Rhythmic stepping came into the bedrooms, one for the Prince the other for the Princess. Over time, the twins have become accustomed to life. Although there was the rocky start to the many years that passed.

Jasper, the butler, walked into the Prince's room. He walked along the edge of the Prince's room. Some light carved its way through the curtains.

"Ugh. What a dreadfully sorry sight." Jasper said, pushing the curtains open.

A groan came from the bed, from the light that illuminated the room so quickly. Jasper noticed this and begun to walk to the other curtains.

"Such a beautiful day to waste in bed, don't you agree?" Jasper asked.

The Prince, Azmer, groaned once more. "What? Oh. Go away, Jasper." He ordered tiredly.

Jasper ignored it and opened the curtains regardless. "Now, that is hardly the response of a prince. I'm afraid it is time to rise."

Jasper noticed a large bulge in the sheets beside Azmer. "With your permission, I shall wake your sleeping companion."

Jasper pulled the sheets back, revealing a Doberman. "Ah, yes. One's heart soars before such regal bearing." Jasper remarked sarcastically.

The dog rolled onto its back, hoping to receive the best scratch on its belly, which it did get from Azmer. "Come on, boy. If I have to get up, then so will you."

The dog realised that Jasper was looking at it and hopped down off the bed, only to sit in front of the butler. Jasper looked down at the dog, its tongue lolling out the side of its open mouth.

"It's not going to work." Jasper remarked, but the dog only tried harder. "Stop looking at me like that." Jasper continued, but the dog tried even harder.

Jasper sighed. "Oh, alright." He agreed reluctantly. He bent down and petted the dog enough so that it was satisfied with the attention. "Good dog." Jasper said while doing this.

The dog ran back to his master. Jasper stood up, not happy. "What a pair... The kingdom is doomed." Jasper said.

Jasper walked over to the two mannequins that were wheeled in, one holding an elegant prince's outfit, the other a more practical but no less expensive look. "Now, it is time to choose some more appropriate clothing for today's activities." He said.

Meanwhile, in Yiva's room:

"Milady?" The handmaiden asked gingerly, pushing the door open slightly.

She could hear the grunts that was normal for her to hear. Looks like the Princess was up early, earlier than expected.

"Oh, Sophia! Come on in!" The Princess yelled out.

Sophia walked into the room, keeping her head low for the dog that Yiva owned. Fortunately, the husky was sitting in the corner, its eyes following what must be the Princess. Its eyes stopped somewhere above Sophia.

Suddenly, Yiva came into view, her pyjamas still on.

"Raaaah!" She roared, scaring the elderly handmaiden terribly.

Yiva erupted into laughter at the crude joke. She twisted and landed on her feet with unmatched agility.

"My apologies, Sophia. I needed some fun." Yiva apologised, bowing slightly for Sophia. Yiva wasn't one for royal etiquette and gatherings between nobles. That was best left with Azmer, as he always went to the gatherings.

"Accepted. Now, onto today's agenda. And I'm not sure that Master Elliot would approve of your current look." Sophia joked, prompting a laugh from the two women.

Both of the twins came out at the same time. Azmer was clothed in elegant clothing, suitable for someone of his tastes, while Yiva sported a more practical look. Both scoffed at the other's choice, but soon forgot about it after their customary morning hug.

Together, they walked out of the bedrooms and out into the gardens that they see everyday outside. But the one thing that neither could appreciate was the statue of Logan in the gardens. And even after nine years, they still have sad memories concerning the crypt that holds their mother and father.

The guards stood to attention and saluted them as they walked past. The nobles all did their curtsey, much to the chagrin of Yiva. When they went to behind the crypt, they saw who both were looking for. Two people, one male and female, were standing there, looking way out into the distant Bowerstone Industrial. Azmer's doberman barked, making both of the visitors turn.

The Doberman ran towards the female, who was already kneeling down to give it a hug. It raised its front paws to balance itself on the female's shoulders while it licked her face, getting petted all the while. The husky growled its reluctance to be petted by none other than Yiva. When the Doberman finally calmed down, every human joined in on a large embrace of friendship.

Elise and Elliot were already good friends when they met with Azmer and Yiva. It was nine years ago, a week after the Hero Queen's death. Neither were eating or leaving their rooms. That was when Walter decided to bring both Elise and Elliot into their lives, hoping that some good would come out of it. And his hopes paid off, since it did work. Azmer and Yiva became happier and the four spent more and more time together.

Yiva looked at her small clock, running off and yelling something about practice with Walter. Elliot stayed behind with Azmer and Elise. The three looked over the city of Bowerstone, the smoke thick in the distance.

