“YOUR HIGHNESS!”
“BOSS!”
Everyone exclaimed and tears flooded the whole Meeting Hall aside from the La Elora family. As soon as the wedding ceremony and celebration ended, The First Rank Nobles gathered in the Meeting Hall. It was 3 a.m. in the morning yet sleepiness had no inch to them at all.
“Boss, I-I thought you’re already-” Leon stopped when Ashriel embraced him and Oriana, patting their backs.
She looked at her remaining Cadre and with her cue, everyone ran to embrace her.
“Y-Your Highness, please, don’t ever do that again. EVER.” Kate pleaded followed by Raith and the rest.
“It’s part of Granny’s plan.”
“But why?”
“For everyone’s growth, sometimes the Leader must disappear.”
“I don’t like that word.” Tory blurted out.
“You knew everything, Bud?” Nathan asked Natsuki while the others coped up with Ashriel. Natsuki laughed.
“Only yesterday, Bud. All of us were bemused you know.”
“Now I understand why Gil and Bri like her so much. She was their aunt after all.” Venice giggled.
“But I'm not the only one alive.”
Everyone stopped and looked at Ashriel, bewildered.
“What do you mean, Atarah?” Emmette asked.
“Grandpappy is with me.”
Emmette’s eyes popped out and so did all the Elders. They froze and flinched when the heavy door opened. Seeing the face of the huge, brawny man who entered, Emmette’s lips froze and his eyes moistened.
“F-Fa… Father?” He said, more like whispering as he felt his throat dried. “I thought… we thought you died?”
Chalier covered her mouth in disbelief, trying hard not to sob loudly. Venice and Natsuki glanced at each other, wide eyes.
“You punk. Killing your father who’s more energetic than you?”
“Father!”
The Elders suddenly fall on their knees, especially the families belonging to Thrascias, as if they were tall grasses blown by the wind. The Cadre were stunned for a moment, their minds unable to process everything.
“You little coward. Why put all the burdens on my precious granddaughter’s small shoulder- ugh.” He groaned when Emmette hugged him tightly like a little boy who found his lost father in the mall after how many hours of being lost.
“Father!”
“Still a crybaby. When will you grow?” He murmured but still embraced his son.
“Blame mother.” Emmette retorted.
“Now, now, where are my grandchildren?”
Ashriel smiled and pushed her sister and brother to Valor who was taller, and much bigger than them. None of the twins spoke for a moment.
“If you tell us Grandmother is alive, I don’t think I’ll freak out.” Natsuki blurted out. “How the hell did dead people keep on rising from the grave?”
“Ha-ha! Unfortunately, that’s not happening.” Valor grabbed the twins and embraced them like he used to do. “I couldn’t believe how you too grow, eh? I can still remember how you two used to distract official meetings.” He snorted.
Venice’s face flushed in embarrassment and so, she released herself.
“And I couldn’t believe my own eyes too, Grandpa. So much that I wanted to garrotte you right here, right now.”
“Oh heavens. You really are Seraphina.” He answered, pinching Venice’s cheeks.
“And you, Heir of House Carsein.” Nathan trembled slightly and knelt down as fast as a lightning bolt when Valor glared at him. “Stand up and face me.”
Ashriel made a duck face to hide her smile when she saw Nathan gulped in nervousness. Who wouldn’t when you face the vicious grandpa of the woman you married without asking for his permission? Especially knowing Ashriel was his precious one.
“Y-Your Majesty… Welcome back.” Nathan stuttered. He flinched when Valor closed their gap and Spencer felt his heartbeat doubled, wishing his son would come out of the Hall alive. He knew what kind of man Valor was on the battlefield.
“Break her heart and I'll destroy you.” With his words, Nathan met his eyes.
“I will never break her heart, Your Majesty.” He answered firmly, totally forgetting his nervousness. Valor remained silent for a moment before suddenly bursting to laughter and patting Nathan’s shoulders.
“Of course. Silly, I understand you my boy. Pardon Atarah if she’s Meredith sometimes.” He said between his laughs and leaned closer. “Especially when she used her Highest Seal? Oh boy you’re not alone.” He laughed again. “Meredith was never wrong for choosing you.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot. Stand up everyone, I’m no longer Thrascias’ Ruler, eh? It’s already on Her Highness’ plate.” He winked at Ashriel and scanned everyone’s face. He smiled as he felt a sting in his heart due to the absence of others who used to complete the team. He looked at the Cadre.
“Now that you’re still complete, value it.” Valor sighed. He saw now the value of the moments he didn’t pay attention to before. Moments that are now buried in history and in his memory. He thought his team would be complete forever but to his sorrow, many died early including his beloved wife.
