Misconceptions

Author: angelcat2865

Chapter 3: Twins of Misfortune

Author's Note: Kazahaya and Rikuo were barrowed from Legal Drug which belongs to CLAMP. Marioutti is an original character created for this story.


In the days that followed, Hideki and Elda did their best to forget words of the young seer, but the fear of her prophecy coming true remained strong in their hearts. So when the fortunate day finally arrived, it came as no surprise to him that Hideki was both excited and worried. He waited outside the birthing chambers with his two most trusted lieutenants, Kazahaya, a thin, young, brown-haired man with green eyes and Rikuo, a well built young, man with black hair and brown eyes. Some other friends and palace servants were also present, the latter in case they had to attend to Elda and the baby, while the former merely to provide Hideki some company. But none of their presence was enough to soothe him as he paced in front of the doorway, waiting for Marioutti, the royal midwife to emerge from behind the closed doors.

Tired of waiting, he was just about to knock and inquire after his wife and child's health when the doors opened and a plump, gray-haired woman stepped outside. She beamed at Hideki, holding a squirming, crying bundle in her arms.

"You have a fine, healthy son, Your Highness," Mariouti announced as she allowed Hideki to take the baby from her arms.

Hideki grinned in return as he gently cradled the child.

"Welcome to the world my son, my little Fai," he addressed his son, unable to believe that the tiny life in his hands was his to protect. His and Elda's. But his joy evaporated when Elda let out another pained cry.

"Something is wrong," he looked at the midwife in alarm as he carefully handed the baby to a nurse in waiting, "she shouldn't still be in pain."

"I am sorry, Your Highness," Marioutti stepped in his path, looking apologetic as she stopped him from entering the birthing chambers when he made to push his way inside, "I can't let you in here just yet. I will let you know of the queen's condition as soon as I can." And then she vanished behind the double doors without another word.

"Hideki, she will be alright," reassured Kazahaya as he came to stand by Hideki's side. "She is in good hands." But even as the words left Kazahaya's mouth the cries of a second baby rang out.

"Twins!" Hideki gasped.

The prophecy has come true...


Word of the twins' birth spread throughout the palace, leaving servants and nobles alike in a state of shock. Emperor Taishaku ordered immediate shutdown of all court proceedings for the remainder of the day as soon as the news reached him as he called for an emergency meeting with the royal priests and scholars. The dreaded prophecy would have to be reviewed. Taishaku felt guilt over his malicious thoughts towards Hideki when he had first heard that young seer's warning. His brother did not deserve the hand that fate had dealt him with, but if Hideki's sons were indeed the feared twins from the prophecy he would do what was needed to be done, no matter the pain it would cause. He could only pray that the babies not wizards too.


Hideki stood alone in the nursery adjacent to his and Elda's room having already dismissed the nurses and guards. He wanted to be alone with his family, if only for a few hours. Elda had finally fallen into a troubled sleep a short while ago, exhausted as she had been from the day's events. Quietly, he watched the two babies that lay sleeping in the basinet.

How could this have happened? Hideki thought as he looked down at the two sleeping boys. He wanted to hate them, oh how he wanted to hate them, but he realized that he couldn't. They were his children after all. Can they really be the dreaded twins of misfortune? It can't be true, can it?

One of the babies stirred, Fai or perhaps it was Yuui, began to cry. Hideki debated if he should pick up the child. It would do no good to get attached to the babies when they were to be put to death the next morning. Taishaku had only granted them this one night because the twins were of royal birth. But as he heard the little one's cries, Hideki's heart could not help but reach out to his son. Just as he made up his mind to pick up the child, a gentle breeze began to stir the air as the basinet shook. He watched in surprise as swirls of a pale blue light surrounded the crying baby.

He's a wizard, Hideki thought.

Hideki gently picked up his son and the magic faded away as the baby calmed down.

Hideki felt a small weight lifted from his heart. Killing someone born with magic was still considered a bigger curse so at least one of his sons would have a chance at life. Taishaku would never cross that line. But what of the other child? He wondered, unable to bring himself to ignore the love he felt for that child as well.

He heard Elda stir in their bed and he turned to bring their son to her. She had to know that they would be able to save at least one of their children. But just as he started towards their bedroom, the second child awoke. He heard the basinet shake and he whirled back around just in time to see a wind swirling above the cot, a pale blue light encircling the baby inside.

"They're both wizards!" Hideki exclaimed, feeling relieved pleasure course through his veins at the though.

Both my sons are wizards. They both have a chance to live.

Turning to his now awake wife he grinned, "Elda our sons are both wizards, they will both live."

"Both wizards?" Elda repeated sounding weak as she reached for the child he held in his arms.

"Yes," Hideki confirmed as he moved to let her take the baby from him before he hurried back to pick up the other one. Hideki returned to her side, gently cradling their son while Elda cuddled the one she had, tears of relief streaming down their faces. Their children wouldn't be executed.

But what of the curse? Hideki heard a dark voice whisper in the back of his mind. What of your land? Your subjects? You family?


Author's note: For the purpose of this story I felt that magical power would be naturally suppressed during the birthing process and for several hours afterwards. This would be to protect both the mother and baby during the fairly traumatic experience of delivery. This is why no one was aware that the twins were both born wizards right away.