SWNOVELS Chapter Wonderful News
Two Weeks Later
Christiana was nervous while Haruhi-nee was not. The two were on their way to visit their Mother’s apartments. They were being escorted by both Jessica and Lucy.
‘Why are two guards escorting us?’ Christiana was concerned because of this irregularity. Normally, only one guard would escort the children back and forth no matter how many of them were summoned. This was quite irregular.
Meanwhile, Haruhi was walking along and talking to the sentries as if everything was normal.
‘I wonder if Haruhi-nee picked up on the irregularity and she’s just acting like everything is okay,’ Christiana thought as they went through the hallway.
Finally, the group arrived at the door leading into their Mother’s rooms.
“Please wait here while we announce you and we make sure that everything is prepared,” Jessica said as she and Lucy entered the suite.
“What is going on?” Haruhi-nee whispered into Christiana’s ear.
Christiana whispered her response into her womb-mate’s ear, “I’m not sure either.”
However, the two only had a few moments to whisper to each other before Lucy returned.
“Please follow me,” the guard stated as she motioned for the girls to enter.
Instead of going to the sitting room, Lucy led them to a room that they had never seen before. It was a large chamber with complete with marble pillars and vaulted ceilings. From the ceiling hung four large chandeliers, which lit the room with their brilliant light. The walls were made of hardwood wainscotting similar to that found in hallways throughout the dwelling.. The floor was covered in red carpeting, and there was a large dais at the opposite end of the room from the door that the girls entered.
Lucy led the girls directly in front of the dais and the six heavily carved chairs that were upon it. Then Lucy backed away from the two while saying to the girls, “Stand here until you are told otherwise.”
Moments later, a chime sounded three times. Soon afterwards, every member of the House security forces entered from the door through which the girls had entered and the sentries made a semi-circle directly behind the womb-mates.
Just as Christiana was getting ready to ask the guards what was going on, the chime rang three more times.
The Matriarch entered the room via a door behind the dais, and the other Wives of House Washington followed her in. Once they all stood in front of a chair, yet another chime sounded. Almost as if they were perfect synch the Wives sat down in their respective chairs.
“Who stands before us?” Asked Christiana’s Mother.
Rather nonplused Christiana answered. “I am Christiana.”
“State your full name!,” her Mother commanded.
“I am Christiana Washington gee-emm Harris,” she said in her normal voice.
“Say it louder, so everyone present can hear you.”
“I am Christiana Washington gee-emm Harris!” she said in her loudest voice.
“Very good! Who is the other person?” asked their Mother.
“I am Haruhi Washington gm Hirohito!” Haruhi-nee said proudly in her loudest voice.
“Thank you for coming Miss Washington gm Hirohito,” the Matriarch said. “You will now take part in and witness a secret ritual held by our clan for over a century. Are you ready?”
Yes ma’am!” came Haruhi-nee’s quick response.
“Good, then let the rite begin,” said their Mother.
Lifting her voice to a louder pitch, their Mother said, “Christiana Washington gee-emm Harris stands before us. Who amongst you will speak for this girl?”
“I will!” Sara said while looking at Christiana.
“You realize, Sara, that her future actions will reflect upon you. Knowing this, do you still wish to act as her sponsor?”
“Yes, ma’am I do.”
“Can you vouch that she is honorable? Can you vouch that she is capable both mentally and physically able to perform her duties? Can you vouch she will treat her charge as an equal and that she will do her best to defend him at all times?”
“Yes, ma’am, I believe she possesses those traits and more,” Sara replied formally. “I have faith that she would risk her own safety to protect her charge.”
“Very good. Christiana, please step forward.”
“Yes ma’am,” Christiana said before taking three steps towards the dais.
“Do you promise to watch over your Brother at all times outside of the inner house?”
“I do,” Christiana responded without hesitancy.
“Do you promise to treat him as your equal?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to continue your education in the ways of the Keepers?”
“I do.“
“Kneel,” the Matriarch commanded.
‘Now is not the time to overthink things,’ Christiana thought as she went down on one knee.
Her Mother then stood up and draped a jet Black coat over Christiana’s clothing.
“Since a fellow Keeper has vouched for you and because you won the Keeper tournament, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Keeper.” Her Okaa-sama then continued, “From this point onward, you will have all the rights and responsibilities of a Keeper.”
“Rise my child,” her Mother commanded.
Christiana rose to her feet.
“Since you will have to wear the Black from this moment on, I have prepared a few pieces of the Black so that people outside of the House will identify you as a Keeper.”
Then Jessica stepped forward and handed Christiana a small pile of neatly folded black blouses.
“Thank you,” Christiana said to both her Mother and Jessica before returning to her spot next to Haruhi-nee.
