The curse of the twin swords.

It should be it.

Everything happened in the pasts matches to this. So... If that is not a myth...

If the legend about the twin swords are true...

What is the relation between Taehyung and me?

Who is he to me?

How he got the elder sword?

Then, is my sword is the envious one?

Too many questions. Too many that his head would burst out. How this sword came to my...

"Luminous." He turned around hearing the voice. His head hurting at the slightest movement. Darn that stupid girl. If she didn't come to my room yesterday, I wouldn't have these unnecessary thoughts.

"Why are you coming from that way?" A nonchalant voice of someone. Who? "Why? What is there this way?" This hallway seemed particularly dark than the others.

"Ghosts." The sudden voice came behind his ears, sending chills all through his body. He turned around, but didn't miss the green dusts flickering around. "Yoongi?" He smiled, knowing about the guy beside this fuss.

"Oh, you caught me." Luminous would be lying if he said that he wasn't startled by the sudden appearance of the said man to the side. The green dusts evident around him. His emerald eyes bored despite the curiosity lying beneath them.

"What were you doing over there?" He asked. Trying to catch up to Luminous' fast steps. "What would one do in a Library?" He said and walked away, leaving the Verde wondering by himself.

Library?

Mhmm.

Interesting.

__________________________________________________

"Harder, You are not doing it right." But how can anyone take his vigorous hits down? You huffed out a breath, irritation clearly visible through your brown orbs towards the blue ones. His sword raised up in the air, the sharp blade came right at you again, your petite excuses in blocking those failed every single time. Your sword fell down, clinkering along the gentle hot breeze and the rustling of the trees. Even the he suns seemed against you, shining ever so brightly and hotter to drain all your energy.

"Give me a break." You groaned not wanting to pick up the sword below. The amount you are sweating is not helping either.

"Do it again."

"No Tae. Please. Fifteen minutes."

"Pick your sword."

"Ten minutes?" Managing your most polite voice, you were almost on the verge of begging him to let you go. You have been training from the morning to the hot sun.

"Pick it." Not even an ounce of the TaeTae you know was in there. All that was there was Mr.Arrogant trainor.

"Five minutes?"

"Position."

"Two minutes please? Let me be for 2 minutes. And I'll be back at it with my full energy."

A sigh of frustration is all you heard in return. His slender fingers gripping on his blue locks as he pushed it back. The blinding suns making his skin stand out in the white shirt he wore.

"Two minutes. Not even a second more." He sat in the green sand below, his sword beside him. He looked tired too. And why is he training you this hard when he himself needs rest?

You sat beside him, your hair still in yesterday's braid. Roaming your eyes on the pink clouds floating above trying to describe their different shapes. The scorching heat of sun, still made you tired.

On your left side, you felt sudden coldness. Oh ice block. You saw his blue eyes glowing deep as he stared above too. He knew everything. He always know whatever you want. This time, this coldness.

But this wasn't like any other thing. This coldness radiating from him rather seemed... comforting. Not the usual uneasy one. Comforting. You laid your head on his shoulder, earning a cold stare from him.

What else can you expect from an ice block?

"Don't even dare to sleep." Despite his harsh words, his deep concerns were hidden deep down. Despite him trying to sound brisk, he sounded tired.

"Why are you training me this hard?" Your eyes were closed as you loved the amount of coldness coming from him. Strange. Isn't it.

"You don't have to Tae." You mumbled as the thing he told you to dare not to started taking over you.

He released a long breath, his breath coming of in white puffs of air. "You have to be Lu. You don't know anything. And you are... Stupid." This caused you to hit him on his shoulders quite hard. "I'm not!" He chuckled at this. "Look at you, your hits don't even hurt me."

"It's because I don't want to." The threatening in both your voice was questionable. But the presence of playfulness could be figured.

"You are hurting me." Once you became aware of his mumbling words, you sat straight to gaze at him. He turned to look at you. His blue eyes back to their usual color. "How?" You didn't know it all along. But now that he said it, the amount of guilt grabbed your throat is indefinable.

"I... want you to be safe Lu. I want you to know to protect yourself."

"Oh come on Tae. You will be with me always. You think I need to worry about that?" The rhetoric statement made him at ease for an unknown reason.

Was he glad that you trust him?

Yes. He was. So much.

"I don't mean it that way. You... are you going to be dependent upon others in your life?" You couldn't conclude towards where he is heading at with this conversation.

"If you say it as dependent, then that would mean me as a burden." The green sand started getting hot too. But with him beside, you can handle everything. That is what you feel always.

"Of course you are."

