“Frey,” Elise called, her voice disturbing the quiet as she stepped into her sister’s chamber. The mild scent of lavender, the room was dim, curtains drawn to keep out the midday sun.
Instead of her sister, a young servant straightened abruptly, her movements stiff as she dipped into a hasty bow.
“Lady Kenjigawa,” the servant greeted, her voice tense as she gestured toward the bed. “Lady Frey is asleep.”
Elise’s gaze flicked to the bed, where her sister lay motionless and serene. “I can see that,” she replied, her tone sharp enough to cut. She turned back to the servant, her brows knitting in suspicion. “Who are you? I don’t recall seeing you before.”
“My name is Willow, my lady,” the servant answered, bowing her head once more. “I am Lady Frey’s personal maid.”
“Personal maid?” Elise repeated, her voice dropping to a whisper as her eyes narrowed. She glanced again at her sleeping sister, then back at Willow. “Come. We’ll speak outside.”
Willow hesitated, her hands twisting the side of her skirt before she nodded and followed. They stepped into the corridor, where another servant, Elise’s own attendant, stood waiting, her expression carefully neutral but her gaze flickering with curiosity.
“Quinn, do you know anything about this? When did my sister get a personal maid?”
“You didn’t know, my lady?” Quinn replied, a look of confusion crossing her face. “You see Lady Frey almost daily. I''d have assumed she told you.”
“If she did, I don’t recall it. A personal maid? Before adulthood? Who asked for this?”
“The request came from Lady Frey, madam approved,” Quinn explained, her voice steady but cautious. “But it was the mistress who found the girl.”
“Kishe did? Why?” Elise asked, perplexed.
“The mistress suggested that a girl close to Lady Frey’s age would be ideal. But madam prefers experience, so we lack young servants. In the end, it was the mistress who found this one through recommendation. She has been with us for a month now, training, and was only made a maid today.”
"A month you say? Does she already have experience beforehand? Or do we have so few chores to teach?"
“No, my lady. She will continue her training while serving alongside Lady Frey. We believe this is the best path for her development.”
Elise turned to the new maid, studying her intently. “I see, explains the young face. You must''ve been training her in private from the looks of it, I have yet to see her until now.”
“She has mainly been present in the surrounding buildings, my lady.”
“That would explain much, thank you Quinn,” Elise said, stepping closer to the girl with increased interest.
The maid, stricken by fear, kept her eyes glued to the floor. “I-I apologize, my lady,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I... I seem to have forgotten to s-spe-specify that my duties only began today.” The words spilled out in a nervous rush.
Quinn resisted the urge to click her tongue, though her disapproval sparked faintly in her expression. “Forgive her, my lady. She still has much to learn, particularly when it comes to speaking properly.”
“It’s fine, I don’t mind.” Elise gently lifted the maid’s chin with a finger, coaxing her to meet her gaze. Her voice softened as she added, “You don’t need to excuse yourself. You’ve done nothing wrong. You gave your name when asked, that was enough. Willow, as you called yourself, correct?”
“Yes,” the maid answered, her voice barely steady.
“An odd name. Is there a reason behind it?”
“There is, my lady, but I fear it might bore you,” Willow replied hesitantly.
“Speak. I wish to hear it.”
Willow drew a breath, steadying herself to reclaim her composure. “I was born weak, my lady, my father had lost three before my birth, and so I remained his last hope. My mother grew sicker with each child, so an attempt for a fifth was not desired, for my father loved her much. The village healer claimed that I needed to be bathed in the shade of a willow every night, until I reached the age of six, cured of death. And so my father named me after the very tree that looked after me.”
A lovely story, Elise thought. Though she cared little for superstition, she still had a heart for sincerity. The tale tugged at something within her, stirring an unexpected warmth. “Willow, I will remember you, as I have the others. Take good care of my sister.”
"Until ash, pass winter''s grace, when my blood runs dry, my lady,” Willow replied earnestly.
Elise nodded. “The two of you will remain out here. I wish to be alone with my sister.” And without awaiting a reply, she re-entered the room.
Her twin, like herself, valued modesty, a trait reflected in the simplicity of the room. It held only the essentials, functional furnishings devoid of extravagance or ostentation. To the right stood a large, but simple bed, her sister nestled beneath a thick blanket, sleeping soundly on the soft mattress. Beside the bed sat a small table for personal items, while a study desk was neatly positioned by the window in front of Elise, where natural light could best illuminate. On the left, multiple shelves lined the wall, sparsely filled, and near the center of the room, slightly off to the left, stood a round table designated for social matters.
Elise moved quietly across the room and perched on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on her sister. She watched Frey’s sleeping form with a tenderness as if the moment could be stolen at any second, guilt twisting in Elise’s gut. It was always like this, every time she looked at Frey, the same tight knot of shame tightened in her chest.
Frey was timid, a quiet thing who fidgeted, stumbled over her own words, and more often than not, let others dictate her desires. But that hadn’t always been her way. No, Frey had once been so full of light, a sharp and vibrant soul who could spark with laughter. When had that changed?
