Kingdom of isolation - you can't hide

Twenty Four ~ Aurora

I frown, maybe it's not that far-fetched of an idea. Someone did call me a princess. Whether that was figuratively spoken, I won't know if i'm just sitting here like a waiting duck. Becoming a recluse has been amazing but it hasn't done me any favours.

Instead, I began to research the people in HRU to figure out what their lineage was and so on. The first surname I looked into, one I was so familiar with, was Whitlock because I knew Mia came from a line of royalty.

The only thing I could find was Whitlock Technology and that did nothing to ease my curiosity and only twisted my gut, further reminding me of my lost friendship with that stunning girl. I tried every surname and came up with similar results.

Interestingly, they were once called royals but now they go by heirs and such so there wasn't much for me to find other than what they wanted me to find. It was like they lived a different life outside of the image they portrayed. It's a weird juxtaposition of old and new, that's what I'm starting to gather.

A slow transitioning into the new world but the essence of what it was still lingers. Monarchs have existed for centuries, the ones that still stand today have a history of ruling over people—colonialism style. These "royals" on the other hand, seem to have transitioned into major companies but maintain a regal status in places like HRU and some online forums.

And while many seem to enjoy that regal status, some are more interested in helping others with their disposable wealth. There's the Aurum and Diamas corporations that literally translate to gold and diamonds. They seem to be doing their fair share of work around the world but that's all I've managed to find.

The only thing that piqued my interest was something related to Stone Corporation. To be more specific, the heir whose picture I'm currently staring at.

While a part of me was relieved that I got out of HRU when I did, as if it was instinctual for me to get out of there, a bigger part of me was just curious about the whole ordeal.

Because colour me fucking surprised when I clicked on this article this morning and the first thing I saw was an image of this supposed king or heir and I immediately recognised it. The reaction was so visceral, I'd forgotten how to breathe.

For a fleeting moment, I was back in his arms that were holding me way too close and with the strength of a boa constricting you. That bastard.

That demon from hell who chased me out of HRU like it was his god given right. Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but the resemblance to a demonic entity is uncanny.

The images are scarce and few but that's definitely him. Those soulless eyes couldn't possibly belong to anyone else. Like the prince of darkness in his black velvet suit and a dazzling crown on his head, he looks unreal in every picture.

It's cruel how terrifyingly beautiful he is. I glare at the image, biting the inside of my cheek. Why did I feel the need to get away from him when I didn't even know him?

He's intimidating as fuck, I get that part of wanting to hightail out of his vicinity, but that familiarness hasn't been lost on me.

It could have been adrenaline but there's no mistaking it. I've seen him before. Is he the reason why I have to live this life? Unbridled anger courses through my veins at that thought and I grip my mug tightly, imagining it's his neck I'm squeezing the life out of.

I think back to that stranger at the train station and how familiar he seemed too. Yet, that familiar feeling didn't make me want to run for the hills. It almost felt like..family.

Could we possibly be related? I sit up straighter, rubbing the back of my neck. Oh my god, do I have a brother? He even had freckles...oh man. I slump back, unable to finish that thought. Who am I kidding, he looked nothing like me or Uncle No.