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Arlecchino's voice rang throughout the cold room as she read from the script The Jester had given; as the previous Head, she could not be involved in the voting.
"The first choice for the next Head of the House is... Lyney."
The magician had been expecting this, but it still didn't help his nerves as applause filled the room. Regardless, with a nudge from Lynette, he walked to the centre of the room. Her words rang in his ears.
"Go on, Brother. You've earned this."
The Knave continued her speech, continuing to read.
"Some of you may be wondering why we are announcing two potential candidates. The reason is simple. To prove their ability, the two candidates shall undergo one last challenge; this is because, should The Knave fall, her title and status shall be inherited by the Head of the House. The challenge is as such..." She turned the page. However, she did not speak, instead staring at the words. The Knave was shocked, and the House felt terrified. Whatever was on that piece of paper, it was so awful that it had scared Arlecchino.
With a sudden flash of light, Peruere stood with unprecedented anger as she turned towards The Jester. "What is the meaning of this? My first act as 'Father' was to forbid–"
The Jester cut her off without hesitation. "You have done no such thing, nor do you have authority to. The process of appointing a new Head of the House is above even your station. Therefore, the terms of this are up to me. Is that clear?"
She just stood there, dumbfounded. And yet, she knew she could not argue, or she would lose her position entirely. The look in her eyes was one nobody had seen before. Remorse. And disappointment, in herself. Right at the end, she had failed her one goal all these years, from the moment she had resolved to kill 'Mother'. She had failed Clervie. She had failed them.
She had to take a deep breath before she could continue. "The challenge is as such. There will be a- ahem... a duel to the death."
Almost everyone in the room gasped, but Arlecchino kept talking, just wanting to get it over with. She already knew the worst part was next, and so did many of the House.
"Lyney, your opponent is... ugh... I... I'm sorry. Your opponent is Lynette."
Tears were already streaming down both the twins' faces. This had to be some cruel twist of fate... or worse. Of course - the other members had never been told of the duel. They must also have thought that two people would be chosen to lead the House together... so they chose their favourite duo. Everybody knew the bond the siblings had, and many looked up to them. So, seeing them have to fight would demoralise everyone... and Arlecchino's heart dropped as she realised The Jester was punishing them for her thoughts about betraying the Fatui.
Wordlessly, Lynette rose from her seat and walked to Lyney, wrapping him in a tight embrace just as she did on that fateful night all those years ago. The two then seperated, and looked into each others' eyes. Wordlessly, they agreed to not say goodbye.
The duel commenced at The Jester's command, and both shakily drew their weapons. Lyney slowly fired an arrow, which Lynette dodged quickly and with ease, swinging her sword in a slash that could never connect. It was not long before Pierro spoke once again.
"Enough. You both hold back - it's pitiful, really. I have half a mind to cancel this entirely and execute you both."
Lyney and Lynette looked at each other in determination and understanding. Together, until the very end. They shouted the thoughts they knew they shared.
"Well then, that's what you'll have to do!"
"We will never fight each other, and not even you can change that."
Pierro had to admit - he was impressed. Such bravery, when faced with certain death. Meanwhile, Arlecchino was staring at them, desperation setting in. There had to be another way. And then she realised, right as the duo looked at her. In a split second, they had entered and exited her mind. In that time, they had a conversation that changed everything.
"You know what I'm going to order you to do."
Both the magician and his assistant were shocked, yet Peruere just smiled. "F-Father?! I don't understand..."
"Yes, you do. Ever since that day, all those years ago, you have both grown exponentially stronger. If there is one last thing I can say to you as 'Father', it is that I have always been proud of you both. Perhaps I saw myself in you - the difficulties you faced, and the successes you achieved despite them."
"But... why are you doing this..?"
"There is a way for you to both survive - perhaps history is fated to repeat like this. You must say these words to The Jester..."
The duo were back in reality, with the words implanted into their minds. They would never know why Peruere made this choice, but they had their final orders.
Pierro smirked at their sudden silence. "What's the matter? Nothing to say for yourself, traitors?"
The siblings stood defiant, hand in hand, as they spoke, their voices firm despite their discomfort at what they were saying.
"We can still give you your duel."
"Because there is another who stands in the way of becoming Head of the House."
"After all, that title is intrinsically linked with that of The Knave."
"And the previous Knave was not killed for that title, but rather so that her murderer would become 'Father'."
"So let us perform that same scene."
"In order to become the new Heads of the House..."
"In order to become 'Brother' and 'Sister' to them..."
Both of them spoke together, determination replacing their worry. Arlecchino had warned them that she could not hold back, but then again, at this point, she didn't need to.
"We will kill The Knave."
Peruere stood once again, scythe in hand, walking towards them. "I accept the duel."
Pierro laughed once again. He saw right through the plan, of course, however he knew that if anyone could defeat Arlecchino, it would certainly prove their worth.
"Very well, then. Proceed."