Flying through the air with graceful, swift swings, acrobats awed the crowd with their amazing skill. Not only were they careful with the trapeze, they were pulling bold, daring stunts as well. Some would grab the trapeze with one hand, sometimes others would use their legs. Each time they swung made each person's heart in the audience leap in utter amazement. Their eyes would widen at the thrill of the constant danger in the entertainment. But seeing their skill, they eventually relaxed until something different comes up.

The children "ooed" and "aahhed" at each magnificent swing, pointing their fingers, and laughing. Their innocent eyes twinkled as they were glued to each performer as time slipped through their fingers. They sat on the bleachers under the vast tent. The canopy had a single hole right in the center where a huge, tall pole reached out towards the sky. While the acrobats were doing their bold, life-threatening tricks, a clown down below juggled and sang to amuse those whose eyes were wandering around—a double performer.

"Doing great. . doing great," comments a lovely woman, who was hidden away behind the tent of performance. Having tight curls and red eyes, she donned on a revealing bodice and a fishnets covering her thighs and arms. Like many of the ladies, she also wore high heeled leather boots that made her tall in height.

Close by were her fellow performers: one resembled a doll, one a clown, and the other a tiger. There were several others as well, all appeared fantastic. Their proud, broad smiles were evident on their faces. Ecstasy as well, each eager to get on stage. As excited as they are, they hoped that the audience would love what they have up their sleeves.

"Well, of course, Brunilda," smirked one that resembled a joker from the French deck. "No circus would be able to reach out level of skill just yet."

"Hah! Perhaps you're right about that."

"Brunilda, have faith!" he cooed.

The woman cocked her brow. "I do! I. ."—she sighs—"Two of our men haven't returned. I thought they are only doing some look-out."

"You worried?" sneered the joker.

"Ferro, you bastard! I bet something happened to them! They're among the stars of the show, you idiot!" she yelled.

"Hey, hey. I'm sure something simply came up that delayed them," Ferro reassured her with his soothing voice.

"I think something's up," said Vitale, their snake charmer, making the two whirl their heads around. The emotionless man looked at them wearily with amethyst orbs that emitted only mystery. His silver, wavy locks nearly hiding away half of his face. "I agree with Brunilda. Something must have come up."

"You too? You guys sure are pessimistic," remarked Ferro, letting out a long sigh.

Immediately his two companions frown hard at him, irritated with his carefree self. They saw no reason to be calm in their current situation with their friends gone. Brunilda draws out her whip from her side, seemingly tempted to lash at Ferro any moment soon.

"You aren't planning anything harsh are you?" asked the man.

She smirks. "I'm am still tentative on that one."

Ferro's mouth drops, feeling beads of sweat form on his forehead, feeling the heat around him gather. "I-I at least it's not too soon I hope."

"I hope it would," muttered Vitale.

Suddenly as they were busying themselves with their gossip, they heard their fellow performers silence themselves. Glancing around their surroundings, the three wondered what it was all about, later seeing the acting governor of the island, Mondo, walking around the backstage which was inside the tent. They felt surprised to see him but were uneasy to have him around. They wondered why he was there, hoping that it was nothing serious.

"Ah, good morning, sir!" greeted the ringmaster, a handsome man in his early forties. Like any other circus master, he donned on a bright red, gaudy topcoat and tales with a tall top hat. Above his upper lip was a fancy mustache, and a goatee marked on his chin.

Mondo grins. "Good morning to you as well, Mr. . ?"

"My name is of no importance. I am only called Ringmaster by everyone here," replied the handsome man.

"Oh. Well, I apologize for the intrusion; simply wanted to see how everyone is being here in Regalo. I hope the town has been hospitable to you all," the tall man told the latter warmly.

Ringmaster grins. "It's no problem at all! And the townspeople of this town are quite accommodating! I am happy to have come here."

"Is that so? Then I'm glad."

"Oh, by the way. My men kept gossiping about your only female member in the famiglia, your wife is exempted on the list."

"Ah! You're talking about my daughter, Ringmaster."

"She's your daughter?!"

"She took her good looks after me," boasted Mondo, although fully aware that Felicita took after her mother.

"Is that so? By all means you're right. She does have your red locks."

Mondo roars into laughter, amused with the ringmaster. Although, deep inside, he knew that he was there for an actual different purpose. Following Jolly's lead on his suspicions on the circus group. As much as he hates to suspect others, the tall man recalled Angelica's warning before, which was way before Jolly's confirmation.

