The moment the applause died, Aster and Astra bowed quickly and stepped off the stage.
They didn't linger.
They didn't greet nobles.
They didn't return to the dining tables.
They walked straight out of the palace hall.
Aster whispered sharply, "We're leaving."
Astra nodded. "Yes. This place feels bad."
Snowflake Mansion… Arlienne's birthday…
That was where they belonged.
They reached the royal courtyard and approached the carriage waiting for them.
Aster helped Astra in first.
"Sit. I'll tell Mama we're ready."
But before Arlienne could join them—
A royal attendant rushed up, bowing urgently.
"Lady Arlienne… His Majesty requests a private conversation."
Arlienne froze.
Aster turned sharply. "Now? After everything—"
"Aster," Arlienne whispered, "stay with Astra. I will be back in a moment."
Aster didn't like it.
Not one bit.
But Arlienne gave him a soft smile—the same calm smile she used whenever she tried to reassure him as a child.
"It's just a short talk."
Reluctantly, he nodded.
"Be quick, Mama. We'll be waiting inside the carriage."
Arlienne squeezed his hand once…
And then walked away toward the king.
***
Inside a quiet side chamber of the palace, the king dismissed the guards and approached Arlienne with a conflicted expression.
"Arlienne," he began softly, "you look well."
She said nothing.
He sighed.
"…The twins have grown so much."
Still no response.
He finally spoke the real reason:
"I want you—and the twins—to return to the palace."
Arlienne blinked, then narrowed her eyes.
The king continued desperately:
"You should be here. With me. With the royal family. Your children are princes and princesses—they belong in the palace. I can offer them protection. Luxury. Education. Influence. Everything—"
Arlienne cut him off, voice icy:
"Now? After eleven years?"
The king swallowed hard.
"Things weren't simple—"
"They were very simple," Arlienne said coldly.
"You chose your queen. You chose distance. You chose silence."
He winced.
She stepped back slightly.
"And now that your guests demanded to see the twins, now that their fame benefits you… now you ask us to return?"
The king closed his eyes.
"That is not the reason…"
Arlienne laughed softly—without joy.
"We have money. Comfort. A home of our own. My son built a mansion for us with his own hands. We do not need the palace."
Her voice grew sharper.
"And I will not drag my children into this poisonous court after all you failed to protect them from."
The king reached out, almost pleading.
"Arlienne… please. I miss you."
She stepped away before he could touch her.
"Do not make this more painful than it already is."
Silence fell.
Finally, Arlienne bowed shallowly.
"If that is all, Your Majesty… I will take my leave."
She turned and walked out, heart pounding, breath tight—but determined.
Her children were waiting.
All she wanted was to return home.
***
She hurried through the corridors toward the courtyard, her dress sweeping behind her, hoping the twins hadn't grown worried.
When she reached the carriage, her heart softened.
*My children… they must be tired.*
She grasped the door handle.
"Aster, Astra, I'm sorry I took so long—"
She pulled open the door.
The lantern light illuminated the empty seats.
Her smile vanished instantly.
Her chest froze.
"…Aster?"
Her voice trembled.
"Astra?"
The carriage was empty.
Pristine.
Untouched.
A cold breeze swept her hair as she stared into the shadows of the interior.
Her heart began to pound violently.
She gripped the door frame with shaking hands.
"No… no, no… they should be here—"
She spun around, eyes wide and frantic.
"ASTER! ASTRA!"
Her voice echoed painfully through the courtyard.
Guards turned in confusion.
Servants paused mid-step.
Even distant nobles glanced her way.
Arlienne's eyes darted everywhere, desperate, terrified.
They weren't on the steps.
They weren't near the pillars.
They weren't behind the carriage.
They were nowhere.
Her vision blurred with panic.
Not again.
Not again.
She had lost everything once—she could not lose her children.
She screamed their names louder this time, voice cracking:
"A—ASTER!!! ASTRA!!!"
A single guard stepped hesitantly toward her.
"L-Lady Arlienne… the twins… weren't they with you?"
Her blood ran cold.
Her knees weakened.
She realized the truth.
The reason the courtyard felt wrong.
Why the air was too still.
Why her children's mana signatures had vanished.
Someone had taken them.
Inside the palace.
During the distraction.
Arlienne's breath shattered into pieces.
"No…"
Her voice broke.
"No… PLEASE—!"
She clutched the carriage door with white knuckles, the world spinning around her.
Her children were gone.
Aster.
Astra.
Taken from right under her nose.
And the palace…
The palace was far too quiet.