As soon as you entered, the room you found yourself in was kinda similar to a lobby… almost something like an airport? Workers everywhere, but not just that. Regular- well, clearly not regular since one look was enough to tell that they were nobles, but you got the point. They were all around. From first glance I saw even a few bars, tables, servers bringing food/drinks, all on just the left side of the room.
There were plenty of doors and tunnels which led to God knows where all around, but it seemed like the right side was where the actual legislative stuff was happening. And while both the twins and our parents were looking around, I decided to ask Maia about it.
"Isn't this place's main function as a courtroom? Why does it seem so busy on that side? Seems like a lot of papers."
But before Maia could reply, an unknown yet familiar voice spoke before her, replying to my question.
"Whenever there's any form of paperwork that has to be passed to any of the Sentinels, or Mio or Maia themselves, they are firstly sent here. It's kind of like a post mail to us Sentinels. Each kingdom's Supreme Court building has the same secondary function as well. Meanwhile, lesser important matters are sent directly to landlords and such, but basically… any amount of paperwork that you'd see if you went inside either your Sister's or Mio's office came from here."
We all turned around as she spoke, approaching us from the left side of the massive room. One glance was enough to tell who she, and the other 3 women next to her were. They all stopped in front of our parents first though, to greet them formally.
"This is the first time we meet, isn't it? Though we've all heard a lot about all of you from your sister. My name is Sylara Wynsorin, though you may also know me as The Queen of Nature, and I'm the Elven Kingdom's Captain. And this is…"
"My name is Mivana Wynsorin, and I'm her daughter, and Lieutenant as well. It's really an honor to meet you guys in person, since Maia always speaks in such a good light about all of you."
"That means we're next, right? Though I think 2 of you may already know us from a little while ago."
"Ah, mommy, daddy, they're the weird ladies that bought the clothing store for me! I told you about them!"
It seems like they were trying to aim for a righteous and dignifying introduction like the first 2… but well, unfortunately for them Nala was here as well. I swear I almost saw their faces crack like glass from how abruptly they froze. When that happened, both me and Maia had to turn our faces away to not blatantly chuckle in their faces… but it seems like we weren't the only 2, as the Queen of Nature and her daughter did the exact same.
"W-weird ladies…? Little miss, are you sure you don't mean just this old hag?"
"My, my, my, but we look almost identical, don't we? So if I'm a hag, then doesn't that make you look at least 20 years older than your actual age? Which one of us is the real hag by that logic, Rosalie?"
"Oh but I have no idea what you're talking about, mom. After all, even if some people may confuse us for twins, that's merely at first glance. One proper look is always enough for them to notice I'm clearly younger."
"Is that so? Even though our own direct subordinates often mistake us for each other until they see our eyes?"
"Oh but of course, as unlike your decaying eyes, I don't wear sunglasses inside nearly as much as you do."
"Youngsters these days just don't get it, you know? Sunglasses inside doors aren't worn for protection, but for style. But I guess you don't have nearly the same experience as me to know that much, Huh?"
As those 2 continued to ramble among each other, foreheads attached while growling one at the other, by now even the few of us that were previously holding our laughter had now calmed down. Honestly, even after seeing it last time at the shop, I still had to ask.
"Is this a normal occurrence for these 2, my dear older sister?"
"Indeed it is, my dear younger brother. The "fake twins" nicknamed by Mio, are arguing over ridiculous things like this more often than not. They have a really strong bond though to many's surprise."
"Is that how that works?"
"It may be how that works."
"Hmmm…"
Hearing Nala humming caught my attention for a second. She had a hand on her chin as well, you know? Like the picture book "I'm clearly thinking of something" expression. Maia also looked at her after me, and for about 5 seconds or so the little genius didn't really say anything… until she did.
"I think sunglasses indoors may actually… look pretty cool?"
Not even Nala herself seemed fully convinced of what she had just said though. And because of it, even the "fake twins" stopped mid squirrel and just looked at her.
"But it would have been better if I had a way to confirm it… does no one here have sunglasses?"
