PRELUDE 
It was the beginning of a painful ride.

Chandelier lights glistened brightly with crystal sparks shimmering, hanging proud in the middle of the bright ballroom that reflected lustre. Under the crystal ornament was where the richest of all riches resides, their heels clicked constantly on the polished black marble floor as they enjoy the cocktail party hosted by one of their own.

One young boy stood in the middle of the ballroom, right under the bright crystal light. He wasn’t particularly interested in any of these events, but for the growth of their company, he was told to tail after his father’s footsteps to greet everyone in the room. It was a form of courtesy to do so, but it didn’t mean that he liked it. It might have been the fact that people tend to approach him despite his lack of interest in any of them, but it was also due of the fact that he was sick of the fake smiles and compliments they put up just to impress him.

It was boring. He thought. The fact that he was matured enough to see through the facades within their string of lies. The hunger for wealth and power was what they seek, and that was all he had.

“Oh dear, your son is now a young, fine man.” I only lived for 7 years. He mentally rolled his eyes at the lady who smiled at him. It has slowly occurred to him that he himself has slowly turned into one of them, but he couldn’t help it, he needed to smile.

Just like them, he needed to impress as well. 

"Appa, I'll be at the corner..." His voice was soft when he slowly removed his hand from his father’s hold and waited for his approval. His father nodded his head and turned his attention back to the person he was conversing with, and the boy took a step back, turned, and walked towards the corner of the room that was facing the outer garden.

He hopped, settling himself by the window and bit back a yawn. It wasn’t polite, he recalled his mother telling him that. He shook his head and leaned against the transparent screen. His eyes roamed around the large, bright room aimlessly.

“You seem lonely.” A voice chimed, followed with a light click on the marble floor caused him to turn around. It was a girl with long, straight black streaks that fell on her shoulders. She wasn’t particularly tall, nor was she particularly attractive among all the girls he had seen, but there was something about her that strived his sudden interest. Something about her that felt so familiar that intrigued him. 

“I don’t think you’re here to speak.” He responded, his eyes watched as she timidly leans against the wall, her fingers lightly lifted from the glass of orange juice she was holding onto. There was a slight twitch on her index finger when she brings the glass to her lips and took a sip of her drink. Her eyes, her attention weren't particularly focused on anything in the room. Just like him, her eyes wondered off. Mindlessly, aimlessly peering at the guests that were dancing under the crystalline structure. 

He frowned, slightly offended by the girl’s blunt attitude. It has slightly bruised his ego when she didn’t seem like she was fairly interested in him. Was the orange juice far more interesting than he is? Was it more fun to watch the adults than him? Was he no fun at all? His lips pressed thin as he turned his attention to the dance floor.

“This is boring.” She commented and heaved a sigh, dropping the glass by the nearest butler’s counter as she turned her attention to him. There was a clear sign of boredom shown on her face, and it was evident that she hates this as much as he does. He raised an eyebrow. He had to admit, for once, he was impressed that the girl dared to bluntly grab his hand and drag him out of the ballroom.

“That’s more like it.” She released her hold and raised to stretch her arms, relaxing her muscles with a soft moan casted on her lips. “It was getting stuffy in there.” She exclaimed and intertwined her own fingers, lifting them before her and stretched. She removed her shoes too, throwing them to the side as she steps into the green grass.

The boy watched. To be honest, he was truly impressed by the girl who treated him as if he was none of the elites that were looked up to with high regards. For once, he was being treated as a normal person.

For once, he was being treated like a human.

"What are you doing?” He’s eyes rounded when the girl skipped towards the pond, her toes tipped, dangerously standing on the small platform that draws the pond. She didn’t seemed to care, but he was there to panic for her.

What if she falls? He strode towards the girl and grabbed her arm, pulling her down from the dangerously small platform into his arms. She flinched, eyes rounded for a split second before shrinking back. She tilted her head, expression deadpanned when her eyes met his.

He watched, expecting the girl to