1 Chapter 1 - Lived Like Shadow

"Just a little more, madam!"

The woman laying on the bed tried so hard to maintain her breath. Her eyebrows deeply furrowed as she tried to give another push. Around ten minutes later, a baby cry voice could been heard.

"It's a girl! Congratulations, madam!" The nurse hold the new baby born and get closer to the woman so she could see her daughter properly.

The woman wants to say something but her stomach feels another wave of pain. Then she start screaming again.

The head nurse take a look, then felt surprised. "It's a twin! Another one is coming out!"

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Bernard Claymore, the Duke of Claymore, looks happy and confused at the same time. After heard his wife gave birth to a daughter, he felt ease because finally he can have adorable daughter in the house after having sons. One was a captain of Zetas' Kingdom army, another son was the army's strategist. He could not feel more happier than a news that he now has a daughter. But who will guessed that it will be two daughters at the same time!

As he taught of this matters, he wants to quickly went to see his wife and daughters. He halt when a knock heard from outside of his study room.

"Your Grace, there is someone wants to seek audience with you." Carl Emut, Bernard's personal knight, entered the room after given permission.

"Who is it?" Bernard wants to know who came in a special day like this in his house.

"It's Moligan Harmurt, the Zetas' honorable Constellation Master. He said it was an urgent matter." Carl answered.

"Hoo, let him in."

Moligan Harmurt gave his regards as soon he entered the Duke's study room. "I give you congratulation, Your Grace, for having a new born in the family."

"How did you know my wife gave birth today? I think, I only told the court I will take my leave during this week because I want to accompany my wife at home."

"I just happened to see the Constellations today and saw new stars rising. Then I remembered you said your wife will gave birth soon, so I think it's a natural sign of a new born baby in Zetas kingdom. Especially, when it comes to a powerful figure like you, there is a chance your descendants may will be a key figure in the future of our Kingdom and it can be seen through Constellations."

"Then tell me what you have got from the Constellations."

Moligan gave a minute silence before answering, "Your Grace, the first born will be the next Empress and the latter, she shall live as the first born's shadow. Then you can rest assured of the future Empress."

This words make Bernard dumbfounded. His plan to announce both of his daughters to the Emperor and the people of Zetas Kingdom now made him pondering. The honorable position Moligan had right now was not based on his knowledge alone, but the Emperor often listen to his wisdom from reading the Constellations. There was time when Zetas Kingdom could avoid flood because Moligan gave warning before anything happened.

"I know it hurts your feelings, Your Grace. But, I want you to reconsider this issue carefully. Because we might loose an Empress that will help the next Emperor bring this Kingdom to its glory like the late First Emperor. Your daughter will shoulder many of our people lives in the future. This vision I could see very clear from the Constellations."

Bernard gave his knight a look. "I will decide it soon. Thank you for your advice Moligan."

Carl escort Moligan to the entrance door. He knew what he said was too much for a father who is feel so much joy for having two new born baby. But, he must still gave his vision for the sake of Zetas. Still, he could not fully say what he saw, but at least he already told the Duke how to take care of the twins.

Yeah, there was another hints that Constellations gave him from last night vision. But, he could not said it because that thing will not happen if he says it. The future that he saw may became annulled if he told other people. He could only let it flow like the nature wants it to be.

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Bernard finally check on his wife and his daughters after a long thought. He looks dejected. Kylie Claymore, wife of Bernard, noticed her husband expression. "Dear, what's wrong?"

"Moligan came and congratulated us for having our daughters." Bernard answered with dim expression.

"Oh my! How did he knows we have twins? Now I know why people keep talking about him!" Kylie looks happy and surprised. "Did he say anything else?"

There was no answer from the Duke. He kept silent for a moment.

"Dear--"

"My dear wife, I want to tell you something about our daughters..." At the end, Bernard said what he was thinking and told his decision. He decided that his little daughter had to endured living as her big sister's shadow.

"No! It's my little girl! Why she had to endure such thing!" The madam looked very sad.

"It was for Zetas, my wife. We as a part of it, especially because we are Claymore, that we had to endured this as a prove of our loyalty to the Emperor and Zetas Kingdom."

"Oh, my poor little girl!" cried Kylie in pain for her beloved little daughter that was just born couple hours ago.

And from that day, the Duke told his household to obey his rules to treat the big sister like a princess and the latter as the big sister's shadow. Even if that what was decided by the Duke, they kept treating the latter as their lady very dearly. They just didn't tell the outsider about her existence. So that, everyone in the Zetas Kingdom only know that the Duke of Claymore only has one daughter.

The Claymores and their servants lived in their house were very careful when they talk about the new born daughters to outsider. The twins grow up healthy and showered with love from everyone in the house. Because they look a like, the big sister was called Roselia and the latter was called Rosé. Both of them was very lovely and soon they reach understanding, they start to learn basic etiquette as a noble lady.

"Dear, do you think Moligan also told to His Majesty about our daughters?" Kylie asked her husband.

"Moligan only said about Roselia future fate to His Majesty. I know His Majesty is wise. He wouldn't decide thing that is very important like this in rush."

"I just hope what Moligan got from the Constellations was fault this time. I wish my daughters have a comfortable life. Being an Empress is a blessing, but if they could live happily as a noble, why must one of them have to suffer the burden of an Empress."

Bernard could only reply with weak smile. Then he embraces his wife and stroke her chestnut soft hair carefully. He taught the same as his wife, he could only hope for the best of his daughters.

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To be Continued

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AN: I wish you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed write this down. Never expect I would write story in English because that's not my mother language. So if there's a mistake, I humbly apologize. See you next time!