The capital of Valtreon was a place of splendor and inequality, its main streets paved with polished stone and surrounded by opulent mansions. It was in this luxurious setting that San and Daniela grew up, but the grandeur hid their family’s dark secrets.

The House of Geller

San was the second son of the Gellers, a traditional and powerful family known for their influence in the arms trade and manufacturing business. However, in the Geller house, there was an unshakable rule: the male heir would take over the business upon reaching adulthood. Despite this, their father, Jonas Geller, showed blatant favoritism towards Daniela, the eldest daughter by a few seconds.

While Daniela was treated as the jewel of the family, receiving the best dresses, jewelry, and constant praise, San was relegated to oblivion. To Jonas, San was a failure, a burden he carried with contempt.

“You will never be good enough for this family, San. — Jonas used to say, giving him a cold look.

His mother, Cecília, was no different. Although she was less vocal, she showed her indifference through distant looks and absence in the boy's small needs. Daniela, on the other hand, was the center of attention. The girl was brilliant and charismatic, but not even she could change her father's opinion of her brother.

The First Steps of Rebellion

San endured years of neglect and mistreatment. Little by little, a feeling of rebellion grew inside him. The only person who brought him comfort was Daniela. Despite being the favorite, Daniela always took care of San in her own way. She defended him from public humiliation and shared with him the treats he received.

— You don't need to prove anything to them, San. You are more than they can see.

— she said, trying to console her brother.

But San couldn't take it anymore. One night, when he was twelve, he decided he couldn’t bear to live in that house for another day. During dinner, while his parents were discussing the profits from a new contract, San, eating in his room, looked at Daniela with determination.

“I’m going to run away, Danielaiela. I’m going to leave this house forever,” he whispered.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Daniela stopped chewing and looked at him with wide eyes.

“Run away? Where?” she asked, worried.

“Anywhere other than here,” San replied. “I can’t take it anymore. I’d rather die on the streets than live like a burden in this family.”

Daniela was silent for a moment, but then she made a decision that would change their lives forever.

“If you’re going, I’m going with you. I won’t leave you alone,” she said, holding her brother’s hand.

San hesitated. He knew that, for Daniela, life in the Geller house was comfortable and privileged. Still, he didn’t try to dissuade her. Deep down, he knew he couldn’t do it without her.

The Escape

That night, as the mansion fell silent, San and Daniela met in the kitchen, each carrying a small bag with whatever they had managed to sneak out. San had a piece of bread and a small dagger he had found in the storage room. Daniela brought a blanket and some coins she had taken from her father's office.

"Ready?" San asked, his voice shaking with nervousness.

"Always." Daniela replied, with a smile that tried to hide her fear.

The two left through the back, crossing the garden to the high fence that surrounded the property. Daniela climbed it easily, but San slipped and cut his arm on a piece of rusty metal. Even so, they continued, crossing the silent streets of the capital until they reached the central market.

There, hidden in the darkness, they saw a cart loaded with goods about to leave. The driver and his wife seemed to be preparing for a long journey. Without thinking twice, the brothers climbed into the back of the cart and hid among the sacks of grain.

"This is crazy," San whispered.

"Maybe, but now we have no choice," Daniela replied, holding his hand firmly.

Dawn on the Road

The rising sun brought with it a new day, but also the risk of being discovered. When the wagon stopped, San and Daniela were still asleep, exhausted by the tension of their escape. The sound of voices woke them abruptly.

“Why are there two children here?” the driver exclaimed, frowning when he found the two.

San and Daniela moved away, frightened. San’s heart was pounding, while Daniela tried to remain calm.

— These clothes look like nobles'... We're going to get into trouble with the people of the capital. — said the driver's wife, looking at the brothers' refined clothes.

— The boy is injured. — commented the man, pointing to San's bloody arm.

— What are your names? — asked the woman, softening her tone.

San exchanged a look with Daniela before answering, hesitantly:

— San...

— Dan. — said the sister.

The woman sighed, clearly worried.

— You can't stay here. I'm going to announce that we found you. Your parents must be desperate. — she said.

Daniela held the woman's arm tightly, her eyes full of tears.

— Please, don't say anything. We can't go back. — Daniela begged, trembling. — Our parents hurt my brother... If we go back, they'll hurt him even more.

The couple exchanged a look, clearly shaken by Daniela's words. The driver ran his hand through his beard, thoughtful.

“You won’t be living here for free, and if we find you here, we’ll say you were looking for work.”

“Thank you!” they both said, bowing.