"If you need a pair then…"
One of them, which if it wasn't for their voice I wouldn't even be able to tell you who it was, but for the record it was the mother, then snapped her fingers. Around 3 seconds later, a bunch of scary looking large men, dressed in full black suits and hats with sunglasses came behind them.
She then simply opened her palm, and the closest one to her gave away his sunglasses, which she handed to Nala.
"There you go, little miss."
"Thank you!"
Afterwards, she sprinted towards me and Maia.
"Both of you, try them on one at a time, but wait until I say so to switch. Maia, you go first."
"Sure thing."
We all took a good look at her once she put them on. If I had to give my honest opinion? They didn't look bad, but I think the outfit played a really major role in it. If she wore something else, I'm not so sure if it would've looked nearly as good.
"Hmm, it doesn't look as bad as I thought."
"I agree, dear. Though I don't really think they'd fit Maia in her uniform, so maybe it's only because of the clothes she's wearing now that it looks good."
"Hmm, I certainly wouldn't take Maia seriously if she wore sunglasses indoors while in her uniform, that's for sure."
"Mom… she's still our boss, in case you forgot."
"Now that you guys put it that way, I guess your clothes really do matter, huh? But both me and mom usually wear dresses on the cooler, detailed side rather than girly and pretty, don't we?"
"I guess we do, huh? Though I'd say we look fairly elegant, we definitely have a bossy aura to us, don't we?"
Saying it yourselves makes you lose all of your bossy aura, by the way…
"Now Cael, try them on."
"Alright then."
Woah, how long has it been since the last time I wore one of these? Were they always this dark?
"You'd expect Cael to look either significantly better or worse since he's a boy…"
"But he looks about the same as Maia while wearing them, doesn't he?"
Dad and mom's synchrony was insanely good sometimes. Finishing each other's sentences and all. But regardless, it seems like that was generally just the most common opinion. Even Maia herself said something similar.
"He'd probably look worse if he was wearing normal clothes too. Not to mention how dark those things are, right?"
"Yeah, my vision is definitely noticeably darker…"
"I guess for once the fake twins had an understandable dispute, huh?"
"Seems like it, mom."
"See, I told you that it's for fashion, Rosalie."
She smugly said while taking back the sunglasses Nala had handed to her just now.
"I guess you're right after all. Though I think we're the only ones there that could potentially look good with them regardless of our clothes, since that's our style."
The Queen of Nature then clapped her hands twice, and spoke once again.
"Alright, alright. With that out of the way, isn't it about time you guys continue with the introduction? It was put on hold by a certain duo after all."
"T-that's right… he-heem. My name is Evelyne Valentins and I'm not only Rosalie's mother, but also Pelthion Kingdom's Captain."
"And I'm Rosalie Valentins, serving as her Lieutenant as well besides being her daughter."
"It's our pleasure to meet all 4 of you. Maia has told us a few things about you guys, but we're of course also familiar with your legacies in general. My name is Isolde Ashford, and as you can see, I'm Maia and the other 3's mother."
"And needless to say, I'm their father, and Isolde's Husband, Bartholomew Ashford. If I can be honest, I was a little worried about how I'd have to act in case I saw either one of you today, but I'm glad that you're all fairly approachable and easy to talk to."
"Hahaha, you guys really are Maia's parents. The way you speak is both polite and informal at the same time, similar to hers most of the time."
"Is that so? I don't really recall speaking like any of my parents though."
"See?"
We kinda all just nodded besides her, since the Queen of Nature did have a point.
"Hu-hum!"
Stepping in front of our parents, Nala then puffed her chest proudly and well, did her usual stuff.
"My name is Nala Ashford. And you see what all of us are wearing? All of these awesome clothes?! I designed all of them!"
"Hmm, is that true?"
"It sure is. My little girl is a genius, for the better or the worse."
"These materials… are they from the store we bought for you?"
"That's right! Well, besides Cael's since Maia gave me some special material for his. Apparently he always has to wear heavy stuff or something, but it felt normal to me. Maybe I'm stronger than him?"
"It's because they're only heavy on contact with my skin, you little-… anyway! Uhm, I didn't mean to step in like that, but while I'm at it, My name is Cael Ashford. I'm the Eldest Son, for the record."
