[Revised 2/2/2020]

Valerie Oswald was born August 18th, 1848. Her parents were Thomas Oswald and Sarah Oswald. Valerie's father Thomas was raised as an assassin. Her father was an Italian Assassin, while her mother was born a Welsh Assassin. At a young age Valerie was told of what her legacy was to become. She accepted that task. While her father pressured her to be an assassin, her mother felt the opposite but knew when she became six, Valerie's father would train her. She knew her daughter could never have a simple life anyway, with her Assassin ancestry. So she let it be, for the sake of her daughter and wanting her to know how to protect herself and be strong.

December 15th, 1852:

At the young age of four, Valerie sat on the stone bench, her legs swinging back and forth. She hummed to herself, her father was off on another mission. Valerie had taken a lot after her mother, but she had dark raven hair from her father and his caramel skin tone. From her mother, she had golden colored eyes, with a tint of green. She also inherited her mother's stubborn, sarcastic, outgoing, and blunt personality. While gaining her father's intelligence, wisdom, and wit. Her mother had told her she was to meet the children of a close friend of her father Ethan Frye, a fellow assassin. She was excited and curious. She was interrupted by a voice.

"What are you doing out here?" A young boy's voice interrupted her thoughts, she looked up sharply to see a young brown-haired boy.

"Why do you want to know?" She asked quickly, narrowing her eyes at him.

"I'm just curious." He shrugged.

"What do you want?" She replied annoyed.

"If I wanted something I would've bugged you to death already." He smirked at her.

"You already are bugging me!" She pointed out, rolling her eyes.

"Jacob!" She heard a voice shout, both her and the boy turn their heads towards the voice. Valerie saw a brown haired girl that almost looked exactly like the boy in front of her. She saw the girl look at them, before skipping over. "Jacob, why did you run off? You made grandmother worried." The girl chastised the boy. Jacob rolled his eyes and ignored her. Valerie looked at them both quietly.

"I was just exploring, Evie." He waved her off.

"And bugging me," Valerie muttered. Evie looked at her, finally noticing her presence.

"Oh! Hello!" She smiled at Valerie. Valerie smiled back.

"Hello." She nodded, Valerie jumped off the bench and held her hand out towards Evie. "My name's Valerie Oswald."

"Evie Frye." Evie beamed happily, shaking Valerie's hand. "And the annoying twat that was bugging you is Jacob." She told Valerie.

"Hey!" Jacob cried out offended, making both girls smirk.

"She's not far from wrong. You have this annoyance raiding off you." Valerie said snickering. Jacob glared at her.

"See told you I'm always right, Jacob." Evie said smugly crossing her arms.

"Yeah, and that makes you a know it all, Evie." Jacob replied. "And no one likes a know it all!" He finished, Evie glared at him.

"And no proper woman would like a man that's rude, Jacob." Valerie said in a matter of a fact tone. Jacob opened his mouth to say something, as Valerie raised an eyebrow, he just glared before storming off. Evie and Valerie glanced at each other before they burst out laughing. "He's such a baby." Valerie laughed.

"He always complains. Especially when I'm right." Evie chuckles. "Its finally good to meet someone who agrees with me about my little brother."

"I can read him like a book, Evie." Valerie shrugged. "I just know he's really annoying." She grins, both girls continue to laugh. As years came to pass, Evie and Valerie became close friends. Jacob and Valerie had become well...enemies sorta. At the age of six, the twins were trained by their father to become assassins, and when Valerie became six she was trained by her parents as well. Her father had decided that she would be trained with Evie and Jacob. Which made things worse, Jacob would play pranks, make fun of her, and tease her. And Valerie with her short-temper, she had only retaliated. But...Jacob's opinion began to change as they became older, even Valerie's did slightly. Her father died when she was eleven, leaving her mother to work with Ethan on training her and the twins.

September 3rd, 1864:

As Valerie dodged Jacob's incoming fist, as she swiftly tripped him, making him fall to the ground with a thud, she held a throwing knife to his neck, as she smirked. Jacob looked up at her, he had to admit she changed a lot since the annoying, snarky girl he met. Her face was thinner, he knew if she wasn't to become an assassin many men would want to court her, because she was very beautiful, and Valerie had to say, Jacob had become very handsome in her opinion, but she kept those thoughts to herself. His dislike for her had...well faded. Evie had noticed and often teased him for having a crush on her best friend.

