Cecilia woke up early the next morning to pack the last things for her daughter and herself. Celyne was still soundly asleep in the room next to hers, her own little blue suitcase ready for departure. Cecilia checked one last time on her before making her way to the breakfast buffet. Cecilia and Celyne usually enjoyed a private buffet away from all their workers, including Kalliopa and Aquilus, but Cecilia couldn't resist to sit with them that morning.

"Morning" Cecilia yawned as she made her way to the two. Kalliopa sat across from Aquilus, and put down her cup of tea and smiled to her. The queen sat herself next to her brother, starting to sip on her own coffee.

"You look like you haven't gotten a wink of sleep, are you alright?" Aquilus asked, his tone genuinely concerned. "Was it Celyne again?"

Cecilia took a sip of the coffee and placed a reassuring hand on her brother's shoulder. He was surprised, but quickly relaxed when Cecilia gave him a soft look, a small smirk forming on her lips.

"I'm quite alright, thanks for your concern though," she held back her laughter, as Aquilus gave her a puzzled look," I'm just not wearing any makeup"

Kalliopa and Cecilia broke out in laughter as Aquilus looked away in embarrassment. They calmed down a little, and Cecilia spoke up again

"Speaking of makeup, don't you have a meeting to attend to soon, Quilus? I don't wanna sound rude, but you look like you could use a little concealer here and there" she giggled, wiping a small tear away from her eye.

"Very funny. Maybe I will help Celyne think of a way to ruin your newest purse?" he grinned, taking satisfaction in his sisters surprised reaction. He stood up to get some dessert from the buffet, when he heard Cecilia scream after him.

"If you do that, I'm telling Ma that you shoplifted in high school!" Cecilia shouted, and as he turned around, he saw a pleased grin on her face. Aquilus made his way back to the table, and started to ruffle through his twin's brown hair.

" I did not! And besides, she hates you after your marriage failed, it was such a good offer for her. And oh, if you're gonna drag me down, I'm telling Ma that you had a boyfriend when you were 15" he leaned against her, his arm resting on her head. " Did you know he's in jail now?"

Cecilia pushed him off, now looking back up at him. "Ma does not like me, and as if she's ever did. But I'm willing to contact her if you get on my nerves." She replied. Now giving him a puzzled look as well. "And why is Mycer in jail?"

Aquilus shrugged, and Kalliopa looked up from her phone. " I'm sorry to chime in," she announced, "But do you mean Andry Mycer?" The twins nodded slowly, a hint of concern in their eyes. "I've checked that guys files, and I can assure you, that guy is...disturbing.." She trailed off, her head lowered back to her tea.

"Kalliopa, don't leave me hanging now. Its been a good amount of time since I've heard some good gossip, what the maids are whispering is repeating itself. Spill it." Cecilia nagged, her brother standing behind her, nodding.

"Well, if you really wanna know.." Kalliopa took a deep breath, " Mycer got charged for first degree murder, twice. Victims were both dismembered and had severe burns. Those burns came from fire and from Acid, that's what the autopsy report showed atleast. One was strangled, the other one bled out."

Kalliopa sipped her tea again, while both of the twin's jaw dropped. Cecilia's ex was a killer, such a gruesome one on top of that.

Kalliopa's eyes wandered between the two, a small chuckle escaping her. "Told ya, he's disturbing. But in all honesty, I've seen worse firsthand" her tone nonchalant, but almost amused. "Come on now, this is no conversation for breakfast. Cecilia, you haven't eaten yet, I presume?"

Cecilia shook her head, trying to take in what she's just heard. Aquilus gave her one last pat on the head, and Kalliopa made her way over to Cecilia, stretching out her hand to help her up.

"I'll go check on Celyne, if that's alright?" Aquilus asked. He didn't wait for a reply before turning on his heel and walking towards the exit.

As Aquilus passed by the buffet, he heard a high pitched gasp, and a small figure disappeared into the hallway. He followed the figure, and it came to a halt in a small, cramped broom closet. The makeshift cupboards didn't look like they'd survive much longer, stacked to capacity with a variety of colorful cleaning utensils. Aquilus flicked the light switch up, and found his niece sitting in a corner, a chocolate donut lying infront of her and Celyne biting down on her strawberry flavored.

