⚠️ Warning: Mentions of violence, abuse, trauma, & murder in this chapter. If affected, please read with caution. ⚠️

~~~~~

{•Lynette•}

I groaned as I woke up, seeing it was morning and feeling groggy, my cheeks sticky from tears.

I sighed as I rolled over and rubbed my face before I looked over, seeing Remington laid next to me, and I remembered what happened last night.

I sighed as I slowly sat up, trying not to wake him.

I've had some pretty awful birthdays in my lifetime....Yet this one.... This has definitely got to be the worst one ever....

I slowly got up from the bed and grabbed my robe, pulling it on before heading to the bathroom.

I took a deep breath as I walked over to the sink and taking a deep breath, looking into the mirror.

It has to be a joke.... This has to be some awful nightmare and I'll wake up and finding this all out never happened....

I sniffled and look away before turning on the sink and splashing some cold water on my face.

I leaned against the counter and tried to calm myself, taking a deep breath.

"What do you know?" I asked out loud, but in a whisper as I looked at myself in the mirror.

It was quiet when suddenly....

"... Everything you saw...."

"Is that all, though?" I murmured.

It was quiet as I stood there

"I have to ask, and I need an answer... No more vagueness.... Where is my father?" I asked. "Do you know the answer to that question?"

I got silence before he finaly responded

".... I can't say...."

I sighed, pursing my lips.

I need some air....

I grabbed a towel and dried my face, then exiting the room.

I saw Remington was still asleep and sighed softly.

Where does all of this leave me and Remington....? What does this mean for the Blackwell's now?? Sebastian and Larisa especially.....

I closed my eyes, holding back tears before quietly walking out.

It was still early... No one's out yet.... Good...

I quietly walk out and headed outside, going to the large balcony that overlooked the entire land....

My land... My people.... I never would have thought....

I stood there, taking a deep breath,and that's when I felt tears immediatelystarting to fall and I quietly burst into tears, covering my mouth to suppress any noise.

Ever since I could remember..... I thought I was just cast aside and left for dead by my birth parents, that I was unwanted.... Just left to fend for myself in a government system that barely even acknowledges the children they're supposed to take care of..... Exposed to abuse and neglect because nobody wanted me.....

Now I find out..... I did have a family....

A mother who never got the chance to even hold me before dying from all the stress she suffered while giving birth....

A father, who had to send me far away or risk me getting murdered, and then having to go into hiding.... Or is also dead, too....

Even uncles, who also had to stay hidden while trying to find me and bring me back home....

I hated them for so many years.... When in reality they were only trying to protect me...

And if that wasn't enough.... I'm a princess..... An heir to the throne of an entire empire, in another universe that months ago I didn't even know existed.....

All those records, those documents.... All the clues, secrets, and series of events....

This entire time.... I was the missing key to the mysteries of this other world.... The link that connects everything

It felt like years standing there crying quietly and watching the snowy scene, before I heard footsteps approach, but I figured it could only be one person.

I turned and saw it was Alister, giving me a calm, solemn look.

My uncle... Him and Hermes are the only blood family I have left.....

I sniffled and wiped my tears.

"I assume you have many questions, dearie...." he said softly.

I took a deep breath and looked back.

"Where to even begin....?" I murmured.

He was quiet before slowly walking over and standing next to me.

We were quietly standing there for a minute or two, before I finally spoke.

"So its all true....." I mumbled, looking out into the distance as he stood next to me. "This entire time, just trying to find a reason, a missing link.... The answers to all these confusing questions... It was not only with me this entire time, it was me...."

Alister sighed and nodded.

I pursed my lips as tears continued to stream down my face.

"Here I thought Alexander was just crazy with all his homecoming and princess talk....." I mumbled, feeling my skin crawl as I remembered what he was always saying. "The fact that its now confirmed that I'm related to him.... God, it makes me sick....."

He quietly looked at me before speaking.

"My little sister..... Her birth name was Elvira.... It means truth... Something ironically foreign in our family....." he said.

I gulped and looked at him as I listened to him tell me everything.

"She changed it to Elizabeth when the three of us escaped," he said. "She was the youngest of me and Hermes...."

I listened carefully, leaning against the railing. "She had more aliases.... Why?"

