Secrets

The next day, Vander graduated Raevyn with no explanations given. Many of the mages-in-training began to gossip and spread rumors about what happened. Soon, it also became common knowledge that the High Governor refused to have any mage at his side, unless it was Raevyn.

"Rae, how did this happen?" Daisy asked.

"I don't know," Liana lied.

"But you must! Why else would the High Governor ask for you?"

Suddenly, they heard someone clear their throat.

"Daisy, to class. Raevyn, I think you no longer need to be in Erwoe, seeing as the Headmaster graduated you."

"He's keeping me around, Professor Goodman."

"Hmm, Very well then."

"Bye, Rae."

"Bye."

She watched as Daisy walked off.

"Ahh, Professor Goodman. Oh, Raevyn, you're here too," Vander said.

They had agreed upon calling her Liana in private until an appropriate time could be arranged to announce her reincarnation.

"I can go, Headmaster, if you want me to."

She was also to not call him familiarly either until her return was announced.

"No, I actually think it'd be a good idea if you came to the faculty meeting."

"What?" Professor Goodman said.

"Really Are you sure, Headmaster?"

Vander nodded. "Yes."

"Okay."

All three of them headed towards the council room for the meeting. Inside, everyone was shocked to see Raevyn enter alongside the Headmaster.

"Hi," Liana said.

She sat down as Headmaster Davies began to speak.

"As I'm sure by now, you've all heard that the High Governor, Preston Simmons, wishes for Raevyn to be his mage assistant," Vander said.

Indiscernible mutters filled the room. Vander held up his hand to silence them.

"It is up to Raevyn, and Raevyn alone, if she wishes to accept the position."

Fury flared in her eyes before she covered it up.

"Headmaster, you know I have refused the High Governor twice already. And so, here and now, I refuse for the third and final time."

Professor Goodman snapped, "Arrogant girl! You get attention and all of a sudden think you're important."

"Raevyn? How is she qualified? I couldn't get her to do the most basic of spells!" Professor Whitaker cried.

Liana scoffed.

"Enough!" Vander said. "She is more than qualified, and it is her decision."

Suddenly, Mainlander guards burst into the room and surrounded both Headmaster Davies and Liana. High Governor Simmons walked in behind them.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here, the Davies twins."

"You bastard!" Liana roared at him.

She nearly lunged at Preston."

"Don't Simmons. Erwoe is still under my jurisdiction," Vander said warningly.

Preston laughed, "Oh, no. It's under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Salencia. By way of you two."

Liana froze in horror. Vander saw her freeze up and got confused.

"Shut the hell up, Preston. Before I do it for you, permanently."

The High Governor smirked. "Let me guess, you tampered with his memories? Being the caring, older twin that you are, you changed his memories so he wouldn't know the truth, right? Am I right, little mage?"

Liana quaked in place. Her fists clenched in anger. Vander turned to her.

"What is he talking about, Liana?"

She began to cry.

"I'm so sorry, Vander. I did it to protect you, I swear!"

The other faculty were just as confused and sat in their seats, silent.

"Protect me from what, sister?"

The others turned to stare at her. Shocked at the revelation that Raevyn is Liana reincarnated.

"I'm sorry."

Preston continued on. "Davies is what you know your last name to be, Headmaster. But that's not quite true... is it, Liana?"

Vander looked at her expectantly.

Her whole body shook with sobs as she whispered, "No."

Vander stumbled back in shock. She looked right at him.

"We weren't kidnapped, like you remember. Our father sold us off to Headmistress Frimly. I didn't want you to remember the ugly truth, so I tweaked your memories one night."

"Then whose children are we?" Vander asked slowly.

"King Russell and Queen Coraline of Salencia."

"What?!"

"We are a part of the Davine bloodline. Davies, Davine, what does it matter? We're still the only family we have. Our father gave up being our family when he sold us off."

"So that mean Crown Prince Harmon is our...?"

"Older brother?"

Liana nodded.

"I'm so sorry, Vander. You were much more loved by their majesties than I was. You were a son after all. So, I didn't want you to have to live with the pain of remembering the true story."

"You could've told me at least! Instead, you let me believe a lie for most of our lives! Was it even true that we came to Sonic at five years old? Or did you make that up as well?"

Liana winced at his outburst. Preston watched, amused.

She said quietly, "We were 14 when we were brought here."

"And to think I trusted you."

Angered, Vander stormed out.

"Vander!"

She turned to the High Governor.

"You bastard! This is what you wanted, isn't it?! All of you Mainlanders just live to sow chaos and destruction wherever you go! Are you happy now? Because I've just lost the only family I had left! You are nothing but a cold-hearted bastard!

Unable to control herself, she changed into a phoenix and screeched. Flames shot everywhere as she soared upwards and flew out the open window.