"Dead. Again." Valerie grinned, stepping away from Jacob, as he stood brushing himself off.

"Only because I was distracted." He shrugged, she rose an eyebrow. "Well, I had to make sure my face wasn't damaged. It's my best feature."

"Yeah, alright. Not a valid reason." She snorted. Jacob rolled his eyes. "Hope you realize you can't go into missions with just your good looks." She told him, she could hear Evie laughing.

"My good looks have saved me a lot." Jacob said.

"Really? Hope that isn't with the countless girls you've flirted with." She looked at him blankly.

"Maybe. Maybe not." He said vaguely. She just stared at him. "Alright, alright. Fine. I didn't want to hurt you." He admitted, lying slightly.

"Well, you don't have to worry about me." She huffed crossing her arms. "I wasn't worried about you. Because I wasn't going to hurt my favorite feature of you." Valerie teased grinning cheekily. Jacob looked at her shocked, as Evie covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed.

"And what's your favorite feature that I have?" He asked slightly nervous. She smirked as she walked past him.

"You have a nice bum." She commented, smirking still. Evie finally broke laughing, as she saw the deep red blush on her brother's face. Evie stumbled over to her brother still laughing.

"Your face! Oh god, bless Val and her humor." She said as she stopped laughing, breathing heavily.

"Shut up, Evie." He mumbled.

"Never. I will when you two finally admit your feelings for each other." Evie said annoyed slightly. Jacob just ignored her, as he watched Valerie walk inside her family manor where they trained. Valerie walked into her room, she went over to her nightstand as she picked up her father's old watch, it was fragile which is why she kept it in her room, it was the last thing she had of her father. Valerie changed out of her muddy clothes into other clothing. She walked out as she saw Evie.

"Evie!" She called out, Evie looked at her. "Want to go explore or something?" She asked her friend.

"Okay." Evie nodded, compared her friend Evie was calmer headed, she helped balance Valerie make sure she didn't do anything too bad. Both girls walked out of the manor leaving Jacob alone. As they walked they ran into a person, Valerie more then she hated Jacob. Edward Jones. The boy was annoying and cocky. He always thought he was better than anyone else.

"Well, well, hello Evie and Valerie." He smirked cockily. The girls glanced at each other, sighing.

"What do you want, Edward?" Valerie slouched annoyed. Edward just shrugging before casually saying.

"Oh, nothing. Just came to say hello."

"Of course, you did." Evie muttered, scoffing at the obvious lie.

"Well, let's just say I heard of a...competition so to speak set up by your parents," Edward informed them, crossing his arms with a wide smirk on his face. Evie and Valerie's eyes widening as they exchanged looks at that. "Which by the looks you have on your faces, you didn't know anything about that."

"Oh, don't worry, Edward. We'll put you down fast in the competition." Valerie glared, crossing her arms. Edward looked unfazed but Evie smirked smugly at Edward.

"We can promise that." Evie piped in.

"I'm not competing, it's just you two and Jacob." Edward replied casually, Valerie frowned at his behavior but brushed it off. "I'll see you both later at the competition, I look forward to seeing you both fight." He smirked, not waving or nodding but just turning and walking away. Leaving a confused Valerie and concerned Evie behind, Valerie was slightly baffled by his words but his words gave Evie reason to pause. What was he up to? He was always jealous of them, especially Jacob seeing as he was a boy, but she and Valerie could handle their own. Evie just turned to Valerie and grabbed her arm, gently pulling her away.

"Come on, Valerie."

-8-

"Okay, you three. I expect this to be a fair game." Valerie's mother, Sarah stated firmly, standing in front of the three teenagers with a stern look on her face. Ethan stood some feet behind Sarah and in front of the three teenagers, the man wore a cold look on his face. Sarah's face turned to a softer one that reflected off of Ethan's cold one to the three young adults. "But if you are finding yourself exhausted beyond measure and I see risky injuries, I'm pulling you out, alright?" She said gently, the three looked at the woman and nodded.

"Yes, ma'am." they collectively said together.

"Alright, the first round is Evie and Jacob, then Evie and Valerie, finally its Jacob and Valerie." Sarah informed the three of them. "You two, go out into the ring and get ready for the bell." She ordered Jacob and Evie.

"Mrs. Oswald, how long does each round last?" Evie spoke up and asked the older woman.