"Celyne, what are you doing? Aren't you supposed to be asleep?" Aquilus approached her, concern and confusion evident on his face as he knelt down to the princess. His knee cracked slightly, as if it was symbolizing it had enough of following that girl around. He brushed a messy brown strand of hair out of Celynes face and tucked it behind her ear, her eyes fluttering shut as she munched on her donut.

"I should be...," she muttered, her mouth stuffed, averting her uncles worried gaze, "but I wanted a donut.."

She took another bite, having yet to touch the chocolate-glazed donut. Aquilus eyes hushed over to it, and picked it up carefully, as if it was some sort of prized jewel. Admiration wasn't the look on his face, but much rather disgust. Clearly, nobody would eat that.

Celyne followed her uncle's gaze to the donut on the floor. Her eyes lit up with exitement and a little childs enthusiasm, eager to tell Aquilus the reason behind it.

"This is for the goddess Rhymia!" A big smile adorning her lips. "I've talked with her! She said she liked chocolate, so I brought her a donut!"

Aquilus looked dumbfounded at his gleaming niece. Kids and their imagination. Looks like imaginary friends are passed down. He remembers exactly what Cecilia was like during their childhood. It's no wonder that Celyne takes after her mother.

Just then, Aquilus noticed the curtains in the dusty chamber. He doesn't remember those being such a majestic, dark purple. That thought was quickly cast aside, probably just a maid who changed it. It does look nicer than a gray, however.

"Celyne," Aquilus began, turning his head back to the child. His tone was amused, yet a gentle scolding lay underneath it, thinking back about the bedtime stories he's told her about the gods. Seemingly, her favourite one was the story of the demigoddess. "You know that Rhymia is also called humanity's downfall. Shes a devil, but she most certainly won't care about a little princess like you."

Celynes expression sank, as if Aquilus just denied her existence. Her little bubble had been burst, and she put away her donut. She nodded in disappointment, and Aquilus put a hand on the little childs head, patting her gently. "How many times have you done this already?" he inquired. A huff escaped celyne, turning into an adorable pout as her lower lip trembled, a futile attempt to earn a reaction from Aquilus. Or atleast to make him take back his words.

Aquilus lauged in amusement, reaching up to pick up his pouty niece. "Let's get you back to mommy, no?" He squished her cheek, making her turn her face away from him, resulting in another giggle from Aquilus.

Just then, Cecilias Voice echoed through the marble halls, the clacking of her shoes a rhythmic sound tapping into their direction. "Quilus?" she turned to the corner, "What are you doing here?" Cecilia inquired, her tone that of gentle concern.

"It's nothing, really. Just Celynes childish shenanigans, as always," the man replied, handing his niece back to her mother. Cecilia carefully accepted her, and put her down. Afterall, Celyne was old enough to stand on her own, according to Cecilia's train of thought. Nevertheless, she held Celyne close, combing through her hair affectionately.

Aquilus looked down at this, hand on his hip. "You're spoiling her too much, Lia," he muttered, yet he found this endearing. He looked back up at his sister, being met with an exasperated gaze by her. Aquilus cleared his throat, asking, "if she's this much trouble, me and Astrados can take care of her, and you travel to yourself?"

The little girl shook her head vehemently, yet stayed quiet, despite Aquilus expectations of her to throw a fit. Perhaps she isn't this spoiled. Cecilia, too, shook her head, even if not as enthusiastic as her daughter. "No," she began, "I have taken her into full consideration for this trip. Even be it diplomatic, I have intended for her to meet princess Soraya for a while now. I'm certain she and Celyne would get along splendidly, considering that Soraya is barely a year older. And frankly, I have missed Sohail aswell. He has turned 16 recently, on his Coronation, and I haven't gotten to congratulate him."

