~Prologue~

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It was midday when they arrived; outside on the steps of what anyone would recognise as a wealthy and supreme academy. The tall iron gates just a couple metres behind two siblings stood as a warning, preventing unwanted visitors from entering. The two individuals stood in their new and neatly presented uniforms, being a black buret and blazer with the school's crest, with one in a skirt and the other in trousers and black high-kneed, buckled boots.

"To think we're being sent to a school of such... class." Andrew, the older twin, spoke with a voice laced in disgust as his sister sighed.

"Let us just prove our innocence by following the plan." Quinn, the younger sibling, stated with a tone reflecting her level of intellect and maturity.

"I suppose." He said. "After all, that is all we can do for the current circumstances." As Andrew finished his statement, he extended a hand to his sister. "Shall we?" Quinn glanced down at the hand for a short moment before taking it.

"Yes. Let's not keep our beloved head mistress waiting any longer than she already has."

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Once half an hour had passed, the two twins found themselves seated in front of a prim and tidy dressed woman, who was known for her title as 'Headmistress'.

"Good afternoon, Mr and Miss Veracity." The adult first spoke. "I've been told that you have both already been made aware of where everything is situated in this building. Despite the reason for your sudden transfer, I hope you can both get settled in comfortably for the year that you are staying with us."

Still keeping her stoic expression, as she did in most situations, Quinn answered, "Yes, Ms. Harrison. We both shall keep ourselves occupied with the activities this school has to offer."

"We certainly shall, Ms. Harrison, and you have my thanks for taking us in so openly, despite the circumstances." Her brother smiled.

"Of course! And please, treat yourselves to a stroll in the neighbouring village in your spare time. You are both now dismissed."

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After the passing of a few hours, Quinn and Andrew sat themselves on a bench beside a path that split into two: either leading to a separate dormitory building. Across from them stood a lush fountain. A lush fountain that gave off an uneasy essence of familiarity to the girl.

"At least we do not have to worry ourselves with the matter of informing others of our unjust sentence." She spoke, ignoring the monument whilst her brother nodded before resting his chin on his raised hand.

"That is yet another reason we ought to thank Ms. Harrison." With those words, Andrew stood and began to approach the fountain in the centre of the path. "Quinn, my dear little sister, do you not just love it when the only noise you can hear outside your own conversation is the rushing of water?"

The other twin stared blankly, for a moment, into the now closed eyes of her grinning sibling.

"Shame that it had to be the same on the evening of our alleged crime." She then arose from her seat and began to walk along the path leading to the female dorm rooms. "I will now take my leave."

The male looked over at the leaving figure of his twin. "So, my darling sister has grown so much that she wishes not to embrace her older brother before departure?"

"Please, spare me the embarrassment." And with those final words, she left her twin standing there with no one, but the continuous trickling of the fountain's contents.

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As she walked down the cobbled paths to her dorm room, Quinn's mind only processed the objective of her year stay in the academy. She did not intend to be liberated from the suspension still with the chains of the name 'guilty' clung tightly to her. She wanted freedom, but not only from the title but the true culprit of her sentence.

Once the Veracity had finally reached her door, she lifted the doorknocker and placed it down again. All that followed was the sound of something colliding with the floorboards before getting up to open the door.

"Greetings, Miss Quinn Veracity." The female's shoulder-length brown hair stood out from beneath her buret. Uniform was immaculate, and the rounded spectacles that rested on her nose only added to the 'nerdy' and 'role-model' student she was known to be.

"Lavitica Hughes, I presume." Quinn stated, already have being told before-hand about her roommate.

"Yes, that is my name." Lavitica spoke. "I am honoured that you are aware of who I am."

"Of course." Spoke the twin. "I believe that I am rather fortunate to have a more academic and focused dormy over the absurdity that I heard was left to accompany my poor brother."

The girl didn't know whether to respond or not to the Veracity's comment, but then realised the aim of her words and began to smile.

"I am pleased to know that you think of me so positively. Now, let's not stand out here, and please make yourself comfortable!"

The dorm room was spacious, more than enough for two. Two double beds stood at either side of the dorm, and in between, under the large window that looked over the room, were two black-walknut wooden desks, one with many sheets and books and random stationary scattered all over, whilst the other seemed brand new and never used a day since its making. Other necessary furniture for this room was there, all sat neatly and well organised throughout the space.

"For some, it does not come across as much initially, but as the days pass, the more homey and rich it feels." The Hughes informed her new roommate.

"Well, there is certainly plenty of room for it to be only a two-person accommodation, so I believe that I should do just fine here." Quinn answered.

"I am pleased to know." Lavitica smiled.

As the two enquired of one another, Quinn emptied out her belongings from her luggage. She remembered that, as part of her plan, she'd need an ally. The Veracity thought that she could have always chosen one later, once she had gotten to know people better, but upon opening her last suitcase, a folded piece of paper lay out on top.

Her heart flooded with anxiety as the fear of her discovery overwhelmed her. She took a silent deep breath, opened the note, and saw the words she had been weary of the most...

"Quinn, are you alright?" The distant voice of Lavitica called out but only fell upon deaf ears. He knew. The person she almost dreaded most knew. Her mouth lay agape for a moment before she sealed her lips shut again, still with adrenaline of panic surging through her. Quinn calmed herself, not wanting to worry her companion.

"Lavitica, do you mind if I share a story with you?"

"A story? What kind?"

"A true one, the one that led to my false sentencing."

"Sentencing? What do you mean?"

"Allow me to explain..."

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'It was him... it was Andrew Veracity, my brother.'

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