Your smile disappeared at his statement. Is it sadness that occupied your heart?

"A burden which we would love to carry happily with us. All through our journey." There. Darn that smile. He was flashing his adorable smile.

For a moment you were confused who he was referring to. But you saw a hint to his red hair. He's being quiet today. No pranks on you. Think he is already tired of pranks.

"All through? I'm a bit heavy you know." You bit back the smile that crept on your lips. Cheeks tinting pink at their words of warmth.

"Yeah. He knows that. That is why there are two of us." Jungkook said, peeking through Taehyung's other shoulder. Despite his playful self, his words held the sincerity of a lifetime.

An unfamiliar knot formed in your throat. You eyes were burning again. But you were not sad. You can never be sad beside them. And sometimes it made you wonder what and how you are going to repay them. For everything. Each and everything they for.

"Anything for you Chocolate." The tears you were trying to control fell one by one at Tae's words. Chocolate. Dad always referred you like that. Was it because of your brown eyes? Or was it because you were sweet? You didn't know the answer for that. You didn't get the chance to ask it. Everything happened so fast that at one time you were crying beside his... corpse. He was already gone. Just like that.

You sucked a sharp breath. The hard feeling in your heart pushing you to be strong again. Your fingers gripped the hilt of your sword tightly as you stood up. "I'll try my best." The courage in your voice made him befuddled for a moment. What? Is Luane asking me to train her? Was all he thought. A small smile crept on his lips. Dusting his pants as he stood up, in position. The sword aimed at you.

Jungkook ran to the side. With a proud smile, he watched again. Every time. Your every movements.

And thus, for the first time, you were willing to train with him. He may be a cold headed ice block. But you like that ice block. This is the only thing that seems to be done by you. For him. For them.

________________________________________________

Strawberry jams. A bond so sweeter than strawberry jams.

Inez couldn't forget that line as tears welled up. How nice it was. The four of them. Why Evelyn has to end up like that? Why Marcus has to leave her. And even he did... Not only her. But even his children.

If only he was alive.

If only things were not this way.

She closed her eyes to calm herself. The soft pink horizon helping her to remember there are even good things in these kind of situations. Just like how she could see the protectors and the patron fooling around, running here and there, in the once empty field. She was seeing them from the morning. And the connection between the three. She can't help but be reminded of her younger self.

"I know you are there Jimin." She called out quietly, knowing that he is near. Quietly observing her. And not daring to come up and speak. She could feel him lingering around her here and there, but she waited for him to come up and talk. He is just like his father.

He slowly peeked out of the wall which he was hiding behind. Only his two eyes seen by Inez as his baby-pink fringes swayed to the side. She chuckled at this motioning her hand for him to come there.

He walked forward. Each step careful and slow. Like how one used to walk to get their corrected answer sheet. So unsteady that his small footsteps reminded her of his first walk. Just like this. In the palace. In the place she is standing now.

"Good evening Mother." He bowed slightly. Not sure if that is the right thing to do. "Are we trying to be formal here? Well then, Good evening son." She said as she curtseyed in return. Her Rose gold coloured dress shining in the dimming lights of the evening rays, forming an own spotlight for her.

No wonder father fell for mother.

The brooch pin on her left shoulder got his attention right away. Its mesmerizing designs around the bright Red stone that sat in the middle, it kind of radiated own power for itself. Each design done carefully and meddled with diamonds at the right places. A lone pearl was dangling beneath it. It looked so simple, yet so elegant. So... Powerful.

"Is that a replacement for a crown?"

The Queen already knowing what he is talking about, said.

"Hmm. You can say that. This specifically symbolizes me as the Queen." The shy smile around her lips while she showed off her position in Arcturus. How could Jimin forget. After all, his father and Ji would always tease him for being shy and they say that he got that trait from his mother. Now that he see it, he seemed... happy?

No.

Content?

Yes.

Why not happy?

He didn't know.

"Crowns are for Men and Brooches are for Ladies." He just nodded.

"It feels awkward isn't it?"

His eyes found hers again. Awkward? Yes. There is this awkwardness that is still present between them.

"I think we should get used to it." He replied nonchalantly. Now focusing on the running trio far away.

"We better not get used to it. We should... stop it. Don't you think?"

"How?"

How?

How? How to answer this question?

Jimin noticed his mother's silence. "I said we should get used to for being around each other. I meant that we should spend more time together. Everyone. As a family Mom."

Again... How? How can she be happily spending time with her family when her while people are in danger. As it is said in the legend.

"I'm not asking you to throw away everything for us. But, you can spend time with us when you have time." He held his mother's hand. Even her warmth felt the same. "I've waited for twelve years Mom. And I don't think waiting for five months would be a big deal."

