Today marks the twins' fourth birthday. They decided to celebrate the twins' birthday in the imperial palace. Harold was against it at first but Catelyn persuaded him when the Benevolent and Adonis family insisted which was not in vain.
Regrettably, Catelyn is unable to join such an important celebration. Harold planned to stay in her stead but Catelyn insisted. She wanted him to protect them in case there were unforeseen circumstances to happen.
As soon as Harold and the twins left, Catelyn cleaned the house and packed some of her things while humming to begin her journey. She and Harold had kept it a secret from everyone of what they had been doing for the past years they didn't see each other.
She is now going to that place to fix things there then probably, if she can make it, she'll surprise the twins during the celebration. While packing some food in the kitchen, a creak sound of the door distracted her.
Her cheerful expression became serious while continuing packing her the food but she made sure not to let her guard down. She then engaged a conversation to the trespasser by greeting him without looking at him.
"Long time no see. I see you're alive and well, Moscard."
(Chuckles) "My, my, Catelyn. You've grown beautiful. How are you and Harold doin'? Hmm?"
"We're doing very well. How is the master doing?"
"Yeah, you should be. I mean, traitors do enjoy their life while they can. And to think you guys have kids. How wonderful."
"Also, if you're wondering how master is right now. Why not greet him in person?"
Catelyn laughed hysterically and was about to retort his impossible suggestion. But, as soon as she turned to face him, she saw a familiar figure. It made her clench in fear when that familiar figure greeted her.
"Long time no see, My dear Catelyn."
"Master Dearil."
"The Catalyst Circles missed you and Harold. I miss you two. However, you betrayed me. And now, you even made a family."
"What are you doing here, Master? What do you want?
"Traitors can't live happily ever after. Both of you knew that, Catelyn. The two of us even did something behind our backs. Should I just recruit your kids to work for me?"
It triggered Catelyn when she heard her children's name being uttered by such a despicable man. She sent the things on the table flying towards Moscard and Master Dearil then launched an attack. But what she didn't know is that would be the last time she would ever see her husband and twins as her vision slowly went blank.
Harold was petrified yet a boiling anger surges inside him that is about to explode if only he didn't hear Hans and Catina crying. Hans held his twin into his arms looking at his mother lying on the floor lifeless. Harold quickly held the twins while covering their eyes so they couldn't see her pitiful state anymore.
But that didn't stop Hans from noticing a black rose lying next to Catelyn's body. Then slowly, the mark on her neck that symbolizes that she is a Female Blood faded. Not so long before the time passed, they heard her rustle while calling their names. When they faced her, barely sustaining her life, she managed to wait for them. Harold quickly rushed into her arms while comforting her with tears in his eyes.
"Catelyn!"
"Mommy!"
They all cried seeing her pitiful state. Although, she is a few steps away from the doors of the afterlife. Catelyn managed to smile and held her husband. Even though she wanted to comfort them, the ticking bomb of her death keeps ticking that she had only a few words to say to them.
"Ha-Harold... I'm s-sorry. Mas-master Daeril, found us. I'm afraid, he-he'll take them. P-protect our treasures."
She slowly faced her two most valuable treasures and added, "Ha-Hans, Catina?... Listen to y-your daddy, o-(coughs) okay? I love you all and I-I'm so-sorr..."
Before she could even finish her final words, the guardian of death finally came to take her. Slowly, the strength of her hand faded leaving the three of them in shock.
Harold, who held his wife tightly while crying of his pain, noticed Catina calling out to her brother in panic. When he turned to see what was going on, he saw Hans standing lifelessly whereas Catina kept shaking and calling out his name.
He knew what was about to happen but before he could even stop him, a hollowed portal of golden fragments and white slashes with black ashes surrounding it appeared out of nowhere. An Hourglass who came out of the view so suddenly was within his grasp. Though unconscious, he turned the Hourglass elegantly then a key with unique shape and design revealed right before them.
Harold wanted to stop him as quickly as possible but a force field was stopping him to do so. Not long after, Catina started feeling weird that she held herself while trying to catch her breath. She felt feverish and at the same time cold sweats traveled throughout her body. Her neck suddenly became hot then the mark of a rosebud slowly imprinted her.
Harold immediately rushed toward her but she was unable to hear or see clearly. She subconsciously began chanting words which she had never encountered nor heard of. A diamond shaped crystal that has the shade of the night sky appeared above her head. Then symbols of silver and gold hugged her entire body.
The entire house began to shake, it spread throughout the world to even the imperial palace and the other clans' territories. They all felt the massive threat of the earthquake but after a minute or two everything went quiet.
After a few weeks, the maid came running towards the family who were having a nice time together despite the devastating state of their home and the incidents that happened not too long ago. The quiet and peaceful estate of the Benevolent family that only a few knew of were quickly on the verge of panic when the maid announced the arrival of the Vaughan family.
As soon as they saw the pitiful and haggard state of Harold while carrying his two children who are still unconscious and feverish because of what happened, they immediately rushed towards them and ordered the butlers and maids with their faces unable to assess the painful truth.
"And then, before their 5th birthday, they ended up in our care as I requested... I mean, pleaded to my father."
Dir. Melvis looked at Arthur who had been giving a painful expression after hearing his long story. He was contemplating whether to continue to tell him another hurtful truth. He was about to leave when he made up his mind not to say anything more than that after seeing his sufferings. However, he was held back when Arthur asked.
"How did they end up in your care despite knowing that they belong to us vampires?"
"Don't get me wrong, Your Highness. This is just an old man's sympathy towards those pitiful children. I had no intention of taking advantage of them. But to satisfy your curiosity..."
"Duke Lucius and Sir Harold died while protecting them. Before their last moments, they beg the other nobles and us, two clans, to have them in our care. Originally, none of the three clans would care to take orphans with unknown origin. Not even your father could do anything since it will threaten his position to the throne. However, I solely accepted them. My father was against it at first but I eventually was able to convince him." Dir. Melvis concluded.
"What about Hans? Why is Catina using his body? What happened to him? Who killed him?"- Arthur
"Hans was supposedly taken upon the duty to work under us as per agreement. However, he died three days before his oath taking and registration. Jasper, Catina, we were devastated especially Head Benjamin who saw how he was killed. Benjamin... went through depression that Catina had to seal and alter his memories."
"As for the person who killed Hans..."
"Who? Tell me who killed him?"
"The former Emperor, His Highness Osmond, killed Catina's one and only family."
"Your father murdered Hans, Your Highness."
Dir. Melvis repeated his words that made the Grand Duke, who is still in disbelief, fall on his knees as his body starts to tremble. The director's words kept ringing in his mind like a broken radio, at the same time, cold sweats rushed down his entire body. He slowly raised his both hands facing him and memories from his childhood resurfaced once more. Then he soon realized, all his dreams and hard work began to crumble one by one.
...