"I have a bad feeling about this group, Mondo," said Jolly, pushing back his shades. "No one butt you might get a friendly greeting upon intrusion. Getting a pass isn't an option; they might reject your presence. So intruding spot on is our only option."

I know that Jolly is right other than having the right to be concerned, thought Mondo. I just hope we're wrong about them. It would be quite inconvenient if they were. After all, if they are things would get dangerous because they seem to have the skills that may possibly match our members.

"Hey, will Mondo be alright to spy?" Dante asks the man with shades.

Unlike the auburn-haired man, the bald man was back at the mansion handling the public affairs office. The circus after all is from out of town, so it was his duty, as head of the Intelligence Division. Seated by his desk, he went through one file after the other with much perseverance and thoroughness. While he was working hard alone (Liberta is currently out doing errands), Jolly kept him company. As considerate as he may seem, Dante though didn't like the aura he was currently emitting.

Dante guessed that Jolly was probably being tense at the moment. But he wished that the shaded man should be more calm and confident like he always has been; the past few days has been difficult for Jolly probably. However, how he has been feeling about the circus seemed to have paralleled with the fortuneteller's.

"Well, of course," replied Jolly, reverting back to his confidence.

Dante frowns. "Don't be to confident. Monde isn't exactly in the best shape to pull in a fight in case something actually happens."

"There are other spies other than he in case you haven't noticed," said Jolly. "It's not like we're going to let our king go there alone now did you?"

"That's not the point."

"Just have faith in him," the man replied.

"I know, but he's not the only one in danger."

Hearing that, Jolly becomes serious, realizing that Dante was right. "I know. . . I know."

* * * * * * * *

"Oi! Felicita! Wanna go to the circus later?" asked Liberta, running towards the redhead who sat by the fountain.

Apparently she was staring intensely at her reflection, which would ripple in time due to the fountain. Her eyes were seemingly so far away as if she were somewhere else, away in a distant land. She was seated on the ledge of the fountain where in the center a statue of her gracefully posed under the warm rays of the sun. Her long, red locks cascaded down on her back, being tied back with black ribbons as pigtails. It was her evolved hairstyle from when she was still a child. Being the spitting image of her beautiful mother, Felicita was deemed the most beautiful maiden until the arrival of that fortuneteller.

She bore no grudge for this. In fact, she might have rather been oblivious to her innocent beauty. Furthermore, her appearance was secondary compared to her passion for skill. Being among the skilled dagger throwers with acute precision and accuracy. Her father and mother acknowledged her abilities as well, and everyone in the famiglia saw her not just a mere woman or daughter of the head, but a fellow warrior and guardian of Regalo.

"What is it, Liberta?" asked the redhead, looking at him curiously. "They've already opened today?"

The boy grins. "Yep! And now I'm telling you to watch the show with me! Some guys told me that they pull extravagant stunts," he explained excitedly.

The girl remained stoic.

"Oh? That's good then."

"That's it? Have more words to say than just that!"

"What was I supposed to say?"

"I dunno! I would've gotten hyped up about it!" he told her.

Seeing him flustered face, Felicita chuckles in amusement. She couldn't help but think of his face as cute. "S-Sorry, I guess I'm just a little stiff on these things."

"You've always been," Liberta told her bluntly.

"I guess."

"By the way, there's a rumor that the Arcana power is. . faltering," Liberta nervously told his lover.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Really?? Is Papa alright?!"

"He seems fine, but haven't you noticed? He's getting stronger everyday!"

The redhead shook her head. "No. I've been so busy lately worrying about Ann I've been staring up at the clouds," she confessed. "But Papa vomited yesterday! In fact, it's been happening a couple of times now!"

"Yeah, that's a problem as well cuz I heard from Mama that Angelica feels what Papa feels."

"I heard that too. It's getting serious," Felicita adds. "I don't know what Papa is trying to do, but even if he's my father, he can't make Angelica the net to his pain! She's still young and—"

"Papa didn't know," the voice of Sumire intervenes, making the two whirl their heads around. And then there standing before them was the initial fortuneteller of the Arcana Famiglia. Her eyes were sad and seemed full of hopelessness. It silenced the two immediately, realizing that Angelica was doing something dangerous once again.

