- EDEN -

"Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power.'

- Seneca

"The preparations are done. They are waiting for you, Len and Rin."

Perhaps it was the most stupid arrangement every potential heir to the throne must go. Once every century, a selection was done to appoint the next ruler of Adheres. It was a fair selection for all pure blooded aristocrats who were direct descendants of the past kings since their possibility to rule wasn't eliminated, however this method was rather bloody and morbid. At least, the last selection went that way. Every house was expecting a less savage competition this time.

The pure blood aristocrat named Len, pushed his younger sister's wheelchair towards the white car. His livid face showed no gratitude for being born an aristocrat. As he pushed his sister's wheelchair closer to the car, hesitation was almost eating him up. The tragedy that occurred a hundred year ago was his very reason why loathe such method of selection. Their history might be fabricated, as it was taught the same through textbooks, but he knew well that the murder was planned. It was no accident, that was why Len feared for his sister's life.

His bright blue eyes glanced down to his sister, and as he looked upon her - he knew she wasn't fit to go through the selection. She was too young, fifteen years of age was not mature enough to be exposed to dirty politics. Besides her age, her disability was also another reason why Len objected to represent the House of Aurum.

The debate inside his head halted as he ceased to walk. His sister, surprised with the tarried momentum, turned her head to look at her older brother. They were a few meters away from the car, and they should be really going now. The messenger from the House of Eden had come this morning to inform them about the ceremony. If her older brother wouldn't move, the opening ceremony would be held up.

She studied how he looked, how tensed his shoulders were and how his hands gripped her wheelchair. Her older brother was trembling. Whether it was because of fear and anxiety, she couldn't tell. Len never acted this way, Rin told herself. If he did, well, she had no idea since men would keep their emotions to themselves. The only thing she could be sure was Len was afraid.

Behind them, there stood their family, each had a determined look on their faces. The whole clan of Summers had their own expectation, of course. The families who belonged to the four major houses were all rooting for their children to rule Adheres. It had been a long century since the throne was vacated, and it was about time to choose the new king...or queen.

"Brother," her soft voice called as she placed a hand above her brother's hand. "We have to go. The car is waiting for us. I believe that the other Houses are waiting for us, too."

Len pulled his hand away from hers, only to place them above her head. The bright morning sun made their hair glisten like gold threads. He was not certain what to say, but he knew he didn't want her to join the Selection of Eden. "Rin, I think it will be better if you stay here. I can participate to the selection. None of our relatives wish to risk your life here -"

"Do you really think little of me, brother?" Rin looked up to him, identical azure eyes stared at him. That little smile on her lips, it assured Len that nothing could go wrong. Seeing that calming smile reminded Len of the folk songs they sang together whenever they were confined in a safe place. Nevertheless, reality was more twisted than folk songs themselves. For a minute Len did not talk. He continued to stare at his innocent younger sister and to listen at the chirping of the birds. However, when he felt her tugging on his cuffs, he had to say something. "We belong to the House of Aurum, brother. Our tenet is wisdom. It's absolutely unnecessary to worry about my welfare, believing that we have to battle using our minds."

"But Rin, you know the truth behind this selection -"

"That's why you have to be the King, brother. Change this ruthless standard," Rin smiled. She let go of her brother's wrist and broke their eye contact. "I am confident that you won't put me in danger, brother. Our cousin, Rinto, will also protect me against any plots of assassination - if there will be. I just hope that the fourth member of our house is a friend, not an enemy."

Len, on the other hand, remained motionless. What she said was not enough to convince him that she would be safe all throughout the selection. No, they were never safe. Danger had been their company ever since the day of their birth, and they knew there was no way to escape its grasp. The family of Summers was the only remaining clan directly related to the murdered prince, a century ago. The murdered prince was supposed to be the king of Adheres, had he survived the stab that fated day. Their opponents still believed that the Summers had gained the favor of the jury so the selection was pointless. Being direct descendants of the murdered prince costed their lives.

Len had tried renouncing his and his sister's participation to the Eden, however there was no one to replace them. The children of first sons were always chosen, and it so happened that their father was the first grand child of Leon Summers. It was a maze with no way out, Len believed. And this maze was taking the lives of whosoever would enter it.

Len sighed as he continued to push Rin's wheelchair. Though he wanted to save his younger sister from any bloodbath, they still had no choice. He never dared to look back at their house, knowing that their own parents wished them to go as well. They only wanted to gain the title and the privilege, nothing else. When the announcement had reached Len's parents, their first concern was the throne and not their children's lives. Power, that was what every single potential heir had in mind. And if that was a qualification to become a ruler, Len would not be leaving their manor right now. He had no interest in gaining any, nor did he wish to obtain it at all. A peaceful life was all he ever wanted; and people wouldn't seek for something they already have. Len desired to have a life free from plots of assassination, nothing more and nothing less.

He swept her up from her seat and walked their way to the car. The older woman standing near the car, who was the so-called caretaker of the House of Aurum, took the wheelchair and placed it inside the trunk. Len heard from his parents this morning that the said woman had sworn her loyalty to Aurum, and she herself had her daughter joining Eden.

If this woman had sworn her loyalty to their House, it only meant that she was not an assassin or a spy, was she? That she wouldn't dare to finish them off just to wish her daughter ascend to the throne. After all, declaring one's loyalty meant abandoning all other things to make one single priority. So the question Len had in mind...was this woman an enemy or ally?

The door was opened for Len and Rin, but he neither stepped inside nor brought his sister down. He was staring at the older woman standing adjacent to him, scrutinizing that smile she had on her face.

"My Lord, I haven't done anything to deserve the glare you are giving me," the woman spoke, never lifting her head from being stooped. How come there was an aristocrat as submissive as her? She was acting like a...servant.

"I was just thinking whether you ought to kill us or not. We can't trust anyone, even if you claim your loyalty to our House." Len bent down and placed his sister on a seat, ignoring the glare Rin was giving him. Indeed they were taking so long right now, but he couldn't care much for a ruthless selection that might get them killed. He only rolled his eyes and stood straight, wishing to continue talking with the woman. "How shall I call you?"

She smiled. In all of a sudden the church bell rang, announcing that the ceremony was about to begin. Summers' Manor was only five minutes away from the castle, so the ride should be quick once this talk was finished. Len, of course, could not assess the truth if ever this woman declares her loyalty or denies it, otherwise. But if she were an opponent, she got all the opportunity to shoot the siblings the moment they walked down their doorway.

"Call me Miriam," she said, curtseying to him. "I have sworn my loyalty even before I was born, so you can put your trust in me and my daughter."

"I see no reason why mention your daughter, Lady Miriam. As long as her participation is confirmed, she is a rival." With an arrogant huff, Len turned around and rode the car. He, they, couldn't trust anyone. They were venturing their lives for a power none of the Summers siblings wished to possess. Come to think of it, the messenger from the House of Edennever mentioned the conditions to which the selection would be done.