Elise knew the answer all too well. It had started the moment she herself begun to change. The golden child. The title, so unwarranted, bestowed upon her by their parents, partly because of her eyes. She was always the one who shone, the one whose every action seemed to come effortlessly. The product of wisdom and confidence that belied her years, gained not only through time but by the experiences of a life lived before. She could not share this fact with Frey, could never tell her the truth, that she was not the perfect daughter they thought her to be, that she was not a sister to be envied. It would only make things worse.
It had been so easy for Elise to play her part. The praise came naturally, expected almost, while Frey faded further into the background, her own brilliance dimming with each passing year. How could she not feel inferior? Elise could see it in the way Frey’s shoulders hunched, in the hesitant steps she took, in the way her voice trembled with uncertainty. With each mistake, the comparisons between them grew more pronounced, and her slow comprehension worsened, not because of any fault of her own, but due to a lack of encouragement in an environment that never positively reinforced her learning. A lapse in etiquette, poor judgment, a failed test, Frey would receive nothing but a pointed finger toward her twin sister, how Elise had done it better, how she needed to try harder because her efforts were never enough.
Elise had unexpectedly set an unrealistic standard, and their parents had unquestioningly accepted it. And so, Frey’s silent struggle began. Time stifled her confidence, choked her spirit, and made every lesson feel so much harder than they were. A toxic cycle of self-doubt that Frey has to endure for so long as her twin lives. Elise knew it, and yet she felt powerless to stop it. She saw how it had silenced her sister, how it had forced Frey into a shadowed existence, living in the reflection of a life Elise had never asked for.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
She reached out, brushing her fingers through Frey’s dark brown hair. It was strange, how much Frey looked exactly like the version of herself from the life before. It stirred something sharp in Elise’s chest, jealousy, yes, but also a crushing wave of shame. Had she stolen Frey’s light? Her chance at a life of her own? If Frey had been born alone, and not as a twin, would she have been given the name Elise instead? Would she have been happier? Would she have felt more loved? The sole precious daughter of Taudi?
Elise loved her sister. And that was exactly why it hurt so much. Frey stirred in her sleep, a soft groan slipping past her lips as she pulled the blanket tighter, seeking warmth and comfort, unaware of the turmoil in her sister’s heart.
Elise’s hand lingered on Frey’s cheek, her fingers tracing the soft skin as she fought the discomforting ache of rumination. If Frey had been born alone, would she have been better off? The question came again. The same question that haunted Elise all day: Would the future repeat itself? Would Frey’s path be sealed in the same way hers had been? Was it already too late for them both?
Maybe the reason she had come back, the reason she had become the twin of a girl who looked so much like her past self, was to ensure this girl would never know loss. Was there a better revenge than to protect her former self from a future tragedy? To make sure, at the very least, that the girl she had already taken so much from wouldn’t lose anything more?
Or was she just being delusional again, dreaming, lying to herself to ease the guilt of her past? Convincing herself that she could control events that had always been beyond her reach? To do good deeds now, simply to justify ignoring the mistakes of her past?
“I will protect you,” Elise whispered. “As I protected myself. I will spare you from my existence. You will not experience the same pain I did, I swear on it.”
“Elise?” Frey stirred with a soft groan, slowly waking. “What did you say? When did you get here?”
“I just came. Was about to wake you up,” Elise smiled. “You beat me to it.”
Frey yawned, her movements sluggish and her eyes heavy with the haze of half-sleep. “I''m sorry. Shouldn''t have slept. You always visit me at this time, I should''ve stayed up. Studied instead.”
“Did you not get enough sleep?”
“Not really. Nightmares again… I''m sorry.”
“Why didn''t you call for me if you had nightmares?”
“Didn''t want to bother you.”
“Silly girl,” Elise said, wiping Frey''s cheek and brushing away the remnants of her basal tears. “Who do you take me for? It bothers me more that you don''t call for me in distress.”
“You know, you sound like mother sometimes.”
“Do I? She''s my exemplar. Is it weird I sound like her?”
“No…”
“You know what I find weird though. Your personal maid. Apparently mother and kishe already knows about your request, but you have yet to inform me?”
“Ahhh….” Frey paused, a flush of sudden embarrassment. “I''m sorry.”
“What are you apologizing for? Quit it. You''re not in trouble, I''m not looking for an excuse. Just curious as to why you didn''t mention such an important decision.”
“I didn''t want to disappoint you.”
“What''s there to be disappointed about? All ladies need a maid eventually. You got yours early. This is a key moment for you. I just wish you''d have allowed me to congratulate you beforehand.”
“But we''re not adults yet. I was told only improper ladies get theirs before adulthood. For bad behavior. Sometimes worse.”
“It''s not that serious Frey. It honestly doesn''t matter when a maid arrives. The custom states after adulthood purely out of tradition, not practicality.”
“But is tradition not why we do everything?”