"You say everything ends in five months?" Her eyebrows furrowed.

"That's what I heard them talking."

"Who?"

"Or was it ten months?" He scratched his head as he tried to remember it clearly.

"What they said chim?"

"Yes. It is ten. Umm...they were talking about how hard they were training and in ten months everything could be over and everyone can be happy." He finished his sentence as fast as he could. He didn't know why Inez looked so worried when he said five months.

"Did they talk like that?" Her expression changed to normal when he said the full matter.

"Mmhm."

"Why do you all even try to hide? I already know you are there Loeva." She rolled her eyes at her children being, umm, children. Loeva slowly peeked towards the side, only her eyes seen as her brown hair was hanging to the side freely.

"Like brother, Like sister." Inez couldn't resist to comment it. Loeva slowly walked forward almost tripping over nothing.

"Good morning Mother." She dipped her head towards her in which it meant to be respect.

"This is evening Loeva." Her voice came a little harsher than she expected to be.

"Oh, ummm, s-sorry. Good evening Mother." Her cheeks were almost to the colour of her eyes. The pink sky looking same as her orbs.

"What happened to your... outfit?" She inquisitively roamed her eyes around her daughter. Finding the outfit quite good. But, there are certain rules to be followed in ladies dress code. She wanted to ask, but she let that slide once. The look on Loeva's face was not even related to being fine. Is something bothering you? She so badly wanted to ask that, but for some reason she restricted.

"Hmmmm, what's that smell?" Jimin's voice made both of them turn to him. He was... sniffing the air?

"Berry of gooses." Inez replied.

"What? But Gooseberries don't smell sweet. They don't smell at all Mom. This is the smell of strawberries." Jimin can't stop sniffing. He was sniffing in as much as he could, loving the total feel of it.

"And also, gooses don't give berries."

"I understand that you are very clever my son. But, those are berries which come from the place called Gooses, not the birds." Jimin's eyes widened as he nodded. "I see."

"Go and ask them if you want it. I think they would be kind enough to give you some." She smiled at him.

"Nah. I'm good." He looked to the front. "Well on second thoughts, I'll get going." He bowed and moved faster as he could. This new found fruit's smell amuses him, his tongue was begging for a taste of it.

Loeva had a bitter smile. Did she just smile at him?

Why she had to bring me here?

Wouldn't I be happy if I was in Earth right now?

If I grew up with my siblings. And with a person to call... Father.

Wouldn't I be enjoying there?

What if she hadn't took me to Arcturus?

Why can't she leave by herself if she wanted so badly to sit on that throne.

Why did she bring me?

What if things were different?

Would life be easier?

If only things were different...

"Loeva. I'm calling you for the sixth time. What is wrong with you? Why are you being distracted?" Having the weight of the kingdom is too much for Inez. But sometimes, her daughter, she feels like she is not understanding her. Just like how she couldn't understand herself.

"You're irritated, aren't you mother?" She chuckled glancing side ways. The back of her eyes burning for some reason. Is it the harsh blown wind? Or Is it the storm inside her?

The sky was slowly turning dark. The calming pink sky slowly darkened to violet. The rays of sunlight slowly dying and fading away. Streaks of the moons peeking through the far land, smiling upon the splendid town.

"Stop confusing me. Say what is it." She couldn't find an reason to her behaviour. She didn't know what is wrong with her daughter.

"Yes. I should tell you everything. You can never understand me until or unless I say it." She turned around swiftly, the confusion in her mind making hard to think anything.

"Loeva!" Inez caught up to her. Her pink eyes searching her daughter's face to find out what the hell is wrong with her. "Did... something happen? Did d-did I do anything wrong?" She didn't know why, but she felt a huge amount of guilt and regret settling upon her when she heard her say those words.

"You may be a great Queen Mom. No denial in that. But..." She paused, not knowing whether it is right or wrong to say the thing in her mind. But, she waited for years. If she didn't tell what's in her heart, then when will she?

"I don't think you've been a good mother to me." She walked away with that. Just like that. With the words so sharper than any sword available in the universe, it pierced Inez' heart in one stroke. Never once she felt this heartbroken. Not even when her husband slapped her.

You've never been a good mother.

What else should I have to do for her?

What else is she expecting from me?

What kind of mother she wants me to be?

But... Have I ever been a good mother?

She couldn't bring herself to answer that. She raised Ji Ah for thirteen years. Jimin for eight years. And Loeva for almost twenty years.

Have I ever been a good mother?

