{The continent of Alaz, the Roman Empire, the province of Light, the capital of Lutetia, the court of the Starlight family.}
{In the chambers of the governor's third wife.}
A young girl, who looked no older than sixteen, was gliding through the deserted corridors of a majestic manor. Her soft but quick footsteps echoed off the marble walls decorated with antique frescoes. The air was saturated with the scent of lavender and the freshness of the sea breeze coming from the open windows.
The girl was wearing a Victorian maid's dress, a strange anachronism among the columns and statues of ancient Roman architecture. But even more amazing was her appearance: sharp cat ears with white fluff inside peeked out from under her thick black hair. This feature did not seem to bother the maid herself at all.
The unusual maid was clearly in a hurry. Her breathing quickened, and her cheeks turned pink from walking fast. Despite her haste, she moved with feline grace, as if afraid to disturb the peace of the ancient walls.
When she reached the massive door leading to her mistress's chambers, the maid stopped. She took a deep breath and carefully smoothed the folds of her dress. Gathering up her courage, the girl knocked so softly that the sound was barely audible even to herself.
"Come in," a gentle voice like the tinkling of silver bells came from inside.
The maid silently opened the heavy door and entered the room flooded with sunlight. Her gaze immediately landed on the beautiful blonde lady sitting by the window. She looked to be in her late twenties, but her eyes were the color of a summer sky and held the wisdom of the ages. Her plump pink lips curved into a gentle smile as she looked at the two little ones in her arms.
"It's you, Cassia. I'm glad you came," the lady said, snapping the maid out of her daze.
Although Cassia had been following a woman since she was a child, she still couldn't believe that someone so perfect and unblemished could exist in the mortal world.
The maid curtsied deeply, feeling her heart flutter with anticipation. "I am here to serve you, Mistress Katerina," she said reverently.
Without taking her eyes off the two little ones, the silver-haired lady gently rebuked her subordinate, "How many times have I told you not to be so formal? You're like a sister to me, so there's no need to be overly polite. I called you to be the first to see my beautiful children."
Cassia's narrow pupils widened with a mixture of curiosity, anticipation, and gratitude. Her fluffy tail wagged uncontrollably from side to side, and her black ears twitched slightly, betraying excitement.
Finally, seeing the two little men with her own eyes, Cassia experienced an incomparable feeling of joy and exultation. Already anticipating how she would pamper her new owners, she looked at her mistress pleadingly.
Shifting uncomfortably, she asked in a voice trembling with excitement: "I can... Can I hold them?" Feeling that the maid's eyes were gradually turning into black holes, Katerina laughed approvingly.
"Fu-fu-fu. I know you're impatient, honey, but wait a couple of days. They're still very fragile, they can't even hold their heads up. I promise that soon you will be able to play with them as much as you want."
"That's great. Or rather... I would be honored, mistress!" said the cat girl, blushing slightly.
"Fufufu, you're so cute when you're sulking, Cassia. Don't worry, you better help me think of names for them."
"Look at this cute little angel, what name does come to mind?" – Katerina pointed to a girl with the same silver hair as hers.
The baby laughed with abandon, tangling in her mother's hair, as if in a drizzling spring rain. The child's chubby cheeks pouted charmingly as Cassia bent down to examine her.
"Such a charmer, it's like I'm looking at a child's version of you!" exclaimed Cassia admiringly, her eyes shining. "She is bright and cheerful. Is there a name with that meaning?"
"Fu-fu-fu, I had exactly the same thoughts," Katerina smiled, gently stroking her daughter's silver curls. "I came up with the name Grace. It means radiant, elegant, blessed by the gods."
Cassia felt a wave of warmth run through her body. "Grace... It's the perfect name for her, mistress. It's as beautiful as the girl herself."
"Now it's the turn of the little tomboy," Katerina said tenderly. "What do you think, Cassia? I have an idea, but I'm not sure."
The maid turned her gaze to the black-haired boy with deep blue eyes like a pool. His gaze was directed at his mother, staring at her in love. It seemed like the boy was trying to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
His beauty was truly mesmerizing. Cassia couldn't help but think about how many hearts he would break in the future, how many young girls would irrevocably drown in those bottomless eyes.
When she leaned closer to study the baby closely, the boy was distracted and shifted his gaze to Cassia, catching the maid off guard.
