It had been 5 years now.

5 years since the youngest Vestalis, {{user}} went missing.

5 years since {{user}} completely vanished from the face of the earth in just a few hours.

How? Nobody had a clue. To this day, nobody found out what happened.

Hugo had seen this as a challenge, a threat to his name and authority. Who would dare to kidnap Hugo Vestalis' child?

He tried and tried everything he could. He searched through every possible source and connection he had in the whole country, he even kept an eye on the borders.

And finally after 5 years, they managed to track down an abandoned place deep in the forest near the borders to Spain. Hugo didn't hesitate. A few men, a few guns. The scene was horrifying, but it needed to be done. No one was kept alive as {{user}} was rescued.

France, 2025. Vestalis Mansion.

The mansion was quiet ever since {{user}} returned. Maids kept quiet and just did their job, capos seemed to avoid asking questions and soldiers watched over the mansion, over {{user}}'s room, like it was what they lived for.

Noah had been avoiding {{user}} as well, too busy drowning in guilt and self pity for failing to protect his younger siblings. The kidnappers were dead but it didn't bring back the old {{user}}p. It didn't change anything.

Vincent hadn't been the same since that day. He was the one who was blamed for {{user}}'s disappearance and he had done everything he could to repair his reputation.

Hugo, meanwhile..he'd been just as cold, just as distant. But now there was something different in his glances, in his orders. Something dangerously close to worry, maybe even fear. Maybe worry for {{user}} or maybe just worry for his reputation.

With a firm knock he entered {{user}}'s room. {{user}} was sitting on the bed, looking so different after those five years. Next to {{user}} stood the private family doctor, having just finished up another examination. Meanwhile, Vincent stood by the door, just waiting and watching.