{•Lynette•}

I woke up the next morning to someone kissing my cheek. I murmured and turned around to see Remington hovering over me.

"Good morning..." he smiled softly. "Happy birthday..."

I groaned sleepily and sighed, looking away. "Nooooo... Anything but that....."

He chuckled softly and pulled me into his arms. "Twenty-six is not that bad," he said.

I chuckled softly and curled up next to him. "Says the one who's staying 28 forever," I grumbled.

He laughed out loud as we pulled each other into our arms and shared a kiss.

We kissed for a while before I pulled back.

"I don't want to celebrate today.... I know what day it also is for you..." I murmured.

He pursed his lips and looked down.

"Can I at least treat you to a birthday breakfast?" he asked. "I asked Leda last night to make one for just you and me, we can eat outside in the garden, since the blizzard stopped already and the breeze isn't too cold now... Your favorite pastries included..."

I smiled and sighed, knowing I wasn't going to get out of this. "Okay... But that's it.... After that, I want to try and plan something in order to find the Visigoth's... We haven't focused enough on them.... I know Austin and James have been handling that, but I want to help figure that out too. Victoria and I also want to explore Eloise's office a bit more, see what we can learn..."

"Alright, sure," he nodded.

I looked up at him and smiled as I looked into his soft brown eyes.

He smiled back as I combed my fingers through my hair.

"I know what I want for my birthday," I murmured.

"Name it," he smiled.

I smirked playfully. "Don't get a haircut..."

He scoffed and pulled me close, tickling my side and making me laugh.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," I giggled as I wrapped my arms around him as he peppered kisses against my cheek and neck.

"Come on, let's get ready," he snickered, pecking my lips before crawling out of bed and then pulling me up.

"Ughhh, but the bed's warm," I pouted, making me laugh.

"Come on, Leda's made your favorite pumpkin cookies," he said.

I groaned. "Fine.... But only because I love those cookies," I said, making him laugh as I let him take my hands and pull me up before we started to get ready.

{•Sebastian•}

I sat on the throne room after breakfast just thinking.

Today being a day of mourning, there wasn't much to really be done. Usually there's an annual memorial ceremony, one where we release lanterns into the sky, but considering the situation, it might have to be postponed I'm afraid.

I looked down as I read the latest issue of the Obsidian Empire Chronicle, delivered just before sunrise.

26 YEARS LATER
The Victims of the Obsidian Fires

I sighed as I looked at all the portraits of those lost that day.

My mother's and father's faces were at the top among the others.

"I only wish you two were here.... You'd know exactly what to do at a time like this...." I said softly under my breath.

I sighed and tossed the paper aside when Jay walked in.

"Your majesty," she said.

"Good morning, Jay... Has Lynette and Remington woken up?" I asked.

"Yes, your majesty. They are enjoying a private birthday breakfast for Lady Lynette in the garden," She said. "Since the snow has since cleared after the blizzard, they figured that it would be relaxing, and not as cold anymore."

"I see.... I do know the duchess requested nothing for her birthday, but we have taken the liberty to shower her with gifts. If we can have them ready in the dining hall for her tonight at dinner, and her favorite dessert, it would be greatly appreciate it, please" I said. "Despite the anniversary, I rather not have her day spoiled with the thought of mourning."

She nodded and bowed. "Consider it done, your majesty."

"Thank you," I nodded as she was about to leave, but I stopped her. "Oh, and Jay... How are we on the extraction plan for the members of the Obsidian Empire Chronicle?"

"They should be arriving soon, and all rooms are prepared with extra blankets and food," she assured.

"Excellent, thank you..." I said.

"Oh! You've also recieved a bat messenger from the Salem realm," she said, reaching into her pocket and handing me a small scroll. "I believe its from Count Michael, by the looks of the insignia."

"Well, if its a bat, it can't be any other.... Alright, I'll look into it, thank you," I nodded.

"Will that be all, your majesty?" She asked.

"Yes, for now, Jay.... Though, please do let me know the second Queen Larisa and Duchess Shy return from their assignment," I said.

"Of course, your majesty," she nodded, bowing before leaving, and then Andrew, Damiano, Ethan, Ashton and Thomas.

"Everything is ready. We'll head out later in the afternoon," Damiano said.

"Of course. Thank you again," I said. "I know its rather awful the idea today to be desecrating a grave, especially that of a child's. However, if this child is the answer to our problems, then we do what we must."

They nodded before bowing and leaving and I opened the scroll.

{•Remington•}

I looked out at the snow, enjoying the cool air.