Suddenly, he reached for her black ears.
Feeling the small and warm hand where it shouldn't be, Cassia felt goosebumps run down her spine. The touch was soft and gentle, like touching a feather. Involuntarily, a soft, melodious purring sound escaped from her chest.
"Mrrrr..."
Her reaction seemed to delight the little gentleman. The boy's face lit up with a joyful smile, and sparks of mischief danced in his eyes. He laughed as he continued to enjoy his new "toy."
"Fufu fufu, it looks like my little devil is already charming the ladies," Katerina teased. "It seems you've become his first fan."
The kid did not know that the ears of the feline tribe are considered a very sensitive erogenous zone. Touching them was taboo. Cassia blushed with embarrassment and embarrassment. With a slight grudge, she allowed the young master to continue.
'He's just a kid, I can forgive him for being naughty. It's not because I like his touch so much, Cassia argued with herself in her mind.
She quickly regained her calm expression, although a purring sound could still be heard from her throat. In a burst of unexpected inspiration, she blurted out:
"Mmm, the baby has black hair, but white skin. He's very handsome, but he looks worried. Gray, this is the perfect name for a young master!" – it seemed that the heavens themselves had whispered this idea to her.
Katerina shuddered slightly from surprise, her voice, usually calm, could not help but tremble.:
"H-how? Warm. That's what I wanted to call him. Admit it, you did overhear, didn't you? Fufufu."
"N-no, mistress, it's simple... Simply... This name seems to fit him perfectly, as if it was specially prepared by the gods," the maid explained sheepishly, her ears twitching slightly with excitement.
Katerina looked thoughtfully at her children, and then at Cassia. There was something like surprise and admiration in her eyes.
"Grey. Grey and Grace, then. Perfect names for two twins. Fufufu, I can't wait for them to grow up."
Cassia felt overwhelmed with pride that she had been able to guess Katerina's wish.
"They're going to be amazing, mistress. I'm sure Mr. Adam will come soon to check on his children..." as if coming to her senses, the maid stopped abruptly, not daring to continue.
Katerina's beautiful face instantly lost its former playfulness at the mention of her husband.
The man had disappeared after the first night, leaving her alone in the cold palace. He had never once inquired about her well-being during pregnancy, only occasionally sending maids. He was not present at the birth.
And even after three days, he still did not show up to check on the children.
Katerina seemed worried and even offended when she asked: "What did he say?"
"I-I'm sorry, my lady," Cassia stammered. "His Majesty Adam Starlight is delayed in meeting with the clergy regarding the abnormal signs that appeared at the birth of the twins. He will arrive as soon as the matter is settled. He told me to report on your well-being. And also to find out if there is a need for the services of a wet nurse?" The maid formally reported, feeling offended for her mistress.
Involuntarily, Katerina hugged the children even tighter, hugging them to her. Her skin was changing between white and red from rage and resentment. Feeling their mother's emotions, the twins stopped laughing, tears were about to fall from their eyes.
"Kasi, I'm a little tired. And it's time for the children to go to bed," Katerina said, trying to remain calm. "Tell him that I'm fine. There's no need to bother anyone. Could you come by tomorrow morning? I'm sure both Gray and Grace will be happy to see you." Her voice sounded much more restrained than before.
Cassia felt her heart constrict. She wanted to say something, but realized that it was better to leave Katerina alone with the children now.
When the girl in the Victorian outfit disappeared through the door, Katerina's tone underwent another dramatic transformation. She addressed the two twins with an intonation of almost primal maternal love.:
"You must be hungry, aren't you, my little ones? Don't worry. Mommy is here, mommy will always love and protect her precious treasures."– subtle notes of madness and obsession slipped into her words as she lowered her white dress to feed the babies.
After eating their fill, the twins seemed a little tired. Their eyes slowly grew heavy under their mother's gentle caresses.
Gray settled his weight on her chest, possessively placing a small palm on his motionless sister's stomach. This scene was truly beautiful and touching.
Katerina turned her gaze to the window. The crescent moon, hidden behind clouds, cast a soft silver light on the landscape of the night city, which was still sparkling with its lights.
Katerina carefully settled herself more comfortably, enjoying the feeling of Gray and Grace's closeness, their warmth and even breathing. Imperceptibly, she sank into the embrace of sleep.