---
Levine clutched her small belly. A mix of gratitude and fear swirled in her chest as she muttered to her baby, "It's alright."
Their restraints had been broken, and now they were sitting in a corner of the laboratory.
Despite everything, Levine felt a wave of happiness. She turned to face Decker, who was beaming with joy, as if their dire situation no longer mattered.
"I thought we were going to die," Levine said in a half-whisper, half-laugh, fatigue lining her forehead.
"I thought the same," he admitted, rubbing her hand gently.
"You know," she continued, "I had so many thoughts running through my head. But the one that haunted me the most was the regret that I wouldn't get to tell you how I feel."
Decker turned to her, his expression probing.
"I've liked you since before our first meeting. I know that might hurt to hear because it was my feelings that brought you here in the first place. But, Decker... I've grown to love you. And I'm happy to be bringing your child into the world."
"Levine... there's something you should know."
She subconsciously held her breath.
"That day, the Queen didn't send me."
Levine frowned in confusion.
"The day we met, when the king tried to... I was waiting around the royal wing, planning to ask you on a date."
"Really?" she asked, barely believing her ears.
"It was only after I dragged the king off you that I realized what I'd done... so I made up a lie."
Levine laughed heartily, startling the others in the room. "You're a good liar."
"Not really. It's just that I'd do anything to protect you—and now, our child."
She smiled up at him, the reality of their situation sinking in.
Their attention turned to the man who had been experimenting on them—Bel Tyvard. He was cackling to himself.
"Not only was I fortunate enough to find suitable test subjects, but I was lucky enough to duplicate with a pair of lovers—one of whom is expecting." He scribbled something on a piece of parchment and shoved it into a taskmaster's hands. "Send word to Victoria 1. Inform them that their humble servant, Tyvard, has paved one step closer to immortality. Be quick about it."
The taskmaster promptly left. Tyvard turned to Decker and Levine, his expression unreadable.
"What's your name?" he asked the woman.
"Levine," she muttered.
"And you?"
"Decker. Decker Wright."
"Well, Levine and Decker..." Tyvard clasped his hands behind his back. "Do you know that you are blessed?"
Levine peered at him, confused. She found it hard to believe that, after all she had endured, she could be considered blessed. But she kept quiet.
"The experiment I conducted on you was meant to determine whether TheGeminate"—he gestured to the tall canister with sprouting valves—"would turn you into Geminis. And it worked. Not just because of my brilliance, but because you two have been lying together... exchanging fluids."
Levine winced at his crude phrasing, disgusted.
"And the cherry on top? The female was with child. This is what you would call...what would you call it?" He asked but when he was met with. I reply he continued
"Now listen," he continued. "As I said, you have been blessed. You will no longer be put to manual labor because you now exist only for the Alchemies. We will conduct further experiments on you—and, once you deliver this child, on it as well. Do you understand?"
Levine glared at him defiantly. Every instinct told her to curse him, to fight, but self-preservation whispered that she should stay silent. However, her newfound maternal instincts roared in protest.
But self-preservation won. She nudged Decker to speak on their behalf.
"Yes," Decker said, though his voice was small. He felt just as powerless as she did.
"Good," Tyvard said, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. He turned to his assistant. "You. Take them to a cottage—a good one. See to it that they are well taken care of."
The assistant smiled gingerly, unfazed by the fact that his master never addressed him by name. "I will see to it that they do not suffer and that all their needs are met."
Tyvard flinched, his expression souring as he regarded his assistant. "Assistant... how long have you been with me?"
"What—four years, sir?"
"And in that time, have you learned anything?"
"Sir, I've learned greatly from you."
"Really?" His voice held amusement, but his expression remained cold. "Then tell me—have I ever taught you to go above and beyond for guineapigs?"
The assistant stilled. So did Decker and Levine as the weight of those words settled.
"...No, sir," the assistant murmured.
"Then do only what is necessary."
---
Six Years Later
"Aunty Talmia! Aunty Talmia!" A small child ran forward, giggling as she hugged her mother's best friend.
"Hello, child," Talmia greeted, returning the embrace. "Where's your mother?"
"She's hiding," the girl whispered gleefully.
"...Hiding?"
"We're playing hide and seek!"
"Oh, lucky! And you're seeking her?"
"I was," the child shrugged, rummaging through Talmia's bag.
"You were? What about now?"
"I paid Father to seek her, so I can relax. Mother is very good, and I tire easily."
Talmia blinked, amused. "Wow, you must be very rich. How about I find her instead? I'm the best seeker there is."
"Nuh-uh! You're not better than my father. And if I send you, who's going to play with me?" The girl pouted.
