Instead of heading to the coronation night venue, Zaiveil stopped her motorcycle in front of a famous park in the country.
'Twilight Park.'
The park was one of the most visited tourist spots in Maharlika Country, known for its magical vibes that made it unique among different parks. As she parked her motor, the sound of crickets and the sweet scent of blooming flowers filled the air, wrapping her in a sense of nostalgia. The scent of jasmine and lavender wafted through the air.
Zaiveil walked towards the gate, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of familiarity and caution.
She jumped onto the gate, her movements fluid and silent, and landed softly on the other side. The park was quiet, the only sound being the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. The trees seemed to sway in approval, their branches creaking softly as she passed by. She walked towards a certain place she used to go to, her feet leading her through the familiar paths.
This place held a special spot in her heart, because it was where she had been picked up by the Crosantas.
Everyone knew she was the heiress of the Crosanta businesses and underground organization, but other than that family, no one knew she was adopted. She didn't share the same blood as those monsters.
The Crosanta family was revered by the public as saints for their good deeds, philanthropy, and charitable work. They were known for their generosity, donating millions to orphanages, hospitals, and schools.
But behind that facade, they were monsters, involved in illegal activities like child and drug trafficking, murder, and exploiting orphaned children.
'They're monsters in disguise.' Zaiveil thought.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she gazed at the mesmerizing beauty of the park. Twilight Park really lived up to its name, its trees and flowers glowing with moonlight. Fireflies danced around her, their soft lights twinkling like tiny little stars. The wind carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the warmth of the night enveloped her like a gentle hug.
The atmosphere was enchanting, as if the park was alive, giving her a sense that she belonged here.
As she walked, the sounds in the quiet park grew louder, a symphony of crickets and rustling leaves. Zaiveil's footsteps led her to the most famous spot in the park.
"Moonlit Lake." She blurted out
She stopped at the edge, gazing out at the glowing water. "I'm here, once again." she whispered, her voice barely audible.
This was the place where she was first seen, where the Crosanta family had picked her up, and this was the only place where she could know what lies beneath her real identity.
The lake seemed to hold so many secrets, its surface reflecting the moonlight like a mirror. As she stood there, memories flooded her mind. Memories of her life before the Crosantas, before the training, before the killing. She remembered the smell of poverty, the taste of hunger, and the feeling of being alone.
The Dean of the orphanage she had been living in before, said that Zaiveil was first seen floating in the center of the Moonlit Lake, she's inside a brown basket and was wrapped in a cloth that had 'Zaiveil' sewed on it.
Later, after turning 9 years old, she decided to go back there with the thoughts of looking and knowing more about her real identity, but that was also the day Madame Crosanta first saw her and, seeing her beautiful face and emotionless eyes, the Madame right away adopted her, and that was the start of her hellish life.
Zaiveil's eyes narrowed. She may not feel emotions, but the memories she experienced would never be forgotten. She had become a machine, a murderer, a tool for the Crosantas. But here, at this place, she allowed herself to remember freedom.
The lake's surface rippled, and Zaiveil's eyes followed the movement. A fish jumped out of the water, its scales glancing in the moonlight. She watched as it splashed back into the lake, creating a ripple effect that spread across the water.
Her eyes followed the ripples, and she saw a figure reflected in the lake's surface. A young woman with long black hair, purplish-black eyes devoid of emotions, heart-shaped pinkish lips, and pale silky smooth skin.
Zaiveil's breath caught as she realized it was her own reflection.
For a moment, she forgot about the Crosantas, about the coronation night, about everything. At that night, she was standing at the edge of a lake, looking at her very own reflection.
As the moment passed, her eyes grew colder, and she slipped back into place. She turned away from the lake, her eyes cold and hard.
She still needed to do something, because there were only 5 minutes left before the clock turned to 12 midnight, and she still needed to prepare her surprise for the Crosanta family.
The Crosanta family's reputation was built on a foundation of lies, and she was the key for unlocking the truth, and she was also the key to their own downfall.
"Crosantas, I hope you enjoyed my gift." she whispered, a hint of something glowing within her eyes.