Giselle stared out of her window late at night, wondering about life. It has been many years since she was left alone with no sense of responsibility or hope to live. She thought her brother, who is only her living family, cared, but she was so wrong. She got betrayed, and here she is, depressed ever since. Her gaze suddenly lands on the tiny, unfamiliar figure who is marching off in the distance. She wonders what they are doing as her gaze lands on a tiny spark. And before she could even think about it, the spark flew, making a large fire that soon surrounded the residence. She didn't react and just stared at the unfamiliar figures watching it. For a second she thought, What kind of monsters are they? but then she shook her head and concluded.

"Children of devils,"

And she heard screams and people crying in agony. It doesn't matter to her. The figure's eyes meet hers, and a shiver runs down the back of her spine. She can now see her clearly due to the fire. A girl and a boy. The girl is staring directly into her soul as if searching for her scars to open them again. And before she can come to any conclusion, she faints while the chaos surrounds her.

Maybe it's the end, but it's more cruel than I thought it would be. Those children are even worse than my brother.

...

Niko and Nicholas sat in the familiar office of their father, waiting for him. As Nate entered feeling grumpy, his gaze landed on his daughter, whom he didn't know existed until a few days ago. His gaze visibly softens, and then he sighs, glancing at Nicolas. He felt confused and lost.

"Welcome, Daddy," Niko greeted him cheerfully. Nate approaches her calmly, ignoring the strong smell of petroleum.

"How do you even get in? Never mind, can you tell me who is your mother?" Nate asked, taking his seat in front of his daughter. Niko grinned as he didn't deny the truth.

"Does it even matter? She is dead already," Niko offered with a dark gaze.

Nate nods, not asking more, thinking they might get sad on the topic. He doesn't have to deal with a woman at least. He took a deep breath.

"Can you tell me your names?" Nate asked.

"I am Niko, and that's my brother Nicolas," Niko said, pointing at each of them. "We are fourteen; soon we will be fifteen," she added.

Nate nods, thinking about it. He had been with many women, and he doesn't even remember them, so he isn't sure who is their mother. But there is one thing he needs to clear with this child. He can't deal with this situation when there are people who want him dead. Even though he is still confused about him being a dad, he does not want his children to die.

"Look living with me is dangerous, so it's better I send you somewhere else," Nate said. Niko frowns, not liking it.

"You can't. We will live with you," she protests.

"You might want your dad, but trust me, I am the worst parent figure, and I don't want you both dead, so you should stay away from me," Nate explained to her rather softly. He was confused at himself for using such a tone. He never thought he could speak like that.

"There are people who already know we are your kids, and there are traitors among your men who by now already know the truth, so better we stay here," Niko said calmly, surprising Nate. He isn't sure how she has such confidence in her words or knows such things. She is my daughter after all.

"You don't know about me," Nate argued.

"Let's see," Niko said, leaning forward on the desk, "Nathaniel King took over his father's empire after the death of his brother by an unknown incident, but we both know who might have killed him."

Nate paused, hearing her words. Even Nicolas looks at her, interested in hearing unfiltered information. Only Nate knew about his dead brother, but hearing it from her mouth made him question things. No one knows, but even if she knows, then how exactly? Nah.

"You know more than you let on," Nate said.

"Yes, now you see. We can live together, and I will give you details here and there," Niko offers.

Nate shook his head. "Alright, stay, but no one will know I have children," he said to her. Niko smirked, amused.

"Or maybe many children," she offered.

Nate rubbed his head, a little bit frustrated. But he doesn't doubt she is his daughter. Nate assesses two of them, and one thing he can conclude is they are well-trained. But by whom? He wonders.

"Who raised you?" Nate asked.

"Aww, come on. If I tell you everything, it won't be fun. Find it out yourself," Niko said with a pout. Nate fell for it.

"How about you tell me, Nicolas?" Nate glanced at his son. Nicolas glances at him, bored.

"Like my sister said, find it out yourself; it's not like you are too busy," Nicolas replied.

"I am too busy to even breathe," Nate replied, rolling his eyes.

"Then stop breathing," Nicolas offered.

Ronan, who just entered, held back his laugh hearing Nicolas. Nate sighed deeply, remembering his childhood. Niko waved at Ronan cheerfully. Ronan gave her a polite nod with a smile. Unlike her, Nicolas didn't even glance at anyone.

"I have news, Nate," Ronan informed.

"Go on," Nate said.

"Well you sure you want your kids to listen?" Ronan hesitated, which made even Nate think he shouldn't let kids hear it.

"Go on, we don't mind. We had heard worse things," Niko told them, wanting to hear the information that she wanted to hear. Ronan sighed and told them.

"Flint residence was on fire. Most of them are dead well, including Lysander Flint."

"Out of nowhere. How?" Nate asked curiously. Lysander Flint is Nate's competitor and worst enemy. Nate is happy that he died, but the people who killed him can be a problem for him.

Besides, a mastermind like him dead in such an incident doesn't sit right with me. Nate thought.

"It was burned down. No one knows why. No one is left alive to confirm anything," Ronan said.

Niko chuckled, finding it amusing. Nate glanced at her and shook his head as the face of his grandfather entered his mind. Ronan looked at her curiously. Nate raised his arm, gently moving it towards his daughter, but paused suddenly, realizing she must not be comfortable. Niko just grinned, so he caressed her cheek. No matter how Nate looked at her face, it was just like him. Warmth spread over his chest as he thought that she was his child, his blood. Niko leaned on his palm, not caring much.

"Cute," Nate said gently, which made Nicolas scoff. Niko shot her brother a glare.

Nate glanced at Nicolas, wanting to pat him too, but Niko stopped him, sensing his thoughts.

"My brother doesn't like to be touched," she warned him. Nate nods. He doesn't want them to be uncomfortable. Ronan just glanced at them, lost in deep thoughts. Nicolas just stares out the window, bored.

"But I still think other kids should stay away. It will be safe for them," Nate concluded. Ronan shook his head.

"But I think you should find them at least in case they need help," Ronan stressed his words.

"They will need help from a monster like me. They should stay away without anyone knowing their existence," Nate declared. Niko held his arm. She didn't want this decision since it won't benefit her.

"You have a point, Dad, but what if they require help? What if someone knows they are your kids? What if someone is hurting them?" Niko, he said, patting the back of his palm.

Her words made him wonder. Nate realized she wasn't wrong; his children don't have a dad, and they might get hurt if the truth comes out. Ronan agreed with Niko.

"Why don't you just find them, and in case they have a good life, then leave them as they are?" Niko said, making Nate sigh.

Technically, they don't. Niko thought.

As Nate glanced at the twins, he felt protective. He doesn't want his other kids to suffer in case they exist.

I have lots of enemies, so it's risky, but I can find solutions later. Maybe I can keep them on my island. Nate thought.

"Ronan, you need to find others and wait for my orders. And don't let anyone know about this information. It should be between us only," Nate ordered. Ronan nodded and soon left to take care of his other work. Niko noticed Nate still questioning things.

"Don't worry, Daddy. No one will dare to touch your kids," Niko assured him. "After all, being the shadow of someone doesn't give you much power."