A few months earlier
"What brings you here?" the President asked curiously from his chair.
Natasha hated herself as she stepped into his office, but she had no other choice.
"I have a proposal for you," she said, trying to sound decisive, even though she was questioning her actions before they had even begun.
The President smiled at her lack of formality. She has courage, he thought.
"I doubt your father would be pleased to know his daughter wants to make a deal with his enemy."
Considering Walker knew exactly whose daughter she was, his suspicion was justified.
"My father hates you because he lost to you."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Her answer was serious, filled with hatred, and his suspicion faded instantly.
"I want you to secure a house for my mother somewhere nearby, but somewhere my father will never find her. Then you will fake her death."
She stated her conditions immediately after the others left, leaving them alone in the office.
"I'm sorry, but I have to ask—what do I gain from this?"
The President didn't quite understand where this was going, but he was interested enough to hear the details.
"After my mother's death, I inherit her weapon—and with it, her vote."
On her own initiative, Natasha sat down and continued speaking.
"You're telling me you'll vote for me instead of your father?" he asked, clearly confused. She only puzzled him more with every word.
"If you agree to my conditions," she said firmly, watching his reaction closely.
"The elections are in a few months. By then, I'll be twenty and legally allowed to vote."
From her answers, it was clear she had been thinking about this for a long time—thoroughly.
"Why me? Why didn't you make a deal with someone else?" the President asked curiously.
He was impressed by her determination and courage.
"I assessed that you are the one with the most power—and that it will stay that way," Natasha replied. She had always been honest and direct.
"You will also make sure that my mother's sword is registered under my ownership, so my father cannot take it from me," she continued, knowing he wouldn't refuse.
For a moment, silence filled the room as he waited to see if she had any more demands.
"Agreed," he said finally, extending his hand.
"I can't kill my father," she said as she shook it, smiling, "but if you betray me, I will kill you without hesitation."
President Walker was delighted and couldn't even fault her for the threat.
He believed her—and he could sense she was not someone to be played with.
"This isn't part of the deal, but would you like to work for me?" he asked, stopping her as she turned to leave.
It would be dangerous to have her as an enemy; far better to have her on his side.
"I know you already earn money as a guardian, but I'm sure a bit more won't hurt."
Money was all he could offer—he knew she didn't want a position.
The offer was tempting. She would need money to protect her mother, and the President's protection and support were valuable.
She agreed to work for him in secret—if nothing else, it would help pass the time.
"What's going on?" Levi asked. He had noticed her the moment she entered and waited patiently for her to come out.
"Nothing that concerns you," she replied coldly, walking past him as if he weren't there.
"Have you finally lost your mind? What if your father finds out you spoke to my father?"
Levi raised his voice, worried. She was clearly not thinking straight.
"Stay out of it," she snapped, turning and pointing a finger at him.
She regretted everything she had told him years ago, during a moment of weakness.
It was the first time Levi had brought up the topic since then, and he immediately realized it had been a mistake.
Even though he was only worried about her, he could see how deeply she despised him for knowing the truth.
Present
"So, what do you think—who's going to win the election tomorrow?" Ash asked drunkenly.
"Natasha's father. He now has his wife's vote on his side, and he'll use it," Leonardo said bluntly, as he always did.
Everyone shot him a sharp look. None of them knew Natasha's mother was still alive.
Natasha remained silent, eating blueberries.
Even though only the guardians were present and she could have spoken freely, she chose not to.
"I think my parents made a deal with him to give him their vote, but I'm not sure," Azra said, trying to remember a conversation she had overheard in secret.
"I guess we'll find out tomorrow," Levi said, trying to read whatever Natasha was hiding behind her expression.
The next day, everyone gathered in the assembly—even those who were not allowed to vote.
Only five families held voting rights: the original Dark Guardians, whose demons had granted them weapons.
Only the heirs of those families could wield them, offering their blood to activate the weapons' powers.
The Walkers—the current presidential family—owned the spear used by Levi.
The Jones family—Natasha's father—owned the bow and arrows, unused by any guardian.
The Lee family—Natasha's mother—owned the sword wielded by Natasha.
The Clark family owned the shield. Though normal in size, it could protect multiple people depending on how much blood the wielder offered. Azra used it.
The White family owned two pistols used by Leonardo.
All of them were trained to use ordinary weapons as well, but those granted no special abilities.
The families took their seats, and the voting began.
"I give my vote to Mr. Jones," the Clark family declared.
Had Azra been allowed to vote, he would certainly not have received this one.
"I give my vote to the Walker family," the White family announced as well.
After the deal that had initiated Natasha's father's rise was left unfulfilled, their relationship had grown cold. They had no intention of allowing him to win.
"I give my vote to the Clark family," Mr. Jones said, exactly as he had planned.
He did not allow the dark looks directed at him to shake his resolve.
Levi waited patiently for his turn.
Having owned the spear for three years, he had the right to vote and followed his father's instructions.
"The White family."
He evened the votes.
He still didn't know why he had done it, but he was willing to bet it had something to do with Natasha.
"Since each of us has one vote, I will also use my wife's vote for myself," Jones said, barely holding back laughter.
He was thrilled to reclaim the position he had lost years ago for breaking the law.
A Dark Guardian is forbidden to be with another guardian or have children. While President, he abused his power to marry Marry—Natasha's mother.
"I'm afraid I have to disappoint you," President Walker said calmly.
"You cannot use your wife's vote. It has been inherited by your daughter."
He savored Jones's reaction.
At that moment, Natasha entered the room, and all eyes turned to her.
Nausea washed over her as she approached the table—her father was there.
Jones panicked. This wasn't going according to plan.
She'll vote for her father. There's nothing to worry about, he reassured himself.