Divided

Twins

.............Hi :P

Caterina's POV

I awake with a start to the sound of gentle knocking at the door. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I see the door swing open, revealing a woman stepping inside with a bundle of clothes cradled in her arms. Her appearance is striking—deep brown eyes, warm tan skin, and long black hair cascading down her back. She wears a graceful, long brown dress that shimmers subtly in the morning light.

"Lan' ama proye," the woman says, bowing deeply. Celeste had translated this phrase for me the night before—it means "Mother Moon protects." It's a sign of reverence for their guardian deity.

Still half-asleep, I manage to get out of bed and return the bow. "I am Yvette. Queen Celeste's most trusted maid," she introduces herself with a formal nod. The fact that she addresses me in English makes it clear she's aware of who I am.

"I'm Caterina," I say with a shy smile, and she mirrors the gesture with a warm smile of her own.

"This is the dress Queen Celeste has chosen for you," Yvette continues, holding out the garment. "She said it is important for you to wear it, as it will help you blend in with everyone else while you're here." I pause to process this. "A while" could mean anything—days, months, years?

After my bath, I slip into the dress and shoes and stand before a full-length mirror in the room. "Oh wow..." I breathe out, admiring the sight. The dress is a deep, flowing black, with long sleeves that complement its elegant cut. It fits snugly at the top and billows gently from the waist down.

Yvette motions to a chair. "Come here, Caterina," she says gently, patting the seat. I take my place, and she begins to carefully brush my hair.

"Yvette?" I venture, breaking the silence.

"Yes?" she responds, her hands working skillfully through my hair.

"How long have you known the Queen?" I ask, intrigued.

"For about 550 years," she replies nonchalantly, as if discussing the weather. I gape in astonishment. That's an incredible span of time.

"And how old is Queen Celeste?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

"She is 5,554 years old," Yvette says with effortless ease. I feel my jaw drop in surprise. I cover my mouth with my hands, eyes widening in disbelief. She's been alive for centuries...

"Well, how old are you, Miss Caterina?" Yvette inquires with genuine interest.

"I'm 18..." I answer, feeling a bit self-conscious. Yvette attaches a delicate silver pin to my hair, holding back a few strands from either side of my head.

"Wow... so young," she says, her tone both surprised and admiring. I laugh nervously, unsure how to react.

"Also, I'm finished," Yvette announces as she steps back, letting me stand up. I look in the mirror again, noting the elegant braids and the way my hair is arranged with the silver pin. "Very beautiful, Yvette," I compliment her, offering a grateful smile.

She returns the smile with a nod. "Follow me! Queen Celeste is waiting," she says cheerfully, leading the way.

We descend the grand staircase together, the elegant creak of the steps echoing softly through the vast hall. As we reach the bottom, we turn and are greeted by the sight of a sprawling dining room, its size and opulence taking my breath away.

The room is illuminated by a grand silver chandelier that casts a warm, bright glow over the richly adorned space. A long, polished table stretches out in front of us, surrounded by high-backed chairs draped in luxurious fabrics. The walls are adorned with intricate tapestries, depicting scenes of ancient battles and celestial landscapes.