"What happened after we parted last night?" Cafer prodded. Having received the Empress's message, he knew that something had happened, but he needed to play the fool.

Alaron groaned. "I got caught, Uncle Cafer. I am sorry."

"No need to apologize. Even the best plans can run into difficultly. What happened then?" Cafer sat down next to the boy, ready to listen. Alaron retold the events as he remembered them, down to the discovery of the magic mirror. At the mention of Gandr's name, the gnome took notice. It could have been another Gandr, a human one, but he doubted it. Somehow the halfling was alive.

"I am glad I came back so quickly, then. Aurora has done you a gross injustice." Cafer intentionally used the Empress's name without her title.

"What do you mean?" The prince was confused.

"You said Aurora had a vision that you destroyed the world, but that is not exactly true. I was there when she recounted her dream. You destroyed her, not the world. The Empress is afraid you will usurp her power. She knows how strong you can be."

"She does?" Alaron had trouble believing the gnome.

"Think about it. Does she ever give you responsibility? Has she named you as heir? I mean you are the only real candidate if we are honest." Cafer's words wormed their way into the boy's mind and shook his confidence.

"Mother said that she doesn't want to burden us by naming an heir. But she never will let me show her what I am capable of. Just the other day I spoke up about something important in a Council meeting and she told me to be quiet." The boy pressed his lips together at the painful memory.

"Of course she did not want the Council to see your brilliance. It would only sway them to your side and Aurora cannot stand the thought of you overthrowing her. She must keep you under her thumb." Cafer waited as the wheels turned in Alaron's head.

"Why would I want to overthrow my mother?" The prince asked the question for which the gnome had hoped. His lips curled into a wicked smile.

"Because she is not your mother…"

——————-

Aurora sat anxiously across from Mairwen and Alaron. Next to her on the couch, Devrim held her hand for support. Other than the four royals, no one was in the room.

"Did you call us here to have a staring contest?" Alaron asked impatiently. It was the day after his discussion with Cafer and the boy was not excited to talk to Aurora.

"No, no! I promise that I have a purpose. It is just hard to find the words." The Empress struggled awkwardly. "I don't know how much you can recall about the circumstances surrounding your birth."

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"Do you mean about the Fate's visit or Empress Zephyra's death?" Mairwen tried to help Aurora.

"Both actually. You were told that the events happened a few days apart, but that is not true. They happened the same day, within hours of each other. When the Fate Hanna visited, Empress Zephyra cursed the Fates. You can guess how that worked out for her."

"Why would Empress Zephyra do such a thing?" Mairwen leaned forward in her seat.

"She was angry that Hanna had interfered in the birth of her children." Aurora said carefully.

"You mean her grandchildren?" The princess tried to correct her.

"No. You two are Zephyra's second and third born. I was only ten when you were born and Devrim, who was twelve, was not even living in the palace yet. We are your adoptive parents, not your biological ones."

Mairwen gasped and the Empress braced for the worst. "This is wonderful news!" The princess was ecstatic.

"You are happy I am your sister and not your mother?" Aurora was a mix of relief and sadness.

"No, you are definitely my mother—and just to be clear: you two are married now, correct?" The blue-eyed girl hoped it was true.

"Yes, dear. We were married by Fate Justum ten years ago." The Empress smiled at Devrim. It had been an eventful decade.

"Good. As I was saying, you are my mother no matter what, and you are my father." Mairwen looked at Devrim. "But if you aren't my biological parents, that means I am free! I do not have to worry about ruling. I can forge my own path." The princess's eyes beamed with the possibilities. She felt like a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

"I am glad you feel that way. You are my daughter, and I love you. But you are right, you never have to rule… Alaron?" Aurora shifted her gaze to the prince, who had been gazing stoically at her the entire time.

"Why?" The boy asked.

"Why what?" Devrim was confused.

"Why adopt us at all? Why not keep us as your siblings. Why change your age and have a fake husband?!" Alaron's blue eyes looked down coldly at Their Majesties.

Aurora's vision was blurred with tears. "To prevent war and revolution. A ten-year-old does not seem fit to rule a planet, and Zephyra had not named an heir. The Council thought it best to change my age and pretend to be married. I chose to adopt you because the Council—mainly Cheif Cafer—wanted to have you killed."

Alaron scoffed in disbelief. "He would never suggest such a thing!"

"He would and he did. Cafer was afraid someone would rise up in your name." The Empress insisted. "You were just babes and could not pledge your allegiance. The Empire was at peace and your births complicated everything. But I could not let you die."

"Aurora did everything to protect you," Devrim said.

"You mentioned our mother, but who is our father?" The prince changed the subject.

"I assume he is the same as mine. You would have liked Emperor Elias very much." There was a tenderness in Aurora's demeanor that touched the twins. On this point, they both believed her. "Our mother, she was less endearing. The Fates may have blessed you by preventing her from being in your lives."

Alaron prickled at the assumption that he was better off not knowing his mother. "I guess we will never know," he muttered.

"Thank you for being honest with us," Mairwen stood and hugged Aurora. "That could not have been easy. And thank you for stepping up to be a father, Dad."

"You are too kind, Mairwen." Aurora's words were barely audible as streams of water rolled silently down her face.

"Although I appreciate you finally leveling with us after sixteen years, I am going to need some time to process." Alaron's sarcastic tone was like a blow to the Empress's stomach.

"Of course. I understand." Aurora nodded slowly.

"I want to get away from the palace for a few days, if it pleases Your Majesty." The Princes formality cut at Aurora's heart.

"Of course, Prince Alaron. We will arrange it personally." The Empress looked at Devrim, who agreed.

"At least you didn't lie about my title. I am a prince either way," Alaron said coolly. "One more question. Were you ever going to name me as heir to the throne?"

The Empress made her back long and tall. "No more lies," she reminded herself before taking a deep breath. "Ever since I visited the Maker, I have not planned to name you as heir."

"I see." Alaron stood. "I will leave tomorrow then. Good day, Your Majesty." The prince strode out of the room without looking back. When he entered the hall, Warin fell in step behind him.

"Well?"

"It is just as you said. The Empress told me just enough truth that I want to believe her, but she said you wanted me dead…" Alaron faced forward, but his eyes cut to one side.

"Aurora is cunning. She hopes to drive a wedge between us," the face of Warin said.

"She has lied to me for all my life. And she just told me she will never name me Emperor." Alaron balled his fists so hard that his nails cut into his skin.

"What will you do?" Cafer, who was disguised as Warin, asked.

"The only thing I can do. I will take my rightful place by force."