I went and got ready in my room before heading outside to help Leda set up breakfast in the garden pavillion for Lynette and I.

I took a deep breath, suddenly feeling a cool breeze blow a bit, and shivering a little as I felt the cold give me goosebumps.

I looked down at my hands, seeing they my fingertips were getting red from the cold, and sighed.

Its not easy being half-human... Honestly its frusterating...

One minute I'm thirty for blood, I can climb up walls with no problem, and my sense of smell is still strong enough to smell the sea miles away.

The next minute, I'm fatigued, I'm cold, and sleepy.

Its been so many years since I last felt like this cold.....

Funny thing about immortality is the days just seem to blur all together.

Before you even realize it sometimes, a decade passes, and then another, and then another, and it all just feels like weeks at most, but then you realize you lived more years than you should.

It seemed like just yesterday, we were in town trying to evacuate people to safety and fight off any rebels trying to attack.

We fought tooth and nail protecting everyone that night. I was helping the students at the Academy when they suddenly started to retreat...

*flashback*

"AAAAAHHHH!" the young girl cried as the rebel swung his axe.

I growled as I swung my claws and slashed the rebel's throat before he can swung down on her.

The young female student watched in shock as I threw the dead rebel aside and then looked back at her.

She shuddered worriedly before I retracted my claws and approached her.

"Its alright, you are safe now," I assured her, helping her stand

God she can't be older than 12.....

She gulped nervously and stood up straight and I carefully helped adjust the red uniform beret she had on her head and dusting her cardigan.

"Come," he said. "There's a carriage that will take you and the other students to safety. I need you to be brave, though."

She took a deep breath and nodded as I took her hand and we hurried to the tunnel leading to the Blackwell carriage where Andrew waited.

"Hurry!" he urged as I handed the girl to him and helped her into the carriage where there were a few other students that also helped her in.

"Get them to safety," I told Andrew.

He nodded and quickly got on front of the carriage.

"Hyah!!" He shouted, slapping the reins and

"ALDOUS!!" A voice called and I look to see Emerson rush over, gas mask on his face.

"Alan!!" I called out, rushing to him as he pulled his mask off. "What's happened?!"

"They've begun to retreat!" he said.

"What? Why?!" I asked.

"I don't know," he said. "Frederick is on his way back to the castle."

All of a sudden we see a large, dark purple flares go up into the sky, behind the rest of the burning red inferno.

"What is that?" I asked as we stared at the tall bruised colored flames.

"I-I don't know...." Emerson frowned.

It only took a few seconds before the dark blue flames just disappeared just as fast as they appeared.

Before I could say something else....

"Boys...." A voice said and we turned to see Alister, on his horse and a bandage over his eye.

"What's happened?" I asked.

He only gave a solemn look. "It... Its the king and queen...."

We looked at him in confusion. "W-What's happened to our parents?"

He pursed his lips. "I... I'm so sorry..."

Our eyes widen in horror, knowing what he meant, and understanding now why the rebels were retreating.

"N-No...." Emerson said in a shakey voice as I felt tears forming in my eyes, placing my hand over my brother's shoulder.

*end of flashback*

"Aldous?" A voice spoke, pulling me from my thoughts and I turn to see Lynette stood there with Jay, in her new birthday dress, courtesy of Emerson and Shy.

(Picture: Example of Lynette's Birthday Dress)

"I-I didn't want the headpiece.... Emerson insisted..." she said, making me laugh. "I agreed, so long as he took off the veil...."

I chuckled softly as I held her hands. "Emerson and Shy do love their dramatic flair."

She giggled. "Tell me about it..."

"The dress really does suit you, though," I said, kissing her cheek.

"Thanks... I'm just glad I don't have to wear a corset for this one," she chuckled softly, making me laugh.

"Come on," I said, holding my hand out to her.

She took it, and then her eyes widened.

"Your hands are freezing, Remington," she scolded.

"Oh, yeah, hehe...." I said shyly.

She smiled and reached into her pocket, pulling out some gloves.

I couldn't help but laugh as she slipped them over my hands, then rubbed them a bit between her's to warm them up.

"There," she smiled as she looked up.

"Thanks," I said, and then we walked over to the table and chairs set up for us with food, Leda pouring coffee for us, then smiling once she saw us.

Coffee, juice, toasts, meats, fruits, waffles and eggs. A typical human breakfast all done nicely by Leda, along with some pastries and sweets. A bouquet of snowdrops, pines and a few red roses also stood in an elegant vase.

"Gosh, Remington...." she said in awe.

