about the Rosenbergs but he didn't know any rumors about them. "No. Haven't heard about that. I have been busy with other things, mostly finding out about priceless artifacts that I am apparently skilled in knowing. That junk actually costs more than I thought." He replied.

Rolando was surprised he didn't know about it. It was all that everyone was talking about. He chose to ignore what he said about knowing about priceless artifacts. He was in no mood to go down the rabbit hole. "I am trying to find her to get her back to her family. I know Clarissa is alive and somewhere. Unfortunately, I have been to almost every orphanage in this city. So far no one has had anyone remotely close to her." He explained.

Vincent scoffed. Now, this was good. He couldn't believe he actually believed that. People were gullible and held onto false hope just to not have to accept the obvious. He had a long time ago accepted how his parents left him and he understood he couldn't change it. Nor could he dwell on it, what good would that do him? It wouldn't.

He placed his elbow on the armrest then put his cheek in his palm. "You're kidding? Rolando, I thought you were smarter than that. They are all dead - rest in peace - but dead. Those are dumb rumors started to have people talk about something other than their mundane life." He commented, giving a little scoff.

Rolando rubbed the bridge of his nose, pinching it gently once again ignoring Vincent. He truly didn't understand a thing. "Anyways, have at least two left which happen to be far out in the country away from the city to the north. Those happen to be the only two places I haven't checked yet. I plan on checking tomorrow morning. It will be a surprise visit and hopefully, she will be there."

He continued after stopping to get himself some tea. "I never knew that there were so many young children found wandering around after terrible circumstances and born in the same year. You think during the year she was born that babies were all the rave, everyone at least had to have one child at a young age." He mused sarcastically.

He brought the teacup up to his lips and took a small sip before continuing. "Many think I am going on a wild goose chance and others think I am only doing it for the money. Deep down I know my true reasons for this. My intuition is telling me she is alive. I don't know how or why, but I know it. O has always been right about things like this." That is why Nathan made him his head military sergeant.

Vincent pursued his lips as he listened to Rolando. Now he began to think of the good that could come of this. If people were so gullible there had to be a reward right? A reward of such value to make people search for her. "So, is there like a reward or something for someone to find her -" He was cut off by Rolando, which he didn't like. He could care less about everything else that had been said and just focused on the money.

Rolando frowned as he listened to him, he just had to cut him off. He was not going to have him go down that rabbit hole again. "Vincent, so now you care since there is a possibility of a reward?" He was being sarcastic and the evidence since he had a mono expression on his face as he spoke.

He was truly disappointed. He knew that this would happen to know Vincent. But he was hoping that he would be proven wrong which alas he was not. He cares about the boy, but seeing him driven by money was heartbreaking. He has tried everything to get him to see money wasn't everything, yet it never worked.

He continued after taking a deep breath. "A reward means nothing to those who do the right thing. Nothing to me that is. So many families had been broken during that time and even after, like yours. If I can find this girl and get her back with her family, I will do anything to make it happen, within the law of course." He sipped on his tea.

Vincent rolled his eyes slouching down in his chair and sighing, crossing his arms over his chest. "A reward is there for a reason. To make people motivated to do something. They should have known saying there is a reward isn't going to get them their granddaughter back, or at least the real one. I should know these things." He pointed out.

Rolando set down the teacup on the saucer, pinching the bridge of his nose as he listened to Vincent. "It's nice to see that you care so much less about others than yourself." He scoffed sarcastically but then continued. "You better not be thinking of trying to find someone who looks like her. That is wrong, and I have already looked, no one fits her. So, we must move on and go somewhere else."

Vincent let out a whine. A grown young man whines like a small child whines when they don't get something they wanted. He may have been an adult but half the time he did not act like it. Of course, he did act like an adult if that is where the money took him,  other than that he was just like a kid in a candy store.

