FAMILY MEETING

AFTER the twins cleaned up the dishes, the two of them returned to the back garden and waited for their parents and for the family meeting to commence. When their father mentioned 'family meeting', it meant having in-depth conversation, discussing the problem at hand, and finding a solution for it together.

They rarely had a family meeting. The latest one was already a few years back, when the twins were just 15. Reas punched one of their upperclassmen, causing the other to be put into a medical bin for a day.

It was quite the commotion back then. Their parents had to be called to school, as well as that of the upperclassman. They demanded to sue for the injuries caused to their son. Of course, the twins' parents did not let that happen. 

Even without knowing the truth of what happened, Emmy and Gage defended Reas to the last. With their mother's cunning and their father's aggressiveness, they left that upperclassman's parents thoroughly speechless. At the end, no suing or such thing happened.

When they went home, a family meeting was held. And with their parents' urging, the twins finally told what happened. That upperclassman tried to bully Astrid, Reas only came to his brother's rescue. 

But their parents knew that it probably was not just that. After all, they knew their sons wouldn't react in such a violent way if it was just simple bullying. After further 'interrogation', Reas finally confessed that the upperclassman tried to accost Astrid. 

Both their parents went ballistic after hearing that. They weren't sure what their parents had done, but the morning after, that upperclassman had already transferred school.

That was the last time the Townsends had a family meeting. 

And now, one should commence once again after three years. But this time, it was for a completely different matter.

"Do you think Mom would agree?" Reas asked his brother.

"Well, if she doesn't, then we shall do everything in our power to convince her."

"Why don't you do all the convincing?" Reas said. "You're a better talker than me after all."

Astrid raised one of his brows when he heard that. "Really? I remember quite clearly that you were doing just fine when we're talking to Dad earlier. If I must say so, you were certainly quite convincing."

Reas only rolled his eyes at his brother's teasing tone. "I was simply under pressure."

"Then, please, remain under pressure and the both of us shall convince our dear parents to agree with us going to the capital."

Not long after, their parents walked out of the door leading to the back garden. They walked towards the table and sat down on the seats they sat on during dinner.

Their mother looked at them both 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."

Both Astrid and Reas were dumbfounded. They weren't even sure if they heard it correctly. 

"Mom, do you mean you're a noble?" Astrid asked when he got over the shock.

"I believe that's what I just said," Emmy said, confirming that they didn't mishear anything.

"Wait- isn't the Grimaldi family one of the noble families that has the largest territory in the Empire?" Reas asked, his tone was still unbelieving.

"Not only that, they also hold quite a lot of political power I believe," Astrid added.

"My, who would have thought the two of you know so much about the Empire's nobility?"

"That's only natural. Since the Grimaldis are quite well known," Gage replied to his wife's comment.

"Then, Mom, are you the daughter of Duke Grimaldi?" Astrid asked that one important question.

"I am," Emmy answered with a faraway look in her eyes. "Or at least I was."

Both twins weren't able to say anything immediately after that.

"Mom, is the reason why you don't want us going to the capital related to this?" Astrid asked carefully.

"Yes."

Then Emmy closed her eyes. And when she opened them, she began telling the events that happened almost two decades ago.

== About 20 years ago or so… ==

A flying shuttle landed in front of a huge castle-like mansion. There was a maze-like garden in front of it, full of different kinds of flowers. One could imagine just how rich the family that owned this mansion was.

The door of the shuttle opened and a young woman came down. Her ice-blue hair flowed down like beautiful waves behind her back. And her sapphire blue eyes were shining brightly.

"Welcome home, milady," a servant greeted the young woman.

The young woman – Emmaline Grimaldi – smiled. "Yes, I am back."