He sighed softly. "The three of us were abused.... Your mother, however, she was a bigger target, mostly from our mother.... The more she rejected them, the worse it became for her..." he said. "On the eve of her 16th birthday, Hermes overheard our parents talking... They wanted to marry Eloise off to the son of our father's allies, get her controlled.... The suitor's father funded chemical weapons, and his son had married many women, all of which mysteriously turned up dead..."

My eyes widen in shock. "S-She was just a kid.... They were forcing her into marriage?! With some woman killer!?"

"His father was known to have his way with his son's wives as well... Most of the time against their will....." he said, looking upset. "And our parents wanted to have Eloise concieve an heir for the rebellion that same year..."

I shuddered in disgust. Those monsters... How could they do that to their own daughter!?

"All those girls.... We could not allow Eloise to be another one of his kills..... We knew she was in danger, and had quickly formed a plan to escape the next night before they shipped her to the family......" he said. "And we made sure to disappear so we were never found..."

"That's why you guys changed her name... As well as your own names.... To hide her..." I said. "You.... You faked your deaths...."

"We had to.... We hid before finding ourselves with the Blackwell's at their castle...." he said. "We found refuge at Lieseil Academy before, however..."

I let out a shakey breath, holding onto the railing.

"The Blackwells took us in, offered to help us, give us a new start, keeping us hidden until it was safe to be out again...." he said.

I looked back at him.

"Eloise asked to be kept in the shadows, however, as our parents wanted her most of all....." He explained as he looked over at the horizon, then looked at us. "She became the Queen's lady-in-waiting, given different names in order to hide her identity, eventually changing to and staying with the name Eloise Beatrice Warhol once she was sure she was safe..... Marguerite made sure she was hidden well and protected, as well as educated by them.... Same went for all of us..."

I took a deep breath and looked down.

"While she had her duties to our Queen Mother, once she was grown up, she began working at the Academy as an administrator....." He said. "I chose the military, Hermes chose to travel mostly...."

I furrowed my brows curiosly.

"Eloise  loved reading, and learning... She always enjoyed astronomy and anthropology, as well as taking care of the younger students..." he said with a small smile. "She loved reading to them  during their recess or before they were sent to bed..... That's when Bartholomew took notice of her.... And she noticed him...."

My eyes widen as I understood.

"....They fell in love...." I said softly.

He nodded. "Yes... I, for one, was adamant in the beginning...." he said, looking out at distance.

I furrowed my brows curiously. "How come?"

"Bartholomew was older than her, by a few years.... 10 to be exact.... You can probably understand why I was worried....." he said. "She was still my little sister..... We didn't want to risk our parents finding her, since they still believed her dead..."

I pursed my lips softly in thought.

"However, she was also a woman of age at the time she met him, barely 22 years, so it was perfectly fine.... It wasn't long until she and Bartolomew eventually became a couple" he said. "I admit it still put me on edge in the beginning...."

I listened closely as he spoke.

"I was protective of her, is all... Who was I to keep her from the happiness our own parents deprived us of, tried to ruin?" he said.

I pursed my lips and looked back at the horizon.

"Plus, Bartholomew treated her with nothing but respect and care... With love.... A cold, mysterious and calculated man... Stubborn beyond reason, extremely strict, and more focused on his work, all of a sudden delivering breakfast to her every morning himself, bringing her flowers, writing her letters and poems...." he said. "He was a different man with Eloise... More patient and understanding.... A romantic side no one even considered he had..... He easily won her heart, however...."

I listened carefully to him as he looked over at the distance.

"They eventually wed in the springtime almost two years later.... My beloved little sister looked so happy.... So beautiful in that white gown... Passed down by the Blackwell's, gifted by the Queen Mother herself, right in their gardens...." Alister said nostalgically ".... Hermes even teared himself up.... She was the most beautiful bride to ever walk the aisle...."

I smiled softly at the thought.

"About a year afterwards, she was with child.... You...." He said, making me look over. "Bartholomew was thrilled, as was Ellie... Everyone was happy..... We had so many plans for you... To show you the world, even the land you were meant to rule... Give you the brightest future ever.... Eloise was even going to appoint Queen Marguerite to be your godmother....."

I let out a shaky breath as I felt tears. "Dream's Tower... T-That was for me....."