She left the other two behind. But, even if they said those, it would have been less painful. Why it has to be Loeva?

She wiped her tears hastily finding someone approaching her. A deep breath to calm down. The same strict mask hid her scared self appeared over. Yes. Scared.

"Is everything fine your highness?" His deep voice made her turn around. His silver orbs just as his father's. He has the trait of a Sebran. Just like him. Marcus. His silver fringes were grown long enough to hide his eyes.

"I don't think my answer would be in positive Luminous." Darkness reigned over the whole sky. Small dots of light coming as stars.

"You need anything in particular?" She asked him, already starting to think what would be the plan of Marcus that he had sent his own son.

"Umm, I do have one request." He said politely. His head bowed down.

Atleast Evelyn raised you well.

"Yes dear. Tell me."

"Can I see Chloe?" He right hand was scratching his nape. Similar to the habit that Jimin does whenever he is shy or do not know how to say something.

"Seeing means, not seeing. I asked them... But they are not letting me take her chains out. They said that they can't do that without the Queen's order and so can you please give me permissiontosetherfree for an hour? Please?" The Queen can't help but crack a smile at how he searched for words.

Chloe. The first ever Sauger born to the royal saugers. Usually saugers are not born. They were created. They are hermaphrodite in nature. But Chloe is the first ever sauger of the royal family that had a parent. She is two years younger than Luminous. She still remember how his eyes never left the Sauger's egg kept in the safe glass.

"You have my permission. But make sure she doesn't make any chaos okay?"

Luminous didn't expect Inez to accept it so easily. He thought he had to take her without anyone knowing but, his aunt was way too kind.

"Thank you au-" An artificial cough came out from him. "Thank you your highness." He bowed politely, leaving way for her to move first.

Careful Luminous. You almost gave out your identity. He thought to himself.

The Queen didn't feel better. I have never been a good mother. Not a good wife. Not even a good sister. Not a good... friend.

All that ran in her mind was her best friend's smile. Her words.

"What is done is done Inez Lubricia Gonzanez. But, there is always time to make things right. And now that you know it, off you go. Tell him soon."

"Will he forgive me?"

"If he has a heart, he will."

But he didn't. He didn't have a heart so he didn't.

But still, one can never conclude anything without making the effort to do so.

_______________________________________________________

"I'll listen." She said as soon as she opened her room's doors. The startled Loeva wiped her tears as soon as she saw her mother.

"I'll listen. Now tell me everything that's been bothering you."

Loeva couldn't make herself say anything. She knows that how much it must've hurt her mother. But... She honestly didn't know what was wrong with her. She's been a total mess the past week. A pure mess.

Her nose was red and even her cheeks were rosy. Almost matching the colour of her mother's hair.

"I'm sorry mom." Her fingers were fiddling with each other. Her eyes not leaving the plushy white carpet beneath. "I shouldn't have said those things." Tears fell one by one. Her blurred vision not daring to look at her mother.

"What happened here?" A manly voice interrupted them.

"It's nothing. You go to the room So-"

"Why is she crying Mom?" Ji Ah ran to Loeva as soon as she saw her crying. Not knowing which side to choose or where to go, Jimin stood in the middle, between both her sisters and mother. Oblivious to the small piece of chocolate sticking to his nose.

"Loeva." Inez called out. Trying to get her attention. But, it always ends in vain whenever she is extremely sad or happy, she can't be made to focus. And now is the latter.

"Loeva look at me. Why did you say that? What you want mother do to you dear?" Her footsteps were so slow as if she was walking on the ice. Thin ice. Something which would break if one wrong step is taken.

She just shook her head her denial, not even opening her mouth. Her quivering lips were visible as she seemed to be trying hard to not sob.

"Tell me."

Inez have had enough. Without her opening her mouth, how can she know what's in her head. It was these times she wished to be a Lyren.

"You've got everything Loeva. Everything. I don't know what I missed out in giving you. I let you free. I never asked you to train. I never asked you to be a person who I wanted you to be. I never asked you to do anything without your consent. I gave you everything a princess would love to have. I don't know what else you want from me." This is too much. How much can one woman suffer? From the day she was born till now, why can't she feel worthy of herself? Why can't she feel as happy as others are? Why she has to have all the weight on her shoulders? Can't she be free? How much she had to suffer that she have to hear her own daughter calling her unworthy?

Loeva wiped her tears. "Those are the things you wanted mom. I never asked those. You cannot expect me to be you. Because I'm different than you. Just because you wished for those in your younger days doesn't mean that I would wish for the same." Her fists were folded tight as she talked back. She was having these in for almost many years.