"Pfft…"
You're either not even trying to hide it, or you're just intentionally doing a bad job at it… I'll remember this, Maia. It's not my fault that I accidentally let out my thoughts outloud!
Well, obviously it is. But nonetheless, they seemed to find it fairly amusing from the smiles on their faces and the fact that they ignored how I almost called Nala a little shit.
"Don't worry, you're the one Maia talks the most about after all, so we know a lot about you, Cael."
"Is that so…"
"Well, that leaves us with…"
We all looked at Rune, who unfortunately couldn't seem to stand being glared at by 2 Captains and Lieutenants nearly as well as the rest of us, and was clinging to mom's leg. She picked him up in her arms, and while he did turn around to face them, it didn't seem like he'd be able to introduce himself on his own.
"I'm sorry about my little boy here, but he's just really shy unlike his twin sister and older siblings. His name is Rune, Rune Ashford."
"Hahaha, pay it no mind. In fact, compared to her younger siblings, my little Mivana here was just as shy when she was little, you know? Even though she's my oldest."
"M-mom!"
"See? All that blushing is from years of being mommy's shy girl-"
But she stopped herself from finishing her sentence… and I'm really fucking glad that she did. Mivana was glaring at her like a mother that was about to beat the shit out of her son for failing a test at school. Somehow her presence at that point was at least 10x more imposing than her mother's. I guess The Queen of Nature isn't always the boss in the house…
"Anyway… you don't have to apologize. Especially when you have a cute one like that. I've tried a few times to get a boy myself, but ended up with 3 daughters haha."
"Ah that brings me back to when Rosalie was little. Though she wasn't the shy one, she has a younger brother that was similar to you, little Rune. In fact, Rosalie would often baby him even though she's only 2 years older."
"Hmph, why wouldn't I? He is my little brother after all, isn't he?"
"See? She's really attached to her one and only little brother. Which by the way, he did grow out of his shyness but he's still fairly quiet unless spoken to. He takes after their father, especially with his love for books."
"That's a pretty fun coincidence. My little boy here also loves reading, and his twin sister takes the big sister role very seriously."
"Of course I do, he's my baby brother after all."
Is this like a "who's the better older sibling" or "we all have a shy one in our families" reality show or something?
"Doesn't seem like they're gonna stop gossiping any time soon, huh? They're all 3 in their "proud mother reminiscing about their children" mode too it seems. Should we just go and kill some time until it starts, my dear little brother?"
"I was thinking the same thing, my dear older sister."
I'm not really sure what the others did for the rest of the time, but at around 15:20 or so we all met up in front of the main door towards the actual courtroom itself.
"Everyone else should already be inside, but before we go in, keep in mind that this is already being broadcasted. The broadcast began at 15:00, half an hour before the trial's beginning. It's really just to not waste any time setting it up after Mio arrives."
"I see, we figured that much ourselves but it's great that you reminded us, Maia."
"No, no, I wasn't reminding you two… I was mainly referring to the little prodigy gremlin and Cael."
"Wait, why am I also included??"
"Did you expect it to be already on?"
"Well, no…"
"There's your answer."
"Alright, knock it out you two. It's time for us to go in. You 4 will be sitting on the benches right behind me and Isolde either way, so just follow us."
"Got it, daddy. I'll make sure to look as cute as possible."
"That's my girl."
He then opened the ridiculously large doors- and I mean, 10 meters tall, type of ridiculous. I'm not really gonna bother commenting on how this was possible, since I'd assume the door was meant to be, you know, accessible even for normal humans, since that's who will be mostly inside this room. Let alone a man as strong as dad.
But nonetheless, when I actually saw the inside of the room, my eyes widened against my will. There was a straight pathway in the center as usual, the format itself being similar to any other courtroom… except this was elevated to a whole different level. For starters, everything besides the benches around us and something that I'll get to in a second were all made out of what looked like pure white quartz and marble.
Attached to the walls on each of our sides there were 2 main large stairs, which led to a second balcony like floor. The people there also had seats though, so it's not like they'd be standing while watching all of it unfold. The benches and spots for both the defending and accusing party were all black, made out of… I'm not really sure what. But they seemed fairly comfortable at least? They even had cushions on the whole length attached so they were probably made out of a great material.