"What do you mean?"

"Angelica only informed us through the letter that she'll be taking care of Mondo her own way. Afterwards, being the head of the Arcana the two had a meeting through Angelica's La Stella. It seems like she has unlocked all the doors to being a user, thus revealed she is connected to everyone of us like a constellation. I don't know what else she has up her sleeve, but whatever she's doing. It's putting her life on the line."

That's insane! thought Liberta. I know she's amazing, but it's crazy! Does she necessarily have to go that far?!

Ann. . . what are you doing? thought Felicita, feeling her heart pound uneasily.

Meanwhile, walking down the road, Angelica felt an uneasy feeling. She sensed someone discussing about her, and it's been happening quite frequently now.

"Hey, do you think the famiglia is badmouthing me?" she asked the men with her.

They paled at this, but only Abelle gave a reply—and a blunt one as well.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they do," he told her.

Despite his rather constant cold demeanor, Angelica simply chuckled in amusement. The others felt surprised, but they were happy that she never took blunt insults and lousy remarks seriously. Always being carefree yet so charming were her best aspects in their opinion. With her smarts and patience, they have learned quite a bit from her. What's more was her boasting them possibly surpassing everyone at the island. They were grateful for her praise, but it confused them as well.

Angelica still just smiled and walked down the lane with Shandor and Tzipporah on her shoulders, saying nothing on her own behalf.

* * * * * * * *

"Hey, once we stop, could you continue on with your life story?" Pietro asks.

She smiles. "Why. Aren't you a curious one?" Angelica cooed. "Fine. But you asking for stories makes me wonder if we're the same age."

"Th-That's mean!"

"She does have a point," said Alfieri, smirking at the younger man. "Won't you like to listen to mine instead?"

Pietro frowns. "Yours is probably about how you successfully sweep women off their feet only to get dumped later on," he replied bluntly.

"Ah. ."

Angelica chuckles. "Do not worry. If you're that eager, we could continue right now."

"Really??"

She nods.

But before she told them the continuation of her little tale, her eyes stole a glance at the other members who curiously scanned their surroundings. She just smiled when a sparrow suddenly caught her eye. It was so carefree as it glided on the waves of the cool wind. Its wings were spread far and wide with sharp ends that allows it to be swift. Apparently, it was having fun with no worries, something that the fortuneteller wish she would have.

The men were wrong about her being carefree; she was as worried as a mouse inside a hole. Inside her chest, her heart pounded every second of the way. Because of that, she needed to rest every few hours. Other than that, she felt the power of her Arcanas surge with strength randomly. She couldn't understand why, but decided to hide it from the others despite the constant pain she had in her chest. Angelica refused to let them worry about her.

Taking a deep breath, she continued with her story with only Alfieri and Pietro as her listeners.

"When I was a naive little girl, when only innocence in my heart, I used to listen to my mother play the flute. Mother was so skilled that I could imagine a vast meadow in a land where only I, with my parents, lived in peace alone. There, I could see a pretty lake with a flock of geese swimming on the surface of the waters. There were wild flowers everywhere as well, and close by would be an apple orchard that my father always dreamed of growing. A stable with fine steeds also whinnying for attention. Through music, I could see all these things. Through the music my mother had played, my imagination could only see happiness."

"That's quite a memorable memory, Angelica," remarked Alfieri, smiling broadly.

"How are your parents now?" Pietro asks.

"They long past away," Angelica replied with a smile.

It made the other two stiffen, realizing that they're making the fortuneteller remember something painful. Although, the same went for them. Pietro knew he left his parents at the village where he and Abelle used to reside in, but it wasn't the same for Alfieri.

"I never knew my parents," the man told the two. "I only remember growing up in some ragged orphanage that was so close to hell that I rather die than stay there. The kids bullied me and the house parents were nothing more than mere sadists. I ran away when I turned ten and luckily got hired as an errand boy. Soon though, people started noticing my good looks and used me for show."

"And then that hatred turned you into a womanizer and a thief. However, through your thievery, you became nimble and agile with your skills. Other than that, you developed your smarts with clever remarks and wits," adds Angelica, who just smiles and displayed no sign of concern or pity. "Even though you may have a terrible past, the bad would bring something good."

Alfieri smirks. "Are you implying that fate brought me you?" the man asks.

