The Truth- Part 3

"Queen Carina's death is not accidental nor a coincident. Her death is a joyous event for Maverick. He, for so long had set to take Carina's life. No. not her life, but, Goddess Athena's descendant's life." Liliane lifted her head, and her hooded eyes come in contact with Jae Woon's surprised look and Seiran's disbelief expression.

"Goddess Athena's descendant? You mean Danial is...?" Seiran almost choked on her biscuit when she heard the shocking news from her mother. "I thought, the story about Goddess Athena is only a myth. a legend of our empire, being passed down from one descendant to another for learning purposes?"

" You should probably aware, legend also had a solid background story behind them, Ran," Liliane responded. "The story is passed down from one generation to another generation because they hold some truth in them. A legend is not a baseless story without any evidence in supporting its authenticity."

"By descendant, you mean my mother is the direct bloodline of Her?" Jae Woon asked. There's something he needs to confirm.

Liliane nodded her head.

"Yes, your great-great-grandparent, from the maternal side, is the Goddess's only child. Her name is Serafina Sawyers. She is the most powerful light magic in the entire continent, with the ability to foresee the future. She married a human male and since then had been staying in the lower realm together with her family. You see when Lona said Queen Carina will give birth to a boy, both of us were surprised."

"Why?"

"Her descendant is always a female. From the first generation until Queen Carina, were all-female that soon inherited powerful light magic and an immeasurable source of Mana. Although, the ability to foresight the future is rarely gifted to them. Your mother didn't have that ability, but she could only perceive certain events that might or might not happen through a dream. It's always like that. That's why she required Lona by her side. Then, Lona proclaimed this, a month before your birth, Sire."

"Oh, what did she said?" Jae Woon curiously probed. He never thought that someone with a humble background (Humble?-Mochi raised his brows-He is royalty. No ordinary person could have that kind of powerful background.) like Danial, to have the blood of goddess in his vein. This story is getting more interesting at this point. What kind of big secret will unfold later on? He wondered.

(What are you? A reader enjoying the front seat of an exclusive preview?)

Jae Woon ignored Mochi and focused his attention on Liliane.

"Lona had warned her. Once her enemy knows about her child's identity, they will come for him and kill him. Queen Carina is worried for her child's safety, so she raised the protective barrier around the palace's perimeter to its maximum level. She realized, Maverick had been trying to breach her defensive barrier so many times but failed in doing so. However, he still hasn't given up."

"Wait a minute. Something hasn't added up here. I know I was born during the night but, how come everyone knows about it? I heard the rumors around the palace. If the tragedy didn't occur that night, they might be celebrating the festive night with delight. So, I am not supposed to be born like this? My birth is actually a joyous event worth celebrating?"

"Well, of course, Sire. You are the first prince of our kingdom. Everyone is overjoyed with the news when the Queen is diagnosed pregnant by the healer. Although, mostly this is due to Lona's proclamation."

"Ah, the one you had mentioning previously?"

"Because of her words, everyone was eagerly waiting for the princes' arrival. Including the Emperor."

Seiran and Jae Woon realized a piece of crucial information from Liliane's sentence just now.

"Princes? As in plural? How come...?"

"Danny had a twin out there? This is shocking news. How come I never heard this before, mother? Where is he? The other twin?" Seiran interjected. Her eyes twinkled in excitement.

Jae Woon shook his head in disdain. This girl...At the very least, please let him finish his question first.

"Lona said this, the both of you will be born during the night of the full moon, where the sky is starless, and the moon shone the brightest. You and your twin are the Goddess' greatest gift for her faithful followers. You guys are destined to do many great things and lead the Grandia Empire to its prosperity. The Emperor was elated with the news as he is blessed with powerful heirs to protect his kingdom."

"Mother," Seiran whined. She pouted as her mother deliberately ignored her query. She wanted to know Danny's twin's whereabouts! "You haven't answered my question."

Liliane sighed in resignation. Should she continue her story herein? Could they accept the truth wholeheartedly? Will they both understand her action then for purposely concealing the truth? She tucked her stray hair behind her ear and always touching her earlobe. This tic earned a chuckle from Jae Woon. They do resemble one another. Seiran likes to do the same whenever she felt nervous or distracted. Like mother, like daughter, huh?

"What I am going to tell you is the truth of the tragedy that happened eighteen years ago. The Emperor forbids anyone to tell the tale from that night to the younger generation. This is a secret that shouldn't be spilled to anyone else. Only the survivor of the fateful night knows the truth. One word about that night could lead you to your doom. I saw many were severely implicated and punished for running their mouths wildly about the taboo matter. Will you guys promise me to keep the truth? Until you guys are strong enough to protect yourself, you're prohibited from recklessly took any improper action. Please?"