"It'll be five minutes each round, Evie." Sarah replied calmly to the young woman who nodded.

"Well, that won't feel like too long." Jacob joked with a smile, Valerie and Evie rolled their eyes but Jacob and Evie moved away and climbed into the ring.

"Good luck you two." Valerie hummed, crossing her arms, she watched the square up to each other before Sarah looked down at her fob watch.

"And...begin!" Sarah announced and Jacob immediately swung a punch but Evie quickly ducked away from the punch. Valerie observed both of the twin's movements as they fought, knowing how they fought was important to her and she was not surprised at all when Evie won against her brother. Jacob was equally as good as Evie but he was cocky when it came to fighting, both her mother and their father greatly hoped that would change, Ethan was often irritated about his cockiness. Sarah, however, was more relaxed when it came to his cockiness knowing it was just a factor of age and he would grow out of it eventually. "Good job, Evie!" Sarah called out to the young woman who beamed. "And Jacob, well done." She added when she noticed a sour expression on Jacob's face, Jacob's expression immediately changed when Sarah complimented him. "Now, Valerie step into ring and Jacob step out." Sarah gestured and Valerie nodded, she climbed into the ring, Jacob passing by her.

"Good luck." He nodded before smirking. "I know I'll be watching closely."

Valerie rolled her eyes and ignored him, shaking her head. "Thank you, Jacob." She waved him off before stepping over to Evie. "Good luck, Evie." Valerie smiled at her best friend, the two shaking each other's hands.

"You too, Valerie." She smiled back at Valerie.

"Alright, girls. Get ready." Sarah called out and the two backed up and got ready. "Now...begin!" She yelled and the two circled each other before Valerie made the first move, making it seem like she was swinging her left fist, but she quickly made a right hook that made contact with Evie's face. Internally Valerie felt awful hurting her friend, but both knew it was training and practice, they needed to learn. "Good dodge, Evie." Sarah complimented when Evie swiftly dodged a kick from Valerie.

"Oh, come on, Valerie. You can do better than that." Jacob called from the sidelines, smirking smugly. Both girls ignored him and continued their fight and the five minutes suddenly finished, but neither girl had won. It was a stalemate.

"Alright! It's a tie!" Sarah shouted, Evie and Valerie cease the fighting between each other, grinning the girls look at each other and shake the hands of each other. "Good job, girls. Rarely get stalemates." She nodded.

"A good fight, Evie." Valerie grinned.

"As always we're equally matched, Valerie." Evie replied, but girls rejuvenated in a way from their fight.

"Okay, Jacob. You're next, it's you and Valere. The last fight." Sarah told the young boy. "But remember, this isn't a competition so there is no winner nor prizes." She quickly reminded the cocky young man, Jacob nodded and climbed into the ring, passing his sister on the way who shook her head.

"Perhaps we'll get another stalemate," Jacob smirked at Valerie who rolled her eyes.

"A wish, a tiny wish in your mind." She simply rebutted his words, Jacob making an expression of mock offense.

"Fine, if I win...we meet it the garden later tonight." He suggested to her, Valerie taken aback and sputtering out words.

"Wha-what?!"

"We'll just meet, nothing else." Jacob promised her, his words were honest.

Valerie showed some hesitation but nodded. She and Jacob in the garden alone at night...that would anger his father. She couldn't blame him for wanting to anger his father. "Alright its a deal." She agreed, Jacob grinning triumphantly. Her lips twitched, but the voice of her mother interrupted and the fight began. The fight between the two teenagers was rough, even rougher than the previous two. Evie and Valerie were equals for sure, but Jacob and Valerie could take down a small gang of people together if they wished. Valerie used her swiftness and small frame to gracefully dodge Jacob's acts, yet eventually, after injury and injury, it ended. It ended with Jacob winning.

"I win." He whispered to Valerie who he had pinned down, a scowl present on Valerie's face. "So you'll meet me tonight?" Jacob asked her, Sarah and Evie watching them, but unable to hear their words. Evie just smirked and Sarah shook her head bemused by the two.

"Yes, I'll meet you." Valerie nodded, the scowl wiping from her face. Jacob stood and helped Valerie stand, the two walking over and getting out of the ring.

