Introduction

How do you describe with words a bond as inexplicable and indescribable as the twin bond? Most recent medical research suggests that the twin bond can be even stronger than that of regular siblings. Twins themselves have attempted with little success to articulate the strength of the bond, saying things like, "It's more special than a best friend," and "It's like a soulmate, we are connected at the heart for life."

Such was the case for the Vanderburg twins. Alexandra Maria-Louisa and Anastasia Maria-Teresa were born three minutes apart to Queen Catarina, monarch of the commonwealth of Hidden Springs, and her husband and consort, Prince Renauld, a high-ranking diplomat hailing from Monte Vista.

In many ways, their very existence owed itself to one cataclysmic event in the family history -- the disappearance of their older sister, Princess Francisca. The palace had spent lots of time and money on the search for Francisca but to no avail. If Queen Catarina was consciously seeking a child to replace her lost daughter, she got more than she bargained for when she birthed twins.

So, Queen Catarina sought to mold her surprise daughters in the same manner she'd been reared and the way she'd raised Francisca and her brother, Crown Prince Sebastian. She ensured their top-of-the-line education at the ultra-exclusive Smuggsworth Preparatory School as soon as they could walk, and before they'd even enrolled officially in the institution, they'd had private one-on-one tutoring with some of the world-renowned professors.

As they reached their teens, the results of their Smuggsworth education were really beginning to show. At the same time, though, they were developing distinct differences in their personalities. While Alexandra was more athletic and outdoorsy, preferring to ride great distances on horseback and playing all types of sports, Anastasia was cultured and refined, enjoying painting, drawing, sculpture, musical theater, and the opera.



All the while, however, the girls were pretty much isolated from the rest of the family -- and from everyone else. They truly became an island amongst themselves, creating an elaborate imaginary world to which they alone would retreat to.
In fact, they were summoned from their ultra-exclusive boarding school only once -- to attend the wedding of their brother, Crown Prince Sebastian, to Ella Carlisle, a woman from the neighborhood.

 
Finally the girls graduated Smuggsworth Prep School and became young women. At the advice of their new agent and manager, they underwent plastic surgery and liposuction, and completely made themselves over physically. 




The makeovers were a resounding success as the girls posed for their first magazine covers.
And the transformations were not just physical. Because they'd shed their baby fat, they grew more confident as young women. It was a chain reaction that led to them signing a deal to star in a reality TV show, Vanderburg Squared. 



When she found out about her daughters' reality TV show gig, Queen Catarina was positively livid. "Anastasia Maria-Teresa," the queen intoned, enunciating her youngest daughter's full name in her starchy European accent, "may I talk to you for a moment, please?"
"Sure, mother."




In many ways Anastasia and her mother were mirror images of each other, two sides of the same coin. Anastasia had inherited her mother's cultured sophistication, her love of fine art, fine music, and fine books. She'd also inherited Queen Catarina's eye shape and delicate nose.
The recent surgeries had left Anastasia with an old-world type of glamour. Gone was the pudgy awkward girl of her teen years, and in her place was a stunning young woman who was now sought after by modeling agencies.
"Tell me you didn't sign the contract to do the television show."
"Mother, I didn't sign the contract," Anastasia attempted to explain. "Our new agent did."
"The two of you hired an agent?"
"Yes, mother, we hired our own agent. We have our own publicist as well."
Queen Catarina let out a deep sigh. "You do realize, Anastasia, that we Vanderburgs have our own press corps. Aren't you a part of this family?"
"Yes, we are," replied Anastasia, "but we must live our own lives."