Father came home today. After his two months long tripped to the capital, he came back to the estate. I don't know what's happening in the court. Or to be specific, I don't really care. I just desire to know why he has been kept too busy these days. His health is not good, additional with the fall storms, he might collapse soon.

At least, he came back in one piece. He wrote in his letter he has a surprise for me. It is no surprise that he bought me jewellery or dresses during his trip but with him overworking like this. I couldn't bring myself to enjoy it at all.

I stood in front of the estate, waiting for the silhouette of his horse. Father finally arrived. Right when he saw me, a genuine smile formed on his lips. He was trying to convince me that he is alright. As if I would buy into that tired smile, his dark eyebags appears quite visible to me.

I frowned.

"Father, didn't you say you will be home by tomorrow? Why rushed back home? You are weari-"

"Eldest daughter. I am fine by my own. Plus, you don't want to nag me when I am tired right?" Father softly comforted me. His gaze softened my anger. "Put that aside, I told you I have a surprise for you right?"

"Seriously, Father? It's raining right now. Dresses and jewelleries can wait for later, you should get change. I don't want you to get a cold."

Father didn't protestor even answer to my nags, instead he lifted his black cape. My surprise. A boy. A commoner. And my soon to be brother.

P.S: This is my first english novel so... we read and we don't judge. Please forgive for all my stupid grammar or phrasing =)

I planned of writing this book as a prequel of my other novel about my bias in Vietnam history but my friends want me to write something in English cuz they don't know Vietnamese. So I granted them with this little prequel that published even wayyyy before the actual book. Anyway, hope you all enjoy it.

With love, Lucy.