Work Text:
In a Manor deep in the northern territory, cries of newborns were heard inside a room. News of the second wife of Duke Pyrrhus gave birth to two healthy twins spread throughout the entire empire. As if having twins weren't already a rare occurrence in the empire, for it to be a girl and a boy is said to be blessing bestowed upon by God. Dynamis, the name of the second wife, could only gleam in happiness. The servants surrounding her would take this display of happiness as of means that she's grateful for the blessing that she was given.
But of how wrong they were, in Dynamis's eyes, the twins were nothing more than pawns for her to use to gain her husbands affection. After all, Dynamis is merely a second wife; a mistress. Not the Duchess. The only reason the Duke took in another wife is because it was tradition in the Pyrrhus family to have more than one child. That was however deem impossible, seeing as the Duchess immediately became bedridden after giving birth to his first daughter, the heir to the dukedom. The Duke still very much treasures his first family. That is why, even when seeing twins of different genders that have always been held in high regard, the Duke merely looks at them for no more than a few seconds before bestowing them names.
Dynamis, seeing the indifference the Duke showed towards their children, felt her blood boil. How could he do that?! She suffered for 9 months to give birth to these twins only for him to just merely glance at them without feeling anything?! Before she could say or ask anything, the Duke spoke, "They're names shall be Andreas Athan Pyrrhus and Ariadne Nike Pyrrhus." Dynamis started to analyse the names that were given to the twins. It seems none of them meant anything bad, which gave her relief. It would create such a scandalous rumour if people found out the Duke gave names that have awful meanings to the blessings of God. The Duke, seeing as he already fulfilled what he was supposed to do, immediately left without saying a word to Dynamis. Usually, she would've caused a storm, but she was too busy planning ahead the twins' lives before they could even crawl.
In a hushed whisper, Dynamis finally said something to her children. "Andreas, Ariadne, you two better become brilliant people. Brilliant enough that it'll outshine Karianna. I hope you both don't disappoint me in the future." Dynamis smiled to the sleeping twins in their bassinet. Her smile held no warmth or love of a mother. Beneath that empty smile hid a cruel monster playing as a human instead.
8 years later
The twins were now celebrating their 8th birthday. Just the two of them, coupled with a few loyal servants or perhaps those servants, felt pity for the twins. After all, their own mother wasn't even present to congratulate them, let alone their father. Oh well, its nothing new to them. They're used to it. In the end, only one person from their pretend family came, their older half sister. Karianna. Sweet Karianna. The rightful heir to the duchy, Karianna Elara Pyrrhus. The embodiment of a saintess. Her smile can bring thousands of people joy. Pure. Just like her name, it's no wonder everyone in the mansion adores her, but why does someone as high class as her would waste her time on twins like them? How can she shower them with warmth that their own mother haven't given them since birth? How can someone be so... kind?
Andreas and Ariadne could never understand that aspect of their elder sister. How can a person be filled to the brim with nothing but kindness? Maybe it's because the concept of unconditional kindness is foreign to them. Their mother taught them that everything in this world is a give and take. If you truly want something, you do whatever it takes to cease it. She had always told them that the world is a kill or be killed. That's why once both of them enter the high society, they must be very caution of their every move. The slightest bit of mistake will cost an entire life.
Nobles are like wild animals. The moment their is fresh meat, they would immediately pounce on it without hesitation. That is why Andreas and Ariadne went through tons of lessons. From etiquette lessons to lessons about the empires history to the very financial structure of the capital. Every single thing was beaten into their brains. If they can not understand a topic, their mother would lecture them for hours until their brains finally get it.
Swordsmanship. That is a skill necessary to the children of Pyrrhus. Even Karianna was trained in swordsmanship and everything Karianna excelled in, Dynamis thought both Andreas and Ariadne needed to excel in it as well. In fact, it's even better if they're better than Karianna. It'll be proof to the Duke that his beloved firstborn can be outmatched by the children he had out of obligation.
Truthfully, Andreas and Ariadne loved swordsmanship. It was the only thing both of them had control over. Their mother had no right or said to ban them from learning swordsmanship as it was a family tradition. Family traditions were the only thing Dynamis couldn't bother with. That's why having the firstborn be the heir, regardless of its gender wasn't something Dynamis could simply change. Once the first child is created, that very child shall be the heir. That wicked woman will do anything in her power to be able to have control over everyone. Andreas and Ariadne were the unfortunate pawns in her little game of chess. She had neither love nor care over her two children. She had no interest in children whatsoever. The only reason she had them was to use them for her own personal gain.