"You like it? I managed to have the priestess revive some of the dried roses from the garden," I said. "Turns out its a lot more simpler than bringing a vampire back."

She giggled softly and admired it all.

"They're beautiful," she said as Leda walked up.

"I know you don't want such a big commotion made, milady, but nonetheless," she said, then bowed. "Many blessings on your birthday, my duchess."

Lynette smiled bashfully. "Thank you, Leda... Truly, it means a lot..."

"I also have a gift for you," she said.

Lynette frowned. "Leda, please...."

"Uh-uh.... I insist," she said, and reached over to the table, holding a large candle in an elegant pink glass jar, a lace bow wrapped around it.

"My mother used to make soy candles before the plagues when I was little, and I remembered an old scent recipe she made with gardenias and lilacs," she smiled.

Lynette curiously looked at it, then smelled it, my eyes widening. "My god, it smells amazing," she said, smiling, then looking at Leda. "Leda, I love it, thank you."

Leda smiled happily as they both pulled each other into a hug.

"You're very welcome, milady," Leda said as they pulled back.

Lynette smiled and admired the candle in its ornate jar.

"Well, I shall leave you both to it. Coffee has been served, and the pastries are fresh out of the oven and still warm," she said, bowing.

"Thank you again, Leda," I said as she went back inside.

"Shall we?" I asked Lynette.

Lynette smiled and nodded before carefully setting her candle on the table near the flowers.

"This is all too much... We might not be able to even eat it all," she said as I pulled a seat for her and she sat down.

"Nonsense... Anything for you," I said, pushing the chair forward a bit and kissing her cheek from behind. "Plus, if anything, we can always store it for later."

She smiled and leaned up, kissing me as she wrapped her arms around me.

We then pulled back so I can sit down and we then started to eat.

"So, what are your plans after this?" I asked curiously.

"Well, Victoria and I agreed on looking through Eloise's office together... I know Sebastian would want you there once the members of the Obsidian Empire Chronicle arrive," she said, reaching for a croissant and some cheese.

"Yes," I said. "Despite my time being dead and then undead... Again.... My royal duties unfortunately don't end."

She chuckled softly. "Well, the vacation has to end eventually..." she said, taking a strawberry and putting it on her plate.

I laughed a little and stirred my coffee. "Then let's enjoy the vacation before it's over."

She giggled a bit and we began to eat.

As we ate and talked, I noticed Lynette seemed to be in deep thought, picking at her omelette

"You full?" I wondered.

"Hm? Oh, no, umm... Just... Just something I've had on my mind.... Thing is, with every new question we come across, I feel we sometimes forget the ones we initially started with," She said. "Its like one ends up prioritizing another and we just ignore so much... Look at Dream for example. She was a major clue and then so much happened that I completely forgot..."

"You can't blame yourself for that.... Eitherway, you still managed to get to her," I said. "Now its just to see what her grave can tells us."

She sighed and nodded. "You're right... This particular question, though, I need to talk to Shy with...."

I looked at her curiously. "Can I ask what it is?"

She hesitated. "Not yet.... I promise, though, once I'm sure, I'll tell you..."

I smiled and nodded. "Of course..."

***

{•Emerson•}

I stood next to my brother and Andrew as the soldiers bought in the members of the Chronicle.

I then spotted my close friend and smiled as he saw me and walked over, followed by 2 of his teammates, also friends of ours.

"Richard," I smiled as I greeted my old photographer friend.

(Picture: Richard Olson, a.k.a. Ricky Horror)

"Alan, you crazy bastard," he scoffed with a smile as we shook hands and hugged. "How long has it been?"

"Too long, I'm afraid," he said. "How's Jaime?"

"I wouldn't know, I'm afraid.... I sent her to Wismont Island for her safety," he sighed.

I frowned. "I'm sorry... I can't imagine its been easy...."

"She writes when she can.... She misses teaching," he said. "All of us had our families and loved ones sent there for safety. It's hit Kellin hardest, consideringit was his whole family..."

I nodded. "I promise, we are working hard to make things in Obsidian safe again, and reuniting you all with your loved ones as well."

He nodded. "I hope so... We were practically living in a bunker like rats before you came and convinced Laura, most stubborn one of Obsidian that one."

"Heard that," Laura scoffed as they walked over, Kellin behind her as they joined us. "Besides, I'm not rolling over for that deranged witch."

(Picture: Laura Pergolizzi, a.k.a. "LP")

"Trust us, you'll live longer to write here than in a bunker," I said.

Laura sighed and nodded. "I hope so... Thank you again for taking us in, your majesty... my lord...."