"Am I? I was thinking about your future in Regalo," the fortuneteller told him with a cocked eyebrow. "I don't understand why men always assume when a woman is included in the picture."

As she was saying these words, she shook her head in disapproval, which embarrassed the light haired man. Seeing him flustered made Pietro laugh in amusement since Alfieri always kept his cool and thought of himself as a smooth talker.

She caught him off guard! thought a laughing Pietro.

As the three chatted away, the other men behind and up front also indulged themselves with their own stories. Their teacher (Angelica) had advised them to get to know each other since they will most probably spend the rest of their lives together if they had no plans of leaving. Again, that option, she told them, shouldn't get into their heads. The fortuneteller had told them that she doesn't exactly have the intention of growing old in the famiglia, but she will patiently wait what the future had ahead of them.

While walking side by side with Pietro and Alfieri, Angelica suddenly felt nauseous. She halted on her tracks and dropped her satchel from her shoulder. Her animal friends shrieked and meowed at the sight of her sudden weak state. It caught the others' attention quickly and swiftly they came to her side. Enzo took hold of her hands to support her. But Angelica quickly pulled her hands away and dropped to her knees with her hands clutching her stomach. Breathing heavily, her vision blurred. And then before she knew it, her mouth began vomiting blood. She felt pain surging in her chest and her Arcana marks were glowing brightly.

The voices of her companions seemed far away and were fading slowly as her heart beat boomed through her ears. Lifting her gaze a little with her senses dulling and numbing, her violet eyes saw a beautiful woman in an elegant, white gown. She appeared to be familiar with her long, wavy, ebony black locks that cascaded down to her hips. Her skin was pale and flawless. A lovey smile was curved on her lips, and they were painted red. And her eyes were like the color of the peaceful lake where Angelica saw geese in her mind. When she realized who it was, her eyes widened in shock just as she fainted.

Mother?

* * * * * * * *

Feeling the gentle caress of the wind on her skin, a young girl woke up from her sleep. The sun above her glared at her eyes, making the child squint from the sunlight. She smelled the scent of wild flowers travel up on her nostrils, and the tough texture of grass rubbed against her gentle, smooth skin. The little girl later found herself under the vast, blue sky where enormous clouds hovered above her head, covering her from the heat of the sun of fire. Her violet eyes could also see the trees arched by the path close by. It made her smile when she saw sparrows by the nest that they had made that spring. The sparrow parents tended to it for the sake of a family.

A swing hanging by a strong branch of a tree, swung ever so slightly from the gentle strength of the wind. It consisted of a wooden board held up by straw ropes, which was done by her beloved father who was currently away due to a business trip. She hoped he would come home too so they could play in the garden again. Getting up, the girl saw a butterfly land on a flower. Its proboscis extended into the flower where it fed on nectar.

Mesmerized, the girl quickly rushed to the creature, but it flew away in a hurry. Feeling disappointed, she watched it fly away helplessly. She knew that there was nothing she could do, but she wished that the creature would have been nicer. The little girl thought that the insect was acting rude to fly away from her; she was trying to be friendly after all.

Suddenly, she heard her name being called from her home. Without thinking, she got up on her feet and hurried towards the mansion. Her cute hands pushed back the heavy wooden door, then went inside. It was silent. But despite the eeriness of it, the little girl felt no fear in her heart. She had confidence that only she and her mother was inside the mansion without even the maids around. They were out for a holiday because of her mother's graciousness and kindness.

Her little feet carefully walked down the red carpet along the hallways. On each side of the wall was a painting that which her mother had made with her dainty hands and erotic skills. Each painting appeared lifelike, and it they were all worth more than any man could imagine. Some paintings were portraits of herself in a dress. Her long locks was tied in a half ponytail with a ribbon, and jewellery donned around her neck and hair. For a little girl, she looked beautiful.

The little girl continued on with her eyes up ahead. In her front of her was a huge window which was curtained. She felt an uneasy sensation creep up her spine, but her curiosity got the better hold of her. Without another word, her cute little fingers moved the curtain aside, later to see her mother standing in the garden where there were roses. Immediately a smile curled up on her lips and she rushes to the back door to greet her dear mother. Soon enough she found herself in her mother's arms.

The woman was smiling from ear to ear, happy to see her beloved daughter fine and well from playing. She was seated on a chair in a pavilion, indulging herself with peace and silence, now with the addition of her daughter. Her long locks cascaded down her shoulders to just a little below her chair. Donning on a blue gown, the beautiful woman was full of elegance and animals were her friends.

