Dir. Melvis, for the first time, witnessed one of the Adonis Brothers express so much emotion. Grief, happiness, nostalgia, guilt, anger, sadness, pain, and relief. So much emotion at once made the director see him in a different light.
For the first time, he thought to himself, vampires may be vicious and merciless. But, they themselves learnt a thing called love and the importance of one's life. He can see that the empress really changed them for the better and wishes that she would continue spreading this to the whole entire living of this world. And he also hoped that one day, this world they're living in will learn unity and live in peace.
He walked his way and stood beside him in silence. Grand Duke continued crying while he listened to his sorrowful voice escaping from his lips. He waited and waited and waited until he was able to calm himself down then he explained.
"Did you know Catina and Hans used to silently visit you every day ever since they were pronounced dead?"
"What?"
"Yes, they do. Catina persistently persuaded Hans to visit you every day. Hans would at first refuse since it was dangerous but ended up giving up the moment Catina sulks and cries."
"Cute, isn't it?"- Dir. Melvis added
"Y-yeah."
"Hans once told me that they used to live within the mountains together with their parents. Her Highness with her parents would often visit them..."
Hans and Catina were just a few months old at the time when the empress and her parents visited them. Despite being a newborn, they grew faster than humans but slower than vampires do. They already looked like a three-year-old kid during those times and the maturity of their minds matures along with their bodies.
Catina was digging some sweet potatoes with her mother in their garden whereas Hans assisted his father who was fixing some broken parts of their table. They were lovely even though they lived in an isolated place. Ever since Hans was a kid, he had a great sense of hearing and detecting one's presence.
Hans was about to hand the screw driver to his father but accidentally dropped it when he felt some presence intruding their place. He jumped from the chair and hugged his father tightly while his father wondered about his son's sudden change of behavior.
Their mother saw figures coming towards their house and the little Catina quickly hid behind her mother's gentle and slim figure. Their mother, Catelyn Baron-Vaughan, chuckled at her daughter's cute gesture. Harold Vaughan faced Hans then bent over and carried him to calm him down as he smiled at him. Since it was the twin's first time seeing people other than them, he went to his wife then Catina asked his father to be carried and he did what she wanted. The mother reassured the twins calmly.
"It's alright, my dear. They're not here to hurt you. Remember when mommy told you about her big sister?"
The twins nodded with hesitation in their eyes but Catelyn smiled to them gently while Harold held them with a smile on his face. The father continued the conversation which caught the twins' attention.
"Mommy's sister, your aunt, her husband and daughter are here to visit us. You should greet them with a smile on your pretty faces, don't be afraid."
"But daddy, I am a boy. Don't call me pretty!"
Harold chuckled, "Then what do you want me to call you, son?"
"Handsome!"
"But you look like me! I don't want to be called handsome too! And besides, you look more like a girl!"- Catina
"I am not!"
The two started to bicker and fight in front of their parents. Harold watched the two arguing in his arms while Catelyn giggled. The two didn't stop until they reached the point of who's older and who's not.
"Go pick at someone your own size!"- Hans
"You're only a few minutes older than me! That few minutes means nothing!"- Catina
"Kids, we have a visitor. Do you want to be seen in such a disgraced manner? You don't want to see daddy get angry, right?"
Harold immediately warned the two which made them gloom and pursed their lips in fear as they hurriedly shook their heads. Not long after, the couple arrived together with their daughter and a few companions. Harold put down the twin, then they welcomed them with glee and started conversing with themselves. The twins took this opportunity to pluck some white lilies in their garden.
"Sis! How long has it have been since we last saw each other?"- aunt
"Well, so long as I can remember."- Catelyn
"Bro! You looking great and more handsome since the last time I saw you!"- uncle
"Likewise to you! I see, you're looking quite healthy these days!"- Harold
"Hahaha! Am I? You should see me practicing my new moves!"- uncle
"We'll definitely get there."- Harold
"Are they your kids?"- uncle
"Oh my! How can they be so lovely! And their beauty is out of this world!"- aunt
"Hans, Catina, come and greet your aunt and uncle."
