Prologue

Mistmoore, October 27, 1866. 

A soft whimper of a newborn was heard harmonizing with the cicadas. Snyder clan received the most precious gift, the third born, from The Supreme Being at 10:58 in the evening. Annabele left the abode of her clan and went to King Philippe to unfold the news about the precious gift. As soon as King Philippe received the news, he commanded his highest guards to siege the Snyders. Andre, the second born, heard the approaching footsteps of the horses blending with the clinking sound of the plate armour as he felt the intruders from miles away. He told his father right away and they immediately packed up.

"Pack your things and…" Maximillian instructed his first born, Charlotte, but he was cut off by the banging sound on the door. It was too late for Annabele is already back.

"Take the door on the back. I will stay and give you time to escape." Maximillian ordered Charlotte. Annaliese slid her leg off from the bed and balanced herself but she failed. Her husband caught her and helped her to stand up.

"You go and take the kids with you, I'll stay here. I can't run at this state." Annaliese said as she tried to stand up again and failed.

"No, I won't leave you. Our daughter will help you, our youngest will need you, my love. You need to go." Maximillian insisted.

"Father, you need to come with us." Andre tugs his father as he pleads.

"I am sorry my son, I need to stay." The father states as he pats the head of his second born.

Maximillian briefs his Charlotte on what to do and where to go after they escape. Little did they know, dear Annabele can hear their conversation. Andre suddenly appeared in fronts of his mother's twin sister and said…

"Auntie, why are you a traitor?"

Annabele was caught off guard by her nephew. She knew that little Andre is using his ability to her, to figure out her plans. On what she is going to do with them. On how she turned her back to her own flesh and blood.

"Auntie, you are going to pay." Andre smiled eerily and suddenly vanished through the thin air. Annabele knew that her sister and her children had already escaped. Yet, her primary intention is left inside. She can hear his heavy breathing and silent sobs. As she was about to enter her former home, she felt King Philippe's ambience incoming. She was overwhelmed that the King went personally to witness the capture of Maximillian Snyder, the most powerful mage in the country of Mistmoore.

General Alessandro noticed the arrival of the King and commanded his guards to pay respects as soon as the King got off from his black stallion and set his foot on the ground. Chaos was surrounding the home of Snyders. King Philippe fixed his gaze and walked towards in fronts of the house while Annabele slightly bowed her head as a sign of greeting to the King. The King motioned his head to the door and Annabele respectfully marched her way to open it. The hardness of the door that was made from oak met the soft pads of Annabele's palm as she slowly pushed the wood open. King Philippe took a few steps and now he stands besides Annabele's small figure. The cold empty air from the insides of the home of his foe welcomed the royalty. General Alessandro and Annabele followed King Philippe confidently and walked inside the house, as if he knows every inch and corner. While the other guards searched the every room and finds any traces of the Snyders.

"Max, if I were you I would come out and present myself. You're just making this difficult for yourself." King Philippe shouted, making sure that no room was left unannounced. One of General Alessandro's guards walked to King Philippe to fill the King with the information he found.

"I apologized for the interruption, my King. The guards have searched every corners and rooms but there was no trail left." the guard said. King Philippe stayed silent for a while, processing the guard's news to him. He furrowed his brows and an irk was drawn on his face.

"Imbeciles! Find Snyder and his family or else I'll doom all of you! Even you Annabele, find the youngest Snyder, and the father. I need the both of them to be alive. I don't care about the three. Or else, I'll have your neck hanging with my collections on my wall." He turned his back and angrily rushed his way to the door. Hearing the sound of his horse's footsteps fading away, the rest of the guards went outside leaving General Alessandro and Annabele inside. General Alessandro aggresively grabbed the collar of Annabele's dress slightly lifting her from the ground. "If only you just came sooner, none of this will happened and Maximillian is now on our hands!" the General blamed the woman.

In Annabele's thoughts, she'll get them, she'll catch them, and she'll have Maximillian for herself. She'll turn her sister down, 'cause that is the order of the King.