She paused for a moment, staring at the now-gray curtains. Cecilia huffed, a smile tugging the corners of her lips upwards, "its quite absurd, isn't it?" The queen looked like she was about to add something, mouth agape, but shook her head instead. "Ah, nevermind. We ought to get going, sweetheart." Celyne promptly took her mothers hand, smiling adorably. As she led her daughter away, Aquilus simply huffed, going back to his breakfast to his colleague. Hopefully, he can actually focus on his job for once, instead of just babysitting for his sister. Actually, why can't Kalliopa look after that little devil for once, she seems way less stressed!

Stepping back into the buffet, he saw how his colleague was leisurely enjoying her tea, immersed in something on her phone. She turning her head to the mug, Kalliopa swirled the remains of the tea in the mug with a soft sigh, putting her phone back into her pocket and getting up, unaware of Aquilus' presence. He lightly tapped her shoulder, making Kalliopa jump slightly and turn her head towards him. "Seriously?" she asked. Aquilus just gave her a cheeky grin.

Kalliopa had put away the mug, as she walked to her office with Aquilus. The marble hallways were spotless, the warm, fuzzy red carpet just as much. She marveled every day at the beauty of this castle. Turning to Aquilus, she broke the comfortable morning silence, asking the man, "Has Chisato told you anything new regarding the...struggles," she hesitated, eyes darting away downward to the floor, steps slowing just a tad, thinking if 'struggles' was an appropriate term for the situation, "the struggles Luna is facing under king Leonards reign. I mean...poor girl is still so young..." she trailed off.

Aquilus halted her by raising a hand to put on his friends shoulder. "Kalli," he began, tone soft, "Luna is doing fine. Sato told me that she learned how to read recently. She's somewhat a little genius, even Sato said so," he sighed, releasing her shoulder and taking a few, slow steps forward, Kalliopa following suit, "but I find it a pity that she doesn't get to grow up with her sister. Cecilia and I used to fight all the time, but she was still always there for me, just as I was for her. Besides, I think that Celyne would be thrilled, having a sister," he laughed, Kalliopa giggling lightly aswell, steps speeding up again in the vast span of hallways, or rather a vast maze.

A cold breeze brushed through the air through an open window, velvet curtains rising up and falling back down again. Tapping her chin, Kalliopa pretended to ponder, smile playing on her pale lips. "I think Celyne would be delighted, certainly. Yet consider that you're already cursing about one sly child. How would you manage if Luna was such a cheeky one, too?" She prodded, poking his side and making Aquilus squirm away to the side, laughing.

Dramatically wiping a tear from his eye with his pointer finger, he defended himself that Luna seemed to me much calmer than Celyne. Kalliopa nodded, because noone ever managed to keep that child sitting down on a chair for more than a minute. Their steps halted once again, Kalliopa, turning to her office door, fumbled to get the keys out. While she was looking for the right one, Aquilus leaned against the doorframe, "Actually, Kalli, have you got any siblings? You talk so little about yourself," he asked lightheartedly. Kalliopa glanced up after she inserted the key, and looked up, but not at the man next to her.

Kalliopa tensed up. The lock was unlocked with its old clack, and she put a foot inside. She shook her head, white hair brushing over her blue shirt. "No," she said curtly, "I'm an only child." She walked towards her desk, looking through the stacks of paper she had to work on. Her answer sounded awfully short to Aquilus, and he wanted to ask her more about it, because seemingly that wasn't the full truth. But before he could open his mouth to speak, Kalliopa looked back at him, giving him a quick slight nod, that she didn't want to talk about it.

Aquilus shrugged off his concerns, since it was her own personal business, giving her a quick nod back, reaching for the gold-colored door handle and pulling it shut to give the commissioner her peace and quiet.

Back in his own office, Aquilus found a note, hastily scribbled down on a torn piece of paper. It read,

"Me and Celyne left already, I got the time wrong, plane leaves at 14:00, not 15:30.
Xoxo Cecilia"

He sighed, tossing the note into the bin beneath his desk. He started to scribble down his schedule for the day, the tip of his pen quietly gliding across the paper, he muttered with an exasperated frown, "You never were good with times, were you, sister?"

(Words: 2,374, Total: 5,832)