Regardless, as we approached the right side of the courtroom, mom and dad sat down at their own shorter desk while we sat behind them as anticipated. Though one thing that caught me a little off guard, was that both the Captains and Lieutenants from earlier were on our same bench.
I ended up being the last one to sit down, filling it up and taking the corridor seat, but I honestly preferred this over potentially being sandwiched by them. I already have to deal with my older sister being insanely important and strong, so I don't really need to be stuck in between 4 more individuals that are just 1 and 2 ranks below her.
But back to that one other thing I mentioned earlier, and to finish the actual layout of this entire room was… well, as you'd expect, the Judge's- or in other words, The Commander's seat. In front of the defendants and accusers was an empty space with just some golden engravings on the ground. However, straight ahead, parallel to the corridor in the middle of the benches there was a massive white marbled staircase, with a purple carpet, and black outlines on top of it.
The stairs had probably at least 100 steps if I had to guess, and led to an elevated platform which was also sustained by 2 large white pillars on each side. You couldn't really properly see it sitting down maybe, but while walking towards our bench I noticed that it's not like after you get to the stairs-boom, you're on her seat, but rather there's a clear exit area which is behind the seat itself, by about 5 steps or so.
Her seat was black, and not only that but also had a balcony like view and fencing around it, made out of the same white marble, which outlined her seat as a little square of its own among the flat platform. Her desk was also black, but like you know that hammer thingy which judges have? Hers was white for some reason, probably to make it visible even amidst all that black on her desk I guess.
Either way, back to our seating situation. Nala was already handed over to the other 4, as she was hitting it off with them pretty well it seems. And to my surprise, even Rune was actually sitting in Mivana's lap now, instead of Maia's like we were honestly probably all expecting him to. I guess they have a shared chemistry as a former shy kiddo and a currently shy one?
"Hmph, so you really did come all the way here just to prove you're a bunch of filthy treasoners?"
I did mention the accusing party already, and while it was pretty vague, it was also intentional. I honestly would've preferred not to mention him at all, but I don't really have a choice if he's going to make himself relevant, even if it's in such a stupidly cocky way.
Some may argue that I don't have the right to call him that considering his position actually, but honestly? I don't really give a shit frankly speaking. The king, sitting loosely in his seat, seemed to be your picture book example of a "scummy king".
Long grey beard, long loose gray hair and a thick mustache. His crown had probably more gems on it than there were jewelries in this entire room, and his outfit was pretty standard. Thick silk cape attached to his shoulders and tied together below his neck, red being the main color of his entire outfit, and wearing what seemed like a coat beneath it? Well, you probably have an idea of what he looked like. The only unexpected part was the fact that his belly wasn't as big as Santa's- actually wait, I think he may have a similar outfit to Santa, minus the white? Either way, it definitely fit his vibe even though he was missing the fat belly.
"Unfortunately Your Majesty, you're a little off the hook there. After all, we're here to prove that we are not treasoners. I'm not so sure about other individuals in this room though."
Dad was the one sitting on the left, closest to him, and the one who replied. His tone was… well, I'd be lying if I said he wasn't a little condescending, especially with the clear hidden message beneath his words. But on the other hand, I'm pretty sure that by now it's common knowledge that our entire family is kinda just made out of professional ragebaiters at this point.
"Such arrogance… once you're found guilty, I'll make sure that your skunk of a daughter gets demoted and you all get executed."
"Is that so? As far as I'm aware, all you're gonna be doing after the trial is signing papers giving us back our land and properties though? Isn't that right, dear?"
"It seems like it? Though I'm not so sure If that'll be enough, Isolde… after all, he falsely revoked our title and tarnished our name as treasoners, and he's about to get proven wrong. He may have to give up some of his own properties to make up for that."
"You insolent brats… even if by some miracle you filth will manage to prove yourselves as worthy of your title back, your fingers won't ever come close to grasping upon any of the properties under my possession."
"I guess he's right actually, right, Isolde?"
"I think so too, dear. There won't be any need for either one of us to touch his filthy properties. We can just sell them right away, without ever stepping foot in there."
