"W-What did you just say?" Beatrice was so shocked by the revelation that she could hardly breathe. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"I know it sounds impossible, but it's the truth," Arthur said calmly. "You are siblings, and your parents... they're in another world now."
"I-Impossible..." Beatrice's mind was spinning. She couldn't think clearly.
"So you're saying that our mother was from another world, and when she died, she returned there—and our fathers followed her?" Froilan asked, trying to make sense of it.
Arthur nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. That's exactly what happened."
"But why didn't you tell us earlier?" Arash snapped. "Why keep this from us for so long? Do you realize this is practically treason?"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Arthur replied, bowing slightly. "But your fathers commanded me to keep this secret forever. No one was supposed to know the truth about the Empress."
Froilan heaved a deep sigh. "Even so… I'm still glad they're alive."
"I'm truly sorry for hiding this," Arthur added. "I only followed the late Emperor's orders."
Matias, who had been silently listening the whole time, finally spoke. "Then how did their sons from that other world end up here? You said Grand Master Xerxes was the only one who could create such a portal. How did these young men come through?"
"That's the very question that's been bothering me," Arthur admitted. "Even they don't know how it happened."
"He's right," Hajee chimed in. "All we remember is that we were in our mansion when the painting of Uncle Troy caught our attention."
"Uncle Troy?" Froilan asked, confused.
"That was my father," Tohru explained.
"It was the name Lord Cedrik used in their world," Arthur clarified.
"Lord Cedrik Campbell of the East…" Beatrice whispered.
"It was a group portrait of our parents, wearing clothes just like yours," Rin added. "At first, we thought they were just really into ancient themes or cosplay or something."
"But then, while staring at the painting, a blinding light suddenly engulfed us," Kasey said.
"And boom, next thing we knew, we were in your world," Harusheen continued. "We had no idea how we got here, or how to get back."
"Worst of all, we got separated when we arrived," Shuu said. "We were lucky to find each other here in the palace, but we still have four missing brothers out there."
"And we have to find them before the war does," Koko added grimly.
Arash cleared his throat. "Are you all truly telling the truth?"
Arthur scratched his head. "Come on, Your Majesty. Don't they resemble your parents?"
The four royal siblings turned to study the younger ones. Beatrice sighed. "He's right. There's no doubt… they're our brothers."
"Beatrice, is there any way to create another portal connecting to their world?" Matias asked.
"I'm not sure. Most of my father's books are long gone. But…" She paused.
"But what?" Matias pressed.
"There's a key I found in my father's room. I never figured out what it was for. I searched for hidden doors, vaults, boxes—anything—but found nothing. I stopped searching after you were cursed, and I shifted all my focus to curing you," she explained.
"Maybe I can help you find it," Hajee offered. "This isn't just about you anymore. We need to get back to our world too—before the war takes us down."
"Alright," Beatrice agreed, "but it won't be easy."
"Until then," Shuu said, "we'll do what we can to help defend this empire. Our strengths are limited, but we'll contribute however we can."
"Thank you," Froilan said gratefully.
"Wow… I still can't believe we have siblings from another world," Ran muttered in awe.
Matias took a deep breath. "Since we share the same blood and the same parents, I'll allow you to stay in the palace. You may use the Ruby Palace."
"That was our mother's palace," Beatrice added with a small smile. "It's time that place felt alive again."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," the younger siblings said in unison.
"And one more thing—keep all of this a secret," Matias warned. "If our enemies discover your existence, it could lead to disaster. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," they all replied firmly.
"Then you're dismissed. I have matters to discuss with the King of Varia," Matias said, reminding them of Iskandar, who was still resting in the guest quarters. With bows and quiet murmurs, they exited the room, leaving Matias behind in deep thought.
.
.
In the palace hallway...
"There are so many questions I want to ask you all, but there are things I need to attend to right now. I'll see you after my duties," Beatrice said, before turning and walking away, her disciples following closely behind.
Froilan turned to Koko. "I'll leave you with your brothers for now. Ragnar and I need to inspect the soldiers on patrol." With that, he departed alongside the barbarians and a group of knights.
"I'm exhausted. I'm going to rest—do not disturb me," Arash said bluntly, then walked off, his butlers trailing after him.
The younger brothers were left standing together, a brief silence settling over them. Moments later, a butler approached, followed by a line of neatly dressed maids.
"Greetings, young lords. His Majesty has instructed us to escort you to the Ruby Palace. Please, follow me," the butler said with a respectful bow.
They quietly followed as he led them through the palace halls to the Ruby Palace—the very place their mother once called home during her time in this world.
.
.
.
.....
Ineah closed his eyes as he submerged himself in the sacred lake of the Temple of Heaven—a place where the most powerful priests resided. It hadn't been long since he arrived in this world and somehow found himself within the temple's walls. From the moment he was discovered, the people began treating him as if he had descended from the heavens themselves. Some even claimed he was the reincarnation of the temple's late Paladin.
He sank deeper into the water, letting its stillness embrace him. As he hovered in the calm depths, his thoughts drifted back to the moment he first arrived—right here, in this same sacred lake.