Partners In Crime

Prologue

𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙾𝙵 𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙳𝙾𝙽,

a murder of crows soared rapidly into the evening sky, saying goodbye to the sun's remaining half while the other had already gone under the covers of the Earth's surface. Nestled amidst the sprawling greenery of a grand estate, the cries of a newborn child had been the reason for the crows' brisk panic — who seemed entirely tranquil just a few moments prior, despite the fairly clamorous moans and grunts of pain leaving the mother's lips as well. 

Separating the corridor from the nursery, a large wooden door, custom-made of rosewood with intricate hand carvings painting a fairytale picture — as though taken inspiration from a child's novel — and transported from a distant point of the Republic of Honduras, supported two pairs of hands leaning their entire body weight against it; taking turns peeking through the keyhole, desperately hoping to catch a single glance at the new member of the family. 

Upon hearing the heavy steps approaching the beautiful giant, the two girls hastily scattered and put on a patient appearance, hiding their previous actions behind not-so-subtle giggles. 

"Have the two of you behaved well?" Their father posed a question of a rhetorical nature; most certainly aware of the thumping noises coming from the opposite side of the door, all throughout the night. The girls took a short-lived second to look at each other, each biting their bottom lip to stop the laughter from escaping, and shamelessly nodded while staring at the prominent figure hovering over them. 

A man of influence, wealth, and immense power his status had earned him, was one many feared yet could not reason their fear if asked, for he was a kind man. An honorable man. A man who made exceptional use of his status performing no less but dignified work. And others have seen his work; thus they feared him. Not the common folk... but rather, members of the nobility circle he, too, was a part of. In light of the fact that they were the only ones who candidly must be frightened. 

In the outward aspect, he was a tall gentleman; well above average male height. His dark brown hair, alone, would carry on his legacy as genetics gifted him with his first daughter possessing his very shade while the younger grew locks slightly brighter, the collaborative result of his and his wife's DNA. A topic of interest for the relatively young adult in spite of already having success in bringing two heirs into the world, he wondered whether his third one caught the dominant trait, likewise. The public knew him as a fashionable individual, though that trait of his had debuted after marriage, and so his style was much more his wife's doing. He wore an intense and solemn demeanor; features of the face settling into a composed and focused state, often devoid of the signs of lightheartedness. His brows stayed slightly furrowed, lending an air of deep contemplation while the eyes maintained a steady, penetrating gaze. A moon companion to the physical embodiment of the sun the love of his life, the dame was. 

"How much longer must we wait, father?" The younger of the two questioned, rocking back and forth in her spot whilst her arms held each other behind her back. Breaking her pose, resembling that of a statue owing to her impervious concentration, the elder sister nudged her sibling with an elbow, giving her a look of discipline. Claire, as the first heir, was not oblivious to the said fact even at the ripe age of eight. The moment her cognizance developed enough to comprehend human speech marked the beginning of the upbringing of an incredible leader. Yet every light must carry a shadow, and Nina was just that. The polar opposite of her composed sister, Nina was a free-spirited young lady with great love to give, remarkably toward animals. The staff of the estate had made a faint joke of their young mistress adapting animal speech before human one, having seen the phenomenal times when they were ready to take an oath, claiming to have witnessed her communicate with her furry friends. 

The man observed his children nearly trembling with overflowing excitement and stepped aside, granting them the entrance through the door and into a dimly lit room, sensibly warmer from the rest of the mansion. Once they took a step into the room, the girls could not decide where to land their focus. Prior to that night, the nursery room had been off the limits, hence they took a prolonged break to examine, what seemed at that moment like, an entirely new world. The family was truly looking forward to the arrival of the newest member; the decor and preparation of the room were evident proof of such.

Once they felt satisfied with their study of every crevice and corner of the place, simultaneously, their eyes darted toward the infant. In a fatherly manner, the man predicted Nina's preparation to run in her mother's direction so he extended his hand in front of them, lightly shaking his head, "Exercise utmost caution".

While admiring their baby sister, Claire stole a glance at her mother. Even as she dripped with sweat, their mother was an exceptionally beautiful woman. Her grace radiated the feeling of comfort, like the news of the spring's arrival. Her eyes were the echos of ice; the brightest shade of blue one could imagine, and seemed to hold the mysteries of the frozen tundra. Her golden hair, like liquid sunlight, tumbled in cascading waves around her shoulders and down her back, appearing more shiny as an outcome of the effort she put into bringing a new life into the world. 

The family of now five, shared smiles and everlasting laughter while embracing each other in loving gestures, wishing for nothing other than this moment to become neverending. After an hour of enjoying one another's presence and acquainting themselves with the new arrival, the mother spoke, "It's a girl," her voice weak and justifiably worn out, she informed her daughters.

Both Nina's and Claire's eyes widened with a gleam of ebullience.

"And her name is Y/N." Their father finished, caressing his wife's head before planting a kiss on her forehead. A kiss of pride.