Ashriel smiled sadly. She knew her team was no longer complete like it used to be. The last time they were completed was during her coronation and now that another war is coming, she’s afraid everything will change forever.
“Huh? Someone’s missing.”
With Valor’s words, Ashriel scanned the whole Hall. She counted and re-counted everyone.
“I think you’re mistaken, Grandpappy. We are-”
“Ah... So Meredith never told you, I suppose?”
Ashriel frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Your twin, dear one. She’s supposed to be here.”
Her eyes widened and as she glanced at Emmette and Chalier who wore the same expression of bewilderment.
“Father, her twin die-”
“Her twin is alive, my precious daughter-in-law. Her name’s Amber.”
With that, Chalier’s knees lost their strength as her lips dried. Emmette quickly caught her but with the same chapped lips.
“Am-what?” Emmette managed to say. “Amber’s what?”
John held his head. “I didn’t drink but am I drunk? I think I’m hallucinating.” He mumbled. As one of the eldest, he was one of the people who can clearly remember Valor’s death and witnessed everything that happened before the Great Revolt. Now the explosion of secrets made his head throb.
“Ah! Your talking has improved, boy. And wow, your size tripled eh?”
“Grandpa!” The trio shouted in chorus and Valor cleared his throat.
“You heard me right. Edom’s daughter was actually your daughter.” He confirmed it seriously. The Elders gaped, unable to think properly. Even Lady Kitori who was always composed was shocked.
“I-I… I don’t know…how to believe this.” Chalier whispered with a blank expression.
“How did that happen?”
Everyone’s eyes transferred from Chalier to the woman who just entered the Hall, followed by Gil and Bri.
“Amber?”
“What did I just hear- Y-Your Majesty?!” She exclaimed as soon as she saw Valor.
“I see. So you’re Amber.” Valor sauntered towards her as Gil and Bri were grabbed by their parents.
“You heard me right, Amber. You’re my granddaughter and Ashriel’s fraternal twin.”
Amber froze.
“Grandpa, tell me exactly how this happened.” Ashriel demanded with a stern voice.
Everyone restrained themselves from reacting so much though they all wanted to scream and gasp loudly with the sudden explosion of revelations.
Valor sighed deeply. “Cezile’s child died when she was giving birth so Edom became furious. After a week, if I am not mistaken, Chalier gave birth to her twins. But as you remembered, one of your twins died.” Emmette and Chalier remained silent as a tear escaped Chalier’s eyes.
“The truth is, Edom swapped your children without Cezile’s knowledge. Afterwards, he killed everyone who knew. Meredith knew it but thinking of Amber and Cezile’s safety, she hid it until the Great Revolt when Ceziled discovered everything and died because she betrayed Edom.”
Amber’s knees turned jelly so Natsuki quickly grabbed her hand, assisting her. Tears streamed down her face as she remembered her mother’s last words to her. Cezile loves her so much despite knowing she was not her real daughter.
Chalier shook her head slowly, muttering, “I can’t believe these things.”
Nathan glanced at Ashriel whose face can’t be described and her eyes caught his. He smiled and squeezed her hand softly. He knew how much Ashriel cared for Amber in the past and now, Ashriel finally understood why. They are sisters. Real sisters.
Ashriel sauntered towards Amber who had a blank expression. She blinked and slowly raised her head, meeting Ashriel’s dazzling eyes.
“I-uh… I… I don’t know what to sa-” She swallowed her words when Ashriel embraced her and tears started to stream down Amber’s eyes. She sobbed and none of them spoke a word.
Natsuki grabbed his twin and hugged the other twin, making Ashriel smile from ear to ear. She reached her hand for her mother and father to tag along and they did, causing everyone to tear up. Valor embraced them as well. But Kate didn’t miss the opportunity to capture the moment.
Spencer bit his lower lip, trying to hold his tears. Harriet wiped her tears and glanced at her husband then frowned. “You’re ugly when you cry.”
“Our Twins.” Emmette whispered with his cracked voice.
“Wait.” Said Ashriel and broke the hug. She quickly brushed her hand on Amber’s tummy when she felt something. Confirming it, her eyes widened.
“I-Is this-”
“A baby bump. Two months”
Ashriel’s long eyelashes flickers a couple of times before, “WHAT?!”
Amber laughed and wiped away her tears. Now, it’s time for Valor to be shocked.
“W-What do you mean, baby bump?!” The trio shouted in unison.
“Awie, I’m going to be a grandma again?”
“Again? You mean-” Valor was cut by Gil and Bri who climbed to his legs. His eyes softened and lifted the two to his arms. “Awie! I’m a great grandpa!”
“No-wait! Pregnancy without marriage is a big offense to our law.” Natsuki blabbered out and Amber nodded.
