Chapter 2
Remember
It couldn't be true. It couldn't be him. I saw his head separate from his body. His eyes open, yet not alive; eerily staring at me with a smile on his lifeless face. Yet here was the same set of eyes looking at me again like he had that night…
"Len…" I gaped at him and turned my body so I faced him in full. How could I have not noticed it before? Same colored hair, eyes, and even nose. Like looking into a mirror, But I liked this reflection more. I reached out and touched his cheek gently to make sure he was real and not some illusion caused by insanity.
Warmth. That's what I felt. He looked surprised at first, but then placed his hand over mine and smiled softly.
"Rin, do you understand whats going to happen?"
Yes. I know exactly whats going to happen. But instead of saying that, I shook my head stupidly like I had no idea. He chuckled slightly as if it was a cruel joke.
"They're going to come…and take you away from me." he pulled me in close and hugged me tightly; like if he let go, id disappear.
"They want to take you Rin, I know it. They say you're evil Rin. They say you're inhumane and selfish. But… I know it's not the real you." at this point he pulled back to look at me sadly, and I couldn't take it. The gilt I felt was tearing me apart. I WAS evil. I WAS selfish. I was cruel. I never appreciated you like I should have. I never LOVED you like I should have…
I couldn't stare into his loving eyes any longer, and buried my head into his chest, tears building in my eyes.
"Even if you did all those cruel things…I know you didn't mean it. It's just because the way you were rose. I know the real you." he gently petted my head and I gripped his shirt, clinging to his scent. "Your kind, truly. You get hurt easily, and are afraid of being alone. And even if you are evil like everyone says you are, it doesn't matter, because I will always protect you. You are dear to me." I pulled back and he wiped a tear away.
"Len, I know."
"You know-,"
"I know we're twins!" he got a shocked expression on his face that slowly turned to a look of pain.
"Len how long have you known?"
"As long as I can remember."
"Why didn't you tell-,"
"There isn't time for this now! As we speak, that red solider is probably already on her way!" I looked down, and balled my fists up. The time was coming. Len would trade places with me, and everything would go back to how it was. All by myself. Alone.
"Rin, I have this plan. I can… take your place." I shot my face up in horror. My time with Len was ending already. He stood up and removed his cloak, then putting a hand out for me to get up.
"We are going to switch clothes, you see. And you'll escape through the secret passage. Were twins so… no one will notice." He then took off his coat and shirt, looking away the whole time. I stood in silence because I knew what would happen if I did this.
"Len, you can't do this!" I begged. He only smiled and patted my head.
"It'll be alright. It's just for now, so I can be sure they won't hurt you. It's my duty as your servant to protect you."
"But you're not just my servant, you're my twin Len!" I ran to him, and gripped his bare back tightly. They wouldn't try to hurt me; they are going to kill me. And I'm sure he knows it.
"But Rin…"
"You can't do this Len! They'll kill you! They'll kill you…" I sobbed into his neck, and breathed in his warmth. I had missed him so much, I couldn't let go. Not again. You don't miss something until it's gone, but you don't realize how stupid you were until your twin gets beheaded.
"Rin I have to. I won't let you die." He sounded pained to say it. Like he was sad too leave me.
"Let me Len. I deserve it…"
"Don't say that!"
"It's true! I love you Len. I love you more than anybody I ever knew! You're the only thing that matters to me, and I won't let you die for me!" I pushed him away. And then I could hear it. In the distance of this huge castle, footsteps could be heard. My time was ending.
"Rin there coming, we don't have much time." And then I realized…
"Okay, I'll do it."
"You will? Alright then." He removed the rest of his clothing, as did I. We swapped quickly, and he took his hair out of his ponytail. The crown rested perfectly on his head. Like staring into a mirror, but I hate this reflection now. Because now he will die, while I live on. I stared sadly at him, and he came to me.
He smiled at me and I couldn't help but cry more. Then the banging at the door.
"Princess Rilliane! Open up right now!" an angry woman's voice yelled through the locked door. Len took my hand and ran to the wardrobe with a secret door behind it. He opened it, and set me in the wardrobe, but I wouldn't go in. not yet.
"Len please…"
"Please promise me something Rin."
"Anything."
"Always remember me…"
"Of course."
"Find someone new to care for…"
"Maybe…"
"And live on…smiling." Before I could answer, he pushed be forcefully into the compartment, and locked the door. I couldn't see anything, but could slightly hear what was going on.
The door was kicked down, and two sets of footsteps could be heard.
"You are truly evil. Not even putting up a fight huh? Makes no difference to me, you've caused enough despair in this country."
"I did what I thought was right…and I don't regret it." Len said. Even if it wasn't direct, I could tell Len was talking to me. I slid down the side of the wall. In the dark, all I could do was cry violently as the past repeated itself. I ran down the passage way, and ended up outside the castle in cold night air.
I thought of what Len had last said to me.
"I can't Len…not without you."
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