Arc 2 P3

Kaya took Racquel's hand as she got out of the hovercraft. Tonight was dangerous that's why she opted for more modest clothes. This way, she'd never had to worry in case she needed to tear her dress or ditch her heels in case something happened.

A dazzling one piece with a slit reaching below the knee at the side. Her white opera gloves and black tights ensured she's only showing enough skin to fit in with the rest of the attendees. Even her heels, which she usually wore higher, were only two inches tall—the minimum accepted height.

Attendance from the Trasdiva house was necessary, but the host of the party, the Lumasterias, seemed to be up to something. One can only hope it's not ill-intended.

"I don't look awful, do I?" Kaya tilted her head side to side showing Racquel her updo.

"Nobody is paying us any attention, if that's what's troubling my lady."

She puffed her cheeks in expression of her anger.

"Um, was that the wrong response?"

She diffused the air in her cheeks in a giggle. "I'm just teasing you. Thank you, Racquel. I'm not as nervous now."

Despite stating her anxiety, Kaya handled all the pleasantries perfectly. She mingled with all the people her family was in good terms with and tried extracting information just as they tried the same to her. Every word, every smile, every sip of the non-alcoholic drink was calculated, all to prove she's a capable heir to the Trasdiva name.

Kaya was taught these gatherings were the battlefield of those at the top of the hierarchy. Hundreds of thousands of people's fate depended on the whims of these select few—her included. The Trasdiva's were known to be the provider of the best tea leaves thanks to their relic which could alter genetic structures of plants to an astounding degree.

They could control all sorts parameters, most of which impossible for today's technology. The family continued putting out trials after trials, hundreds of thousands of combinations, all in order to produce the 'perfect tea leaves'.

That's the narrative they put out to the public.

In truth, the entire process relied on the mastery of the relic's user, precisely, of the tainted the family had. Among the hundred under their employ, only Racquel was qualified to use it, signified with the lack of Leash on her neck. That's how central she was for the family, but nobody knew that, not even Racquel herself. She was trained for ways to keep herself and Kaya safe at all times.

"I'm so despicable."

Kaya smiled bitterly at herself as she took sips of lukewarm water on her glass after finding herself some space. The sugar in the the fruit juice burned her tongue she needed something to wash it off.

Everyone was only after the family secret, her parents said. Although she couldn't remember their faces anymore, their voices still sounded fresh on her mind. They're not dead, rather, they're too busy to come home, like all the other parents in this societal rank. That's the reason why she became so attached to her aide. Racquel was there when her parents weren't. That's all that's needed to come close to the doors of Kaya Trasdiva's heart. Yes, she's that easy to befriend.

Her musing was interrupted by a commotion. Apparently, a young girl was getting reprimanded by another. Their ages weren't that far; Kaya recalled the angry one was five years younger than the little one, a small difference. Yes, an accident might've caused for juice on ruin her dress, but a simple change would've solved the problem. Unfortunately, this world was different. Those whose family was more powerful can berate the weaker one in a show of power. Being kind would get them preyed upon otherwise leaving them with no choice.

Racquel grabbed her hand. Yes, the Trasdiva's had nothing to do with either. She had no reason to help. However…

Was all the effort she put in not enough? She knew prayers won't be of any use, but she really hoped God would give her the courage to step in and make the right moves to help the girl while not tarnishing her name in the process. Obviously, it's one or the other. In order to gain something, another must be sacrificed. There's no way her family would allow themselves to get the short end of the stick this time… that's suicide. Defending a weak family? It'd make the news, but the content would be how their nosedived after a slight 'mishap'.

Not wanting to see another second of this injustice, she decided with a heavy heart to turn away when brisk strides cut through the crowd.

Clack! Clack! Clack! Those footsteps were clear and decisive. This person wore an all-black gown with the front of the skirt cut to reveal her slender legs while keeping the back as is. On her side was a realistic projection of a huge monarch butterfly, big enough to take eyes off her slim waist.

The lady's long, black hair was adorned with pink diamond glitter, the most extravagant type of jewelry a lady could wear. After all, those glitters won't return in the same amount after each use, therefore, it's the perfect display of wealth.

Once she reached the scene, Kaya's eyes already lit up. Her nose had picked up that particular perfume; floral, with notes of lavender and chamomile, ingredients she often used for this person's tea.

"Val!" She also squealed from excitement.

Valerie wore heavier makeup than usual to coverup her sleep-deprived face, yet her glare remained sharp. Even the older girl visibly cowered more upon her arrival than when she's being publicly humiliated.

"Isn't that about enough, Miss Tang?"

The young girl raised as eyebrow as she pointed to the older girl as if she's a bug. "This imbecile ruined my dress! Sister, please punish her!"

The girl simply plopped a hand on her and stroked it. "It's nobody's fault. Not her, not you, okay?"

"But! But!"

"M-M-Miss Neue," the older girl pleaded. "Please, I'll accept it. Any punishment. However, the mistake was mine and mine alone. That's why…" Her pallid hands were clearly shaking.

She shook her head, not minding the bits of jewelry flying off her hair. Squatting down to meet the young one, she softly spoke, "A simple change of clothes would be acceptable, right? Go to any shop and pick anything you like. I'll handle the rest."

The young one's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course. Now, be a good girl and say sorry to this sister. She clearly didn't mean it."

Although her words were gentle, the child believed she needed to obey to get a new expensive dress that's why she bowed and apologized. The other party returned the gesture.

Valerie smiled as the incident neared its conclusion. "Splendid! As for you, Miss Yoon, fourth daughter of the Yoon house if I'm not mistaken, you needed medical help," She looked at a random direction. "Call for a Lumasteria, they'll know what to do once they saw her. Make the cleaner bots take care of the broken glass."

"Um," the the flustered girl instinctively held her hands close to her chest. "How…"

Valerie stood up. "Everyone, the party resumes. Oh, you. Yes. Kindly play something from the classical section on the ancient civilization category. The lack of music upon my arrival soured my mood a little. Help me fix that."

After barking orders, she left the same way she came in, with everyone stepping out of her way. And with that, the party truly did continue as if nothing ever happened. However, amidst the lively piano piece filling the mansion, murmurs intertwined.

All they could talk about after that was how fearsome the Neue family had become. Just as nobody dared block the sole Neue child here, so would anybody in any of her father's businesses.

They're untouchable.