"My daughter, have you had your fun?" she asked.

The little girl grins. "Yes, mother! But a butterfly flew away from me! I was just watching it eat!" she complained.

"Oh? You were simply disturbing its meal."

"But I wasn't even that close yet."

Chuckling, the woman caresses her daughter's cheek and then kisses her forehead. "Come, I'd like to show you the blue roses I've been growing."

"Oh! Oh! Oh!"

Taking her hand, the woman led her daughter through a secret path among the trees. It soon led the two into an enclosed area which only a wall of roses and thorns as the walls. The woman pushes back a wooden door that was hidden away, and then entered with her daughter right behind her. But first she closed her only daughter's eyes before allowing the little girl to see her mother's most precious treasure.

The moment she opened her eyes, a gasp escaped her mouth. Before her very eyes were bushes of beautiful azure colored roses which countless numbers of people, gardeners, and even politicians have searched the entire world far and wide. Blue roses were very rare and those who have taken a hold of them would probably be the richest. They were far more precious then gold, and more rare than diamonds. The child never knew what treasure her mother was now able to obtain.

"This. . . this is so beautiful mother!" exclaimed the little girl. "How did you. . ?"


The woman smiles. "When you are older, I will teach you my secret."

Though disappointed, the little girl just smiles and nods, looking forward to it. "Alright!"

"Also, once you learn the little trick I'll teach you, you must keep it a secret because I'll be teaching you more as well."

"I will be looking forward to it, Mother," replied the child. "And please do not worry; I will keep my lips sealed for your sake."

The woman smiles and kisses her daughter's forehead once again, and takes the child's hand and leads her out of the secret garden. Once they did though, the sound of pounding hooves rung through their ears. Quickly the pair went to the gate to greet their visitor. But while they were doing so, a man appeared from the trees with a dagger at hand. The little girl gasps and her mother shielded her.

With narrowed eyes, the child's mother went for her pocket but was interrupted by the man's vicious roar. "This is your end, Aurora, for your betrayal!"

"You and your insanity!" yelled the woman. "Leave me and my daughter alone!"

"I thought you loved me, but you chose a rich aristocrat over me! You were after his money all this time!"

"No! You're wrong! I may be friends with you, but I never had any romantic interest," she told him more gently, realizing that he was angered for her marriage with her husband.

Gritting his teeth, his hold on the weapon tightened. "I'll make you pay. . I'll make you all pay!!"

With that he leapt at her and pushed the blade right into her stomach. His victim grunts in pain and drops to the ground on her knees. The man showed no mercy and pushed the woman down, later pulling out the dagger only to stab her multiple times even when she was already dead. His horrendous act was a sign of his hatred already consumed him, leaving him but a monster. He couldn't control his anger and hatred any longer, continuing to stab the corpse more with blood staining him and the woman's daughter.

Her daughter, with trembling eyes, froze in horror. She couldn't feel her own body shuddering in pure fright and disbelief. Her shaking hands clasped each other to calm herself, while deep inside she prayed for a savior to save her from the man. Even with the choice to run, her trembling knees would only be a stumbling block for her escape.

When the man was done, he stood up with his hand still clutching the bloody blade. Slowly, his eyes turned to the poor child, still hungry for revenge. But just as he was about to charge at the little girl, a blade went right through him and he vomited out blood while looking down at his pierced body. He couldn't say anything, but he managed to turn his head to see his attacker.

Before his eyes was a tall, handsome man with sandy brown hair that had gentle waves, making the now dying man pale. His attacker's violet eyes burned with anger and hatred, and then suddenly pull back to draw out his blade.

"You dare come here, Tobias!" he roared just as he finished the insane man off.

He pants, and then trembles when he saw his daughter before him with crying eyes. Tears were flowing down on her cheeks, while trying her best to not utter a single sound. She clutched on her dress, feeling her heart overflowing with pain. Rushing to her, he embraces his poor, frightened daughter. In a moment she began to wail and cry her heart out and the man tries his best to comfort her, but he, too, began to cry his heart out. Like his daughter, his tears streamed down his face and sorrow filled his heart.

"I'm sorry Ari! I should've come home sooner!" the man cried. "I am sorry! So sorry! I will never leave you again! I promise!"

~~~

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