Leticia's heart raced as she stared down at Leonardo, his cold, icy gaze piercing through her. She knew she had made a grave mistake, a lapse in judgment that could jeopardize everything she had worked so hard to protect.
"Leonardo," she began, her voice trembling slightly.
"It's not what you think."
But even as the words left her mouth, Leticia knew they sounded hollow and unconvincing. Leonardo's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched tightly.
"Not what I think?" he repeated, his voice dangerously low.
"Then enlighten me, Leticia. What am I supposed to think when I find you here, disguised as Amelia, with marks on your wrists that speak of a life of torment?"
Leticia swallowed hard, her mind racing for a way out of this mess. But Leonardo wasn't finished.
"And don't even try to deny it," he said sharply.
"I know those marks on your palm, you promise me that you won't do it," Leonardo said as he put Leticia palm on his lips and his golden silver eyes stared at her.
"Letty I should have not left you 7 years ago I should have stayed by your side. Tell me what do you want me to do?" Leonardo asked.
"I don't know what you are talking about you it highness. Your highness I really…"
"Leticia Florence Princeton enough lies," Leonardo said.
"Why are nail marks on your palm every time we meet? It was the same when you were young," Leonardo said.
When she was young? That memory she didn't want to remember it was the first time she ever been locked up in the attic. At the time she did not understand and felt nervous she was crying the nanny arms. But than mother, father, sister, and brother slapped Leticia for crying ever since that day Leticia has never cried, and rarely smiled. At that time at the attic she recalls how sad and upset she was but crying or whining won't do anything. The nanny opened the door.
"Can you please tell mother, father Brother Jason, and Sister Lily, that I will go I won't cry anymore I won't shad a tear.
At the party when she was only five years old
"Wow such a beautiful little girl! Such a mature little girl!"
"Leticia why don't you go over there and talk to the crown prince."
A young boy turned around.
"Leticia," Leonardo said.
"Greeting crown prince," Leficia said. Leonardo who doesn't care much about people didn't why but he found he wanted to protect this girl so he took her hand.
"Have you eaten."
"Yes," Leticia said as if she was a soulless robot.
"What about snacks, would like sweets?" Leonardo asked as he frowned.
"I have eaten," Leticia said once again with no emotions.
"Then why did you cry," Leonardo asked. Leticia showed emotions she looked around so worried to death. Did her family saw she doesn't want to be locked up again!
"I didn't cry."
"Lair how about this let's go outside."
Outside the two kids were walking along each other.
"Leticia why did you cry."
"Did not cry."
Leonardo grabbed Leticia hand.
"It would hurt if you clench hard enough," Leonardo said as he put cream on her palm.
That was also the day we made a promise.
Leonardo was the first to notice the small scars on her palm. Leonardo why did you have to show up unnoticed why do you do this. Leticia did not wish to hurt him but to do that she must leave her plans behind but she is selfish.
"You kept asking me questions."
"That because I was you young back then. Didn't know what to do nor did I have the strength. What I should ask you instead if you are hungry. When I look at your face is," Leonardo said as he grabbed Leticia hips and pulled her closer and he stared at her.
"Tell me Letty what should I do for you?" Leonardo asked. Don't panic Leticia eyes became soulless she must reunite with her biological family. You must return to your biological family stop the hit and run car accident and then disappear.
"Nothing," Leticia said.
"If you really want to do something for me, please do nothing."
Leonardo kissed Leticia hand.
"Alright but tell me if you change your mind."
Don't be swayed never sorry Leonardo but Letty must be selfish.
🪷🪷🪷
Since that day Leonardo stopped talking about her identity. And she hasn't heard from him. Following more days time passed quite quickly.
Leticia made a knock.
"Come in," Morgan said.
"Mother, I would like to go out as Leticia," Leticia said she can't believe she has to ask to go out with her own name.
Morgan looked up from her desk, her piercing gaze scrutinizing Leticia. She leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers together.
"And why would you want to do that?" she asked, her tone dripping with skepticism.
Leticia maintained a calm facade, refusing to let Morgan's intimidation tactics affect her.
"I have my reasons," she replied coolly.
"It's been a while since I've been able to go out as myself. I think it's time."
Morgan's lips curled into a smirk.
"Oh, is that so?" she said mockingly.
"And what makes you think I'll allow it? You know the rules, Leticia. You're supposed to be Amelia."
Leticia felt a surge of anger at Morgan's words, but she kept it buried deep inside. She needed to play this carefully if she wanted to succeed.
"I'm aware of the rules," she said evenly.
"But I also know that you need me for your own purposes. And right now, I'm asking for something small in return."
Morgan studied Leticia for a long moment, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Finally, she sighed and waved a dismissive hand.
Leticia went to a Yuin Shop when the BMW stopped Leticia stepped forward as she grabbed her purse and she saw Alex running toward her.
"Alex I see you are here to pick me up?" Leticia said to Alex who stuck his tongue out.
"Thank you for coming all the way here to the lab," Alex said.
"Ahh you are so brilliant my lady no matter what no one is as smart as you! You won't believe it the battle airship are all outstanding!" Alex gashed out.
"It's all thanks you Alex you are only a year younger than I am but still Alex you are genius. I simply invested into the project you wanted."
Alex was so grateful for that. He recalls five years ago how everyone laughed at his ideas and no one wanted to invent in the project then Leticia held her hand out already she said was need money I have it so I she'll give you countless of ideas.
"The one who is brilliant is you Alex not me I only give ideas you are it come to life."
"Ah hearing you say that my lady makes me so happy! Ah Tun Tun!" Alex said and took the little creature from Leticia hand and held it. Alex's name as a researcher will be associated with many airship that will be built in the future. Amongst them Leticia give one airship for tourism business. It would be great honor to the House of Princeton. However after adoptive mother decided to not annul engagement like she is supposed to instead of her engaged as Amelia. Than the store will change, her adoptive family will have no choice but to use Amelia for marriage. The Leticia they desperately wanted will be gone forever and Leticia No.1 will no longer come to the world.
At the very moment when the House Princeton reputation is supposed to raise she will ruin it just like how they ruin her!
"Leticia! Come here there is something I wish to show you," Alex said.
"Something you would like to show me?" Leticia asked confused. Alex gigged mischievously and dragged Leticia along.
"You will love it!" Alex said. Leticia sighed Alex hope that smiled is always there no darkened shall fall upon you. Yes maybe she will be able to smile like this after she reunited with her biological family. Leticia wish that day comes sooner she wants to smile freely shade tears freely.