The dining table was cloaked in a heavy silence as Lumina and Keiran sat with sorrowful expressions. Across from them, Asvlumina and Malar took their seats, their shock evident. Malar suddenly burst into laughter, his voice breaking the stillness.
"Hahaha, that's a good one!" he exclaimed.
Asvlumina shot him a sharp glare. "It's not funny."
Malar stopped laughing but smirked. "You're kidding me, right? You actually believe what these boys are saying?"
"They're not lying, Malar. Look at their faces—there's no denying the weight of their words," Asvlumina replied firmly.
Malar shook his head, standing abruptly. "You expect me to trust the claims of two boys whose surnames just so happen to resemble those of one of the Great Families? Asvlumina, come on!"
Her piercing glare silenced him, and he reluctantly sat back down. His reaction suggested he was hiding something from the twins, though he said nothing more.
Asvlumina turned to Lumina, her expression softening. She moved closer and wrapped him in a comforting hug. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
Keiran's gaze shifted toward Malar, who noticed and snapped, "What?!" Keiran quickly looked away.
"You can stay with us until you find a new home," Asvlumina reassured them with a gentle smile.
Malar stood abruptly. "No, Asvlumina. That's not your decision to make alone." He stormed out of the room, leaving the twins looking forlorn.
Asvlumina patted their heads gently. "It'll be alright," she whispered, standing up. "Follow me."
She led them to a small room and gestured for them to enter. "Stay here," she instructed before closing the door behind them.
Alone in the room, Keiran turned to Lumina. "Why didn't you tell them the whole truth?"
Lumina sighed heavily. "If I had, who knows what might've happened to us?"
As he spoke, an image flashed in his mind—a horrific vision of Keiran being struck down by a sword, his body turning to stone. Lumina was bound tightly by ropes, helpless as he watched his brother fall. The man wielding the sword stepped forward, and Lumina saw Verena in the distance, her anguished screams echoing as she tried in vain to stop the slaughter.
The swordsman's face became clear—it was Dren Dyears. The vision ended with Lumina hanging from a noose, Verena collapsing to the floor in grief.
The image faded, leaving Lumina pale and shaken.
---
Outside, Malar stared out into the endless rain, his expression clouded with unease. Asvlumina approached him.
"You know we can't just leave them," she said softly.
Malar turned to face her. "I know, but doesn't it seem strange that no one's heard from that family in 20 years? And now, out of nowhere, two boys show up with the same names?"
Asvlumina gazed out the window. "Maybe, but did you see the sadness in their eyes? It's undeniable."
"They've been through a lot, sure," Malar admitted, stepping closer. "But what about the prophecy?"
Asvlumina whirled around. "What about it?"
Malar's voice was low and deliberate. "What if they're the ones it spoke of?"
"And what if they're not?" Asvlumina countered sharply. "We can't ignore their pain. We have to help them."
Malar tried to argue, but the determination in Asvlumina's eyes silenced him. Reluctantly, he nodded.
"Fine," he muttered.
Asvlumina beamed. "Thank you. I'll go get the twins."
---
Moments later, she returned with Lumina and Keiran. Malar stood, his expression stern.
"I don't like this," he began, "but it seems I have no choice. You can stay here, but under one condition—you'll pay rent: 400 Aurels."
The twins nodded solemnly.
"And since you'll need money, you'll work at my shop. You start tomorrow. Understood?"
Asvlumina entered the room just in time to hear this. She scolded Malar for burdening the boys with work, revealing that she had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
The twins exchanged amused glances and couldn't help but laugh at the scene.
---
In a stark white room, Verena stood alone, her face etched with anguish. The silence was deafening as she stared into the void.
To Be Continued...