NIEL'S POV

Sharon and I pass through a narrow and dark path. Only a flashlight carried by Sharon lighted our way. We both fell in silence. I'm trembling. I'm scared. My children are not with me, there is chaos outside.

"Your highness, are you okay?" Sharon asked me as she carefully holds my hand. She walked in front of me, guiding me in every step.

"My kids. I want my kids."

"I received a message from Anna. She and Princess Charlotte are with Prince Archie. They are on the way to the safe room. As for the crown prince, the king is the one who will get him.

I did not answer. I can't be at ease if I don't have my children with me. I don't know what's going on. All I'm thinking right now is my kids and myself.

The sudden chaos in the palace seemed to bring me back to reality. A reality that I don't know if there is a place for me. The life I have is still chaotic. My personality is chaotic. I don't know who I am. I don't know if I'm a woman or a man.

I was born a girl but grew up a boy. How? I don't know. Even though I may think that magic did it to me, I still can't believe it.

The kids in my dream, the flashes of images I saw in my head, I cannot connect it. It's like I'm building a puzzle with a thousand parts.

It is a big joke of destiny. I hope this is just a dream. It is a long dream, and I want to wake up soon. I want this to end and live a normal life.

"We're here Your Highness." Sharon opened the mental door. We greet by the light coming from inside.

I went in. I scan the room with my eyes. The room is spacious, enough for at least 1ten families that consist of five to six members. Fully equipped. Beds, chairs, long dining table. There is also a tv, sink and cooking utensils. There is also a fridge and oven. Though there is no window, I can still breathe well as if there is enough oxygen in the place.

"What is this place?" I asked Sharon.

"This is one of the hidden rooms inside the palace. But this one is the most secret. The late king built secretly."

I turned quickly. An old man is standing right behind me. His age is maybe 60 or 70. He is tall and has a fair complexion. He has this aura that even if you don't know what he is and who he is in this place, you have to respect him.

His hair has a strike of white same with his beard. He has a big eye bag and a beautiful smile. But that smile was opposed by the sadness, tears, and longing in his eyes.

"Greeting sire." Sharon greets the old man.

"No need for that, Sharon. It's just the three of us here." The old man answer however, his eyes remain on me. I also couldn't take my eyes off him. I don't understand, but I feel pain in my chest. It's like my heart is squeezed hard. My tears flowed spontaneously, something that made me even more surprised. Who is this guy?

"My baby." The old man said. He runs towards me and hugs me tightly.

I was shocked by what he did. My hand voluntarily embraced his body. My tears kept pouring down like rain. I couldn't stop crying. The warm hug penetrates my heart. It eases all the worries I have but gives me pain and longing.

"I missed you, my baby." His voice is trembling. His hand that caressing my head is shaking.

"Who are you?" I asked. My hand and my voice are shaking as well.

"It pains me that you can't remember me at all. But it's okay. As long as you can't remember your past, it's okay for me if you can't remember me as well. We can create new memories again."

I let go of his embrace. I looked him straight into his eyes. Those eyes. Those chocolate brown eyes. It's similar to mine.

"Dad? Am I right?" He smiled and nodded.

"Nothing has changed in you. Despite the change in your body, your traits never change. You are still observant."

Images suddenly flash in my mind. No. Not only images but some scenes. It was like a video that suddenly playback in my mind.

"Mom, what is dad's occupation?"

"Curiosity is killing you again, Gail."

"Hehehe. I want to know it. So if someone asked me who my dad is, I answer them right away."

"Okay. You're so good at reasoning. You take after your father."

"I'm pretty and smart. That's my asset."

"Okay fine. I will not argue with you about that. Anyway, your father is a Prime Minister, and also the king most trusted subject. He gained king's favor because of his righteousness."

"Isn't that dangerous? I mean, having a king's favor, everyone will be envious of him."

"Serving the king is always dangerous, Gail. It's always like that."

"Is there a chance that the king will get mad at dad?"

"I don't know. Maybe, but the king's trust to your father will remain."

I winced from the headache. Suddenly the scenario changed in my brain. In front of our house, people are on their knees, head bowed, while I and my twin hid on the boulder in our garden.

"I order for the death of the Prime Minister Bermouth. He builds an army and plots a Coup D'etat to overthrow the king. He will be taking poison wine. His death will be tomorrow afternoon. The family is allowed to visit him today without a time limit."

I close my eyes tightly. I felt my body collapse as the cry echoed in my brain.

"Gail." I heard my father's voice and his touch when he catches my body. I felt my body lift from where I stand. I forced myself to open my eyes.

"Dad."

"Stop remembering all of them, baby."

"But it's coming in my head."