He slumped his shoulders, pouting. "Rolando, but the money! This could really help us out here! Not only with the castle restoration, but with giving us lives free to do whatever we wish with!" He exclaimed, lying obviously, but it sounded good. He was trying to come at Rolando's point of view to make it more appealing.

Rolando was disappointed in the boy. "I did not raise you this way, Vincent. I don't care about the money, I don't get why can't you see that? They were like family to me, and their daughter is perhaps out there somewhere lost and confused, looking for who she is and where she belongs." He sternly told him to rest his arms on the armrest.

Vincent groaned, shaking his head. "Just think of one-hundred thousand Newfoundland dollars. Do you have to admit that sounds nice? You could also use it for causes you are so enthusiastic about and I could use it too." He pointed out, standing up and getting himself some tea and then sitting down on his couch.

Rolando frowned as he listened to what Vincent had said. It was quite sad to hear he thought that way. "Reuniting a girl with her long lost family is more important than money. For half of her life, she had known that she was an orphan that does not have a family. If I can change that, I would." He explained to him.

Vincent rolled his eyes, not really liking what he was saying. "Families can't always be dependent on. Some way or another they will let you down." He pointed out, talking from his own experience. He couldn't recall anything about his parents personally, only what he had been told. It made him loathe the idea of families and he couldn't help but feel jealous of them and their perfect little families.

Rolando stood up and walked over to Vincent, he sat down beside him and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Vincent, I know your blood family wasn't there for you, but I was there to show you what a true family means. Persia and Nathan loved their daughters, they would do anything for them. Like I would do anything for you because I love like a son." He explained getting back off the couch and sitting down on his couch.

Vincent rolled his eyes and let out a little huff, mumbling something under his breath. "I do appreciate you trying to fill in that part for me, it still isn't the same no offense. It was weird you trying to be motherly and all that adult talk was uncomfortable and unbearable." He was now wanting to pull the pity, poor me card he loved to play.

Rolando couldn't believe he was still acting like a child. Yes, he understood where he was coming from, but there was a point in time where you had to accept it. Even though he said he accepted it he still had that bitterness about it whenever it was brought up.

He sighed heavily taking another sip of his tea. "I know it may have been weird but that is what a parent does for their child. They raise them in the way they shall go and if they choose to go on a different path it isn't the parent's fault. I am sure you have heard that many times right." He questioned sipping on his tea.

Vincent hummed, picking up his tea and sipping on some of it. "Not this again Rolando. Please do not modify it. You have said this a million times in every which way possible." He complained, running a hand through his hair before setting down his teacup. He did not want to talk about this, it was just a way to make him feel bad and feel selfish.

Rolando gave him a look that was unimpressed and slightly annoyed by his actions. "I have given you all I know about your family. Where your father is located in jail after being caught for criminal acts and his name. As for your mother, all I know is a first name, nothing else. Not everyone has that type of information like you do." He explained to Vincent for the millionth time just in the past month.

Vincent waved him off, not really listening to him but knowing vaguely what he was saying. "I again, can't thank you enough for finding out what little you could about my birth family. It means a great deal. I again know that others don't have that luxury and finding the princess would mean a lot to her and her family." He paused not wanting to go too deep into that.

He then continued as he swirled the tea around in his cup. "I know but I think money is worth more than family. Money never forgets you, or hurts you, is always there for you, it can bring happiness when others don't -" He was interrupted by Rolando once again.

Rolando was not having him act this way. It was embarrassing and hurtful to see he had taken nothing he had raised him knowing. "Vincent, I know you don't want to hear what I'm saying: money doesn't replace family, it isn't alive and it certainly doesn't bring happiness -" Now he had been cut off by Vincent.

Vincent was not listening to him go on about family and money. It was annoying no doubt. Like Rolando could ever understand how much money meant to him, more than family that was. "Stop right there, I don't want to hear it. Money in my opinion is way much better than family and you can't change my mind," he told the older man.

