Chapter 4 - Nibulg Twin Gems

**Yuves POV**

A man that looked like he was just getting into his thirties with both the wisdom gained by age and the fading youth clashing in his appearance. Both his hair and eyes are an indigo blue, a throwback to the merman heritage of the Nibulg Family that dominates the coastal trade and naval efforts of the Empire. He was looking down at his two daughters who were energetically bouncing around in what would be best be described as dresses that straddle the line between cute and formal. The two twins, the twin gems of the Nibulg Family who are identical twins and had taken the hearts of many noble youths within the Empire. Sadly enough there were a number of old family heads who were rather adamant about serious proposals for themselves and not family members.

Both of them sported golden blonde locks inherited from their mother and those indigo blue eyes from their father. The one who considered herself the Eldest of the twins, Zaina, had her hair done in trademark ringlets. Being ten years old she like her twin was starting to show some signs of maturing, namely in her bust that would make one wonder if she truly was truly was ten years old. The supposedly younger twin, Faina, had her hair in a ponytail and was practically exuding innocence despite being quite the trickster. The reason they could be easily told apart was made into a forbidden topic by Faina who always made an effort to drink more milk than Zaina.

"Zaina, Faina come here and listen your beloved papa." Yuves had stretched his arms out for a hug as well which earned him odd stares from the twins as he collapsed to the ground lamenting over the days that had passed when they used to jump into his arms. "Papa, we aren't little kids anymore." Zaina had brought that point up with a cold stare at this overly doting father. She had heard a commotion when her father had gotten into a shouting match with the Patriarch last night at the mere mention of a possibility that included marriage for one of or possibly both twin gems. "Mhm! We aren't babies anymore! Besides you don't want to ruin our dresses do you? Remember what happened the last time you made a crease in our dresses?" Faina had a smirk on her face as she stuck her tongue out blowing a raspberry at Yuves whose eyebrows were twitching possibly from some sort of trauma brought by his wife.

"Ahem ... Faina you can't be doing such a thing when we meet with Prince Loki. While he is younger than you two, you cannot show him any disrespect. The patriarch has already decided to throw his weight behind Prince Loki." Faina for her part had been at first nodding along though her head would eventually be tilting from side to side in confusion causing her ponytail to sway. Zaina had some cold sweat on her face at how open their father had just been.

**Zaina POV**

(Did I just hear that correctly? Supporting Prince Loki? Sure he got a special class, but doesn't the current Crown Prince treat an assanation attempt against him as something he has to do daily or face a withdrawal? He is also at level 80 even if he has slacked on the training aspect. Yet our Patriarch has already made his decision?)

Zaina felt like her father was looking away awkwardly when she tried to get him to explain more with her gaze. When he started to idly whistle though she knew this wasn't something he would be allowed to explain why on.

(If he can't explain, had us dress up, is being especially strict about our manners ... We can't make an engagement just yet with how young Prince Loki is. Is the Patriarch aiming for us to become a first love of his?)

Zaina usually tended to be prone to fits of overthinking matters especially if they had a more simple answer. She didn't even want to try and think of what was going on in her sister's head who looked like she thought she just came up with a great idea, sadly she would be made to know rather soon.

"Does the Patriarch want us to use our feminine wiles to charm the Prince, Papa? To make him only able to look at us?" Faina tried to make a pose she must of been under the impression that it was a mature one, though Zaina had turned away in embarrassment and it almost looked like she was blushing so hard that it almost looked like literal steam was coming from her head.

Yuves had well and truly shut off at this point a vacant expression on his face. Zaina stormed over to Faina shaking her shoulders though she was being careful to not touch the dress with a short frilly skirt that Faina was wearing. "W-w-w-w-What are you doing Fainia! That is improper!" Faina for her part was starting to laugh for the first few seconds of being shook until she realized that Zaina might not stop anytime soon. "Wahahaha ... hahahaha ... I'm getting dizzy Sis! Stoooopppp!" Eventually Zaina stopped shaking Faina when it looked like she might soon vommit and Faina loosed a sigh of relief gasping for air.

"Hmmpph- You need to act like a proper lady Faina! We might be meeting our future husband after all!" Silence reigned for a few seconds as Zaina realized she messed up and Faina was sporting a predatory grin. "Oho? Has the ice queen fallen for a man she never met? A younger one, no less? Don't you worry, your sister here will help you every step of the way. I even asked the maids for some advice on how to charm a man! I'll gladly support your love life!" Zaina couldn't even dispute the statement before Faina had started whispering the advice into Zaina's ears and if am outsider were to hear the words they would surely call Faina a mischievous imp for corrupting the poor maiden with such foul words. There was one phrase that was commonly being uttered and it would be 'Younger men especially like ...'. Once again Zaina was blushing up a storm as she pressed her fingers together shifting in place, her cheeks covered by a deep blush and her current appearance would surely give anyone interested in the fairer sex a nosebleed. After around fifteen minutes of this skit Yuves had finally managed to regain his bearing clapping his hand and threatening to tell their mother if this conversation continues.

"Papa?! But I just love you so much ..." *sniffle* "Do you not love me Papa?" Yuves hearing those words from Faina was clearly wavering though Zaina was giving him a glacial stare. "Papa ... no Father. I will be telling Mother that you let Faina off the hook after saying such indecent things!" It was almost as if Yuves was crying tears of blood as both daughters were pressuring him. Eventually the rapping of a Palace maid let them all end this stupor checking to ensure they are prepared for this dinner which couldn't fail by the orders of the Patriarch.