"You hear such terrible stories." Elliot remarked.

"Stories?" Azmer asked, not knowing about them.

"They say a factory worker was executed this morning. I'm sure it's only a rumour, but you can imagine how people are talking." Elise informed.

"The staff in the castle are anxious. We told them that either you or Yiva would speak with them." Elliot continued.

"Well, let's go then. After you, my Prince." Elise said.

The three, not including the dog, walked past all of the nobles and into the kitchens. The cooks were talking amongst themselves for now, but the chef was also listening in. Azmer knocked on the door, making the chef turn with the knife he held rise. But when he saw who it was, he quickly hid it behind his back.

"Welcome, your Highness. Such an honour to have you here today. The staff have convened to hear your words. Whenever you're ready." The chef said, moving off to stand with his colleagues.

Azmer closed his eyes and assumed a posture that he saw Logan do in his early years of reign. He opened his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"You have all been through some difficult times, and the king has been too... preoccupied to treat you as he should." Azmer began.

He heard the door open. He looked over, seeing Walter Beck standing in the doorway, his beard now a deep grey than the black it once was. Azmer also saw Yiva standing beside Walter, feeling as if she was sizing him up.

Like a wolf to prey.

"But I ask you all to ignore any wild rumours. I, along with Princess Yiva, would speak to our brother about improving conditions for you and your families outside the castle. Thank you." Azmer finished.

He felt the swelling pride within him whenever he did something like this.

"And back to work!" Yiva yelled, a sadistic smile on her face.

"Yes, your majesties!" The staff yelled in return.

"You call that a royal speech? You didn't shout, you didn't threaten, and you were far too reasonable." Walter asked. Azmer looked away in shame.

Walter and Yiva then began to laugh, although at a slight chuckle. It made Azmer feel even more insecure and shameful.

"It was bloody marvellous!" Walter remarked, alleviating Azmer's insecurity.

Yiva walked past Azmer, coming close enough to whisper something. "It was bullshit. You needed to threaten them." She whispered.

"Bite me, Yiva. I'm different." Azmer whispered back.

Yiva shrugged and continued walking. Walter waved Azmer over to him.

"So, ready for today's training?" He asked.

Azmer nodded, smiling. They moved away from the kitchens and followed the route that they take to the training room.

Yiva, Elise and Elliot were looking over the city of Bowerstone from the gardens once again. They talked about everything yet nothing. Both Elliot and Elise knew that Yiva felt out of place in the castle. But what they didn't know was the sneaking out of the castle that Yiva does every now and then at night.

A small buzz was heard in the distance. Not one of the flies, but of the human voice. The three teenagers looked over to the side, seeing a rather large procession of peasants. They couldn't make out any other details.

They ran through the halls of the castle and came to a place where they could get a better look. They were peasants, but workers from Bowerstone Industrial. They were shouting, booing, and holding up various signs that signified their obvious distaste of Logan and this Reaver person.

"Oh no." Elise stated, covering her mouth with her palm.

"They'll get killed." Elliot continued.

"We have to tell Walter and Azmer." Yiva said, already running.

Elise and Elliot had a harder time keeping up, since Yiva seemed to move across the yard with a large amount of agility hat they have never seen.

They ran through the halls and stopped at the stairs. Yiva and Elliot kept looking out the window, now having a clear view of the protesters that gathered out the front of the castle. Elise kept running towards the practice room. She burst the doors open, gaining the attention of both Walter and Azmer.

"Walter! You need to come quick! Both of you!" Elise yelled.

"What's happening?" Walter asked.

"Outside the castle. It looks like a demonstration." Elise replied.

The three ran through the corridor to meet with Yiva and Elliot.

"They're right inside the castle grounds." Elliot informed. "I've never seen so many people out there."

"Balls." Walter cursed. "I should have known this would happen. I don't think they realise what your brother is capable of. This isn't going to end well."

All five looked out the window, towards the crowd who were getting surrounded by soldiers of the Royal Army.

"It's been a long time since Logan has listened to me, but I should find him. Stay here." Walter said.

He turned and placed a hand on Azmer's and Yiva's shoulders. "There's still something that we need to talk about." With that said, Walter let go and ran up the stairs. He turned left after the doorway.

When Walter left, Elise turned to Yiva and Azmer. "We can't just stand here. I have a horrible feeling about this. We need to do something."

"The guards have moved away from the stairs. We should follow Walter, find out what Logan's going to do." Elliot said.

"Let's go, then." Yiva responded, already jogging up the stairs.

"They should be in the War Room." Azmer said, catching up.

They followed Walter's route and came to a pair of closed doors. Elise looked through the keyhole of one door, seeing Logan, Walter and a bunch of Logan's personal guard on the other side.

