In The High Place

Ep.5 - Castiglione's Twins

**Antonia's POV - Flash Back"

 As long as I could remember, my twin brother, Daniel was always there for me.He was 7 minutes older than me, but the way we were--It seems like he's many years older than me.

      "What're you thinking!? Why don't you leave it to Dr. Sanchez like you've planned!?"

      "I should be the one who's asking! How could you stand still while that freak talked ill of yo--"

  I bit my lips to stop myself from what I almost yell at him. Why should I bring that up!? Now, I'll never be brave enough to look at his face.

      "Go on--Split it"

      "Danny...I--"

      "If you don't then I will--Yes, I chose to be calm while he spoke ill of MY kind"

  Me and my big mouth--Not many people know that my brother, the crown prince of this kingdom, and my mother, the queen, were both Omegas. Only those who're considered closed confidant and essential ally knew about this. For those who weren't worthy enough,they might be death or gone missing.

      "Brother, I didn't mean to--"

  Before I could finish,my brother stepped closer and wrapped me in his arms.

      "I know you were angry, but you can't let loose like that"

      "Danny..."

      "You're an Alpha princess, Antonia. You could be better than that. I know you meant well, but you'll have to think before react and--"

      "And be ready for the consequences"

  It wasn't my brother's smooth voice that finished the sentence. It was our father's, King Lionel. with great shock, I turned back to saw him stood just a few feet away from us with our mother. We both paid our respect for them in hurry.

      "Father, mother--We didn't expect you here"

      "Was it true? That you injured a man in the town square?"

      "Father, Ann's just--"

      "Let her speaks for herself, Danny"

  My brother tried to help and I could always count on him for that. But I also have to stand on my own for this.

      "Thank you, Danny. But I got this--Yes, father. It's true"

  Heavy tensions float among us. Mother bit her lower lips as she felt that. Father's eyebrows furrowed as he stepped closer to me.

      "I'm waiting for explanation"

      "Thank you, father. For giving me a chance to explain myself"

  He nodded stiffly then took a seat across the room beside mother. They gestured me and brother to sit down in front of them. I gathered my thoughts and told them what happened.

      "It's true that I hit that...man in town square. I'm not gonna deny it. I did it in order to save a girl's life"

      "Danny, could you confirmed on what your sister said?"

      "Yes, father. I could. And we do have reliable witness"

      "Merlin?"

  We nodded at the same time. Father called his closed confidant, whispered something to him then dismissed. Mother signaled us to continue.

      "Danny, Ann--Tell us from the start, please"

  I took a deep breath to clear my head and started again from the very beginning. Our parents asked question sometimes. Finally, it came to an end.

      "I know you both expecting better from me, but if I don't act quickly--That girl might be dead by now"

      "Then you also know that you've risk more than just your own reputation, right?"

      "Yes, father. But I'm not regret anything--Even my name'd be drag down to mud, but at least I could saved that girl's life...my people's life"

  Father looked at me with unreadable face. He stood up which also made us rose on our feet. Brother shared a worry look wit mother while observed father who walked toward me slowly. He stopped just a feet in front of me, put a hand on my shoulder the said.

      "Every life are worth saving--especially those who can't defend theirs. That's why we wrote those laws. And that's what us with power must do"

      "Father...I--"

      "I know you did what you think is right at that time and we're proud of you for that"

  Mother joined us and grabbed father's hand and encouraged him to continued.

     "You two did good for stopped that guy and saved the girl's life. But you still let your emotional took over your reason and disobeyed my order to kept a low profile--And more importantly, you broke the law that forbids royalty from intervene with judiciary.

      "Yeah--I know, father. And I'm ready to be sentenced"

      At least you show a responsibility, but no--You don't have to"

  I lifted my eyebrows in curious for what he just said. My mother smiled with relieve when she spotted my father was smiling at the corner of his mouth.

      "Lucky for you, no one was aware of your identities and also this...incident draws us to take Omega Rights seriously"

      "Not you only help that girl, Ann, but you also help me, your brother and our kind"

  Brother smiled warmly at me while our mother hugged us tightly. She gave us a cheek kiss before let go.

      "You got it done in just 2 punches--While me, the king of this nation, can't do anything in months! I never know that our children will surpass me so soon"

  Mother chuckled on him and tried to cheer him up. Brother put his arm around my shoulder and mouthed 'thank you' to me.

      "I want to make sure that you know we're proud of you, Antonia. Your way was...a little reckless, but effective. But like I said, there is...a consequence that you have to take. Or else--"

      "I know, father. We can't make people think that justice doesn't apply to royalty"

  Smiled ruefully, he made a royal command to grounded me inside the palace wall for 3 weeks straight to make up for my reckless action.

**Continue on the next episode**