“I guess so. But the issue of maids is even less important among our many customs. Don''t mind it. I mean, I technically also have a maid, it just isn''t formal. You could have done the same.”
“I know, but…”
“But what?”
“It''s just… hard. Calling for someone every time. Telling people what to do. I don''t like it.”
“So you think having a dedicated maid will help with this issue?”
“Yes…” Frey answered timidly. “Bu-but I know that''s not a good enough reason.”
“What reason did you give to mother?”
“I, didn''t. I mean she did ask, but, I… couldn''t give one. I didn''t think she''d approve.”
Elise chuckled, lightly.
“It''s not funny Elise,” Frey voiced with unease.
“I''m not laughing at you dummy. It''s because you actually asked for something for once, that''s probably why mother approved. She loves you, you know that right?”
“I don''t know… I don''t see it.”
“You''re actually being honest with me for once? Don''t tell me you''re finally starting to grow again?” Elise said with a brightening grin.
“I''m not a plant Elise. Don''t tease me too much, it''s embarrassing.”
“Give mother some time. She has difficulty showing care. Her love comes in less obvious ways.”
Frey averted her gaze, “But she treats you differently, doesn''t she?”
“She treats me the same. I''m not more favored than you are.”
“But she calls you more.”
“She does, but merely for work, I assist with the castle, but that doesn''t mean I''m better. I simply got nothing more to learn from the books, while you, sweet one, still have to study. You''ll be called to assist with the management sooner or later. Frey, listen to me, I want your eyes back here not towards the shelves. You''re the more delicate of us, it''s why everyone treats you with more care, it''s not because they dislike you, or avoid you. You exaggerate too much in that little mind of yours. I can see that.”
“You think so? That I''m just imagining all this?”
“You may not know it Frey but you''re the better pair, just a little too much fear in you to thrive. Don''t be like me, I might look pretty but I''m not lucky.”
“But I want to be like you.”
Elise placed a hand on her chest, her golden eyes catching the faint remnants of light lingering in the room. The sun struggling to pierce through the thick curtains shrouding the window. “Would being like me make you happier?”
“I think so.”
“Then the first step is to get rid of those assumptions of yours. We''re family, do not assume the worst out of your own blood, you can save that for our vassals. And, we need to boost this confidence of yours. How does that sound? Doable?”
“I guess. I just don''t want to disappoint. You think getting a maid was a good idea?”
“As I said, it''s not serious. We''ll be adults by the end of next winter anyways. You don''t even need a reason, nor give one. I know you have an issue talking to the servants. No matter how many times I remind you that they''re peasants, you still respect their age. Personally, about this maid thing, I think this is good. Once you are comfortable with the fresh maid, I''m sure it''ll greatly help your ability to seek more aid. It would get you used to ordering someone around. And you need a friend, a proper friend. Even better someone your own age.”
“Are we not friends Elise?”
“You need more than one. Many more than one. I can''t always be around when you need me.”
“Are you going somewhere?”
“No. At least not for now. But when we become adults, don''t you think the idea of marriage might separate us? Or maybe other responsibilities might require us to journey a few days away.”
“I don''t like that. Can''t we just stay together?”
“I don''t like it either Frey. But life isn''t about our wants.” Elise leaned in closer, taking her sister’s hand in her own, gently caressing it. “Do you wish to talk about your nightmare?”
“Not really.”
“Was this the same one?”
“No. I don''t know. Can''t really make sense of it. Just scared. Wake up in a sweat.”
“Same monsters? You can sleep with the lanterns on if that helps.”
“I want to get better. I think I''m sick.”
“You don''t have to get better. You''re fine as you are.”
Frey turned away, her expression quietly wavering.
“It''s okay,” Elise reassured. “We don''t have to fix it now. They go away on their own as you get older. I get nightmares too you know.”
“You do? But you never said anything about them.”
“I just don''t talk about them. But don''t get the wrong idea. It doesn''t make me any better by not talking about them. If anything, I''m worse than you by not opening up.”
“What are your nightmares like?”
“Mine? A long road.”
“That doesn''t sound scary.”
“Mines a long dark road, no one around for kilons, I search and search but I''m always on my own.”
“No one ever?”
“I find people once in a while, sometimes many. But they''re not the people I''m looking for.”
“But you just said there''s no one around no matter how hard you search?”
“My nightmares don''t make much sense either Frey. Guess we''re the same. Twins right?”
“Who are you looking for?”
“You,” Elise smiled softly, leaning in closer to embrace her dear sister. “I don''t get nightmares as often as I used to. Yours will go away too.”
“On their own?”
“Yes, on their own. Now get up,” Elise said, her tone spiking, shifting the mood. “We''re going. And I can''t believe you slept with your day dress on.”
“Going? What do you mean? Where are we going?”
“You stay in your room all day if not required. We''re going outside.”
“Doing what?”
“I don''t know. We''ll figure it out. Take a stroll on the castle walls if I wish, you need the exercise anyways. Hurry, get up.”
Frey resigned herself, unable to oppose her sister''s desires. “Yes, Elise…”