We nodded. "Our staff are at your service during your stay," Sebastian said.

"You ALL come up with anything?" Kellin asked.

(Picture: Kellin Quinn)

"Hopefully the reasoning behind it all, but we do have word on them trasporting chemicals for a bomb, most likely to take down the Chronicle. We're hoping the blizzard delayed anything," Sebastian said.

I then hear a commotion and we look to see Remington walk in and their eyes widen at him, in disbelief.

"I don't believe this... Aldous??" Richard said, his eyes widening, along with Laura and Richard, as they watched him.

"I'll be damned...." Laura said in shock.

Remington then walked over to us as they observed him carefully.

"My god... How did you manage this?" Richard asked.

"Long story," I added.

"Richard.... Laura... Kellin...." Remington greeted. "Its good to see you again..."

"You too," Kellin said, still in disbelief.

"Anyway to convince you and your people to keep this secret?" Sebastian asked.

Richard, Kellin and Laura looked at each other, as if debating, but then Laura shrugged. "Not really.... I have a feeling you have something planned regarding this, and knowing you, it'll probably drive Lilith mad with rage, which we would all love."

We nodded. "Thank you..." I said.

"Of course, an exclusive interview with the duchess wouldn't seem like a bad idea, either," Laura asked. "Yes or no, my lips are still sealed."

Sebastian pursed his lips and sighed. "That is up to the duchess, I cannot promise you anything. If she agrees, however, I will need some time to prepare her on public appearances."

She nodded. "Very well. Thank you again... I'll brief our people to keep your brother out of our typewriters until you say so."

Sebastian nodded. "Ashton and Billie will show you to your rooms. Everything should be set up for you all. Just let us know if you need anything."

They nodded and bowed to us before heading off with the other reporters.

That's when Victoria walked over.

"Shouldn't you be with Lynette?" Remington asked curiously.

"I was seeing off the boys... I'm heading to Eloise's office right now," she said. "However, another theory came to me while looking through some old medical files Thomas and Ethan had obtained."

"Which is?" Remington asked.

"Nothing," she said with a shrug.

"Wait, nothing?" Sebastian asked, confused by Victoria's response.

"Exactly. Niente. There were records of usual examinations at the hospital, but never of a woman named Eloise or any of her other aliases giving birth at the time of the fires, or a newborn named Dream being treated after having the umbilical cord constrict her and the passing almost a week later."

We looked at her in confusion. "So...."

"Wouldn't a baby who died five days after being born have hospital records of being treated, or a woman who was in complicated labor, have some sort of record at the Obsidian Hospital?" she asked.

We took a moment to process and then it hit me.

"They were never in a hospital," I said.

"Meaning they did not go there," she said. "If I'm right, she gave birth at home..."

"Yeah, but question is.... Where is her home??" Remington frowned.

We all looked at each other questioningly.

{•Lynette•}

I waited around for Victoria in front of the office, looking at the pocketwatch.

I sighed, closing it as then I felt a presence near me, and look to see Elvira standing next to me, tilting her head curiously.

I sighed softly and put the pocketwatch away.

"Probably just helping with the ones from the Chronicle..." I murmured to her.

I looked around, giving it a bit more time.

Elvira just looked at her door, and then her portrait, then looked down in thought.

Her presence is starting to feel so normal to me....

I pursed my lips and sighed.

"I guess I can catch up for now, update her once she gets here.... I'll just leave the door open for her," I said under my breath.

She nodded and then went through the door.

I opened the door walked in, leaving it open with a nearby chair, and decided to get started.

{•Remington•}

"Okay, so then, where are we at then?" I asked as we stood there.

"One dead end after another," Emerson explained. "At least until Austin and the others come back with whatever secrets that strange grave can tell us."

"Let's summarize everything else so far then.... We know that all three Warhol's are children of the Visigoth's, and they escaped and changed their names once our parents gave them refuge," Sebastian said.

"Elvira, a.k.a Eloise, worked back-to-back at the Academy and as our mother's lady-in-waiting, most likely up until she was pregnant with Dream," Leda said.

"However, the Visigoth's seemed to have found out and started the fires and murders on the day that Eloise was giving birth, in order to " Andrew said. "However, no one expected the complications, and then Eloise and the baby died during birth."

"Add to that, the father of the child is not named anywhere and we can't find any sort of indication as to who he could be," I added.

"Or where Eloise is even buried, mind you," Victoria said. "Only autopsy reports, most likely falsified."