Inez felt too weak to even say anything. Were these the things she wanted when she was young?

Yes.

She didn't get what she wanted. And when she did, it didn't last long. Just like her love. Just like her children. She has been forced to let it all go. She never wanted that to be the case of her children. But, what else should she do?

"All I ever wanted was a life of a common person. I wanted to live normal. I never wanted to be a princess. I want to be... me." Inez was still quite. There was never once Loeva had got angry at her. Nor did she ever talked back. But only now she understood, Loeva had been piling up those inside.

"All I wanted is to play with other children. You... never told me that I had a Dad. And two siblings. Why did you leave them? Why... You had to bring me with you?" There. She said it. The question Inez was expecting all along.

She really do say that she's not happy with me here.

"You should've left me on Earth." All Loeva had was a look of grimace. The other three dared not to speak. The tension seemed so thick like a bundle of cobwebs.

"And what you want me to do? To let you die?" As if on a cue, all of them turned to the voice. To Inez. Soejun's concerning eyes darted back and forth between his wife and daughter.

"What do you mean by dying?" If Loeva was angry before, she was beyond confused now.

"You would not be alive if I let you live there. You were born in Earth. Unlike Jimin and Ji Ah who were born in Arcturus." Her eyes didn't leave the floor when she spoke. Afraid that they would see the weak side of her.

Jimin's eyes widened when he heard that. I was born in Arcturus?!

"You were not suited to the air around. And an infant doesn't posses the power to survive in different environment. We... tried so hard. We took you to every doctor. We did everything we can. You know how hard it would be for a parent to see their children being sick? You sometimes don't breath at all. You were on the verge of death Loeva." Inez voice cracked at some places. The tears in the corner of her pink eyes clearly visible to them.

"That is why I brought you to Arcturus. You never know how relieved I was when the kaals they said that you would be fine." She gently took her daughter's cheeks, her thumb scraping over the tears rolling down.

"This is why I couldn't let you be with them. This is why sometimes I'm strict towards you. Because, I don't want to lose you Loeva."

Now he understood. The reason they were arguing over often. The reason they took yujin almost everyday to hospital. The reason... she left. Now Jimin understood.

Loeva was not able to say anything. All these times, the things she thought, they were not true. She came to Arcturus because of me? Then...

"Then you were forced to take the throne Mother?" Terrible would be an understatement to describe how Loeva felt. If she didn't bring her to Arcturus, then... Then she would have been free. She wouldn't have to be in this position. She didn't have to carry the weight of the kingdom. And its not easy too. Like a knife with both edges sharp, it must have been hard for her to choose one.

"What's done is done. I'm sorry Loeva. I know. I know that you have grown up to the extent of knowing things yourself. But, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. I couldn't bring myself to. I-" Inez couldn't complete her sentence. Recollecting the memories of the past overwhelmed her too much.

"Don't be sorry." Loeva's hand found her mother's. Giving it a gentle squeeze and with an apologetic smile hoping that it would calm her. "Don't be sorry Mother. I'm the one who should be sorry. Forgive me for my actions." Inez slowly wrapped her arms around her daughter. Both their pink orbs glistening with tears.

Ji Ah had a polite smile even though her eyes were tearing up. That was the same case for Jimin. And well, Mr.Park, he was already wiping the tears. But those were not any tears. They were the rare type that comes out when one is extremely happy. Oh how much have he dreamt about his family being together. And this felt like a dream come true. And this truth will last. Forever and ever and ever.

As a family. Where the life started beginning and the love never ends. Where one can show their weakness so easily. Where one get comfort. Where one get strength. They all may be different branches going in different directions. But they all have the same root. They are one and same.

Loeva pulled Ji Ah inside. Ji Ah as an instinct pulled Jimin. And Jimin did the same to his father. Don't know how. But in the end, it was a group hug. Tears were evident in everyone's eyes. But they were the rare type. Their bond strengthened by those. And it will last long too. Forever and ever and

Ever.

________________________________________________

A/N : Made sure to complete this chap for you lovelies despite my busy schedule.

I hope y'all will understand that the updates would be slow.

But thank you so much for your patience. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Look at this cute chim chim to handle the emotional ride till now.

They looked too cute as a family to avoid this pic.

Remember. There may be problems and ups and downs in your family. But talking out will solve it. You can trust me.

And whatever they do, will be for our good. Realise it now before it becomes too late.

Love ya.

LOVE YOURSELF. STAY SAFE AND STRONG TOGETHER WITH AN UNBREAKABLE BOND! 💖💖💖

(Idk how my chemistry teacher had this much impact on me)

with love,
Be 💖