“Chaster and I were married five months ago.”
“HUH?!”
“It was a secret since our fathers won’t allow us. Besides, it is for my marriage with Nathan - if it really happened, to be void. You're welcome.” Amber explained and chuckled.
“Oh God, I think I’ll lose my mind.” Ashriel said, holding her head.
“Think about us here, Boss. We already lost our minds, I guess.” Kate bumped in.
“What a long, long day.” Xieaniel sighed, burying his face on Olive’s neck, sniffing her scent as he usually does.
Olive glanced at Oriana whose face painted with mixed emotions. Xieaniel was observing her for a while now and seeing she was not in her usual state, he bit a portion of her skin, causing Olive to wince silently.
“You’re acting strange lately.” He whispered to her ears, giving her goosebumps. Olive quickly withdrew and pushed Xieaniel’s face away.
“You’re imagining things.”
Natsuki caught everyone’s attention when he clapped. “That’s it. Time to sleep, people.”
Everyone stood up and stretched their sore, stifled body. Some of the Elders even groaned and some yawned. Ashriel slightly grabbed Nathan’s hand.
“Can I ask for tea?” She whispered. Nathan smiled.
“Of course. Will I deliver it to your office or room?”
“Room. I’ll drink it after an hour. You can just leave it on my table and I’ll just reheat it.”
Nathan nodded. “As if I’ll let you reheat it.” He chuckled and kissed her forehead before leaving the Meeting Hall.
“Olive and Oriana, you stay.”
Oriana’s eyes widened as fear suddenly crept her spine.
***
Ashriel felt her body melted as soon as she stepped in the water. It’s been a long day with many surprising events. Hopefully everyone’s minds function well despite the explosion of revelations.
She slipped in her emerald silky nightgown and dried her hair before stepping out of her bathroom. It was an eventful day yet sleepiness never dared to visit her.
She sighed deeply but was taken aback upon seeing Nathan in his pajamas, preparing her requested tea. It’s already five in the morning and the dark sky outside the window was slowly turning lighter, lighting her dark room.
Sensing her movement, Nathan looked back and stopped for a moment, seeing her nightgown complemented her milky white skin and ginger red hair. He cleared his throat.
“Why did you call for the two?”
“Just want to confirm something.” She answered, checking some papers on her table. Nathan sighed and took the papers from her, putting it back to her table.
“Don’t tell me you’ll not sleep? Seriously, after three years you still haven't changed this habit?”
Ashriel chuckled softly and sat on her bed. “And you still haven’t changed your habit of making me sleep, eh? Hah. What more now that you’re already my husband?” She sipped her tea.
Hearing her last word, Nathan felt the heat rise to his cheeks, causing him to flush but managed to hide it.
“I-It’s been a pretty long time since the last time I brewed that so-”
“The taste is still the same, I missed this.” Ashriel cut him. “It’s already dawn. Aren’t you sleepy?”
Nathan took the teacup from her delicate hand, brushing his fingers to her. “Say it again, Ash.” Nathan whispered, leaning forward, he traced the line of her jaw with his fingers, tipping her face up towards him.
Ashriel frowned in confusion. “I said a lot. Which part?”
Nathan smiled awkwardly, feeling the heat to his cheeks again like some kind of teenager confessing to his crush.
“The part when you called me-”
“My husband?”
Nathan’s eyes widened and his lips quivered, unable to take his eyes off her orbs. Seeing his cute reaction, Ashriel giggled and cupped his face.
“You like it when I call you that, I suppose?”
“Who wouldn’t?” Nathan retorted, still smiling.
“Many.”
“I’m not one of them.”
His hand slipped round to cup the back of her head, his fingers on her hair , and he pressed his lips to her. It was a brief kiss, more like a peck.
“You’re not yet sleeping? I know you’re tired.” Ashriel asked, feeling the butterflies in her tummy went on a rampage.
Nathan bruised her lips with his thumb. “How about you?”
“I’m not sleepy yet.”
Nathan smirked. “Then let me make you sleepy.”
He leaned closer again and kissed her passionately. Ashriel felt him slowly pushing her down so she let herself fall on the bed. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, requesting for an entry.
“Grant me one request.” Ashriel whispered in between the kisses.
“Anything for you…”
Ashriel traced his lips with her finger. “Be gentle.” Her cheeks were tinted rose.
Nathan was startled for a moment but regained his composure quickly. He smiled and kissed her finger down to her palm and wrist.
“Of course.”
Ashriel felt his warm breath tickle her neck and his warm lips tracing her collarbone. Her toes curled as she slowly pulled his hair. She’s warm.
“I still can’t believe you're my wife now.” Nathan whispered and the breaking of the dawn started.