Dad gently laid me down on the bed, then he sat down next to me.

"Because you want to remember them."

"It's part of who I am, dad."

"Nothing makes your past better than your present."

"It will make me complete." He smiled and shook his head.

"You're still tough and good at reasoning. Neither I nor the king will win over your reasons."

"The king ordered your death. How come you are here?"

"Politics are all lies. Being a king, even if you hate lying, you need to learn how to do it to survive and hold on to your throne. Art of lying is a must need talent when you decide to serve the king."

"Tell me everything, dad." He caresses my cheek and smiles.

"Can you handle it?"

"I will. Just tell me the truth. I'm lost. I don't know who I am. I was wondering if I'm your child or if you just found me somewhere." My dad laughs. He flicked my forehead and messed my hair.

"You still think strangely... You always think beyond everything. I wonder how will the king handle you in the future. His queen is an overthinker."

"Dad, please tell me everything." He let out a deep sigh, then look at the ceiling as if he's trying to remember something.

"I was the late king Prime Minister. Believe it or not, we are best friends. We belong in the same class from elementary until high school. We are from the same class also when we attend our military-mandatory training. We graduated on the same date but with different courses. The day after I passed the civil examination, his father dies. He was announced as the king immediately. "

"That time, he has a firmed resolution of what kind of reign he wants. He changes all the ministers. Dismissed the old one with bad intentions and retained the good one. Many were angry. Many questioned his decision, but he did not budge. Many protested and tried to dethrone him because he was not ready to be king, but he proved it with evidence of their corruption. They sentence them to death. "

"After a month of his reign, he polished all the positions. He put new officials. I am one of those new. The ministers today are the ministers chosen by the king way back. They are all proven good. But wealth can change anyone. They became greedy. Money is all matters to them."

"When I get my post, your grandfather is still the prime minister, but he is already planning to retire. He is just waiting for me to have experience before he turns over to me his position."

"The day of my wedding, my father step down and give me his position, of course with the king's approval. Since that day, many have envied me. The news has also spread that I used my father for I get my position. I prove them wrong. I did everything right for the people. Many have changed their opinion about me, but others have stuck to what they believed. I just let them. You can't please everyone. That is the reality."

"After a year, I was blessed with a son. But not long after, he was also taken back from us. He died due to kidney failure. I was devastated. He was my firstborn, my heir. Gossip starts spreading again. They said my family has a curse. Until suddenly, someone appeared. He spread the so-called prophecy that twins would be born in the kingdom. A man and a woman and would be the cause of the downfall of the royal family. Many believed, but not the king and even the entire royal family. For them, none of the children will bring down the empire and their family. It's on their hand and of course, on the Lord. "

"Years passed, your mother became pregnant again. A son was born again in the family. A year after, another son was born. I am blessed by that time. My career and my relationship with the king are good and I have two sons. After two years, your mother conceived again. At the same time, the wife of today's prime minister also conceived. At that time he was the Military Minister. The whole kingdom celebrates. Suddenly, the king announced that if my child is a girl she will be betrothed to the crown prince immediately. That time, the crown prince was just 2 years old if I remember correctly. And if he is a boy, I will be awarded the title of duke so that my future son can become a prince. "

"I am happy with what the king wants. Who am I to refuse what he wants. However, Minister Barksville has planted envy and resentment. I never expect that. I thought everything is okay between us. We remain on good terms. I didn't know he was cursing me behind my back."

"After nine months your mother and Minister Barksville gave birth. Same date different time. Minister Barksville's wife was an hour earlier than your mother."

"During those times, I realized destiny's joke is something. Both mothers conceived the same month, labor on the same night, and gave birth on the same day. What is funny is, they both gave birth to a twin."

"A twin?"

"Yeah, a twin. Minister Barksville children is also a twin. A paternal twin. His wife gave birth to a boy and a girl."

"Then the prophecy?" I asked.

"It's just a hoax. The king investigates it and that person who spread the said prophecy is a patient in a mental hospital that escapes."

"But... I can sense a but in your words." My muscles began to tremble. I don't even want to think about what happened to the boy, but I can't help but preside over my father's story in my mind.

"Minister Barksville believe that prophecy and frightened himself. That night, he did an unforgivable act. Fear consumed him and he became deaf to his wife's pleas... He left his child in the river. I know he planned to kill the child but he can't do it. It's still his son after all. Leaving his child in the river is the proof that he is hoping that someone will pick the child and claimed it as their own."

"Did someone picked the child?" I tried my best so that my voice does not rattle.

"Yes. The queen trusted maid got the child."

"Where is the child now?"

"He is serving the present king."

"Who is it?"

"Kross. King's most trusted guard.