The twins took a peek of the two adults who are referred to as their aunt and uncle. But, because it's their first time meeting people other than them, they shy away and hide behind their father. The adults chuckled with how cute and adorable they are. The aunt immediately took this opportunity to introduce herself.
"Hi! Hans and Catina, nice meeting you two lovely children. I am your mother's sister, Agatha Baron-Benevolent. And this is my husband…"
"Hi, Kids! I am Lucius Benevolent, your uncle. And this is our little princess, your big sister, Jasmine May Benevolent. Say 'hi', my dear."
"Greetings, Hans, Catina. You may address me as young lady Jasmine."
"May address? Young lady?"- Catelyn
"Ah! Habits…"- Agatha laughed awkwardly
Hans finally decided to speak, "But calling you that is too long!"
"Then, what do you wish to call me with?"
"Big sister!"
Catina replied and Hans nodded in agreement as they offered to her their white lilies. The young empress smiled widely and agreed to their suggestion. The twin's parents suddenly noticed and were quite confused why they brought some company that looked like soldiers. Catelyn couldn't help but ask while Harold invited the kids inside their humble home to play.
"Uhm… Friends of yours, sister?"
Agatha was caught off guard that made her stuttered then she and her husband stared at each other. When they finally decided to tell them the truth, Agatha quickly ordered the royal guards to wait for them outside. As soon as they settled themselves, the Benevolent couple revealed to them about the engagement of Jasmine and Prince Charles.
The Vaughan couple was so happy to hear the news that they quickly congratulated them with glee. The parents of empress Jasmine were confused at first but then relief came to them. Agatha can't help but ask.
"Aren't you mad at us?"
"Why would we?"- Catelyn
"Because we hid it from you."- Lucius
"There must be a good reason as to why we're not allowed to know, right?"- Catelyn
"Yeah."- Lucius
"Then, that's fine! It doesn't matter anymore. As long as the kids are happy and you guys are happy. Then, that's all that matters."- Harold
After that, the two couples enjoyed the rest of their time eating and chatting to make up with each other. On the other hand, the children went to Catina's favorite garden, the field of pink roses. They had a mini picnic while playing but Hans was distracted by some men guarding them.
"Big sister, who are these people guarding us from afar?"
"Oh! They're royal guards from the palace. Since I am to be engage with the crown prince, they sent me guards and maids to protect and help me."- Empress Jasmine
"You're a princess?"- Catina
"Uh-huh."
"I want to be a princess, too. Like, big sister!"- Catina
"Aren't you already one?"- Empress Jasmine
"No."
"Yes, you are. You can be a princess of your own, you know?"
"I am?"
"Yes! And Hans can be a prince, too!"
"Ahhh— No. I'll pass."
The twins started bickering again and since that eventful day, the Benevolent family started to visit them often every summer. The little empress was worried about their constant arguments at first but eventually got used to them. Hans and Catina would fight even in the smallest thing.
Catina would often annoy her twin but ended up crying because she always loses to him. While Hans is more mature than her but once he fights back, he always ends up as the victor. The two are very close which is a good thing in spite of their constant agreement.
One day, in the same season, bright sun, heating waves of air, greenery of plants. The Benevolent family visited the Vaughan family. Hans and Catina were both so excited to see their big sister but seeing their parents with confusion on their faces, they couldn't help but wonder. As soon as Hans got closer, he stopped from his track and Catina followed with an innocently confused face.
When she turned to look at the people his brother was facing, she saw two silver headed boys, pale skin, and ocean blue eyes. But between the two boys, only one that really caught her attention was the younger silver headed boy.
The younger silver headed boy stared at her with wide eyes and so did she. The heat of summer breeze swirls and dances passing through them as some leaves went along the wind.
And that's how the fateful encounter of little Catina and little Arthur began.
...