"Eloise always wanted to bring life back to the Wastelands after the wars... Give the children there proper medical care and education.... Bartholomew had suggested opening a branch if the academy there, an astronomy and science center be designed with Queen Aradia, who ruled at the time before her daughter, Onyx, inherited the throne..." he said. "Bartholomew and Eloise loved the stars....." he said. "We were all still working on the paperwork, but Bartholomew insisted that construction began... Give the workers there some employment..."

I sighed and looked up at the stars.

"However, after a violent incident at the Academy, our parents eventually found out about her, and you...." he said.

I pursed my lips, knowing what he meant.

"Amadeus.... He was jealous and harrassed Eloise, and Bartholomew....." I said. "Betrayed the crown and empire.... I saw the reports...."

He looked over. "Exacty.... He sold us out to the Visigoth's out of spite, and told them what was happening.... Also where the King and Queen can be reached..... Well, you know the story.... Damned traitor"

I let out a shaky but deep breath. "Obsidian's version of Peter Pettigrew..." I said, shaking my head.

"Ah yes... The fictional rat character from that wizard story in Earth.... Who betrayed the main character's family and joined an evil warlock's group...." he said. "It suites that cowardly bastard, honestly... Wherever he is...."

"There's no need to worry about him, though...." I sighed. "... I took care of him...."

He looked over curiously.

"Long story, but... He can't hurt anyone anymore..." I said.

He nodded quietly. "Right.... Good then.... One less thing to worry about..."

He looked forward and continued.

"Our parents threatened to take you away, raise you to lead the rebellion instead... Or do worse, knowing our mother, and wanting revenge... Unless we surrendered the crown and all the founding families leave the Void realm itself......" He said. "We refused, of course.... In return, days later, they burned the city on that day in order to sneak in and take you by force... Unfortunately, that same day, Elosie went into labor...."

I gulped nervously.

"It was a bloodbath...... Taking down anyone who helped or got in their way...." he said. "So many lives taken....."

I stared in horror. "T-The king and queen...."

"They fought valiantly.... However, it was a difficult battle...." he said. "The boys didn't even know until the fires were put out and the rebellion retreated..."

"They were already around?" I asked, confused. "I-I thought they were found after..."

"Yes... However, they didn't know Eloise.... She was kept secret after all, working behind the scenes with Lieseil..." he said. "Eloise was only about 4 months pregnant when they were found, and were officially adopted into the Blackwell family..... She thought of meeting them at some point after you were born...."

I was surprised.

How funny, that Remington and I really did live in the same world at the same time... What would it have been like if things turned out differently, and we met long before he met me on Earth...?

"That's where we came up with the secret plan to send you to a different realm once you were born, and then I would come find you once the Visigoth's were driven underground.... However, when we went to find you at the last location you were reported in...." he said.

"I-I was taken to different states..... Foster system in Las Vegas was making changes and then..." I sighed.

"We didn't even know a fallen angel was stalking you since then.... It was someting my parents were planning when they hired those winged abominations to do their dirty work for them...." he said.

I let out a shakey breath, feeling tears again, as Alister then reached into his pocket and pulled something out, handing it to me.

I frowned and took it, my eyes widening as I gasped.

(Picture: Victorian era doll)

The doll from my dreams... I-I remember now...

"I.... I remember this...." I said in a shaky voice. "I-I was only 8 and, I lost her when they made the changes and-and sent me to Seattle... It was the only other thing I had left with me as a baby.... Aside from the necklace...."

That's when I realized something.

"My god, I-I..... I even named her Ellie....." I said in shock, a tear streaming down my cheek.

"It was all that was left to find of you...." He said as I held it in my hands. "It used to be your mother's.... One of the very few comforts from the abuse from our parents.... Your father also gave it to you when he sent you to Earth, since your mother always wanted you to have it..."

I sniffled as I held the doll in my hands, feeling tears, taking a deep breath.

"Where were you...?" I said. "The vision Genevieve showed me, it... You were only there for a short while...."

"I was in the frontline battling the rebellion with Hermes and the Blackwells, as well as defending Lieseil's Manor, while other soldiers from the Council helped to evacuate people to safety....."

I sniffled and turned towards forward. "My mother...."

