5 Children of...

Dai Aiba had closed the door leading into the living room as she spoke in hushed tones with Lei Yinying. The story that unfolded seemed more fitting for the dramas she had watched as a teenager then for the reality that someone she knew had faced.

"Six years ago," Lei Yinying began, her voice detached like she wasn't talking about herself. "I attended a party with my adoptive sister. It was the kind of event where only she and I could afford to rent dresses. They were outdated compared to what the others wore, but it didn't make us stand out too badly."

"Where was this party?" Dai Aiba asked, curling up on the coach.

"Guangzhou," Lei Yinying answered. "I was forced to attend because my sister was a firm believer that I would be a good counterbalance for her. She had managed to infiltrate the upper echelons of Gunagzhou's social scene by befriending one of the rich relatives of a classmate. It was a miracle that she was able to get us an invitation to the event. I remember there were foreign dignitaries and CEOs of powerful conglomerates. To top it all off, the event was to be a hallmark of the achievements of the youth. It was the best hunting grounds for my gold-digging sister. She and I weren't aware what kind of prey we looked like on that hunting ground."

Dai Aiba felt her stomach drop as she listened.

Lei Yinying let out a long breath, unaware she had been holding it back. "We had partaken in a number of the snacks and alcohols when by pure misfortune we were dragged into something odd. A woman, I assume an heiress of sorts, had her sights on this one man. I didn't notice him until she directed our attention towards him. She informed us that he was the heir to a powerful family and that both her and her father desired for there to be a match made. But a man of his caliber would never settle for an arranged marriage with someone like her nor did she believe herself capable enough to capture his attention in an authentic way."

Silence fell between the two as it appeared she had to recollect herself or, perhaps, she was merely finding the right place to continue from.

"Regardless, she wanted witnesses to her act. She roped both my sister and I in because we were unknown faces in their crowds. Years later, I see the cunning and logic behind this part of her plan. The rest, however, made me unsurprised that something backfired. Someone she knew managed to have it where our group of ladies was able to be introduced to the man. He was apathetic towards the event of it, but he produced enough charm to leave us with hearts skipping. I don't know if this was coincidence or on purpose, but nearly everyone in the group was able to take a new glass."

Dai Aiba pictured Lei Yinying pinching the bridge of her nose as she let loose another tight breath.

"We all took a glass and so did the man. I had this vague feeling that he did so out of politeness. He barely drank from the glass, but that didn't apply to the rest of us. I've always been more sensitive to the smells around me that I noticed a slight undercurrent of something strange in my glass. I had only recently turned eighteen and had never drank much. I didn't think anything of it especially since I was untrained in identifying those scents back then. I drank it with moderate enthusiasm and we eventually departed from the group. My sister wanted to score points with this woman, so I was forced to play witness alongside her."

"From here, the memories turn more hazy. I began to feel under the weather and knew that a floor of the hotel had been checked out for free use. We merely had to request a card from the front desk. I still had enough of a mind to do so. The feeling of fever grew worse as the elevator made its way to the correct floor. I was almost at the correct door when someone stopped me. One moment I was trying to move past them and the next we were kissing. They pulled me into a room and things quickly grew out of hand. After the first round, I recognized him as the man the heiress had wanted. I remember the bitter irony that came over me as I stared at his face. He barked questions at me once he saw the recognition in my eyes. I detailed everything I could, never so grateful for my eidetic memory. He was enraged, but the remnants of the drug still lingered in both of us. The second time he asked. I will note his hands were apologetic while his actions were fueled by the drug. After everything, I awoke the next day. He was fast asleep and I decided it would be best to disappear. I was a nobody. I left a note with the details of what I remember. Anything to help him investigate it himself and clear myself of any possible wrongdoings. Besides that I left it alone."

Dai Aiba blew out a breath that sounded too loud in the quiet living room. "But then you were pregnant."

Lei Yinying let out an amused breath. "Yes. I knew who he was and who I was. I didn't want these children taken from me nor did I want to be forced in a situation like some arranged marriage. I didn't want any of that. So I ran. I encountered my teacher, who was sympathetic to me. They helped me establish myself in the ten months of pregnancy. Afterwards, my teacher told me that I would have to be strong enough to protect those children. Even if I entered in amibicale terms with their father. If I allowed myself to be weak then I would be nothing but a burden to them in the future. They laid out plainly to me what my future options were. I could become a helpless chess piece on the board that the father and my children would play on. Or, I could become a player on that board. Such a task required intensive training and secrecy."

"You make this sound like you trained to become an assassin or something?" Dai Aiba joked in a strained voice.

"That wouldn't be far from the truth. I developed skills that sharpened me into a honed blade. Small and unremarkable unless used in the correct fashion. I tell you this only because I trust you to keep it secret and because if you can't...I can resolve it easily regardless."

Dai Aiba felt a chill run down her back at Lei Yinying's words. She conjured up images of the gentle mother from a couple hours ago. That image was the Lei Yinying she knew and that was the only image. Not the woman capable of casually talking about 'resolving' her easily. "I see."

"I don't mean to scare you. Merely inform you of the world I'm going to enter soon alongside my children," Lei Yinying explained in a calm voice. "You can come alongside me and continue being their nanny while I'm attending college or you can remain in Finland. I will give you until the summer to decide."

"And what about their father?" Dai Aiba asked, not wanting to dwell on her own choices that would have to be made.

"Him?" Lei Yinying mused, "I plan on informing him once he re-enters this country. Funnily after that night, he hasn't stepped back into China publicly. He has crossed the border a number of times while on his own business, but I've been unable to confirm if he has established any presence in the country."

"Ju-just what kind of person is he?" Dai Aiba couldn't help but ask. He sounded like some shadowy power based on what this once average girl had to put herself through.

"He is known as He Piming whilst in China. In the Western World most are familiar with the name Alden Silos Jakobe Piming Wickes, the heir to the throne of Adun," Lei Yinying explained in a breezy tone.

"The...the Crown Prince of Adun? That country that is considered the Kingpin to Asia's economy?" Dai Aiba asked in astonishment.

"Hmm...And given his unmarried status still going strong six years later. He could claim my children as legitimate still. It's for those reasons and more that I kept so much of my life secretive."

"I understand. I'll leave you to sleep then," Dai Aiba expressed as she ended the call. While they had not been raised with this knowledge, she had helped raise children of royal blood for six years. And this secret seems to be worthy of death, should she expose it. She didn't have long enough to consider her options.