Chapter 1 : Twinko Twinko

13 Years ago

13 Years ago

People, people, and more people.

As you stand frozen on your own, you can't help but feel nervous.

The fact that you can't recognize any of these somewhat high-class individuals is frustrating and nerve-wracking.

You should've listened to your mom from the beginning and stood put instead of just running along to chase that pretty butterfly that had disappeared the second you almost took a hold of it. 

If only you just listened, then this would've been avoidable. But no. Lia Kim, you, chose to allow your determined self to stride themselves across the white carpet with your silky Cinderella like dress swaying left and right to the movement.

Now, look what you've gotten yourself into.

-

Your mother, Mrs. Jia Kim, continues to scheme through the sea filled with people with hawk-like eyes. 

This wasn't a good place to leave a mere five year old on their own, considering the event had a special theme.

"Excuse me, Ma'am." Mrs. Jia smiles politely at a random woman dressed in an all expensive blood red gown. 

With a martini in her hold, she slowly turns her attention to her. Multiple layers of her hardcore lipstick don't go unnoticed at all. Not to mention the number of cosmetics she's able to apply on her face too.

She holds back the urge to just scrunch up her face in pure disgust. She can practically feel a wave of goosebumps rising her every portion of skin at just the sight of that. Who puts that much make-up at an event such as this. The woman's practically a cake. A disgusting, flavorless piece of cake.

"Make it quick, can't you see I'm busy?"

Busy luring man with money I see.

The high shrill of her voice makes itself notice, and she can't help but secretly compare her tone to a chicken getting slaughtered inside a slaughtering house.

The look on her face completely displayed that she was annoyed-way above annoyed, to say the least.

Nevertheless, your mother forces a tight smile, chuckling a bit before shaking her head instead. "Oh. It's nothing."

She doesn't wait for her response and passes the pissed-out the woman in a flash.

Where are you, Lia? She thinks to herself.

-

You continue to fiddle with the extra lace of your dress, head drooped down low as you mumble out a few words from a nursery rhyme you had learned a few days ago at school.

"Twinko twinko witto sta, howa wando watu ah. Apabo dawol so ha, twinko twin-"

"Hey! That's not how it goes!" An energetic voice screams from a few feet away causing you to look up to find the source of the voice. 

A young boy with some loose front teeth approaches you with a grin. His hair's swayed to the back leaving a rather neat rake of style. From top to bottom, you can't help your eyes from freely examining him. 

This boy surely had to be somewhere around your age if not younger. He's taller than you thought. 

To say you're surprised seeing another kid in such an area as this would be left as an understatement. Because ever since you and your parents stepped foot here, you've yet to encounter another child such as yourself. 

The place practically swarming with a bunch of fully grown suited men and perfectly dressed-up women so far. 

But unlike the color black attire worn by men all over the room, you notice something different with his.

The boy standing before you adorned a red one instead of black. With stylish tags pinned to the left side of his chest. 

They probably symbolize something but obviously, you're still too young to be paying much attention to that. You let it slip in the meantime. Maybe your mother knows something.

Compared to the suits around, what he's wearing looks nothing like what you've been seeing all night. 

The style of his outfit's totally different. 

"It goes like this." He steps forward with a strict look on his face."Twinkle twinkle little star. Not twinko twinko, That's just wrong!" 

You flinch at the sudden rise of voice and the boy notices that.

"I'm just teaching you the right way to say it!" He exclaims, exaggerating with his arms by throwing it up in the air. Then he widens his eyes as if to prove a point.

You stay quiet, blinking a few times before dropping your head low again. 

You just want your mom right now. Not this annoying creature. 

"I like your dress."

He suddenly states rather bluntly, luring your confused eyes to meet his.

The boy doesn't hesitate to lock gazes before leaning in to send your cheek a deep peck. The impact of his action causes your body to lose balance but you're able to catch yourself. 

When he draws back completely, you work your hand up to wipe the disgusting feeling away only to get stopped by the weird boy. 

"Don't do that. "He mumbles with a pout, sliding his hand down so that they're now intertwined together with yours. "You're lost, right? Maybe my mom can help you out."

And with no room for protest, he begins dragging you through the crowds.

To reach that specific destination isn't a piece of cake. Two kids running amongst tall people isn't a piece of cake yet he was still able to get through the area.

"Mom!" He calls out with that same energy he's been using before looking to face you with a big smile. "Let's go." 

He tugs on your hand, urging you to speed up towards that stage-like section of the room. 

A beautiful woman with long smooth dark hair comes to view as you two near the area. 

"Mhh. Who do we have here?" She asks sweetly slowly crouching down to reach your level. 

You stay frozen, not knowing what to do but send her two lost round eyes. The pretty woman smiles, finding your confused expression somewhat cute. 

Before anyone's able to utter another word, a familiar voice behind makes Mia instantly turn her head. 

It's your Mother. 

"Your Highness." Mrs. Jia greets her politely to which the beautiful woman responds with a gentle smile as she stands up. "Is she yours?" 

She nods with a smile. "Yes, she is. I apologize on behalf of my daughte-"

"No, no. There's no need for that." She giggles before facing her son. A frown is what she finds on her little boy's face. 

Your mother looks at you. "Lia, let's go. Your father's still looking for you." 

Just as you're about to step aside, a hand tugs you back. 

The Queen blinks her eyes, surprised. 

"Zale, sweetie-" 

"I wanna keep her, mommy."