꧁ • 𝗹𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲 ​​ • ꧂

✧ • chapter one • ✧

ɴᴇᴡ ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ

The scene was one of utter devastation. Flames devoured what remained of the city, leaving only charred skeletons of once-grand buildings. The streets were littered with the fallen, heroes who had perished in the chaos. The city lay in ruin, a silent testament to the tragedy that had unfolded. My heart was heavy with the weight of loss; I had arrived too late. He was gone. The finality of his departure struck me with an unbearable force. I had no chance to utter a final word, to say goodbye. My brother was gone, and with him, a part of me. Rage and sorrow swirled within me, a maelstrom of grief. How I wished I could turn back time, to undo the destruction and restore what was lost. But it was too late; the plan had failed, and everything we had fought for was gone. Everything.
But before I could drown in despair, let me take you back to where it all began...
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"Ah, so this is the new journey," you might be thinking. "Where are you headed?" Well, today marks the beginning of a new chapter for me—my first day of school. Yes, it sounds trivial, but for me, it's a significant change.

Bonjour! I'm Nova Anderson Agrest, a twelve-year-old girl with an unusually famous lineage. My father, Gabriel Agrest, is a renowned fashion designer whose name is known throughout France. And yes, I live in that massive mansion you've heard about. But let's clear up a common misconception—I don't have any wealth of my own; I'm just a kid living in my father's shadow. My older brother, Adrien Agrest, is the dashing model whose face graces billboards across Paris. Compared to him, I often feel like an afterthought.

But let's not get sidetracked. Today is about school.
The sun rose, casting warm rays through the window. Nathalie, our house assistant, roused me at six in the morning. As I prepared for the day, I found myself face-to-face with my brother, Adrien. He stood tall with soft, blond hair, brimming with enthusiasm. "Good morning! Today's going to be the best day. I'm going to make so many new friends!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah, keep dreaming," I muttered, grabbing my second-hand black bag once my brother's and headed down the stairs.

"Stop right there, young lady," a gruff voice interrupted. It was my father, Mr. Agrest, standing on the staircase with a stern expression. "Don't embarrass the family. Remember, there will be consequences if you do." I glanced at him and muttered, "Says one old, grey-haired man," before leaving the mansion. My father's rough demeanor had hardened after the loss of our mother, and the weight of his grief had never really lifted.

Adrien joined me with a piece of toast in hand, and we left for school. It had been ages since we had ventured outside the confines of our home. After our mother's death, we had been homeschooled, and the dynamics between us were strained. We longed to experience a normal childhood, not to be seen as celebrities or objects of curiosity (though I'm not a celebrity—just a regular girl overshadowed by my brother).

Eventually, we arrived at the school—a massive building that likely housed five to six hundred students. Predictably, we were late. As we approached the entrance, an old man struggled on the ground, trying to retrieve his walking stick. Without hesitation, Adrien rushed to help him. I hesitated, torn between staying with Adrien and entering the school. After Adrien assisted the old man, we hurried inside.

And so began our journey into a new chapter, filled with challenges and opportunities, far removed from the world of fame and tragedy that had once defined us.