It was already evening and mother had just finished feeding us. As always, I was the first one to be awoken and fed while Ethan was still sleeping. As I waited for Emma and the other maids to come and take care of us, mother stayed and sat at the table, watching us carefully in our cribs.

She did not wear her usual evening clothes, instead, it was something a princess would definitely wear.  It was a beautiful yellow with white laces and ribbons as a decoration.

Both Ethan and I were laying on our backs. And it was eerily quiet tonight. I didn't hear the maids bustling nor Ethan crying even if he was awake. It seemed like a miracle.

But then mother broke the silence as she stood up, walked toward us, and smiled. "You'll be meeting my father tonight. He's very excited to meet you." Mother stroked my head gently and did the same to Ethan. "The king is so busy nowadays that he couldn't meet you when you were born. Now, he'll finally give his blessings to you."

The king? The king himself will be coming here?! I suddenly remembered that my mother was a princess before becoming Duchess Redgrave. Wow, talk about royal lineage.

As I stared at the figure in front of me, I saw a hint of worry passing by at mother's face. "Everything will be okay. He'll give his blessing so it will be alright. He must give his blessing," mother spoke as if she was assuring herself to be fine. I could see in her eyes that she was definitely determined and distressed at the same time.

What will happen?

After a long time of waiting to the point where I became drowsy, finally, the door opened and I heard someone speak loudly. "His Majesty, King Henry Giraut Regnier."

Mother stood up and curtsied as a sign of respect. With all the commotion at the door, I was frustrated that I couldn't move my body properly and see what was happening. I focused on my hearing to make sense of my surroundings.

"Duchess Redgrave greets His Majesty." I heard my mother speak formally.

Then a reply with a gruff though a hearty voice came. "Ah, my beautiful Lily. How are you these days?"

"I am fine, Your Majesty," answered mother softly.

I heard the door closed and muffled sounds reverberating around the room. What are they doing? I can't see them! As I was lying on my back, I really could not see them. I looked sideways and saw Ethan on his crib staring at the ceiling.

Although somehow, I felt that all four of us were the only ones present in the room.

"You're thinner than the last time I saw you, Lily. Your face looks gaunt. Are you sick?" the king asked in a light tone. It seemed that he was worried. I was worried too.

"No, father, I'm really fine. I just need a little more time to rest."

Silence crept once more and I stopped the urge to shout and asked what they were doing. I heard the chairs scraped on the floor. They were sitting?

"I talked to Edward a while ago. He requested for the royal physician so he could take a look at you. He even told me that you rejected the two practitioners he employed. What's wrong with you? I feel your aura waning."

Aura? That word seems familiar to me...

I heard my mother softly sigh but I was surprised that her voice came out rather willfully. "I was already checked upon after my labor. The first physician has spoken that I should get rest and take some medicine, that's all there is to it," my mother stubbornly said.

The king murmured at his daughter's resolve and the latter comforted him. "That's enough of that. I'll see my grandchildren now." Footsteps reverberated and I could feel my heart beating faster. 

I'm meeting the king and he's my grandfather.

I saw a middle-aged man, probably in his late 50's. He had light blonde hair with white streaks and stormy blue eyes that seemed to hold authority. He also had a mustache forming around his mouth. His features were similar to that of practitioners and physicians that I saw. I sensed that he was very knowledgeable.

I set my sight upon his clothes and saw extravagant red regalia.

"Ahh, and this must be Emilia," the king spoke to me and I could only blink at his presence. "Twins, it's a rare occasion. Who was the first?"

"It was Emilia, Your Majesty," mother answered. First to be born, I guess.

I saw the king nod and he looked at Ethan. "And this is Ethan. They really look like," the king stated and I saw that he returned his gaze to me and back at my brother as if he was comparing the two of us. "Except for their eyes," the king added.

It was quiet for a little bit as I sensed that the king was deep in thought. It was getting intense and uncomfortable. I glanced at Ethan and saw that he was squirming on his bed. And I watched my mother's eyes filled with conflict.

What is with this tense atmosphere?

Suddenly, what happened next left me confused.

"What did you do, Lillian?" the king's voice boomed around the room. I saw my mother stiffen and she suddenly had tears in her eyes. The light from the lamp was bright and clear that I could vividly see my mother's crying face and the king's stern one.

"I had no choice but to do it, Your Majesty. It was the only way," my mother sobbed gently as if to avoid creating any loud noise. I witnessed how my mother ambled closer to the king and touched him gently. "Father please, help me. You're the only one who could do it, please."

What's wrong? What did you do?

King Henry's eyes closed as I saw his forehead wrinkled, and a frown set upon his mouth. And without further hesitation, he reached out to both of us. His large and smooth hands touched our foreheads, his stormy eyes opened with conviction.

I could hold back my surprise but I sensed Ethan would be crying in a moment. But all was silent when the king opened his mouth. "By Regnier's Authority, and by the grace of the True God, I, Henry Giraut Regnier, bestow Emilia Kinsley and Ethan Dunne the royal family name, Regnier."

Wait. What? Why did he give us the royal name?

Amidst the confusion, I felt something warm at the king's hand. A few seconds in and a subtle glow could be seen in my eyes. The king continued, "By the power bequeathed upon me, King of Glarios, you shall be called Emilia Kinsley Regnier and Ethan Dunne Regnier, according to the laws of the kingdom and by the guidance of God."

As he said that, a blinding gold light flashed in my eyes. I instantly tried to close my eyes but I still could see the glare. I heard Ethan crying since it was kind of hot. But hell, what in the world is happening?

The king sighed heavily as the situation passed in an instant. I felt his hand leaving my forehead. "This should never leave this place, Lillian. You must not reveal I blessed them. Do you understand what could happen?"

Mother actually bawled at this point. "Thank you father, thank you. I understand what I must do," mother cried.

The king turned his back at us and started to walk out of the room. But he suddenly stopped and spoke sternly to his daughter. "It's already late, so come to the palace tomorrow. You'll have to explain everything to me."

Even when my brother was crying, I heard mother meekly answer, and the king's heavy footsteps towards the door. What had just happened?