273

Harlyn

"You guys can go if you want. I will wait here with the twins."

Leah told the ladies who took the chance to leave.

"They are going to spread the news that I have an identical twin."

I told Leah and Helaine.

"How do you know that?"

I smiled knowingly.

"I just know."

I said with a laugh.

"You look really pretty."

Helaine complimented.

"I look just like you."

I told her.

"No, not right now. You look like an elegant version of us and it really suits you."

I smiled at the compliment. We didn't even get the chance to talk much because my mate walked back into the dressing room.

"Oh, the royal couple, coupling."

Helaine cheered when she saw Bernardo. We must have unknowingly teleported our dress code because he was wearing a similar color-coded attire. Navy blue and white. He looked very kingly with the crown on his head and the staff of office in his hand. I don't know about others but I was completely smitten by him and if I wasn't already so in love with him, I would have fallen for him.

Being in love with him didn't stop me from falling again and again head over heels for him.

"Oh, look! My sister just fell in love with you again."

I gave my twin a look. For someone who didn't know me until not too long ago, Helaine sure knows me very well.

"That's a giving and it's not one-sided. I fall in love with her every time I see her. Also, it's good to see you! Do you want to come with us?"

Bernardo offered.

"No, I will pass. I don't like attention and I might want to beat that bastard up if I see him again."

Helaine said. Bernardo reached for me and I went to him.

"You are beautiful."

He whispered to me. I smiled in response.

"Thank you for doing such a good job. Even the outfit matches. I can't believe I get to wear matching outfits with my Luna now. I used to do it with my grandma and trust me, it's not really fun twinning with a nagging, old-fashioned queen."

"Are you badmouthing the queen mother right now?"

I let out in disbelief. He laughed.

"She doesn't mind. She knows my heart. I told her in person too. Everyone knows she was a nagging old lady."

"No, you are just stubborn and never listen."

I countered. Leah and Helaine laughed.

"You two are perfect for each other. Strike a pose, I want a photo for keepsake."

Helaine said and pulled out her phone. Both of us did as we were told and she took a photo.

"We should go. We need to be seated before the others come in."

I nodded.

"We see you guys after."

Bernardo told Leah and Helaine who waved us off. When the door opened, I was surprised to see a hall full of bodyguards.

"Why are there so many of them? Where did they all come from?"

I whispered to Bernardo who laughed.

"My love, you should get used to this, especially during events similar to this. You really don't know how the elders used to treat me. I swear I can't do anything without those oldies being on my neck and trying to get me to stay safe."

I laughed at the way he spoke about the protective elders. At least a whole lot of them genuinely cared about him. Compared to the percentage of betas who turned out to be traitors. A lot of the elders were on his side.

"I am with them, you know. You should always play it safe. You never know."

"Yeah, I agree especially after what happened. If I wasn't so careful, I may have fallen into a trap set by my traitorous uncle."

Yeah, I agree. We walked the rest of the way to the limo that was taking us to the center where the execution would take place in silence. Even the short drive to the center was done in silence. I didn't have anything to say and felt like Bernardo needed some quiet time.

"Reporters?"

I asked when we arrived and there were people with cameras.

"Yes, it's unavoidable, and broadcasting it will serve as a warning to others who might want to do something similar."

I let out a deep sigh and nodded in understanding. I took the hand he offered and got out of the car. The flashes from the cameras were immediate and almost blinding but I managed to walk without falling and we didn't say anything to the reporters.

They treated us differently from the way they treated celebrities and other big names. No one shouted questions at us or even tried to get closer to us than the distance allowed. It was pretty amazing how they were all so respectful compared to what I know about the media.

"Why aren't they shouting questions at you?"

I asked Bernardo as soon as we were inside the main hallway that led to the avenue where the public execution was going to take place.

"That's the law. We are not celebrities. We are the leaders of the kingdom. It's customary and anyone who goes against the law won't be allowed to any events related to the palace ever again."

Aha, that seems fair. Oh, wait.

"I am a leader?"

I asked him. He made a face at me and stopped walking, causing the whole team of bodyguards and everyone else following behind and ahead of us to stop. I felt slightly guilty for making everyone stop because of my silly comment.

"Did you really just ask that or are you trying to make a joke?"

Bernardo asked me.

"You didn't have to stop, sir. I was just asking because it still feels surreal. Let's go!"

I told him, took his hand, and started walking again. He followed me without arguing.