CONVINCING EMMY

GAGE knocked on the door of their room. "Emmy, can I come in?"

As her husband, there's probably no need for him to ask for permission to enter their bedroom. But he knew how complicated Emmy's feeling must be right now. He didn't want to add to her stress by suddenly barging into the room. 

It probably took more than a minute before he heard his wife's voice.

"Come in."

He opened the door and entered the room. He immediately saw Emmy sitting on one corner of their bed, looking completely loss. She was staring into nothing, her beautiful blue eyes completely out of focus. 

Gage's heart seemed to be suddenly stabbed by a dagger when he saw his wife like this. He quickly walked towards her and sat beside her. He didn't hesitate to wrapped her shoulders with his arm. 

"Wife, don't be sad. My heart hurts seeing you like this."

Being engulfed in such a warm embrace, Emmy suddenly came out of her out-of-focus state. She leaned on her husband's wide chest. "Gage, am I being too much? Am I in the one who's wrong?"

"I don't think it's a matter of being right or wrong," Gage said. "You have your reasons. And I know best what those reasons are. But Emmy, our children also have their reasons. And I think it's best to listen to them first before making any final decision."

Emmy couldn't believe that Gage just said that. She got out from his embrace. "Gage, you know how dangerous it would be for them to study at the capital. They could go anywhere else but just not there."

Not to mention her past, even Gage's past could be uncovered. But one thing was for sure, if even one of the two came into light, the one who would bear the brunt of it would be the twins. And that's one thing she didn't want to happen.

"I know your worries. Trust me, I also don't want our kids to ever face any kind of danger. Especially if its related to their parents' past. Because that should be something we should face, not them," Gage said. "But Emmy, it's also unfair to them if they didn't even know why we are refusing like this."

Emmy, of course, knew that her husband had a point. They couldn't just go and say 'no' without telling them the reason why. If they do that, then there would surely be a rift between them and the kids. She didn't want that to happen. 

She didn't want the twins to go to the capital. She also didn't want them to get mad. But wishing both to happen was almost impossible. She couldn't simply have the best of both worlds. So, she knew that they had to explain everything to the kids. And then hoped that they would understand and would no longer continue to insist on going to the capital.

Seeing her wife not saying anything, Gage finally couldn't help but say, "Do you know what Reas said to me earlier? He said they have their own dreams. That they wouldn't be able to accomplish the things they wanted if they don't go to the capital. And then he asked if we're planning to bury his and Aster's talents here in this planet." He saw how her wife paled at the last thing he said. But he still continued, "I felt ashamed when he asked me that. Because it really seemed like we're chaining them down. Chaining them in our own worries and fears."

Emmy couldn't say anything. She was shocked that Reas would actually say something like that. Was that what they were doing by refusing to allow them to study at the capital? Was that really what he thought? That his own parents wanted to bury his and his brother's talents here? 

She smiled bitterly. It felt like something just squeezed her heart tightly. The effect of what Reas said was even greater because the twins had never talked back before to them. That's how much of a good kid the two of them were. They were very obedient and had never brought trouble to their parents. And yet, the first time they asked sincerely for something, she refused vehemently without even hearing their side. She didn't even bother to give them any explanation. As if she was lording over the face that she was their mother and they couldn't do anything but follow what she wanted.

She clenched her fists tightly, her nails burying into her palm. Just what kind of mother was she? It's no wonder Reas would say those things. 

Gage saw his wife's reaction and he couldn't help but feel concerned. He reached out his hand and unclenched Emmy's fingers. Then he held them tightly. "Emmy, let's go and talk to them."

Emmy gazed down at their intertwined fingers. All the depressing thoughts that entered her mind slowly subsided and she returned to calm. Her thoughts were now as clear as a sunny day. The haze in her eyes had also vanished. This was the effect that only Gage could bring to her.

She raised her head and looked at her husband who was also looking at her. But unlike her, his gaze was full of worry and pleading. "Okay, let's do that."

The two of them walked out of the room hand-in-hand. 

Emmy never let go of Gage's hand even until they reached their home's back garden. The twins were still there. But the dishes on the table had already been cleared out. The two probably did that while Gage was convincing her. She wanted to chuckle. Because, even at this moment, her kids were still so responsible. But she stopped herself when she saw the worried and nervous expression on both of their faces.

She sat down on the seat that she sat on during dinner. Gage also did the same.

Emmy looked at the twins before speaking, "I know you wanted to discuss about your decision on going to the capital for college. But first, I want the two of you to know about my past. Because maybe this way you could understand where I'm coming from." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I'm the daughter of Lord Anthony Grimaldi – one of the most powerful duke in the Empire."