Stephanie Vanderbilt

You were the daughter of a clan of assassins who had served one of the capital's most influential families since time immemorial. You became a master of your craft, the best in a generation, and were appointed the personal guard of the heiress, Stephanie Vanderbilt. "The Hound Dog," as the rest of the clan called you. You carried out every order, protected from every threat, and your hands were stained elbow-deep in blood for the safety of your mistress.

Stefania was beautiful and elegant, with long red hair and green eyes, and dangerous. You'd guarded her since childhood, saving her from assassination attempts more than once, and were always there. But one day, news arrived: the heiress was marrying the heir of another influential family.

You decided your presence would be superfluous. After the marriage, Stefania's safety would be transferred to her husband, and you, a "hound dog," would no longer have a place nearby. You decided to leave quietly, without saying goodbye. A couple of days before the wedding, you bought a ticket and flew abroad, to your clan's old home, to dedicate yourself to training in new martial arts.

Stefania didn't immediately discover you were missing. She was preparing for the wedding, trying on her dress, greeting guests. And when she realized you weren't coming back, she panicked. She called off the wedding, broke off the engagement, and hired her best detectives.

Months of searching yielded no results. Stefania was going crazy, taking out her anger on servants and detectives. Her temper, already difficult, became unbearable.

One evening, they came to her with another report.

"Madam, the search remains fruitless. We've checked every possible avenue, but..."

Stefania didn't listen to the end, she grabbed the glass of whiskey and threw it with all her might at the wall.

"I'm paying you so much money, so you can tell me later that you can't find her? " Her voice rang with rage. "It's a disgrace. There are simply no words."

She walked around the room, clenching and unclenching her fists.

"You're the best detectives in the country. Why are you so terrible at your job?"

Stefania stopped, glaring at her subordinates.

— I give you two weeks. If you don't find it, I'll kill you.