Dynamis had one obstacle she couldn't get over yet. The Duchess. The only woman the Duke will ever love. That wretched woman had everything Dynamis could ever want. Fame, money, loyalty, and most important of all power, and yet the Duchess uses that power to help those poor unfortunate souls called commoners. Karianna got that trait of hers from the Duchess, it seems.
Of course, even with all the grandeur she had, no one can be saved once they've fallen ill. The Duchess would've been an exception had not Dynamis pulled a couple of strings. That was Dynamis' first murder. When news broke out that the beloved Duchess of Pyrrhus had passed away, the people were devastated. Their once fair and kind Duchess had met her demise so quickly most people couldn't believe it, didn't want to believe. The Duke falls into the latter category.
The Duchess's funeral was only a month after the twins' birthday. The atmosphere was filled with mournful sniffles, cries, and sobs. Karianna was, without a doubt, the sole person who made those sorrowful sounds, and the Duke could be seen with trembling lips. The only people who showed no emotion whatsoever were the 3 outcasts. The real deduction would actually be that only Dynamis had no emotion on her face. Her children at least had sad frowns on their faces but not because of the Duchess. It's mainly because this means their life is going to be much harder than it already is.
Another 8 years had passed by, and the twins are now 16 years old. They've successfully entered high society, revealing the empire their faces that were carefully hidden away by the current Duchess. Duchess Dynamis. She couldn't be happier when she was bestowed the title of Duchess even if the Duke did it out of duty and not because of love. It didn't matter. Whether the Duke loved her or never mattered, all that matters was the power she held. Like any other power-hungry animal, that alone was not enough to satisfy Dynamis's greedy heart. One of her children has to become the heir so that she can hold onto this power forever after, and that's why she's been planning on how to get rid of the other obstacle. Karianna.
Much like the previous Duchess, Karianna was an absolute eyesore to Dynamis, and she had to get rid of her as quickly as possible. It seems the twins have grown quite fond of Karianna, seeing as they would always be by her side. That's a problem Dynamis needs to solve immediately. She can't have the twins know she's planning to murder Karianna. They will most definitely go against her. After all, Dynamis isn't a dumb woman. She knows the twins don't like her all that much. That is why she must plan carefully and wait for the right moment to strike. Only then will the plan work. She has to wait for the day. All three of them would be busy to be with each other.
Karianna knew who made her mother fall asleep for eternity. In fact, everyone knew who did it. Even the Duke knew. The only reason why she wasn't locked up in a cell was because there was no concrete evidence that she did it. For all her wickedness, she certainly knew how to clean up a mess. Dynamis is a force that shouldn't be reckoned with, but the Duke could never accept that. He drowned himself in work to find any evidence that'll get Dynamis into jail. That's why Karianna rarely sees the Duke anymore. He's too caught up in getting revenge. It seems he would rather neglect his children and spend time with them.
'I guess even I don't come close to mother when it comes to his affection' Thought Karianna as she looks out her window. It's not like Karianna never thought about getting revenge, but when she did, remember what her mother told her.
"Revenge won't change a single thing once it's done. Sure, it might give you satisfaction, but that will only last temporarily. Satisfaction is something that's supposed to last permanently. That's why you should never get revenge on my behalf, Karianna. Rather forgive and forget. That method is much more nicer route." That's what her mother taught her. Forgive and forget. Karianna had already forgiven Dynamis the moment she took a look at the twins' faces. They had such a sad look drawn on their face. Karianna knows how much they suffer under the watchful eyes of their so-called mother. Her father isn't all that better, She can see how the once stoic eyes he directs to them became one of full hatred. Its as if they're the ones that actually killed her mother.
One thing Karianna didn't like about her father is how easily he can blame young innocent children who did nothing wrong at all. Maybe that's why Karianna began spending more time with them. Knowing neither of their so-called parents actually cares for them. For Karianna, her younger siblings were a blessing to her. Even if they don't share the same mother, she will always love them no matter the storms that try to crush her.
It's quite ironic. Twins that were a symbol of a blessing is actually living a cursed life.
It's also ironic how that curse spread to Karianna.
It's quite laughable how Karianna died a day after her mother did. Andreas and Ariadne stood before her gravestone in the stupor. They knew it would happen sooner or later, which is why they thought of ways to prevent them from happening. They can't even protect the one person they both love besides each other from falling into doom is an absolute humiliation.
Ariadne fell to her knees, tiny sniffles becoming choked sobs , while Andreas had a look of despondent. Both of them lost a part of themselves that very day. Andreas saw how dolorous Ariadne was. He wanted to comfort her, but as he was reaching out to Ariadne, he felt a hand clamp at his shoulder. He saw the look of displeasure on her face. At that very moment, Andreas froze, he didn't know what to do. Should he disobey his mother, or should he listen? Oh, but Andreas had always wanted the approval of his mother. He did something he would regret later on in his life. He let his hand down and looked to the ground. Dynamis, seeing this, let out a winning smirk to herself. Ariadne, who was watching the whole interaction, felt betrayal throughout her entire being. Was their mother's approval way more important than the death of their sister?
