On this cold winter day, the living room was so chilly that Malaya couldn’t bear the thought of her precious son being cold. Sean helplessly watched his sister’s departing figure, feeling like something was slowly slipping away and could never be regained. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was. If he were given a chance to go back in time, he wouldn’t have been so addicted to the internet and games; he would have studied harder. Unfortunately, there are no “ifs” in this world.
Xona was a mysterious place that only exists in legends. If it weren’t for her grandfather mentioning it, Cheyenne wouldn’t even know such a place existed in this world. It’s nothing like she imagined with barren land and rugged mountains; although it’s nestled among lush trees and mountains, it resembles a palace more than anything else – home to the Lucas family.
As dynasties change and times progress, members of the Lucas family also go out to study before ultimately becoming one of Onistead’s top families.
“Snap!” Cheyenne closed her book with a slight sound that resonated through the air before placing it on the nearby table.
Perhaps due to pregnancy making her more fragile than usual or having read for an hour or so already – now her neck hurts while eyes feel uncomfortable too.
She blinked twice, then elegantly yawned as she stood up, intending to stretch when suddenly there appeared at doorway an ominous black figure dressed in long black robes. A maid who looked almost lifeless except for its pale skin under dim lighting which made its hollow eyes look icy-cold yet empty inside out!
In its hand held wooden tray bearing steaming hot lean meat porridge topped with preserved duck egg which approached mechanically towards Cheyenne until placed right before her.
“Miss Lawrence, please eat breakfast.”
Cheyenne had grown accustomed to seeing this robotic appearance because 377 is not human but rather just another android developed by the Lucas family. But why did they need so many robots? She wondered silently within herself…
Although they looked very much alike humans from afar, upon closer inspection one could see their differences such as visible seams around their necks where parts were joined together.
She slowly closed her mouth, then glanced at the bowl filled with food. It seemed nice and smelled delicious too.
“Take it away! I don’t eat scallions.”
377 couldn’t comprehend Cheyenne’s words, as if there was no command in its brain. It stood there like a wooden log, waiting for further instructions.
Cheyenne wanted to be angry at first, but then she realized how silly it was to get mad at a robot. She picked up the spoon and slowly removed the scallion from her porridge. She didn’t want to be stubborn and refuse to eat just because of her pride.
In the past, she could handle hunger without any problem. But now, with a baby on board, she needed all the energy she could get. If she didn’t eat enough and keep herself strong, even if the opportunity arose for her escape, she wouldn’t have enough strength to make it happen.
As Cheyenne picked out scallions from her porridge bowl, memories flooded back into her mind. Kelvin used to complain about how picky of an eater she was and would always help remove any unwanted ingredients from her food.
Kelvin…
Lost in thought for a moment longer than intended, Cheyenne’s movements paused until another person entered through the door without warning.
It wasn’t until an old voice spoke that Cheyenne snapped out of it:
“377, go downstairs.”
“Yes.”
The man who entered appeared around 56 or 57 years old with slightly grayed temples that did not detract from his good looks whatsoever.
His face showed signs of aging with wrinkles etched into his skin but he still held himself with Sam’s same stoic expression.
If he hadn’t grown facial hair on his chin or dyed his hair black, he could easily pass as someone in their thirties.
He wore a bespoke black three-piece suit which revealed blue tattoos covering both hands against pale skin; they looked like they had been painted on rather than inked onto him.
He sat down directly across from Cheyenne after walking over nonchalantly while glancing briefly at discarded scallions on the table before giving a faint smile.
“No wonder we’re both part of the Lucas family; our habits are similar since I don’t eat scallions either.”
Cheyenne wrinkled her nose in disgust before shooting him an annoyed look while speaking sharply, “Who said you were anything like me? Don’t flatter yourself! Why is your skin so thick?”
Her words were impolite and rude; anyone else would have been offended by them, not to mention the head of the Lucas family.
Cheyenne was doing it on purpose. She had been in this room for almost a week now, living each day without any excitement or passion.
She didn’t know when this kind of life would end. Instead of continuing to live like she was in prison, she decided to anger him and find a way out.
To her surprise, the man wasn’t angry at all. He looked at her with an unchanged smile on his face and said, “Good niece, your temper is just like your mother’s when she was young.”
“She was so honest and lovely back then.”
“It’s a pity that such a beautiful woman died young. If she were alive today, I’m sure she would be an outstanding woman.”
Hearing his tone of voice made it clear that he knew Cheyenne’s mother Selah as well.
This only made Cheyenne more curious about the woman whom she had never met before.
“Don’t try to get close to me. What is your purpose for coming here? Just say it straight up,” Cheyenne demanded bluntly.