"I will." Jae Woon and Seiran simultaneously said. Giving her their assurance.

"Then..." Liliane took a deep breath and said in a somber tone. Her detached and melancholy expression is undoubtedly making anyone who sees her bounded to be nervous and curious. "This story started on that fateful night, eighteen years ago..."

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Flashback. Liliane's monologue.

Queen Carina's Royal Chamber.

 In there, a beautiful woman with long silver hair that reached her hips is sitting comfortably in front of the balcony, contemplating in silence. She had the most enchanting amber-like eyes, with long eyelashes that flutter lazily, giving an effect of a lazy Persian cat on a rest, her cute small button-nose, and a pair of luscious lips. Her white nightgown is tightly accentuating her superb figure. Although, she is heavily pregnant at this time. She is caressing her bulged stomach tenderly. The smile never once left her pretty face as she is whispering something to her unborn children.

"Carina? What are you thinking about?" Liliane appeared beside her, with her daughter in her arms. Liliane looked younger in this version, and her innocent face could never hide the gleam of mischievousness in her eyes. She sat on the empty seat and joined her best friend in enjoying the night scenery outside. The moon is shining brightly on the sky, with the appearance of twinkling stars around it. The night breeze is blowing softly, and both of them are relishing the chilling and serene atmosphere with pleasure.

"Hi, Lily." Carina had just realized her arrival as she is in deep thought. "Where is Light?"

"Taking care the other three troublemakers. Serve him right. I only brought my lovely Seiran with me. Isn't it, Ran?" Liliane cooed at her daughter. Seiran blinked her adorable big eyes at her mother, making Liliane squealed in awe. Her Ran is the most cutest girl in the world. No one can surpass her cuteness.

"I envied of you, Lily. You just 28 years old, and yet you had three boys around you and one lovely princess. While I am waiting for mine, anxiously." Carina solemnly said.

"Are you worried about Lona's warning?"

"Uhuh. I also keep getting nightmares these days." She closes her eyes. The vivid images of her nightmares flashed by her mind. A dark and tall shadow is creeping out from under her bed. It's slowly approached her with a wide grin on its smoldered face. Its nails are long and sharp. Carina trembled in fright as she remembers its dangerous glints, full of vengeance and malice towards her. That shadow tried to touch her stomach while cackling boisterous laughter. Its laughter resounding in her dim-lit room, and Carina jolted up from her sleep, screaming in horror and fear.

Her husband, Alex is immediately hugged her to calm her nerve. Carina is sweating profusely, with her back is drenched in a cold sweat. She felt breathless. Alex took ten minutes to restrain her futile struggling as Liliane couldn't relax. Once she is calm enough, she burst into tears. Alex was stupefied by her odd reaction, yet he dismissed it as her unstable emotion due to pregnancy.

"I felt, this time, rather than aiming to take my life, Maverick had another ulterior motive, Lily." Carina stopped caressing her stomach. She puts her palm on one spot and felt a soft kick on it. She somberly smiled. "He wants to rob my child from me and kill the other one. There this nagging feeling at the back of my mind keeps warning me with this possibility."

Liliane's jaw dropped.

"For...for what reason? And, no...I mean...you can predict the future? I thought you cannot do that?"

"No, silly," Carina responded. "I cannot. I am not that powerful. My mother might be, although only a portion of them. It's just my gut feeling, and it is warning me through my dream. By appearing in my nightmare. This is to show me the severity of the sudden possibility."

"Should we ask Lona again?" Liliane stretched her hand and gripped Carina's hand. She tried to convey her support by her action, assuring her that her friend is still here, by her side.

Carina chuckled. Lily always worried about her. From their childhood until this day, Lily always had a crease on her smooth forehead. She will always be gazing at her with a brooding look. Carina lightly pats her hand using her free hand.

"There's no need. Lona is a seer. If she saw something in her vision, she already tells us by now. Besides, I am okay, Lily. Please don't turn yourself into a fretful old lady by now."

"You still had that potty mouth, huh?"

"You are the one who has a potty mouth, Lily. Not me."

Liliane tsked in her seat.

"Sometimes, you're annoying. Other times, you acted like an angel. No, an angel in disguise only. If someone knows your true character, they might exclaim in shock."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Who's the one compliment you?!"