Four - Youngblood

The four walls of the house suddenly narrowed as the one person who can share a different story of his mother is in the next room. Devonne patiently waited in the dining area. A middle age woman approached the two teenagers when she entered. The woman is still gorgeous for her age. She smiled to Devonne and offered him to take a seat which he did.

"You must be Devonne?" She cheerfully questioned.

The young man who was completely tongue tied, nodded. He is trying to catch the perfect timing to inquire something about his late mother without being obvious that he knew her.

"What's your last name?" The lady's curiosity settled in. There's interest in her eyes.

"It's Duor, ma'am." He remembered his lie to Hazel.

A disappointed nod from the intrigued woman. He chose to hide his real identity considering the controversial families he belongs. Another photo captured his attention, it's his mother and the woman. She noticed his sparkling notion towards the picture.

"This is lady Catherine Samira. I once worked for her." She sadly said.

"I told him already, mum. Did you know what happened to her?" Hazel cut her off.

"The last time I heard about her was she left the chateau with her cousin. They both died in a crash. A chopper crash." Another forlorn statement from the woman.

"Was she nice?" He couldn't help but asked. A small but genuine smile appeared on the lady's face.

"All I can say is that she was not a good person but she tried her best to be a good mother."

"Yeah, I remembered your story on how she told you to bring her son to her husband so he could survive the wrath of her uncle. I felt bad for her." Hazel continued the story, showing her fondness of the story. It's like hearing a fairy-tale with a tragic ending.

"She sounds nice." He commented. A bit touched with the heroic motherhood of Catherine, but growing up not knowing her, he failed to connect emotionally.

With the growing emotion to the topic, they decided to divert their attentions. The mother and daughter told him about their usual activities. Devonne also found out that Leonor and her husband once worked with his family and her husband died protecting his grandfather. Their family has caused too much havoc to anyone chooses to associate with them.

After they finished their simple tea, Hazel walked him out of the house. He sincerely bid his goodbye to Leonor and took one last glance at his mom's photo. He may not know her very well but he was glad she was her mother.

"So where are you going after this?" Hazel asked.

"I don't know. Walk around Paris, I guess?" He shrugged it off.

"I really want to join you but I'm preparing for an exhibit. I'm really sorry." She excused apologetically.

"No, it's fine. You're really serious about all that art exhibition, aren't you? Good luck. I'll try to visit. Something came up." Devonne explained his defense sounding disappointed.

After his last wave, he walked towards the busy streets. Although they've been here countless times with his family, it still feels magical for Devonne watching all the historic establishments and buildings standing strong amidst the changing world. He didn't notice that he was unconsciously staring at a spectacular steel gate with a leaf siegel at the top.

The gate suddenly opened inwards and a Rolls Royce went out putting him back to his senses. Strong arms snatched him out of the way. The car stopped in front of them and the man who grabbed him bowed. The man in the car with an arched eyebrow stared ominously at his audacity.

"My lord." The man in uniform greeted, full of respect.

Devonne, although never bowed to anyone except for the queen of England hesitantly curtsy to the one eyeing him from the expensive car. The car window immediately popped up and went straight to the highway. He swallowed hard, processing the idea of him bowing to someone for the first time was a bit funny.

The guard lectured him in french so he stared at him for a solid minute. The man noticed his idleness and sighed. Another foreigner for his liking. Devonne instantly regretted dropping his French subject.

"Do you know who was that?" The man asked him with a thick French accent. He shook his head as a response. "That's Lord Francis Constantine!" The guard proudly said with a slight fear on his tone.

"Okay. I'm sorry. I should go." He does not really care who that was.

He was about to leave when a girl marched to their side from across the street. A very unique beauty and a visible well off upbringing. Her stunning aura was in contrast with her visible frown.

The protective security guard narrowed his eyes when he saw who Devonne was looking at. He wave his index finger to Devonne signing the off limits. The girl glanced to Devonne for a bit and muttered another French to the guard.

"Mademoiselle!" The guard chirped.

The gorgeous young lady suddenly pointed at him while she discussed something to the guard. Devonne looked at the two in confusion, waiting for a translation. The guard quickly reverted his tone and holds Devonne's shoulder which alarmed him.

"He is a tourist, mademoiselle." The guard finally said the language he can comprehend.

"And you are?" Said the girl with a British accent which identified her social class. Had a very expensive education outside France.

"Devonne, milady." He introduced himself. The lady was impressed, returned the courtesy with her one hand on the side of her dress, that melted Devonne's heart.

"My lady? British, interesting," She then walks inside the compound he was staring idly earlier.

He didn't know what to do if he is allowed to follow her inside, but the guard nudged him forward. Before he diverted his eyes to the driveway he was given the, 'I'm watching you' sign. He rolled his eyes and followed with haste. The young lady smiled happily when she caught him running to her direction.

"I thought you're not going," She said and opened the door.

It might seem formal but he was taught not to enter any houses uninvited. Again, the young woman was quirked. She arched her body to peep outside waiting for her visitor to move.

"Are you going to stand there all day?" She laughingly asked.

Embarrassed he may seemed, he followed his current love interest inside. Lavish interior. The main staircase screams wealth and the family portrait at the end implies power. Every corner is sparkling. The chandelier holds the entire control over them, watching their movements.

They went inside the living room which is packed with family portraits, old and new. At the grand piano, a photo caught his attention. It's his mom with the younger version of the guy he saw in the car earlier. They were both still young in the picture, smiling widely at the camera.

"That's father and rumor has it, he's with his one true love, Catherine." She said in a hush tone.

Another revelation laid for him. It's like the universe has conspired to give him pieces of who his mother was. Given how intimate his mother and whoever the man is, they seemed to have a past.

"I'm sorry. So rude of me. I'm Francesca. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." The girl warmly offered her hand. That took him back to his senses.

Devonne took it whole heartedly. The soft intricate hand of the girl in front of him. Francesca cleared her throat when Devonne held her hand for quite longer as for what is really intended. He let her go quickly, flustered to what he did.

***

London, UK

Mr. Mercer quickly rushed upstairs to Renard's chamber after he saw the news. He waved off every staff standing on his way. Forgetting his manners, he barged in to a two curious people looking at him.

"My lord, my lady. There's something you need to see." He turned on the unused television in the room.

"Breaking News!

The Drax Empire has finally found their rightful heir. The Spanish Empire has left all their fortune to no one after the tragic helicopter crash of the two last heirs, Lady Catherine Samira and Don Hector Exconde. The Dark Times Newspaper, owned and operated by the family has released a statement, "From ashes we rise". This controversial family was allegedly involved in various murders and political affairs which means that once again, after a long rest, terror will once again spread in the streets of London, Paris and even in the United States. But all of these are just mere allegations towards the family and no solid evidence proving their diabolical activities.

Just got in! An informant said that the heir to the Drax Empire was believed to have been located somewhere in Asia."

A mixture of confused but relieved glances were thrown by the three of them. They were glad to know that Devonne was not the one being publicly announced, but it's alarming enough to know that Devonne has someone to share the legacy.

"At least Devonne doesn't have to sit to the underworld following his bloody uncle." Mr. Mercer muttered.