Sebastian and paced around in thought. "Something isn't adding up on any of this.... It all comes back to that child, but it can't all just be because she's the Visigoth granddaughter.... There's something more to it...."

"We've gone through everything so far," Victoria said. "I can look into Eloise's office right now with Lynette and see if there's something... Maybe there we can find where she gave birth, that can give us some answers....."

I was about to respond when suddenly we hear a loud screech and turn towards the large front door we had opened, and I spot something white flying towards us.

"What is that?" Victoria said, trying to get a good view as I stepped up to look and I realized it.

"I-It can't be...." Leda gasped.

"Can't be what?" Victoria asked.

The strange figure got closer and our assumptions were correct as the large, white hawk swooped down.

Wait.....

Leda held out her hand out and he carefully perched on it, softly nipping at my hair.

"Horus!" she said in surprise. "You made it back!"

"Wait, he was gone this entire time?" I asked.

"Where on Earth has he been?" Emerson asked.

"Lynette and I sent a letter off with him, hoping it will find Lieseil, or Warhol....." she said, petting Horus's feathers. "When we were back at Blackwell Castle..."

"Luckily for you all, he succeeded," a voice suddenly spoke behind us, making us all turn.

(Picture: Alister Warhol, portrayed by Nigel Mogg)

There stood a grey haired man, dressed in an elegant, red coat.

"You...." Emerson said.

"No way..." I said in shock.

"Hello there, Blackwell's... Its been a long time..."

{•Austin•}

I watched as Count Ethan and Ashton worked to dig up the grave.

"I don't take any pleasure in desecrating a child's grave," Lord Thomas sighed as he and Damiano stood at either side of us. "Its disrespectful...."

"This doesn't bring me joy either," Damiano said. "Let's just hope our little bambina has something for us."

Ashton then dug the shovel down, when suddenly a loud thud hit the shovel.

We all looked and knew we reached the bottom.

Ashton and Ethan knelt down and brushed off the rest of the dirt.

We peered over just as they got to the grave.

"Alright... Give me the crowbar..." Ethan said.

Thomas handed him the crowbar as he positioned it, but then managed to pry the casket lid open, and Ashton reached in and pulled the lid back.

Once we looked inside, we froze.

"I-Its empty....." Damiano said in shock as I approached.

I then noticed something laying right on the pillow of the lining.

"What is that?" I asked.

Ashton looked down, furrowing his brows and reached down, and then holding up.

"A... An infant's rattle....?" Ethan said curiously as Ashton held it.

(Picture: example of Victorian Baby Rattle/Whistle)

"Could this mean.... The child never truly died?" Ashton asked.

"The autopsy was official, only thing different was her name....." Thomas said. "T-This doesn't make any sense...."

"No.... It's more than that..." Damiano said. "Someone had to make sure that this child appeared deceased.... The autopsy reports, the death certificate, it was all falsified by the major leaders...."

"Why create such a conspiracy around this child and her mother?" Ethan asked.

"Wait.... There looks to be a seal on the rattle... Who's is it?" I asked.

Ethan looked at the seal, but his eyes widen as he looked at it, then at me.

"Mio dio..." he said, holding up the rattle to show us.

We froze at what was on it.

"We need to hurry back... Now..."

~~~~~

Things are getting exciting... 😱😱

Note: Regarding the musician LP, who I see is close friends with members of Palaye: Since I learned she is gender-neutral, I looked up online the specific pronouns she uses, and if I am correct from what I found, she uses she/her as well as they/them, but according to her she does not enforce any specific one. If someone knows more about this and I am wrong about the pronouns, please let me know and I will make any corrections needed. 💁🏻‍♀️

Also, yes I threw in Kellin Quinn and Ricky Horror into the story. Reasons: Why the fuck not? 🤷🏻‍♀️

✨ Interesting & Fun Fact: "Lynette's Birthday Dress" is depicted and represented by the one worn by Miss Ukraine (Diana Harkusha) during the Miss Universe 2014 pageant, for the National Costume portion that exact year. Its still to this day one of my favorite national costume pieces worn ever, and I always wished for a dress like that, ever since I first saw it. 🇺🇦🤩✨

I was considering and hoping to use it for a story as an example one day. I decided this would definitely be a great moment to use the dress for this one.💙💛

Also, sad because Palaye Royale announced a new North American tour, but no great Florida dates (only one, which is more or less 5 hours away from where I live, and on a Monday) 🥲🥲🥲

🎹Currently in Sapph's playlist:

P!nk "Just Like Fire"

https://youtu.be/5Nrv5teMc9Y

♡~ sapphire.