Rolando sighed, like any parent or partner figure seeing him this way and not the way he raised him truly hurt. "Think about what you want Vincent. Remember this: one day you'll have a family of your own and you will see what I am talking about." He told him, finding up his tea before pouring himself some more.

Vincent scoffed at his words, rolling those eyes once again. "Do you really think that's going to happen anytime soon? I don't want a family of my own. I don't need to be tied down in a marriage or have just one person to love. I don't ever see myself as a family man. Coming home to a wife and child every day after work, that is boring." He explained getting off the couch and walking around the room.

He paused turning around and leaning against the bookshelves, crossing his arms. "My plan is foolproof. Of course, if we were to use it." He nonchalantly said, picking up a newspaper and reading the cover, which showed the reward for the oldest princess. Money signs flashed in his eyes like it was something he was watching having a reflection in his eyes.

Rolando shook her head, sipping on his tea. "We will not be using any of your ideas. Everything happens for a reason, and perhaps why we haven't seen her yet is because she will walk right in front of us. I will keep my contacts on alert to help me. No reward money needed and you will not go behind my back and get it." He explained.

Vincent tilted his head to the side. He surely was living in such a dream world thinking the things he was thinking. "I doubt we will find or come upon the real duchess. She is most likely dead and the count and countess are only keeping foolish hope alive." He simply mused opening up the newspaper and reading the article.

Rolando gave him a look of 'really' as he gently shook his head. "Vincent, my gut is telling me she is alive and even the countess and count believe it. Besides, finding a lost girl's long lost family is way more important than gold, silver, money, or jewels."

Vincent shrugged his shoulders, tapping his fingers on his arms and frowning. "Are you questioning my motives?" He asked, pretending to be slightly hurt by his words. Even though he sounded convincing, Rolando knew otherwise. Did he not know him? Then why should I question his motives?

Rolando nodded, he knew him, and he knew vaguely of what he had done throughout the years. "Yes. Your motives are driven purely by greed. No way am I letting you do what you want. I will do it the ethical way, and you can do nothing." He declared proudly.

Vincent rolled his eyes. Why did the old man have to be such a sour lemon? He knew if he didn't let this go then Rolando would keep going at it like a dog on a bone. "Alright, alright. I will let it go. We will be doing things your way and that is that." He said putting his hands out in front of him and waving them.

Rolando smiled at him, glad to hear that he chose to let it go and drop it. "Thank you. Vincent, please don't pout like a child. Act your age for once and be mature." He added before standing up and stretching his legs a little bit.

Vincent sighed heavily, this was going to really put a light out on his ideas. If only Ronald gave him another chance to show him - that was not going to happen. He was such a goodie two shoes when it came to rules. 'Follow the rules' was all he ever said to him as a child. It was like nails on a chalkboard for him to hear that.

Rolando sat back down and grabbed his notebook, opening it up and turning through the pages. "Now moving on. We have gotten quite along with turning this into a museum." He thought it would be a good idea to move on to talking about something else.

Vincent didn't know why he was stuck on this. Why did it have to be always the two of them, when it was mostly almost always Rolando. "You not we. I barely did anything. There is no way I am with my own free will wasting your time in this old place like you are." He asked fidgeting with his hat before stuffing it in his coat pocket.

Rolando looked up at him. How many times had he gone over this with him? Must he go over it again? "This is our history. The history of my friends. If I can educate people about what really happened, then I shall do just that. They need to hear the true story of what happened, not what people blew out of proportion just for rumors."

Vincent cringed. He made it sound so light and like a feather that people actually wanted to see something like that. "What makes you think people will actually appreciate it? For anything, it looks like a perfect place to loot." He knew when someone was worth stealing since that was up to his alleyway.

Rolando shook his head. Always doubting his dreams, such a sour lemon when it came to anything that wasn't about money. "I will be having officers during the day, and not only will we be living here, but I also have a few old friends who have agreed to help stay here and keep watch." He was glad he had a lot of people willing to let him.