She silently waved Yiva and Azmer over, moving out of the way for both to take a look.

"I'm protecting the interests of the people. Do not question me again." They heard Logan say. "You will shoot to kill. Start with the ringleaders and, if necessary, continue with the crowd."

"This is wrong. You can't do this." Walter said. They heard an impact and a thump on the floor.

"Never tell me what I can't do." Logan calmly stated.

"We can't let him kill all those people. You're his siblings. Maybe he'll listen to both of you." Elliot said.

Azmer and Yiva looked at each other and nodded. Together, they grabbed a door handle each, pushed it downwards and pushed the door open. They came face to face with Logan, who's scars looked like they were getting worse.

"What are you doing here? The War Room is no place for children." Logan asked.

"We're here to stop you." Yiva replied, her husky growling for extra measure.

"You can't kill those people." Azmer continued.

Logan's face scrunched up. "How dare both of you turn against me?!" He shouted. He immediately calmed down. "Perhaps both of you believe you should be the ones making these decisions."

"You really wish to defend those traitors? Then so be it." Logan continued, raising an open hand. "Take my siblings and their friends to the throne room." He closed the hand.

His guards grabbed a hold of all of them by the biceps and led them away.

The doors to the throne room opened and the four were lead into the large expanse. They stopped at the middle, staring straight into Logan's cold eyes.

"Today, both of you have disappointed me beyond measure. I have been betrayed by my own blood." Logan said. He looked over to Elise and Elliot. "And filthy spies."

"We did nothing wrong!" Elliot yelled, receiving a rifle butt to his shin.

Logan stood up. "Punishment must be apportioned where it belongs."

Azmer stepped closer to Logan. "Punish me then!"

"You are no longer a child, and same with Yiva, and it is time I stopped treating both of you like that. Both of you wish to save the traitors who gathered outside the castle this morning. Very well. You shall have the chance to save them." Logan explained.

A group of guards came into the throne room, handling three workers from Bowerstone Industrial. One was female, the other two were male. The female was crying hysterically.

"Here stand the leaders of the violent mob. I will give you a choice. Who will be punished? These strangers or your friends? The sentence will be death."

"No... this can't be." Elise gasped.

"Both of you are the prince and princess. Decide!"

Azmer retreated and Yiva stepped closer to Elise and Elliot, shielding them.

"I am giving you power over life and death." Logan said.

"We won't choose, Logan!" Yiva yelled.

Logan only smiled. "If neither of you can't choose, I will. They will all be executed."

Everyone in the room gasped at Logan's explanation. "So tell me, what are you willing to sacrifice to do the right thing?"

"This is madness. You can't- You just can't." Elise said.

"Choose us. You can't let them all die." Elliot said, being pulled up by Azmer.

The guards restrained Elise and Elliot and pulled them over to the right of Logan.

"Now, choose." Logan ordered.

A short silence followed while Azmer and Yiva had to digest the gravity of the situation.

"We have to kill the villagers." Yiva said.

"And hurt those who are related? You know the streets of Bowerstone better than myself, so you should know their plight." Azmer rebutted.

"So we should kill our friends? Those who pulled both of us out of our misery over our mother's death?"

"What other choice do we have? You know what our mother did many years ago with Albion. Sacrifice the..." Azmer whispered

"... needs of the few for the needs of the many." Both said together.

"You have five seconds, or all will die." Logan announced.

"Five..."

Azmer was getting nervous.

"Four..."

Yiva breathed in to control her nerves.

"Three..."

Neither still spoke.

"Two..."

Both breathed in deeply.

"One..."

They had to say it now.

"Zer-"

"We choose to sacrifice our friends!" Azmer yelled, stopping the countdown to the wire.

The female factory worker began to cry in forgiveness. "Thank you. Thank you." She blubbered out.

Elise and Elliot weren't fazed at all. Instead, they showed pride in their sacrifice. Yiva began to cry uncontrollably. She didn't want this to happen. Elliot and Elise came down for a last goodbye.

"It's alright. You two did the right thing." Elliot stated.

"Know this, we don't blame either of you." Elise stated after Elliot.

It was then that they were dragged off for a firing squad.

Yiva turned to Logan, her eyes bloodshot. "We will never forgive you for this!" She yelled, putting a lot of hate into it.

Logan seemed to brush it off. "Good. Then you'll never forget it." He replied calmly. He turned to a few guards that appeared out of nowhere. "Take my siblings to their chambers. Now." He ordered.

The guards placed their hands on their shoulders and roughly shoved them out of the throne room. And it now became the place that they hate most.