Just minutes after their performance ended, Aster and Astra politely bowed their way out of the hall.
They were tired, overwhelmed, and eager to return home to finish their mother's birthday.
But while they made their way toward the courtyard, something else was happening behind the queen's throne—
a conversation that would change everything.
***
A foreign noble approached the queen quietly.
He was tall, well-dressed, and carried the presence of someone who was not easily ignored.
His eyes gleamed with calculation.
He bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty… may I have a word?"
Queen Lura forced a strained smile.
She was still furious that Arlienne had been applauded more than she had.
"What is it?"
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"I have observed you for some time tonight… and I can see it clearly."
The queen narrowed her eyes. "See what?"
"That you dislike the Snowflake twins."
The queen's face stiffened.
"What nonsense—"
The noble held up a hand.
"No need to deny it. We both know the truth."
His eyes glinted dangerously.
"And we both know you resent Lady Arlienne."
The queen's breath hitched—not because he was wrong, but because he said it aloud.
He leaned in slightly.
"My employer… a very powerful man in my kingdom… wishes to make a deal."
The queen frowned. "A deal?"
"Yes. He desires the twins."
The queen's eyes widened.
"…What?"
"The Snowflakes," he said smoothly.
"The boy who invented those miraculous music stones… and the girl whose voice is said to heal hearts."
He smiled thinly.
"My employer wishes them to become his… **private performers**. Exclusive. Hidden. Rare treasures."
The queen's disgust flashed across her face.
"You expect me to hand over royal children?"
The noble shrugged lightly.
"I expect cooperation. Nothing more."
He studied the queen's expression carefully.
"You want them gone.
I want them gone.
Let us not pretend otherwise."
The queen opened her mouth—
Then closed it.
He continued:
"With the twins in our kingdom, far away from here…
Lady Arlienne loses her influence.
The king loses his distractions.
And you, Your Majesty…"
His smile sharpened.
"…you become the sole mother figure of the royal family once again."
The queen's heartbeat quickened.
For eleven years she had lived in the shadow of Arlienne Snowflake—
a woman who had never even stepped foot inside the palace.
Now this noble was offering her a chance to erase that shadow permanently.
And in her anger…
In her jealousy…
In her pettiness…
She made the worst decision of her life.
"…Fine," she whispered.
The noble's eyes glowed with triumph.
"Excellent."
"But how?" she demanded. "Everyone is watching—"
"Simple," he replied.
"We separate the mother first. That king of yours still clings to her. Use that."
The queen's lip curled.
"And then?"
"And then," the noble said softly,
"while the Snowflake twins wait in the carriage… my men will retrieve them."
The queen hesitated only for a moment.
"…Very well."
"Good."
The noble bowed.
"My men are already prepared."
***
**A few minutes later…**
King of Vornis (Aldren Wynfall) approached Arlienne as planned.
"Arlienne… I want to speak with you. Alone."
Arlienne did not wish to.
But she agreed.
Just as the queen expected.
And just as the foreign noble hoped.
***
**Meanwhile, outside—**
Aster and Astra sat inside the carriage and waited.
Astra kicked her legs gently.
"Aster… do you think Mama will be long?"
"She'll be quick," Aster murmured.
"She doesn't trust the king."
Astra leaned against his shoulder.
"I just want to go home…"
Aster ruffled her hair.
"Me too."
The courtyard was calm.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
The guards stood at a distance, unaware.
Servants passed by without noticing anything strange.
That is when a shadow appeared behind the carriage.
A man dressed in a dark foreign cloak.
One of the noble's operatives.
He approached silently.
Then—
He cracked open a small vial.
White smoke drifted upward.
The wind carried it into the carriage through the open side window.
Astra sniffed.
"Huh…? What's that smell…?"
Aster's head snapped up instantly.
"Close the window—!"
But it was already too late.
The sleeping gas spread thickly inside the carriage.
Aster tried to stand—
His vision blurred.
His legs weakened.
Astra reached for him.
"Aster… I… feel… sleepy…"
Aster grabbed her hand tightly, his voice breaking.
"Astra—stay awake…! Don't… don't close your eyes—"
But Astra slumped against him, unconscious.
Aster's heart pounded violently.
He tried to summon mana.
Tried to shout.
Tried to fight it.
But his breathing slowed—
His strength faded—
His last thought was of his mother.
*Mama…*
Then Aster collapsed beside Astra.
Unconscious.
Helpless.
The operative opened the door quietly.
He checked both twins for resistance.
None.
He nodded once.
Two more cloaked men appeared.
They lifted Aster and Astra gently, placing them into a covered transport carriage parked behind the palace.
The first man smirked.
"Our employer will be pleased."
With a whistle, the carriage rolled away silently into the night—
through a side gate
left unwatched
because no one suspected a kidnapping inside the palace itself.
***
**Back to Arlienne—**
After refusing the king's offer, Arlienne walked quickly toward the courtyard—
Heart eager to return to her children.
She smiled softly.
"Aster… Astra… you must be waiting…"
But when she opened the carriage door—
The world shattered.
Empty seats.
No children.
No laughter.
No warmth.
Just silence.
Arlienne's heart dropped into an abyss.
"…Aster?"
Her voice trembled.
"Astra??"
She checked again—
under the seats—
behind the curtains—
outside the door—
Nothing.
Her breathing turned sharp.
Her vision blurred.
"ASTER! ASTRA!!"
Her scream echoed through the entire courtyard.
Guards rushed over, confused and panicked.
Arlienne clutched the carriage frame, her entire body shaking.
"What… what happened…? WHERE ARE MY CHILDREN?!"
Her voice tore into the night.
Her terror was absolute.
And the queen—
standing in the great hall
smiling for her guests
—pretended nothing was happening.
Because she knew exactly why
Aster and Astra Snowflake Wynfall
were gone.