When Lilith left Aurora yesterday, she made a promise that she will see her again the next day. That would be today, and Lilith's still currently stuck in helping to prepare lunch. The ambassadors were supposed to come again for lunch together with the whole family.
"Lilith, if you continue to wipe that plate you're going to put a hole in the middle," her Aunt Aula tutted as she put away the last plate to be wiped. Having her thoughts suddenly interrupted had the girl fumble and made her almost drop the plate.
"S-sorry, Aunt Aula." She quickly handed the plate to her and folded the towels used. Aula eyed her for a moment.
"You've been on the clouds the whole day, Lilith. Is there anything wrong?"
"No. No, nothing at all," Lilith replied, awkwardly chuckling. "Just. . . having some thought, is all."
"Thoughts? Did you notice anything that might need some attention? Did your mother or aunt still isn't finish with their jobs? I specifically told them that we can't leave loose ends today! If so, we need to get it done before our guests arrive--"
"No no," Lilith waved her arms to stop her aunt from pulling her to where she assumed the problem was. "I was just a little sleep deprived so I'm feeling tired." Which was true enough. The encounter she had with Aurora had left her with too many questions that she couldn't sleep a wink. She wondered how a girl like her had survived under her own home all these years without knowing her existence. And the fact that she had never stepped out of that creepy dark part of the house because of some explicit rules. She also sounded a little hesitant in answering her questions, more so in starting conversations.
There's also the fact that she and Lilith had the same identical face. This was the fact that bothered her the most. Being identical means that they're. . . But her mother and father had never even mentioned anything about her having a sister, much less a twin sister that they were hiding even deeper than their cellar.
Well, her mother aside, as she can barely look at anyone without shrinking in fright or even hold a gaze for a few seconds. Even her other adult relatives never mentioned anything to her in the past. Does this mean that they didn't know of it? But no, it'll be impossible for her parents. But maybe for the other. . .?
"Lilith!" Lilith almost jumped at her aunt's voice. Aula looked at her with furrowed brows and tutted. "You shouldn't have pushed yourself to stay up late last night. Mother had strictly instructed us to make sure that everything plays out perfect for today."
"I know," Lilith sighed. "I promise that I'll be on my best behavior."
"Of course you would," Aula replied. "I can't allow you to fall asleep in the middle of eating and having your face land on your soup, now would we?"
The two of them brought some of the plates towards the dining room. Her uncle Friederico went down the cellar to choose the drinks for the meal, and her Aunt Carina in-charge with the cooking. Her parents were the ones who went to escorts the guests to their home along with Sol, and Luna was the one in-charge with the decorations.
"I think the garlands are a bit of an overkill now, Luna," Lilith commented as her cousin tried to wrap a garland with bright pink flowers in some of the columns. "It looks like spring threw up on us."
"I did not ask for your opinions, Lilith," Luna replied with an eye roll, but she thankfully listened and pluck the garlands off the columns.
"Lilith, Luna, can you girls help us with bringing the food to the table?" Carina called as she carry a large plate of soup to the dining table. As they arrived at the kitchen Lilith couldn't help but comment.
"Aunt Carina, we don't need to feed half the town!"
The kitchen table was full of sizzling food, fruits and desserts that Lilith was quite sure that it will last them a week.
Carina blinked at looked at the table. Lilith could swear that it was sagging a little. "Hmm, did I went overboard with the cooking?"
Aula entered the kitchen, as well, and skidded to a halt at the sight. "Goodness Carina, are you planning to hold a party here?"
"I want to make sure that we have enough, and I wasn't sure what the guests like in their food."
"So you cooked ten types of dishes?"
"Actually I only cooked seven kinds."
"Not the point," Aula sighed. "Alright girls, can you bring some of the platters to the table? I saw your parents coming back here with the guests."
Both girls grab a dish and went to the door. Before stepping out, Lilith suddenly thought of something and turned around. "Aunt Carina, Aunt Aula, later after lunch can I bring some of the food with me?"
"You can ask for anything later Lilith, just put that dish to the table," Aula told her as she urged her out.
"Yes but, I was planning to down to visit Aurora as soon as we finish eating so I was planning to pack some now--"
The sound of ceramic breaking ceased all noise inside the kitchen. Wide-eyed, Lilith stood there frozen as both her aunts' faces quickly turned pale.
". . . What did you say? Who are meeting with later?"
Lilith had a feeling that she had just said something that she was not supposed to say. "Um, her name's Aurora. I met her not too long ago after she helped me with something so I want to visit her again?" Her sentence turned into a questioning statement as both Carina and Aula slowly looked horrified.
"Meet. . . When-how did you two meet? How did you talk to her?"
Lilith was nos starting to stammer a reply, not liking how the adults were acting. "Uh, like I said, she helped me with some--"
She failed to realize that Aula was already until she had a really tight grip on her arm. Lilith cried in pain.
"How did you get under the house? How did you find the entrance?"
"A-Aunt Aula, wait, you're hurting me--"
"How long did you stay there? How long had the two of you know each other?"
"I told you we already met not long ago--"
From her place, Carina was all but chalk-white when Luna arrived again. Noticing her mother's state, she quickly went to her side, "Mother, are you alright? Are you feeling sick?"
"Has it been years? Have you been sneaking down there without telling us?" Aula continued to question. Lilith grimaced as her grip tightened. Well, that answers whether the adults knew of Aurora's existence or not.
"I'm telling the truth!" Lilith exclaimed. "Let go of me! Just because I found of your secrets doesn't mean that you--"
"Secrets?!" her aunt all but shouted. "Do you have idea of what you just did?! You're sending our entire family to ruins!"
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Author's Note: If you guys find any mistakes in here kindly give me your forgiveness. I'm going to need to thoroughly edit this in the future, so if you guys find any just point it out to me so I can change it.
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!