The twins smiled at Arthur and so did the second prince with one thing in their minds.
"Bastard jerk."- Hans
"Two-faced idiot."- Catina
"Singled-minded, annoying-idiotic twins."- Arthur
The rest surrounding them were pleased with the lovely without knowing the mockery they had inside their minds towards each other. They continued to please each other and started competing by displaying their manner and elegance.
Charles took the opportunity to welcome them inside the castle. The Vaughan family politely followed the Royal family in silence with awe of the magnificent view surrounding them, all except for Harold. It then occurred to Hans something that made him ask his mother while holding her hand.
"Mother."
"Yes, my dear?"
"Uhmmm… Why is the Emperor and Empress coming to greet us themselves? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?"
Catelyn was taken aback by her son's question. She felt like bullets of sweat came rushing down her face. However, she answered his question vaguely.
"Well, you see. Let's say we're old acquaintances."
"But even so, we're supposed to pay them respect. Why does it feel like we're doing the exact opposite?"
"Just because, my dear. You'll know it in time."
Hans' mother gave him a gentle smile and he didn't take his curiosity any further. Catelyn made eye contact with Harold who only nodded to her then carried Catina in his arms. Catina looked around the place and was still in awe.
Harold entertained Catina until finally they reached the place called, The Fairy Pond. The first time Catina and Hans laid their eyes on the place made their eyes sparkle. Arthur, on the other hand, acted so proudly about it, which the twins looked at him with discontent.
The emperor and the empress guided the guests. They all had a fun time catching up with each other. A little time passed, another guest arrived which was the Benevolent family and they all happily welcomed them.
When everyone was settled and the kids were having their own picnic plays, the emperor started the conversation.
"And here I thought, we wouldn't be able to get a glimpse of your faces, the Vaughan couples."
"Your Highness, I had thought, as well. But I guess, no future is decided yet."- Harold
"It's a pleasure to see Your Highnesses, again."- Catelyn
(Laughs) "No need to be so formal, Catelyn. We're same old, same old."- Emperor
"Please, feel free to be as comfortable as you wish. Also, it wouldn't hurt to call us by our names like how we used to be?"- Empress
"Your Highness, you're in a place where we could no longer call you by your names. It would only show us being disrespectful towards the imperial family."- Harold
"You're so stern as always, Harold. Stop being too tense. I guarantee you that it's fine."- Lucius
"You're the same as always, Lucius. Easy going."- Harold
"Now, now. Let's not take these things any further. Just try it. To see if you could still remember their names."- Agatha
"Sister, we may be at a certain age where humans can call us old. But, we're not senile."- Catelyn
"However, if you really insist. Then, let's start from the beginning with our introduction like before."- Catelyn.
"Then I'll go first! You're not so playboy but charming. The Whisk of Pleasurable Desire, they call me. I present myself, Lucius Benevolent."
"You may call me the retainer of this not so playboy, Puppet's Retainer. Call me, Agatha Benevolent."
"Stern to others but a huge teddy bear to my wife and children, The Nobody, Harold Vaughan."
"A gentle lady but can be your worst nightmare, The Destroyer, Catelyn Vaughan."
"The emperor that wants to ditch his post, Invisibility, Emperor Osmond Adonis."
"The empress and my husband's catcher, Mind Reader, Empress Lilia Adonis."
After their introduction to themselves, they enjoyed themselves with a harmonious chat.
On the other hand, the children were having a fun play. Charles chased Hans with a playful smile while Catina stayed beside Jasmine and Arthur sat beside Catina with a slight blush on his cheeks. Jasmine taught her little cousin some ideas regarding etiquette whereas Catina listened to her attentively.
"So, do you understand now? It's easy, right?"- Jasmine
"Urgh... Easy for you to say! I couldn't even lift this expensive, flowery, heavy teapot."- Catina
"Well, it's expensive for a purpose."
"My father can make this exact same pot I'm holding right now."
"Then, uncle must have an amazing talent."
"Not just any amazing talent. But, a genius!"
"I get it. I get it. You win."
Jasmine chuckled by how proud Catina is while boasting about how amazing her father is. But that ended when Arthur interrupted their lively conversation. The little Vaughan stared at him with dismay when he started boasting about his father being good at sword and their people praised him so much.
The two started bickering but it soon ended when Hans and Charles approached them while laughing from their tag game. Hans began to wonder what they were doing and Jasmine just showed him the two were bickering nonstop.
Hans decided to stop the both of them whereas he sat in between Charles and Arthur. Charles sat comfortably next to his future empress. Catina was purely disappointed by Hans when he was supposed to be on her side because of their twin. However, Hans showed no remorse since he believes that he shouldn't be taking any of their side.
"I'm not obliged to be on either side. Grow up, kids."
"I'm your twin. Stop acting like you're some matured old man when you're the same age as me"
"Old ma—"
"Catina, you should disrespect this 'old man'. He'll be offended."- Arthur
"I see. So, he's acting so mature that he started growing wrinkles and white hairs."- Catina
On a one in a million occasion, it was quite a sight to see that for the first time Arthur and Catina were on the same side. They thought that they would never even the ray of light see the two being an accomplice.
Charles and Jasmine were happy to see the two getting along well but that image soon broke down when the three started bickering at each other. Once again, their fight triggered Jasmine to discipline them using her ability. The three shivered in fear as they went closer to each other.
When the little empress got nearer and nearer, screams awoken the birds and startled them. The day ended with them looking haggard and exhausted. The three families are now facing each other at the carriage meant for the Vaughan family to ride.
The Benevolent and Adonis family were dismayed to watch them going home already. The emperor couldn't let them go, so he persuaded them once again.
"Are we unable to change your mind, once more?"
"Unfortunately, we can't stay any longer than this."- Harold
"I hope you will forgive us, Your Highnesses."- Catelyn
"We're saddened to hear that, but we understand."- Lilia
"Your Highnesses, as you may know. This will not be the last that we will see them."- Agatha
"Right! They'll surely visit us again!"- Lucius
"I see. Then, we will forward to our next meeting."- Osmond
Osmond offered his hand and Harold, in spite of having a blank expression, happily accepted then slightly did a handshake. In addition, Lucius rested his arm on Harold's neck. But when he was glared at, he quickly removed his arm and gestured his hands as a form of surrender while whistling in the air.
The women gave their farewell gracefully. Despite the sad departure, knowing that they will see each other again made them feel relieved. On the other hand, Arthur was sulking for an unknown reason. They continued watching him sulk not knowing what to do to make him feel better.
However, to their surprise, Catina offered him her favorite pink rose with white rose beside it.
"Here!"
"Wha- Why are you giving me that? I'm not a girl."
"I know! Just accept it."
"I-if you say so. But, I didn't accept it because I wanted to!"
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. Think of that pink rose as me while that white rose as Hans. So, you will not get lonely until we meet again."
"W-who said I'm lonely?! I'm not lonely."
"Yeah, whatever!"
After that, the Vaughan family departed and a few days later they arrived at their place in the mountain. Fortunately, with seasons passing, they decided to visit the capital every spring. Many spring came and they learnt many things about each other.
And today, once again, Harold and the twins are at a huge hall looking exhausted and out of it with how many guests greeted them with glee. The father met the emperor's gaze with deadly force, then Duncan quickly shifted his gaze to the crowd that almost burst Harold in irritation.
Although, the night was eventful and the crowd was full of cheers. Everything ended, the moment they returned with the house completely disassembled. What greeted them was a lying body of Catelyn completely out cold.
...