Vincent fake gagged, trying to be a little dramatic like he was most of the time. "That seems really ridiculous if you ask me. Time and money going into something that could easily be destroyed at any time. It should stay this way, at least if anything happens it's no loss of money." He exclaimed thinking about how much money was going to go into this place and how much already had.

Rolando pushed up his glasses to his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. This boy was really stressed and got on his every last nerve. "You really need to stop thinking about money so much. It can only get you so far. It's not about the money, it is about the memories and sharing them with others. That means more than any paper, gold, silver, it just means more. I hope one day you can see that."

Vincent could care less about that. All he wanted was money, something he could have to give himself happiness and a life of his own. "Alright, you got me. Can we again move onto anything else?" He asked hopefully they had something else to talk about.

Rolando looked at the boy and finished up his tea before speaking. "I have nothing more to speak about. Unless you wish to help me go over these documents about the restoration of some of the furniture?" He knew Vincent would never want to do that.

Vincent stood up and shook his head frowning. "No way, not my cup of tea. You can do that and I will go check up on those who are still here working." He told him as he walked towards the door wanting nothing more than to leave.

Rolando watched him leave the room and took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly. He had no clue what he was going to do with that boy. "I hope one day someone can show him the light since sadly I have failed." He mumbled turning back to his documents.

Vincent closed the door behind him and silently pumped his fist in the air doing a little happy dance down the hall. He was finally going to have the big break he needed to get rich! All he needed was to find a girl who could pass off as her or a girl who looked similar who wanted to go to Paris to not make Rolando think anything was up.

He took a deep breath looking around the mainly quiet hall. He could hear the workers fixing up the ballroom which wasn't too far from where he was at. Perhaps he could give Rolando some of the money but he would obviously know what he did because he knew Nathan's parents, well, knew of his parents never really met them but a few times.

Either way, any plan he was going to concoct would fall into place. Whether it was Rolando's plan or his own, whatever the will it may be it will happen. He could accept Rolando's as long as he could still get away with his own little plan. And when that day came, he was going to be so happy and proud of himself that his plans were the best.

❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅

A/N:

I am finally here with this wonderful book! This was my first ever baby and the only book I had gotten to 13 chapters, 15 if you count the two that were unfinished. Of course most of them can be cut down to two of three chapters, which gives me a whole lot to work with!

I really hope you guys enjoy this as much as I did writing it. I have to admit, there are a lot of characters and I may end up adding more if I come across any characters I have missed. Some I may not have written down in my notebook for all my stories to keep track of the characters, including their hair and eye color which I changed most of them.

Phew, I am so happy to finally have this chapter up. It took a little while more than I hoped for but I am just happy to have wrote it up. Not to mention finally posted for you guys to read! I was kinda procrastinating on this but I pushed myself to get it done.

Chapter Talk:
The first and official chapter of where our story begins! I must warn you that what I did have planned I am going to change the whole direction of how I had the outcome. So, with that, I will be doing heavily editing before I post them besides adding onto the word count.

The next chapter we will be meeting Risa who happens to be Clarissa. I am.
not leaving any mystery on who she is since I just didn't think this book needed that. I also will be changing a few things from what I originally had on that second chapter which is gonna be work.

I had changed the whole view on Vincent because originally I had him the one who was trying to con the royal family, so I took it out. He is just gonna be the one putting it out there about money and this whole thing. Not that he has any part of it and he will be a pessimist throughout almost the first and middle part of the book!

I edited it so Rolando is the one who is trying to find her. I liked that idea better than the old one because it will help build up Rolando's character. He knew her and he truly knows none of them are dead and if the Nathan's parents say she is alive, he believes it. He has already looked everyone in Canada yet it seemed like no one was there that was similar to her.

And lastly, anything else I forgot ask away my pals. I am happy to answer anything!

In closing, all rude, impolite and mean comments will be replied to in a diplomatic way, reported or deleted if I feel like it is attacking me personally.

Thanks for reading!