"From what a midwife's assistant that managed to escape had told me before..... She lost too much blood when giving birth, and she was under too much stress and fear.... Her heart couldn't handle the birth, or the separation......" he said painfully. "Lieseil was to find her body to where it was transported..."

My heart broke. "Oh my god...." I said in horror, holding the railing.

"You know the rest of the story, as that priestess had shown you...." he sighed, looking down. "Bartholomew disappeared not long after he sent you to the Earth realm for your safety, forced to live in exhile... The grief was far too much..... However, he knew you would one day come back to us...."

I sniffled as I looked at him.

"Is... Is he dead?" I asked. "Tell me the truth.... Please...."

He sighed. "I can't say.... We looked everywhere, but we never found him.... Or Elosie's final resting place...."

I sniffled and closed my eyes, a tear falling down my face.

"You're a lot like him, you know," he said he then looked up and faced me. "Especially your eyes.... You have Bartholomew's eyes...."

I looked over at him.

"He was very determined, analytical... Always thinking ahead and knew how to put things together in his head, just like you do..... Also very stubborn beyond reason like him, as well as rebellious, and at times cold and stern, unfortunately, according to Sebastian, " he said.

I pursed my lips and sighed softly looking back at the view. "Yeah, I uhh... I've gotten under his skin a few times since I got here...." I confessed, rubbing my neck a bit.

"So I'm told.... Of course, I think his tie just needs to be loosened up a little bit," he chuckled, then looked over as I couldn't help but laugh a little bit, too.

"You look so much like Eloise, however..... Identical, down to the last little detail.... Even in your nature, you have her kindness, her ability to adapt to her surroundings... Her protectiveness... Her love....She was also quite stubborn like him, which also drove everyone mad, your father especially....."

"It did?" I asked curiously.

"Oh yes... Some say its probably what attracted him to her..... However, with that, you also have her determination, her bravery....." he said. "She was relentless, and willing to do whatever it took to protect her people...."

I felt my eyes water softly.

"Her spirit lives inside of you..." he said. "You and here are one in the same....."

I frowned and sighed.

"Not completely..... I already know I'm Lilith's dopplegänger, too....." I sighed. "Its why Sebastian was cautious when we first met in the beginning.... He only didn't make any connections because a dopplegänger being genetic is rare in Obsidian...."

"True, it is.... However, despite what you think, you are nothing at all like Lilith, my dear...." he said.

"Look at me... Hell, I'm even an expert archer like her, and I didn't even know it," I sighed. "Of course, she's better considering she got the upper hand on me once....."

"Just because you have her hair and talent does now mean you are Lilith...." he said sternly.

I pursed my lips and looked down, holding my side where my birthmark. "Doesn't stop me from still being a Visigoth.... Or you for that matter...."

He frowned and also placed his had over his hip.

"We all carry that mark, because of my father..... That is genetic...." he sighed, lifting his shirt and showing a similar mark. 

My eyes widen.

"Anyone of Visigoth blood will unfortunately have that, no matter what....." he said, tucking his shirt back. "Our own curse... The mark of the beast...."

I sighed and looked down.

"Believe me, not a day goes by in my life that I despise myself for the vile blood that runs through my veins...." he said. "Hermes and Eloise were no different.... Our self hatred in the beginning was too great... We doubted ourselves more than anyone else in Obsidian would....."

I frowned and looked down. "Starting to feel that way, too...."

"However, we don't have to be them just because we share their blood... That's why me and my siblings chose to leave and form something good...." he said. "We chose to become goodd leaders, who put the well being of our people before our own... To protect them, and lead them with compassion, consideration and dedication...."

I took a deep breath and looked back down at the doll in my hands.

"Its how we all wanted to raise you if we were able to keep you...." he said. "You were destined for the throne, and wanted to properly teach you and train you for it..... Even have you attend the Academy here to teach you academically.... Also train with the Warhol Stars or Blackwell Guard in order totrain you in combat as well..... "

I chuckled without humor, pacing a bit. "Seriously?" I asked. "A Lieseil.... A Warhol.... A Visigoth..... All in one... Yet, I'm the most eligible heir for this place?"

"I can't imagine anyone else more worthy of ruling Obsidian than you, the true definition of a blue blood," he said. 

"How?!" I snapped, turning towards him. "What do I even know about ruling an empire!? I don't even know who I am anymore after what I found out!!"

He was quiet as he observed me.

