Twins

Erica Bluerose, her lips trembling, struggled to hold back her tears as she processed her sister's words. But before she could respond, Alea Bluerose swiftly dismissed the argument, her tone devoid of empathy.

"Let's put an end to this pointless bickering, Erica," she uttered, brushing past her sister and heading towards the door. "I'm already running late because of this unnecessary dispute. Consider it a lesson, my dear sister, to not let timidity rule your heart. Remember, the one who ends up with him won't be determined solely by who met him first."

Without waiting for Erica's response, she briskly exited the room.

"B-But I..." Erica managed to utter, her voice barely above a whisper, but Alea was already gone, leaving her standing there alone. "...I was the one who met him first. It's not fair..." she whispered to the emptiness of the room, her voice filled with desperation and longing.

•••••

Alea strode down the dimly lit hallway, her gaze fixed ahead, refusing to look back even once at the room she had left behind.

As she approached the descending stairs, a figure materialized in the grand main hall of the sprawling estate.

Dressed in an opulent black suit, the man's presence sent a chill down Alea's spine, compelling her to seek refuge in the shadows.

'Why is he here?' she pondered.

The individual who had appeared was none other than Daemon Horselle, the eldest son of Duke Horselle and Alea's ill-fated betrothed. With his raven-black hair and piercing green eyes, Daemon possessed a striking appearance.

Yet, despite his elegant attire, his demeanor exuded a rebelliousness that clashed with his refined attire. Alea couldn't help but cringe at the sight of him, feeling a wave of revulsion wash over her.

In her heart, she knew that the young man she truly loved far surpassed Daemon in every conceivable way

'He was a hundred times—no, not just a hundred times better,' she mused, momentarily lost in her thoughts. 'Perhaps a thousand times... no, a million times better.'

Before Alea could indulge in the futile act of quantifying the disparity between her heart's desire and this pitiful man she was destined to wed, the sound of approaching footsteps jolted her senses.

As Alea glanced over her shoulder, she discovered Erica, peering at her with a perplexed tilt of her head. The confusion in Erica's eyes was evident, silently questioning why Alea was concealing herself. Yet, in an instant, Erica's attention shifted downward, her gaze settling on the man Alea had sought to avoid.

In that moment, realization washed over Erica's features, and her countenance transformed into one of resolute determination. Alea could sense the gravity of her sister's intentions, and her heart sank. She knew precisely what Erica was about to do.

'You can't be serious...' Alea thought, her mind racing as she observed the unwavering resolve etched upon Erica's face. There was no doubting her twin's intentions.

"Lord Daemon," Erica called out, her voice ringing through the hall.

"Hmm? Ah, Alea. Or is it Erica? Honestly, I can never tell the two of you apart. You're too identical for your own good, even as twins," Daemon remarked, his words laced with a hint of amusement.

Indeed, Alea and Erica were twins, so indistinguishable that even their parents struggled to tell them apart.

But there was one person in the world who possessed the uncanny ability to discern which sister was which.

"A-Apologies for the disappointment, but I am Erica," she corrected, her voice steady despite the nerves that gripped her. "I understand your expectation to meet my sister, but fate has led you to encounter me instead."

Daemon's response was unexpected. A warm smile graced his lips as he met Erica's gaze. "That's not true. You possess an equal beauty to your sister, and I am far from disappointed. In fact, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to lay my eyes upon you."

The compliment caught Erica off guard, her cheeks flushing faintly. "T-Thank you for your kind words," she replied, executing a graceful bow. Though she was a marquis's daughter, Daemon's noble lineage as the son of a duke held a higher social standing.

Daemon's laughter rang through the hall, his joy evident. "There's no need to be so formal, Erica. After all, when Alea and I are wed, you will become my sister. It would be better for you to acquaint yourself with a more relaxed demeanor in my presence."

"I-I will certainly make an effort," Erica responded, her smile tinged with a hint of awkwardness. Daemon found himself momentarily entranced by her endearing smile, but he quickly shook his head, refocusing his attention on the matter at hand.

"So, is your sister, Alea, present here?" Daemon inquired, his voice filled with purpose, determined to locate the woman he had come to meet.

"M-My sister is indeed here, Lord Daemon," Erica confirmed, her gaze shifting towards the hidden figure of Alea. However, she swiftly averted her eyes, as the sight of Alea's fury-filled eyes sent a chill down her spine.

"...This witch," Alea muttered venomously under her breath, her voice barely audible.

Erica may have appeared docile and timid, but beneath her gentle exterior lay a cunning mind. It was a facet of her character that Alea had failed to fully recognize. The cunning nature she had inherited from their father also ran deep within her.

'I knew it. She's planning to thwart my plans, preventing me from meeting Cian,' Alea seethed internally, her mind consumed with a mixture of anger and frustration.

"Oh? Where can I find her?" Daemon inquired, his eyes scanning the grand hall in search of Alea's presence. Erica, once again, turned her gaze towards Alea. Her silent message was clear: if Alea wished to avoid further complications, she should reveal herself and face the situation head-on.