“Now for the second order of business,” her Okaa-sama stated. “Haruhi Washington gm Hirohito stands before us. Who amongst you will speak for this girl?”
Christiana looked over at Haruhi-nee who wore a surprised expression on her face.
It surprised both girls when Carmella stepped forward. “I will speak for her.”
“You realize, Carmella, that her future actions will reflect upon you. Knowing this, do you still wish to act as her sponsor?”
“I do,” Carmella responded.
“Can you vouch that she is honorable? Can you vouch that she is capable both mentally and physically to perform her duties? Can you vouch she will treat her charge as an equal and that she will do her best to defend him at all times?”
“I believe she is honorable and is cable of performing her duties. Furthermore, I am willing to swear that she would treat her charge with proper respect,” Carmilla vouched.
While this was going on, Haruhi-nee shot Christiana a bewildered look. All Christiana could do was to shrug in response.
“Very good. Haruhi please step forward.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Haruhi-nee responded, her voice quavering as she went to the bottom of the dais.
“Do you promise to watch over your Brother at all times outside of the inner house?”
“I do,” Haruhi responded, her voice wavering because of her nervous confusion.
“Do you promise to treat him as your equal?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to begin your education in the ways of the Keepers?”
“What?… Umm I do?” Haruhi responded, her bewilderment clearly evident in the way she answered.
“Kneel,” the Matriarch commanded.
Her Mother then stood up and draped a jet Black coat over Haruhi-nee’s clothing.
“Since a fellow Keeper has vouched for you, and because I believe in your abilities, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Keeper.” Her Okaa-sama then continued, “From this point onward, you will have all the rights and responsibilities of a Keeper.”
“What? I’m a Keeper?!?! How? When? Why?” Haruhi replied, after finally realizing what was going on.
“Silence!,” the Matriarch said. “I will explain things to you after we complete the ritual.”
“Okay...” came Haruhi’s response.
“Rise to your feet,” their Mother ordered Haruhi.
“Since you will have to wear the Black from this moment on, I have prepared a few pieces of the Black so that people outside of the House will identify you as a Keeper.”
This time it was Lucy who handed out the Black clothes. Haruhi accepted the pile of blouses and stepped back until she was beside her womb-mate.
“Thank you,” Haruhi-nee said to Lucy.
“This concludes our rite. Go in peace.”
Another chime sounded, and all the Wives rose to their feet. They then left the room in a single file line.
Once the Wives left, the guards came up one by one the congratulate Christiana and Haruhi-nee before returning to their duties.
When only Lucy remained, Haruhi-nee asked Christiana, “What just happened?”
“We were just made Johnathan-nii Keepers,” Christiana explained.
“I figured that much out,” Haruhi retorted, “but why did it happen?”
“Because it wouldn’t be right for the three of us to be split up. This way we will attend school together with John-nii,” Christiana responded.
“Couldn’t they have warned us they were going to do this? You were just as surprised as I was after all.”
“Well, I think they wanted to surprise us,” Christiana said in a placating manner. “Are you upset about this? I know I would love to spend my days with both of you.”
Suddenly, a smile appeared on Haruhi’s face. “Now that I think about it this is a good thing. Instead of going to school by myself I will be able to go with both of you.”
“I know it will be nice to be with my two favorite people all day,” Christiana quipped.
“This is definitely a wonderful thing,” Haruhi stated. Then with a huge grin she said, “I wonder how Johnathan-nii is going to react.”
—--
As soon as Lucy led them outside of their Mother’s chambers, the duo went into the nearest washroom and changed into their new black clothing. They then visited Johnathan-nii’s room. Christiana knocked on the door while Haruhi-nee hid around the corner.
“Come in,” came Johnathan-nii’s reply, and Christiana stepped into the room. Upon looking up from his handheld, John-nii did a double take.
“You’re wearing the Black! So you are going to be my Keeper!?” Johnathan cried as he jumped and caught Christiana in a bear hug.
“Yes, I am going to be your Keeper,” Christiana admitted. “I just found out myself.”
“This is wonderful, absolutely wonderful!” Johnathan-nii cried as he broke the embrace and all but bounced around the room.
“I also learned something that I believe you will also like,” Christiana said with a smile.
“What could that be?” John-nii asked.
“Haruhi-nee!” Christiana called, while stepping to that side and unblocking the doorway.
In walked Haruhi, and Johnathan became even bouncier than before.
“You’re also a Keeper? How could that happen!?” John-nii asked in confusion while giving Haruhi the bear hug treatment..
“I don’t know how this is possible. I only found out a few minutes ago myself,” Haruhi-nee explained. “All I know if that all three of us will now be able to attend Middle School together.”
Johnathan burst into tears. “I’m so happy!” he explained as tears ran down his face. “This is a very joyous day!”