COMPROMISE

"REAS and I both hope that Mom and Dad could give us their blessings as we take this next step in our lives," Astrid said as he observed the reaction of both of his parents.

Gage showed a shocked expression. It seemed like he didn't know how he would react to the bomb that his two sons just dropped. He didn't expect that this wonderful dinner would actually end with this kind of announcement.

Emmy's reaction was much more visible. Her whole face darkened. She was obviously not happy with what she just heard. Especially thinking that her sons put this much effort into preparing this dinner just because they wanted to get hers and Gage's permission to allow them to study at the capital. Which meant that they were aware that there's a high chance that she and Gage wouldn't agree. And yet, they still went and did it.

She couldn't think properly. At the mention of the Emperor Star, her whole mind was just filled with all the possible her children would face if they go at the capital. Before she could arrange her thoughts, her body and mouth already moved. 

She stood up abruptly and said in a cold voice, "No. Pick another school."

After she said that, she walked straight back inside the house.

Astrid stopped himself from sighing. Although he and Reas had already expected this kind of reaction, he didn't think that their mother wouldn't even hear their explanation and would just straight up tell them to pick another school. He glanced at his brother who also happened to glance at him. He could see the frustration in Reas' face. He's probably feeling the same way as him.

Gage scratch the back of his head when he saw the downcast expression of his children. He understood why his wife reacted that way. There's a lot of factors that could affect the safety of their kids. Knowing Emmy, she was probably too flustered to think properly. That's why she didn't even bother to listen to the twins. But their kids didn't know that. He didn't want the twins to misunderstand their mother because of that.

"You two, you should have discussed with us first before you applied for any school at the capital," he said in a helpless tone.

"But Dad and Mom would still object with our choices. So, we just went ahead with it," Reas said with a bit of sulking tone.

Gage flicked his younger son's forehead. "And so? You just hope that since the two of you were already accepted, we would just nod our head and say 'yes'?"

"But Dad and Mom also couldn't just object to our decision without explaining anything to us," Reas stubbornly said.

He still couldn't understand why they were so against them going to the capital. Since he and his brother were kids, their parents always almost never mentioned the Emperor Star. As if they were afraid that their children would hear about it. 

But it's almost an impossible task to prevent them from knowing about the capital. They're not living under a rock. They went to school which taught the history of the Empire. They had Terminals which could access the [StarNet].

The more they knew about the capital, the more they noticed how their parents avoided discussing about it. And as they grew up, they finally noticed that there must be something wrong. That there was something that their parents were hiding from them. 

Reas wanted to be understanding. He didn't want to cause unnecessary problems to his parents if could avoid it. But this time, he couldn't back down. Because his dreams depended on this. Not only his, but also Astrid's. 

"We also have our own dreams. Things that we wanted to work hard to attain. Things that we wouldn't be able to accomplish if we don't go to the capital. Surely, Dad wouldn't want our talents to be buried here?" he couldn't help but add.

Gage was suddenly hit by what Reas said that he couldn't speak for a moment. 

"Reas," Astrid called in a warning tone, preventing his twin from saying anything that he would regret.

Reas stopped talking and then let out a deep breathe. "I'm sorry, Dad. I was a bit out of line."

"It's fine. I understand where you're coming from," Gage quickly said.

He had also been at their age. The age where you're being fueled by your passion. But just by hearing Reas' words, he knew that his son was serious about this dream of his. As a parent, he should support it. If their circumstances were normal, he wouldn't hesitate to do so. Because there's so many things to consider.

"But I also want the two of you to understand me and your mother. We also have our own worries," he added.

"Dad, it would be easier for us to do that if you explain what those 'worries' are,��� Astrid said. "Because just like Reas, I'm also not planning on giving up."

Reas nodded to that, as if agreeing to what Astrid just said.

Gage looked at his kids' face, both were full of determination. And he once again felt helpless. The urge to just readily agree to their decision just surge into him. But he knew he couldn't just do that. At the same time, he also knew that he couldn't just ignore his kids' wishes. Since it probably took a lot for them to confess and finally tell them their decision. 

"I'll talk to your mother," he said. "Then the four of us will have a family meeting."

This was the best compromise he could make under this circumstance.