"I hadn't thought of that," Talmia admitted, feigning disappointment.
"Don't worry!" The child beamed. "I'll still pay you—I'll just pay you to play with me!"
Talmia laughed, about to insist that no payment was needed. But before she could, the little girl had already showered her with kisses as payment.
"How can I refuse after such a generous payment?"
Suddenly, a surprised shriek came from the next room. Two figures emerged.
Levine feigned an angry look, turning to her daughter. "You cheat!"
The child merely shrugged. "All is fair in hide and seek, Mother."
Decker laughed heartily. "She's not wrong."
Their daughter flicked her hair proudly. "Thank you! You did well, Father. I shall double your payment next time!"
The adults burst into laughter. When it subsided, Levine spoke.
"That's enough fun and games."
"I'd say so too," Decker announced. "I'm going out, and I'll be coming back with all your favorite treats."
"Why? You only do that when—" The child gasped. "We're visiting Grandpa?"
For the briefest moment, the air grew frigid. Their faces fell—but only for that moment. They quickly masked their expressions with smiles.
"Yes, my sweet."
"Hurray!" She danced around the room.
"I'm glad to see you're excited. How about you get dressed, and we go visit Grandpa?"
The child rushed inside. Decker's expression darkened, and he exchanged a resigned look with Levine, who nodded knowingly.
"So, it's today," Talmia muttered as she settled into her seat.
"That it is," Levine sighed, her head falling into her hands.
"How is everything?"
"I don't know what to tell you, Talmia."
"My baby... she still doesn't have an idea what's going on. I try to keep it that way," Levine admitted, her voice strained. "Talmia, she thinks what Tyvard does is normal grandfatherly duties. Oh, that naive soul..." She clenched her fists, trying to keep herself from sobbing.
Talmia's expression softened. "I won't say I understand how you feel because that would be disrespectful. But you must know—you have to keep things this way. You promised."
"I know what I promised." Levine's tone sharpened, clipped and tired. "But you and I both know this isn't how a child should live. I can't protect her from the truth forever."
"No one is asking you to," Talmia assured her. "Protect her now. There will come a day when she must learn the truth, but for now, do your best to shield her. I will do what I can too."
Levine raised an eyebrow at that. Talmia caught the look and continued.
"I accepted Lord Jamon's proposal."
Levine frowned, clearly lost. Talmia elaborated.
"I'm marrying Lord Jamon. As Lady Jamon, I'll have the ear of the head of this principality. And with that influence, I'm certain I can do something about Tyvard and his evil."
Levine shook her head. "Many powerful nobles have opposed The Alchemies and the Stocks to no avail. There's a reason for that, Talmia. The person behind them—Victoria 1—is immensely powerful."
Talmia bit her lip. "About that... I've been hearing whispers. Some say Victoria is a codename for a family." She leaned in. "Levine, The royal family"
Levine froze. "What?"
"Some mercenaries are almost certain of it. Victoria 1… might be Arthur himself."
A shudder ran through Levine. The world around her blurred, muted under the weight of the inferno roaring in her mind. Her breath quickened.
"Levie!" Talmia reached for her friend, shaking her lightly. "I understand how you feel, but you must protect your family. Think about Decker. Think about your daughter. You can't let rage consume you."
Levine blinked. Then again. And again. As if coming to a realization.
"My baby… she's been gone too long."
---
"Hehe!" Levine's young daughter giggled as she crouched in a narrow alley, peering at the figure lying on the ground. A girl, a little older than her, with pale skin and wavy dark hair.
"Silly girl," the younger one said. "The ground isn't a place to sleep."
The 'silly girl' snapped her eyes open, sluggish and dazed. "Where… am I?" Her voice was hoarse, exhausted.
The younger girl looked around and shrugged. "I dunno."
"You're lost too?"
"God, no. I never get lost."
"But you don't know where we are."
"I know my way home. I just don't know what this place is called 'cause I don't usually go out. Pale girl, do you know where you live?"
The girl sat up, dusting off her dress. Bruises speckled her arms. "Yes."
"Then you're not lost."
The pale girl huffed, frustrated. "You don't get it, do you? I'm not from here. I live far away. In Easteford."
"Then why are you here? Playing tag with those big men?"
"What? No!" The girl shuddered. "Those men were bad men. They kidnapped me. My mother must be searching for me." She stood, moving toward the alley's exit. The younger girl grabbed her hand.
"Kidnapped? What's that?"
"Uh…" The older girl hesitated. "I was… stolen. Yeah, stolen."
The younger girl frowned in thought—then burst out laughing. "What are you? A toy? You really are a silly girl!"
Annoyance flickered across the other girl's face, but it quickly melted into amusement. "You're funny. I like that. My name is Mahalia Heris. What's yours?"
