Prologue

I woke up late because I was too exhausted from last night's event involving every clan in Spain. I was pleased to see my friend, Cathalina, from the Valeria Clan, and the occasion was enjoyable, but I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if I hadn't been a member of the Buenaventura Clan. What would have happened if I just stayed in the Philippines together with my mother? I seldom use our language because I'm used to speaking in Filipino—my mother tongue.

I immediately put on a white dress before scurrying out of the room. A smile formed on my lips when the maids and some of the guards in the room greeted me.

Today, I need to go to one of the local malls to check something but before doing so, I want to ask permission from my grandfather first. I have been eyeing the limited bow and arrow that my brother and I saw at the mall.

"Greetings, your Majesties," I greeted politely the moment I saw them in the dining room and took a bow.

"Good morning, dear," my dad greeted me and kissed my forehead. "How was your sleep, Princess Athena?"

I smiled at him. "It was good, Daddy!" I said in a high-pitched voice, a smile never leaving my lips, and looked at his wife. Upon seeing the way she looked at me, my smile slowly left my lips and my happy hormones burst like a bubble as I swallowed the lump in my throat. Nevertheless, I forced myself to greet her,

"Good morning. . . A-auntie." I bit my lip when she ignored me and when I turned to my brother and youngest brother, sympathy flashed in their eyes. I just gave them a smile.

I inhaled deeply to erase the negative feelings forming in my chest and gave my grandpa and grandma a smile. Judging by their posture and looks, you wouldn't think that they were already old. Seeing them made me aware of the fact that I don't belong in this family. I always feel like. . . I will never be a part of them. I know they cannot accept me in their family, not to mention my auntie.

"Oh, no more chicken breast?" I asked sadly when I saw that there was nothing left for me.

"Our maid told me that the chicken breasts are only for the two Princes." Auntie looked at me, eyebrows raised.

I blinked upon hearing what she said and my gaze unintentionally fell on my grandma whose eyebrows are furrowed. She really wants me to eat, and she doesn't like it if I don't eat.

My grandma stood up and I followed her with my gaze. She went straight to the kitchen, making me bite my lower lip.

"We will not eat until Athena has food," my grandma said.

I let out a sigh and grabbed some fruits and vegetables. The tightness of my chest is suffocating me, and I badly want to leave already.

Although I am aware that standing up is impolite, I did that anyway. Daddy looked at me. Shocks registered on his face, but I just bowed my head down so they wouldn't see the tears that were about to roll down my cheeks.

"I'll be back," I said calmly and immediately left with my plate and spoon.

This is what I have always felt like since I was 12. I don't understand why, until now, they are always treating me like this. I'm not a child anymore and I'm not blind to see what they're doing to me.

I climbed up the tree and ate in silence right away while wiping my cheeks because my tears couldn't stop rolling down to my cheeks. I love chicken breast and it's my favorite, and they know it. That's why I always get hurt every time my auntie doesn't leave something for me.

Growing up, I always hear people saying behind my back that I am my father's daughter from another woman, but those hearsays didn't reach my grandpa and grandma because people are afraid of them.

If I could only go to the Philippines and visit my biological mother, I would definitely do it. I want to see her and be with her.

My eyes widened when an idea popped in my mind and I immediately went down from the tree, looking for Benedicto, my white horse.

"Where are you going Princess Athena?" I heard my brother ask me who I didn't know was standing outside the palace. "Did you listen to what grandpa said, huh? You are not allowed to go somewhere without your bodyguard." His brows furrowed in confusion.

I smirked. "Grandpa isn't here so I'm free to do what I want."

I quickly rode my horse and a laugh escaped from my lips the moment I saw how furious he was. The chilly air made me close my eyes and I went to my favorite spot, and all the secret places that Spain has hidden. I met numerous individuals engrossed in activity; some even greeted me, but I just bowed my head down and smiled at them.

I spent several hours going to different places and I didn't notice that it was late. Oh, I needed to go home.

I took a deep breath and fixed my long hair. A lot of people say that I'm beautiful and different from the Princesses here, and whenever they do, I just smile at them. I know I'm pretty.

Benedicto and I went quietly back to our house but while we were on the way, I heard a noise, making my heart pound. All my senses became alert and the tiredness I was feeling vanished in an instant.

"Faster," I whispered to my friend and patted him urgently because I had a bad feeling about this.

And I'm right.

A scream escaped from my lips when Benedicto turned sideways and only then did I see an arrow in his side. I fell on the ground and I cried out in pain when my head hit something hard, making me feel dizzy. I tried to open my eyes but all I saw was a shadow and a person wearing a black mask.

Who is she?

"She's positive."

"Her blood is positive and ready for our experiment."

I don't know why I can't move. I don't know where I am and why I can't move my body. I opened my eyes but what I was seeing was blurry for me, making my headache even more. I heard them talk, but I couldn't understand what they were saying. My body is too exhausted and I feel like my blood is running out.

"She's awake. Check her blood and vital signs again." I heard a baritone voice and a feminine one and after a while, I felt someone's hand touch the side of my neck before I lost my consciousness.

WHERE AM I?

My thoughts were shut off when electricity flowed all throughout my body and I hissed in pain as I felt my veins wanting to tear apart because of the pain I am feeling. Oh, gosh. Why are they doing this to me?

"The blood is working on her," a feminine voice stated and I could hear the excitement in her voice.

"She's the perfect Princess I knew. I knew for sure that these red eyes will suit her," a baritone voice replied nonchalantly.

I loudly grunted in pain and I found it hard to breathe. Something was wrapped around me. I can't even move my body not just because of the chains, but also because of the energy in my body. It's too strong! I can't control it because of its strange strength.

I need to get out of here.

I held the chain tightly and tore it apart, finally breaking free. The chains fell on the ground with a loud thud. Metal on the floor. In an instant, I am suddenly in front of them.There's a lot of people in white coats. I could feel something strange in my eyes and I saw their eyes widen.

"The red eyes," said a man in amazement, "looks good on her."

Red. . . red eyes?

My brows furrowed in confusion and my gaze unconsciously fell on the mirror. A gasp escaped from my lips upon seeing my. . . my eyes. My fingers trembled and my heart pounded. I looked at my body to see if something had changed, but none.

Only my eyes.

My eyes were like a vampire because of their color, a mixture of orange and red. It was like there was fire in them. I looked at them and I saw how they bow down in respect, making me swallow.

"What did you do to me?" I whispered softly and I couldn't control my body because I felt like there was another person controlling it.

"The Empire Red eyes," they said politely. "We have to do that to you so you can save our country."

What?

I didn't understand what they were saying so I looked at my body again and focused my attention on my eyes. Why are my eyes red? What did they do to me?

I closed my eyes but I could hear a voice in my head. I don't understand why I could never hurt these people.

"We can work on this Athena." I gasped at what I heard in my mind. "I'm the demon inside you. I will follow you and you will follow me. I'll never hurt you because you saved me but I can kill you if you betray me."

I swallowed upon hearing his deep voice. I felt dizzy again as my vision became blurry. In an instant I found myself unconscious and lying on the floor, full of blood and red eyes wide open.