CHAPTER 2

"The end."

"That's it?"

"What?"

"That's the end of the story?"

"Uh-huh. That's the end of the story."

"You mean there is no happy ending for the sea goddess?"

"Yes?"

"Then you cannot call it a fairytale!"

Ramira closes her eyes and massages her left temple. When Geradine, her twin brother, said that he wants to spend time with her, she's expecting them to drink their tea together in the garden and have a relaxing afternoon. Instead, Geradine pulled a random book from their library's bookshelf, brought her back in the sunroom, forced her to lay the sofa, and started telling her a story. Until he finished reading the story, the confused look on Ramira's face did not disappear.

"Stop complaining. Just be glad that I gave time for you despite my busy schedule." Geradine said and placed the book on the small table in front of them.

"And why should I be glad when you just waste thirty minutes of my time?" Ramira asked as she properly sit on the sofa.

"You cried in my office last week saying I am spending less time with you."

Ramira gasped in an exaggerated way as if the words Geradine had spoken scandalized her.

"I didn't cry! It was windy at that time and dust had entered my eyes." Ramira explained trying to defend herself.

"Sure. I believe you." Geradine replied in a dismissing voice.

"Hmph!"

While these two are bickering, Ramira didn't notice that someone had entered the sunroom.

"Are you two fighting again?"

Turning her head around, Ramira's bitter expression has changed into a surprise. But soon, a huge smile painted her lips. Then she stands up and hugs the person who just arrived to see them.

"Dad! Welcome back!" Ramira sweetly said as she tightened her arms around her father's waist.

Geradine also stands up and greets their father by putting his right hand on his chest and bowing his head a little in front of him.

"Welcome home, father." Geradine said in a polite voice. "How was your inspection to the south?"

"It's good. The farmers are now getting used to the new planting techniques that we learned from our neighboring kingdom. They also informed me their harvest this year is going to be good even if the rain will pour in our kingdom next month."

"I see. That is a good thing to hear, father."

"That's a very stiff way of greeting our father, Geradine." Ramira commented.

"And that's a very childish way of greeting our father, Ramira." Geradine commented back at her.

"Compared to you, I am still young."

"We are twins. We have the same birthday and age."

"You are still older than me."

"By only for six hours."

"And that six hours is still enough for you to become my older brother."

King Teriza Serpine, the fortieth King of Verdandi Kingdom, is just quietly watching his children fighting again because of menial things. Ever since they were born fifteen years ago, there are no more quiet days in their palace. But it's not a bad thing. In fact, these children make this place brighter and livelier every day.

Ramira Jane Serpine and Geradine Dale Serpine.

They were the first twins born in the whole history of their family. Although they are twins, Ramira and Geradine doesn't look alike at all. Geradine is resembling King Teriza more while Ramira is growing up as the exact beautiful replica of their mother, Queen Neria.

Prince Geradine has raven hair similar to their father. He also has a pair of tangerine eyes that Ramira often calls sunset eyes and sun-kissed skin. His physique is a bit sturdy and muscular for a fifteen-year-old lad. It is probably because of the Crown Prince's early training of swordsmanship at the age of six.

As for Princess Ramira, she resembles their mother a lot. She has long and wavy coral hair that her maids usually enjoy decorating with different hairpins and ribbons. Her eyes are resembling the blue ocean that can be seen on top of their kingdom. She also has pale skin that looks so smooth and soft to touch.

The kingdom is calling them a blessing. Having a pair of children with royal blood flowing in their veins means their kingdom will become more prosperous in the future. Their citizens are seeing them as lucky stars and they never fail to celebrate the day they existed in this world to show how much they appreciate the prince and princess of this kingdom.

"You're brother is right, Ramira. You are already fifteen years old. A young lady like you should refrain from acting spoiled like a small child, especially in public." The king said as he gently pats his daughter on her head.

"We're not in public's eyes today, dad. And I am acting like this because you are my favorite person in the whole world!" Ramira chirped.

"You said the same thing to me when you asked for my cupcake yesterday." Geradine whispered although his voice is still clear in their ears.

"Stop being jealous of our father, Geradine. That's not a healthy way of thinking."

"Huh?!"

King Teriza let out a sigh seeing that his children will start another thing to fight over with.

"What were you two doing before I get in here?" The king asked to shift their attention.

"Ah, that's right! Dad, did you know that Geradine is being lazy today? He even tried to make me his accomplice."

"Hey! What nonsense—"

"Look! He even forced me to read a weird book earlier."

"What book?" The king asked.

"That." Ramira said while pointing her finger at the table. "Who is the author of that story anyway? Geradine said it was a fairytale but I beg to differ."

When the king saw the book, his expression changes a little but he quickly fixes it and looks back at his daughter.

"Your mother is the one who wrote it." The king gently explained. "You didn't like it?"

"..."

"Well?"

"...You know what, dad? That story is so good! Although the ending is a bit sad, at least it feels realistic and so true! Geradine, read this book to me again later. Okay?"

Ramira just received a snort from her twin brother while their father just chuckle at her antics.

"You two should attend your classes now. Your cousin is probably on his way to the library." The king said while tucking a stray hair of Ramira behind her ear.

"Then let him wait."

"And you keep on wondering why Theo doesn't want to hang out with you."

"Because he's a prick."

"And you are childish."

"Hey! You should be on my side."

"Yeah, yeah."

The king really wonders if there's a miracle that can happen where these two will stop bickering with each other for a day.

"Alright. Stop fighting now and go to your classes."

When King Teriza snaps his finger, a white magic circle suddenly appears under his children's feet. It glows too much making the whole room brighter than before. But these things didn't scare the twins. The king just made a teleportation spell to bring them faster to their destination.

"Dad, see you later at dinner! I will ask the chef to prepare your favorite dishes!" Ramira cheerfully said while waving her hand.

"We will go now, father." Geradine curtly respond and bowed his head a little.

Soon, the twins slowly disappear leaving the king alone inside the room. Letting out a sigh, King Teriza picks up the book on the table and flips the pages on it. On the very last page of that book is an illustration of a sleeping woman curled inside a glowing sphere under the water. It was drawn by his wife in an attempt to make a picture book.

"Neria, what should I do? Our children are growing up too fast. I'm starting to become afraid on the day where Ramira and Geradine will leave our nest to explore the world."

But of course, no one is answering his question. Queen Neria had already disappeared in their lives after giving birth to the twins. The doctors informed him that she faced a lot of difficulties while giving birth, especially to Ramira. They also added that she lost consciousness several times while trying to get out the baby from her womb. Luckily, Ramira was born safe and healthy.

Geradine and Ramira are twins, but King Teriza is gentler and softer to his daughter compared to his son. Unlike the other husbands who blame their children for the disappearance of their wives after giving birth, King Teriza treasures his children the most. Why should he hate them? They are the proof of the love he shares with his wife.

"I know that you are still watching us, Neria. I hope you can always guide our children from the place wherever you are right now." The king whispered his wishes in the air.