Chapter Twenty-Nine

With the clock ticking on Queen Catarina's marriage edict, Crown Prince Sebastian met with his sisters in the formal dining room.
"Hey, Alex. I thought you should know. Mom contested dad's will in front of the magistrate," Prince Sebastian was careful to whisper to Alexandra, who was sitting across from him.
"Are you serious?"
"I wish I wasn't, Alex. She said she wasn't consulted and that it was made before he married her, thus she says it isn't valid. In it he named any children he had as his sole heirs. And that means you and Ana."
Alexandra nodded. "I see."
"Now it's in his hands. I will say this about the will, though, I've read the whole document. He's left you and Ana a significant amount of money."
Shaking her head in disbelief, Alexandra muttered, "So that's what this is about. She's trying every trick in the book, isn't she?"
"I hate to say it, but until she exhausts all legal monarchical options to keep you and Ana away from your money, she's going to continue."

Through the years, Alexandra and Sebastian had enjoyed a close relationship. They shared the Vanderburg love of the outdoors and adventurous streak, a trait also possessed by Francisca. Alexandra idolized her brother and wanted to be like him. He would often tell her about his childhood with Princess Francisca, how they'd go camping together and go fishing up in the mountains with Prince Renauld before the twins were born. He also liked to read her her favorite adventure stories at bedtime, such as The Warlock of Palladia.



After Sebastian left, Anastasia entered, wearing a sleek black gown studded with diamonds. It was a typically Anastasia frock; classy and elegant, accentuating her new curves and breast implants. However, it didn't conceal one thing.
"You got a tattoo," Alexandra chuckled.
"Yep," Anastasia smiled proudly. "Dad's initials, RGV, surrounded by angel wings. Even though he's not here in body, he protects and watches over us."
Alexandra smiled and agreed. "If Mom sees that she's going to flip."
"I don't care."
"Me neither, actually." The twins broke out into muffled laughter. "Hey, Ana, something's bothering me, though. We might have done all that we've done for nothing."
"What do you mean?"
"Sebastian says mom went to the magistrate and contested dad's will."
Anastasia shook her head in disbelief. "No way!"
"If the magistrate throws it out --"
"I don't thinkhe's going to throw out the will. Can he?"
"He CAN throw it out," Alexandra said, "but will he?"