"Both of you did great." Sarah smiled at them. "All of you have come very far and I looked forward to even more progress." She said tensely, which made the teenagers frown, but then they noticed the twin's father Ethan nearby. "You're dismissed for the weekend," Sarah told them before quickly whispering. "I'm impressed with all of you." She winked, the teenagers beaming in pride before the woman turned and walked towards Ethan. "Ethan!" Sarah greeted while Evie exhaled.

"I'm going to the library. I'll see you both at supper later." Evie stretched her arms before turning and leaving. Valerie turned and looked at Jacob, crossing her arms.

"Tonight?" He asked, Valerie smiling slightly at the excitement in his voice. Did he really like her? Because she wouldn't lie, she had some attraction towards him and it seemed to be the same for him, the young woman, however, just nodded and replied.

"Tonight."

-8-

"Valerie Oswald, sneaking out late I see." the voice of Edward spoke up as Valerie walked out towards the garden in the cold rain. She came to a screeching stop at the sight of Edward and glare at him through her wet hair. "What reason would you have for sneaking out so late, Valerie?" He smirked at her, Valerie crossing her arms indignantly.

"None of your business, Edward." She spat before moving forward, but the young man followed after her.

"Going to the garden, I believe I saw Jacob go there." He said slyly, the girl stopped and looked at him confused.

"What are you on about? And what do you want?" Valerie demanded, her arms dropping to her side, while Edward lazily put an arm around her shoulder, the two walking forward once again.

"How do you trust Jacob with your feelings and attraction? He has a reputation of sorts." Edward told her, his voice eerily calm. "Don't you want to know the truth, Valerie?" He asked her, Valerie frowned and looked at him.

"What do you mean?" She asked confusedly.

"I'll show you." Edward grinned, before taking her by the shoulders and guiding her to the garden. "Right over...there." He pointed in the direction, Valerie's eyes narrowed trying to see through the rain before she spotted it. Jacob was with a blonde-haired girl and she was scandalously all over him, but then they kissed and for some reason Valerie's heart broke.

"No..." She whispered, Edward just smirked and Valerie stepped back, her hand coming in contact with a rose bush. She yelped in pain at the cut which caught Jacob and the girl's attention.

"Valerie!" Jacob's eyes widened, Valerie just turned and shoved past Jacob. "Valerie! Wait!" He yelled, running after her. A loud noise had interrupted Evie's reading in her room and she sprinted out to see Valerie storm into the entrance, Sarah rushing out of her own room. No one would find the twin's father Ethan here at this time, he was god knows where. "Valerie, please stop!" Jacob begged her when he ran into the hall.

"No! Because you are a lying bastard, Jacob Frye!" Valerie shouted at him, Sarah began making her way down the steps, Evie right behind her. "You toy with the feelings of others with no regrets! You are a liar! You are a fucking bastard!" She screamed at him, her words making Sarah and Evie stop.

"Valerie, if you'd just let me explain-" Jacob attempted to say.

"Explain what? That your tongue was down another girl's throat?" Valerie sneered at him before ranting. "That you asked to see me, for I don't know what reason, but I know I saw what I saw."

"No, it's not what you think." He quickly protested, Valerie exhaled before lowering her voice.

"No, it is." Valerie said in a lower tone of voice. "You have hurt me, Jacob Frye. Trust is not easily given, but you have lost mine. You don't deserve it." She hissed at Jacob whose eyes went wide.

"Just sit and let me explain, you can trust me, I swear, Valerie." He tried once again desperately, but Valerie would not have it. She saw it and she believed what she saw with her eyes.

I don't understand it yet, but I do know one thing. I hate you." She snapped angrily before turning and storming away to her room.

"Go to your brother." Sarah urged Evie who nodded and rushed to Jacob's side. "Valerie!" She called out, going after her broken-hearted daughter while Evie looked at her guilt-ridden brother.

"What happened, Jacob? I've never seen her so furious." Evie asked in nearly a whisper, concerned for both her brother and Valerie. She cared for them both dearly. Jacob sighed and leaned against the wall, slowly sitting on the floor. Evie kneeled down next to him worried, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I've lost her trust, Evie." He admitted.

"Tell me everything," Evie said hushedly, Jacob looked at her and nodded before telling her everything, and once he was finished all Evie had was sympathy for her brother and friend. "I'm so sorry, Jacob, but this will be fixed. I promise." She swore to her brother, before hugging him tightly, Jacob nodded but hugged his sister back even tighter, the young man just mumbling into his sister's shoulder.

"I hope so."