"Am I Lynette, or am I Dream!?" I asked sternly.

"That is entirely up to you, dearie...." He said. "You decide who you want to be......" he said, taking a step forward.

"You can either the abused, orphaned girl abandoned in a polluted and doomed land..... Or the lost princess willing to save her dying kingdom.... Wanting revenge on those who broke her real family apart...."

And with that he held up in his hand.... My necklace.....

I gasped softly as I looked at him.

"I had the priestess help repair it," he said.

I gulped nervously as I looked at it in his hands.

"Your father had this made for the one who is to take the throne.... For the future king or queen to follow our legacy......" He said. "Knowing him... He gave it to you along with your mother's doll before sending you to Earth knowing you'd one day come back home and save us all..... As proof to us that you are our savior....."

My eyes widen as he took my hand and placed the necklace into my palm before closing my fingers over it and holding my hand in both of his.

"My beloved niece.... You are braver than you know..... Stronger than you realize..... You can save your people just like you've always wanted to ever since you were first bought here.... Just like you were always meant to....." he said. "In both realms you have been put through hell and more, and come back stronger."

I gulped nervously as he let go and I looked down at my necklace.

"You choose the path you want.... You choose who you want to be, just like your mother chose who she wanted to be...." he said.

I looked down at the necklace, tracing the letter on my pendant with my fingertips.

"So.... Which will you be?" Alister asked, standing straight. "The Orphan... Or the Princess.....?"

I gulped nervously as I continued staring down at the necklace

What I once thought of as a small trinket has now become the key to the truth.... The key that will save the realm I was supposed to grow up in...

I looked up, seeing everything before me, from the forests to the towns in the distance, up to the sky and floating nearby us.....

The realm I was supposed to rule....

All my life, I wondered why I was abandoned by my parents, and now I know why....

It was never their fault I ended up growing up an abused and neglected life..... They only wanted me to avoid a fate worse than death..... To be safe from the awful people who would would have killed me, or worse.

I sniffled and wiped my tears away.

These people.... They took my whole life away.... Ruined it...

They killed my mother... The separated my father from me..... They slaughtered innocents, including the king and queen who fought to protect me...... 

Hell...... They even took my real name!

Lynette Smith is a name I was given unjustly..... A name that only lead a life of misery and abuse.... To a life I wasn't supposed to have if it weren't for these monsters......

Well, no more....

I gripped the necklace in my fist.

This is who I am meant to be..... I know now what I have to do....

I took the necklace and put it on, wiping the stray tears from my face.

"Can I trust you to help me.... Uncle...?" I asked softly.

He smiled proudly before putting his hand over his heart and bowing down on one knee.

"It would be my honor.... My beloved niece....." he said, looking up. "Long Live Princess Lynette, soon Queen...."

"No... Lynette was a name I was forced to take....." I said. 

He raised his brow curiously as I looked at him.

"They took my home... They took my family.... They took my life.... They don't get my name, too," I said, remaining calm. "I'm getting that back from them, as well as my crown...."

His eyes widen a little bit and then he smirked before standing up. "Princess Dream Rosalind of Lieseil, rightful heir and ruler of the Obsidian Empire... I love the sound of that..."

I took a deep breath and nodded, keeping steady.

"Get everyone in the council room.... We've got work to do, now that you're here..." I said, heading over to the door.

"What is your plan, then... Your highness....?" he asked curiously as I stood at the archway.

I took a deep breath and turned around.

"We're sending my grandmother straight the Hell.... In the name of my mother and my father..... And the people I was to be responsible for...." I said in a strong tone.

He smiled proudly at me.

"I am taking back what is mine...."

~~~~~

🎨Alister Warhol art by XOBillie 

Was going to hold off on this chapter just until the "Fever Dream" music video came out, but since today our special little pirate boy is getting knighted, I figured I could make an exception while I finish drafting and organizing more chapters. 🌻

Much love to Sir Emerson Barrett in recieving such an amazing honor. ️⚔🌹⚜🎩♥️

In other news, my brain is still processing both Season 3 of "The Umbrella Academy" and Season 4 of "Stranger Things"... 💀💀

First off, Gerard Way, what the fuck????? 🙃🙃🙃🙃

Second, does anyone happen to know where the Duffer Brothers live?? I just want to talk..😢😢💔🔪

🎧Currently in Sapph's playlist:

Evanescence
"Bring Me To Life"

♡~ sapphire.