"You bastards-"
"And that's only if losing some of his properties is all that'll happen to him as well. What if The Commander will be so disgusted by him, that he'll get banished from his own kingdom- or I should probably say former kingdom?"
"My, my, Dear. You shouldn't joke like that. I'm sure that The Commander will have pity on him, and won't go to such an extent."
"Hahaha, I guess you're right. She'll definitely pity him, and will settle with just giving us some of his stuff."
Oi, oi… this is some seriously dangerous ragebait.What if he snap—
"ENOUGH!"
wait, wait,wait, you can't be fucking serious, right?!
Slamming his hands on his desk, and shouting so loud that the entire room began looking at him, he then got up from his seat and started walking… towards the stairs.
"I will not allow this! I won't allow it, you hear me?!"
I looked over at Maia, who had the same expression as a drama lover whenever an interesting plot twist took place in the series they were watching, as she mumbled something.
"Is this really all it took for him to snap? His temperament was even worse than we expected."
This was all planned, wasn't it?
I could almost feel a few pity tears forming in my eyes for the King at this point. It seems like this was all part of their plan, including the ragebait part… I'm sorry your Majesty! Even if you're a scum that falsely made us treasoners to cover for yourself, a piece of shit and the reason why our grandparents are dead, I still don't think you deserved such a fate! Well, maybe a little.
He didn't say anything else for a few seconds, that is of course only until he reached her desk.
"This is my Kingdom. So what if this is the Supreme Court?! I don't see a judge here yet, so why should I wait?! I can just tell by looking at them that they were guilty all along, just like I heard back then."
He then grabbed the hammer thingy which judges use for absolute decisions, or I guess also to make silence in the room? Well, either way, he lifted it up as far as he could.
"I'll give you the punishment that you deserve myself if no one else will! I don't need you devils in my Kingdom!"
And began lowering it.
"You are all Guilt-"
However…
W-what's this?
The hammer in his hand disappeared into thin air, right before hitting the desk.
M-my heart… my heart's beating like crazy right now…
"Well, I can't really deny that this is your Kingdom…"
A voice.
A voice totally unknown to me.
Or so it should've been.
But it is. Right? Right? I have no idea whose voice it was.
But then why?
Why was it so hard to breathe right now?
Why was I clenching my chest with my hand?
Why did I suddenly get up from my seat, with my eyes so wide open that I could feel my eyelids hurting?
Why did the air around us- feel so cold?
But also so warm?
So comforting?
So familiar.
So nostalgic.
So painful?
It was a matter of a single second. That's how long the pause between that voice's first sentence and what happened next was.
But it felt as if time had stopped still in place for me.
Purple and black mixed aura, leaking almost as if it was ripping the area around her to shreds.
It was a single second.
From her first sentence's end, to the moment she appeared.
I feel nauseous.
I want to throw up.
My chest.
My chest.
My chest.
It hurts.
It hurts.
It hurts.
When she appeared, all of my feelings intensified to such an extent that it was simply unbearable. But I still couldn't take my eyes off of her.
Black hair, about shoulder length.
Why?
Why did I know the length of her hair when she hasn't even turned around?
Deep Purple eyes. Their intensity was mesmerizing in the most painful way possible.
Why?
Why does it feel like I've spent hours looking into them before?
And her voice as she finished opened her mouth again.
"But aren't you forgetting something? Let me remind you in case you did. This may be your Kingdom… but your Kingdom, is inside of My Continent."
Her voice was defined, gentle yet disturbingly powerful.
It cut through my ears and my heart like a knife through butter.
There was zero resistance.
There was absolutely no possibility for it either.
"G-Great Sovereign-"
"So how about you go back to your seat? You're not qualified for standing here after all. Here, let me help you."
A portal opened beneath him, and in less than a second he was back to his chair.
She sat down.
The hammer reappeared in her hand out of thin air, as if it had just materialized into existence.
Why?
She raised it.
"Now then. If you're done with whining… Let's begin, shall we?"
And lowered it.
Why does it hurt so bad to look at you?
Why am I unable to look away?
But also…
Why?
…Why am I so inconceivably happy to see you?