The younger girl pouted. "I haven't got one yet."
"What?" Mahalia's eyes widened in disbelief. "How old are you?" The little girl asked walking around Mahalia like she was a mystery
"Seven"
"Then, I'll probably get one when I turn seven. I'm six, so that's soon."
"That's not how names work!" Mahalia shook her head. "I've had mine for as long as I can remember. Some people even get their names before they're conceived!"
"Conceived? You talk big for a seven-year-old."
"And you're way too simple for a six-year-old."
They stared at each other—then burst into laughter.
"Come," the nameless one beckoned. "I'll take you to my mother. She can bring you home."
They navigated out of the alleys, stepping onto the main road when a deep voice called out.
"Little one?"
"Grandpa!" The younger girl beamed, running toward the tall, looming man. She reached for a hug, but he stopped her with a firm hand on her shoulder.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I was coming to visit you! Then I found this girl. I thought she was playing tag with some big men."
Tyvard's sharp eyes zeroed in on Mahalia, like a hunter inspecting prey.
"Your name, girl?"
"Mahalia."
"Age?"
"Seven."
"Blood class?"
Mahalia frowned. "Why do you need to know that?" She took a cautious step closer to her new friend.
"Don't worry," the nameless girl chirped. "Grandpa's a physician. He says it's important information."
Mahalia hesitated. "...My blood class is 0. The best," she added smugly.
"Me too!" the nameless girl chimed in. "Grandpa, what's your blood class?"
Tyvard's expression darkened. "Three."
Mahalia blinked in surprise. "My mother says that's the weakest class. It's a wonder you're even alive!"
Tyvard's lips curled. "Where do you live?"
Before Mahalia could answer, the nameless girl giggled. "Grandpa, you won't believe what she said! She thinks she was stolen—like a toy!"
Tyvard's eyes gleamed. "Really? Then let's get you home. Come with me."
"But my mother—" the nameless one moved to add but Tyvard was quick to add
"I'll send word to her," he assured.
The two girls climbed into a carriage. But as it lurched forward, Mahalia's unease deepened. Something about this man—his eyes, his voice—felt... wrong. He looked like the kind of man her mother warned against but he was her nes friend's grandfather and they were going to take her to her mother, so she kept quiet.
The nameless girl, on the other hand, was beaming.
"You must really like visiting your grandpa," Mahalia murmured.
"Mm-hmm! I do!"
"Why?"
"My mother says I'm special. But special means different. And because of that, I'm fragile. I can't go out much."
Mahalia frowned. "Then you don't have friends?"
"I do! Lots! But they always visit me at home. I never play outside. The only time I leave is to see Grandpa. He makes sure I'm healthy, checks if my body is stressed. It always hurts, and I hate the smell of his office… but if I do well, he rewards me with more than one playdate, the following week, that's a lot."
Mahalia's stomach twisted. What kind of life is this?
"But what I love most is what happens after. My father spoils me! I get treats and hugs and—"
Her words cut off as the carriage slowed.
"Excuse me, sir," Mahalia said warily. "What are you doing?"
"Grandpa, are you going to treat Mahalia too?"
"Yes. Something like that."
Before Mahalia could protest, a sharp sting pierced her skin. The world blurred, and pain crashed over her—an unbearable sensation of being ripped apart.
Tyvard grinned.
"Phase 2 is complete. Victoria 1 must hear of this."
Mahalia drifted in and out of consciousness, her world reduced to fragmented glimpses of agony and confusion. In one moment of hazy awareness, she caught sight of a woman—one she did not recognize—her face etched with worry as she pleaded with Tyvard, tears glistening in her eyes. Then, darkness claimed her again.
When she resurfaced, pain tore through her like fire. She gasped, barely able to move, as unfamiliar hands pressed her down. The searing heat of a brand met her skin, carving something into her flesh. Through the haze of pain, she saw them do the same to the other girl—her nameless friend—who, even in unconsciousness, whimpered in torment. The agony was unbearable, and once more, Mahalia was swallowed by oblivion.
The next time she woke, it was to the sight of her mother. Tears streaked down her face, but her voice was sharp, laced with venom and fury as she lashed out at Tyvard. Mahalia wanted to reach for her, to call out, but her body refused to obey.
And then, she was moving—carried away alongside the nameless girl, their fates now entwined.
***
Tyvard watched the women depart, his lips curling into a satisfied smile. His gaze drifted to the two slumbering girls, their bodies still and fragile, but now irrevocably changed.
"Two bodies, one form. Two souls, one existence. Mahalia and the false granddaughter—one girl called Qaya."
To be continued…