Alea clenched her fists, exerting every ounce of self-control to suppress the urge to scream in frustration and unleash a torrent of curses at her sister. Taking a deep breath, she smoothed the fabric of her flowing skirt, summoning the strength to rise and affix a practiced smile upon her lips.

Alea emerged from her hiding spot, feigning surprise as she addressed Daemon. "Oh? What a delightful surprise, Lord Daemon. I never expected you to grace our manor with your presence."

Daemon's smile widened, his eyes fixed upon Alea. "Indeed, I have come to visit you, Alea. Although you're not the sole reason for my visit, you are certainly the primary one."

"How kind of you, my dear betrothed, to pay such attention to me. It seems I am fortunate to have a groom as considerate as you." Her words dripped with a veiled disdain, a sharp contrast to the pleasant facade she maintained.

As this exchange unfolded, Erica discreetly took a step back, allowing them some space. She silently relished the success of her plan, satisfied that her manipulation had yielded the desired outcome.

Alea silently muttered, "...this witch". For a fleeting moment, her mask slipped, revealing a brief flash of intense anger before she quickly donned her practiced smile once more. "And pray tell, Lord Daemon, what might be the second reason for your visit?"

"The second reason for my visit is to discuss a matter of utmost importance with your father," Daemon revealed, his tone shifting to a more serious note.

"Is it something I'm not meant to know?"

"I'm afraid so, Alea," Daemon replied gently. "This is a matter that must remain undisclosed, even to you. I apologize for the secrecy, but it is necessary."

A hint of disappointment colored Alea's voice, though beneath the surface, she felt a wave of relief washing over her. She was secretly pleased to be spared from engaging in a conversation that could potentially disrupt her plans.

"Do not be disheartened, Alea," Daemon reassured her. "There will be ample opportunity for us to converse in the future. And when that time comes, we will be able to talk as if there's no tomorrow. Look forward to it."

He casually brushed his hand through his hair, attempting to exude an air of charm and allure.

However, in Alea's eyes, it fell flat, failing to stir any attraction. However, she played along, responding with a polite tone, "I will indeed look forward to it."

Daemon's lips curved into a satisfied smile as he absorbed Alea's response. His piercing gaze remained fixed on her as he posed his next question. "So, Alea, do you happen to know the whereabouts of your esteemed father at this moment?"

A sudden realization struck Alea like a slap in the face, sending her mind into a frenzy.

Her father, holding the esteemed title of marquis, often found himself obligated to participate in affairs that demanded his presence within the grand palace walls.

'Crap! How could I have let this slip my mind? I can't believe my own carelessness,' she silently berated herself.

The weight of the situation settled upon her shoulders, but she refused to succumb to despair. With a deep breath, Alea composed herself, determined to find a solution. She couldn't let this setback hinder her plans to see Cian again. Perhaps she could offer Lord Daemon an alternative, a suggestion that would satisfy his desire for a meeting while allowing her to maintain her own agenda.

Regaining her composure, Alea mustered her most gracious smile and replied, "I apologize, Lord Daemon, for the unfortunate circumstance. It appears that my father is currently absent from the estate, attending matters of great importance within the palace."

A tinge of disappointment tinged Daemon's voice as he replied, "Oh? Your father is not present? I see..."

"Although my father's absence is regrettable, I assure you, Lord Daemon, that your visit will not go unnoticed. I shall personally inform my father of your desire to meet him and make arrangements for a more opportune time. Please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused."

A thoughtful silence hung in the air as Daemon processed Alea's words.

"I see. Well, indeed, this is an unfortunate twist of timing. I suppose I shall have to plan another visit when your father becomes available again."

As Daemon turned towards the hall's entrance, his steps were interrupted by a voice that brought him to a halt.

"W-Wait, Lord Daemon!" It was Erica, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Daemon turned to face her, a perplexed expression on his face. "Hmm? What's the matter, Erica?"

"Y-Yes... What's troubling you, dear sister?" Alea chimed in, her intuition grasping Erica's underlying intention.

Erica took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before she found the strength to respond. "U-Uhm. W-What if... What if you were to stay here, Lord Daemon? I mean, instead of leaving, why not wait for Father to return home?"

Alea's eyes burned with fury as she locked gazes with Erica. However, undeterred by her sister's anger, Erica pressed on.

"The journey to Horselle's dukedom is quite far, isn't it? You came all this way to see our father, only to arrive when he was already gone. I can imagine the inconvenience it has caused you. So, instead of leaving now, why not stay here for a while and wait for him? I'm certain Father will return earlier today, considering it has been a day since he left for the palace. Plus, this way, you'll have ample time to converse with my sister," Erica suggested timidly, her voice betraying her nervousness.

Daemon's brows raised in surprise. "Oh? I hadn't considered that, Erica. Well then, I suppose I shall take you up on your offer."

As Daemon agreed, Alea's expression transformed into one resembling a raging demon. She glared at her sister with seething anger, her mind consumed with curses. 'Is this the extent to which you're willing to go to prevent me from reaching Cian?! You conniving little witch!' Alea's thoughts hissed with resentment and frustration.