That day marked as the day their relationship fell apart. Both of them never talked to each other again, nor did they look at each other. Andreas worked hard as he was elected to be the next heir, and Ariadne worked hard to be a swordmaster.
One thing that both of them had in mind was to get revenge. Revenge on their mother, who took everything from them. Although the both of them didn't want to see each other for different reasons, they had to work together to take down their mother. Both of them formed a plan to kill their own mother.
Andreas would lead Dynamis into a secluded area in a guise that both would have some tea together. Once Dynamis sat down, Ariadne would come up from behind and simply run a knife across her neck. The twins simply watched blood spilt out of her neck in pure blankness. Not a single tear rolled down their face, nor was a single emotion of guilt seen. They then left the body somewhere in the forest where no one would venture to and left her corpse to rot or be eaten by wild animals. The likes of her don't deserve the luxury of being buried properly.
After completing their plan, they went out to different ways. Neither of them bothered to look back at each other. Both had turned their backs on one another. 'It's better this way.' Both of them thought. 'If we don't get attached, none of us would get hurt.' Was their final thoughts.
5 years later
Andreas successfully became the heir after the Duke had died due to natural causes, and Ariadne became a powerful swordmaster. Both of them have yet spent any time together. They were both busy with duties and barely saw each other lately.
Today is 21st September, the day Karianna Elara Pyrrhus died. Standing in front of her grave stood Andreas, looking down with sorrow and regret. Ariadne, who was walking towards the grave, stood in shock. She never expected to see Andreas here, how can she? He got over her death so easily. Ariadne began to think Andreas never actually cared about Karianna at all.
Ariadne: What are you doing here?
Andreas: To mourn. What else would I be doing here?
Ariadne: When did you care about Karianna?
Andreas: What are you talking about? I've always cared about her.
Ariadne: It didn't seem like it when you got over her death so easily.
Andreas: I don't know what you think of me, but I have never gotten over her death. She was my sister as much as she was yours.
Silence fell onto them.
Ariadne: Why didn't you reach out to me that time? Why did you let your hand fall beside you? Why did you listen to her?!
Andreas: BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID!
Ariadne looked at her twin in shock.
Ariadne: What..?
Andreas: I was afraid. Afraid that if I didn't do it, she would never look at me. It's quite ironic, don't you think? My name means bravery, and yet I acted cowardly. I'm ashamed of myself.
Ariadne: Yet you craved for something that worthed nothing.
Andreas: Can you blame me? Back then, I was just a son trying to be good enough for his mother. I didn't even want her love. I just wanted her approval. We were made without love, nor were we born to be loved. I always thought that you were much better than I am, and that's why I used to feel inferior to you. I envied you, but I was also scared you would leave me behind.
Ariadne:...Does that also mean.. you.. don't hate me?
Andreas: Hate you? How could I ever hate you? You're my twin first before Karianna was my sister. We are the two sides of the same coin, but we both grew up under different circumstances. I lived as an heir, and you lived as a swordmaster. If I truly did hate you, do you think I would've made it possible for us to be able to share a title together?
Ariadne didn't know what to say. That's what Andreas has been feeling this entire time?
Andreas: Besides, don't you hate me? It's understandable that you do. I hate myself, too.
Ariadne: I never hated you.
Andreas: Are you joking, or are you trying to make me feel better?
Ariadne: No to both of them. I did try to hate you, but I couldn't bring myself too. After all, you were a victim as much as I was. It wouldn't be fair for me to hate you, knowing how terrible of a childhood we had. So please, don't ever say you hate yourself. I can't lose another person precious to me.
Andreas stood there with a baffled expression. All those self-loathing was for nothing? Ariadne never hated him? He felt a huge burden leave his shoulders. He feels something on his face, and oh, he's crying.
Ariadne stood before her twin with widened eyes. The same twin she had never seen crying is currently crying right in front of her. Ariadne panicked, what she was supposed to do? She never had to comfort someone before, so she did what she would always see other people do. She hugged him. Andreas froze. How long has it been since they last did this? He hugged her back, and for the first time in a while, both of them felt at peace within each others warmth that both had missed dearly.
The closure that they needed had been long over due, but they still managed to clear up the misunderstandings between them. They went on different paths that made them grow apart from each other, but soon, that gap will gradually become closer.
In the end, only time will tell the tale of the blessed twins of the empire.