Traverse

Chapter 1: The Twins

The twin girls, Eimear Rubmond and Malorie Rubmond, arrived at their grandmother's mansion, their faces filled with uncertainty, yet curiosity. They had no parents to live with, no home to return to—only the large, quiet house of their grandmother, nestled in the heart of the City of Westbruck.

The city, once a grand aristocratic, had transitioned over the years into a democratic state. The old titles and privileges of the nobility had faded with time, but the mansion still stood as a symbol of the family's storied past. Despite the political shift, their family still retained ownership of the grand house, which had now transformed into a house and a museum—housing artifacts from centuries of history.

Their grandmother, a kind and dignified woman, greeted them warmly. "Put your things here, my dears. We have a lot of work to do," she said with a gentle smile, gesturing to the bags the girls had brought.

The twins eagerly set about unpacking, rushing toward their designated rooms.

"This will be my room! It has a nice view from the balcony, heh-heh," Eimear, the older twin, shouted excitedly as she dashed into the first room. The furniture was Serena Mahogany, a traditional classic design that had been preserved for generations. The room had a soft pinkish-white theme, with a small veranda beside the bed that overlooked the sprawling estate.

The younger twin, Malorie, stepped into the other room, identical in layout but different in furnishings. The furniture here was Durham Furniture—Savile Victorian Mahogany. The walls were a pale yellow, decorated with delicate prints, and the room felt calm and inviting.

"This is perfect, thank you, Grandma," Malorie said, wrapping her arms around her grandmother in a tight hug. Both girls beamed with joy at the thought of starting their new life under their grandmother's roof.

After putting their things in order, the girls went downstairs to explore the mansion.

The house was vast, with many rooms filled with antique furniture and rich history. The main attraction was the mansion's private museum, a treasure trove of ancient artifacts from centuries past. Displayed in glass cases were vases, ornate clothing, and relics recovered from Etruscan tombs—each piece a reminder of the family's storied legacy. These artifacts, once belonging to the aristocratic family, now served as a reminder of a time long past—before the shift in power that had changed Westbruck's political landscape.

The twins marveled at the artifacts, their faces lit with wonder.

Later that evening, after their tour of the mansion, they gathered around the dinner table in the grand dining hall. Madame Cynthia, affectionately called Tia, had prepared an authentic feast, each dish made with love and care.

As the meal began, however, their grandmother noticed that Eimear, the older twin, was unusually quiet. The sadness in her eyes didn't go unnoticed.

"Is something wrong with the food, my child?" the old woman asked, her voice gentle but concerned. "No, it's not the food," Eimear replied in a soft, sad tone. "It just reminds me of Mom and Dad. If they were here, I'm sure they'd both be arguing about who was the better cook."

The sadness in Eimear's voice made her grandmother's heart ache. The twins had lost their parents far too soon, and their grief still lingered, casting a shadow over the joyful evening.

The old woman cleared her throat and smiled warmly. "I'm sure your mother and father would have enjoyed this dinner, especially since Madame Tia cooked it. They would be proud of the meal, and of you two."

She began to tell stories of the twins' parents—tales from the past that the girls had never heard before. The twins listened with rapt attention, eager to learn more about the parents they had lost so young.

The dinner ended, and the old woman tucked the girls into bed, kissing them goodnight and leaving the room quietly. She closed the door behind her and stood in the hallway for a moment, staring out at the moonlit garden.

A deep sigh escaped her lips. "If only I could predict what will happen..." she whispered to herself before turning to retire for the night.

The wind whispered through the trees outside, crickets sang their evening song, and fireflies danced in the moonlight. The old woman closed her eyes, praying that the girls would find peace in their new home.

Two days passed quietly. The twins spent their time traveling around the City of Westbruck, learning about its rich history. They visited museums, explored ancient ruins, and saw the city's blend of modernity and tradition. The former aristocratic estates were now a part of the public sphere, a testament to the changes the city had undergone. When they returned home that afternoon, Eimear couldn't hide her displeasure.

"Ah, Grandma, we're back!" she called, her voice echoing through the great hall. Her grandmother smiled warmly at them. "Malorie, did you enjoy your trip around Westbruck? It must have been tiring. Come, have some water and rest. Why don't you go upstairs and clean yourselves up?"

Malorie, the younger twin, smiled shyly. "It was a bit boring, but the history was interesting. I learned a lot," she said, then went upstairs to change.

The old woman went into the mess hall to check the room, which had been left in disarray since the twins arrived. As she entered a secret room, her eyes landed on a necklace resting on a stone table.

The necklace gleamed faintly, its intricate design drawing her attention. The old woman knew the significance of this artifact all too well.

"Not these two girls. They're too young... They've only just started to settle in. Please, save them," she whispered, almost pleading. "Save your descendants."

Her thoughts turned to a distant memory—Airis.

She gazed at the necklace for a moment longer, then left the room and entered her study chamber. Unlike the rest of the house, this room was meticulously organized. Books were neatly arranged on shelves, and scrolls were laid out on a side table by date.

The old woman moved to a side table and unrolled one of the scrolls. It was a family record, tracing the lineage from Simone Rubmond and his wife all the way to the present day. Beside each name was a place—four cities listed per generation: - Euthoria Empire - Duchy of Limita - Delmorra County - Archduchy of Doford

She sighed deeply, her eyes lingering on the names. Then, her gaze fell on a painting on the wall. Silently, she began to pray in Latin, her words a plea for her granddaughters' safety.

"Please make them safe. Please do not abandon them. Help them find their way back here soon. Don't let one of them die like her."

Tears filled her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away when she heard a knock on the door. A voice called out from the hallway.

"Grandma, Arno said you're here checking on things. Madame Tia says dinner is ready. We should join them. I'll wait for you outside."

The old woman straightened herself, wiping away the remnants of her tears. She smiled at the girl waiting outside and walked with her to join the others for dinner.

Eimear was talkative, recounting stories from the tour and other random events. "Grandma, I forgot to tell you what happened last night," she said.

The old woman looked at her, a questioning look on her face. But as Eimear shared the details, the old woman's smile slowly faded.

It has begun.

She tried to mask her concern and smiled at the girl before heading upstairs to join the rest of the family.

The dinner table was full of laughter, stories, and joy. Everyone was enjoying themselves, and even the twins were laughing. But not the old woman. She sat quietly, her mind preoccupied with what Eimear had just shared.

She looked at Arno, giving him a meaningful glance. He immediately understood, a flicker of shock passing through his eyes. He recovered quickly and suggested that everyone get some rest.

The old woman knew that the path ahead for the twins would be fraught with challenges—challenges they weren't yet prepared for. But she also knew that fate had already begun to weave its thread, and soon, the twins would have to face the truth of their destiny.