The Cursed Twins

 The nights are long, cold and frightening in Vampirevania. On moonless evenings the gypsies make large bonfires and tell each other ghost stories for amusement. One extremely sad story that they tell concerns twins born to Queen Angela of Rus. The queen's name suited her well, since she was as good a woman and queen as any peasant could imagine. Her husband, King Ivan, was neither a good king nor a good husband. In fact, he was such a bad king that the poor people of Vampirevania called him "King Terrible." As a husband, he was a philanderer. On the very day that Queen Angela birthed twins, a girl and a boy, Ivan was with his latest mistress, Lady Devilina, who, despite her title, was no lady. She was a witch whose brother, Astrodrake, was an evil sorcerer.
 Ivan and Devilina were embracing passionately at the moment a servant knocked at their door with the news. After untwisting from their pretzel-like hold on each other, Devilina grumbled, "Come in. But it better be important."
 Devilina's haughty butler entered, clicked his heels, bowed perfunctorily and handed Ivan a letter sealed with Angelina's seal. Ivan inserted his monocle under his left eyebrow, broke the seal and held the letter up to lamp. It read: "Dearest Ivan, The great day has arrived. I have birthed twins, a boy and a girl, whom I have named Dorianavich and Pimya. Please finish your business quickly and return home. Your new children wish to greet their father, and I miss you. Love, Angela."
 "What is it, sugar daddyavich?" asked Devilina.
 "Queen Angela has birthed twin. I must return home."
 Inwardly Devilina fumed so much that smoke curled out of her ears. She thought, That Angela has everything I want and need, the king, his heirs and all the people of Vampirevania bowing to her. Nonetheless, she did not allow her envy to show. She smiled and caressed Ivan's cheek. "Of course. The queen needs you. Your children need you."
***
 Devilina waved her handkerchief as Ivan rode off and hurried to her brother's suite. As usual, he was in his laboratory mixing potions, chanting and waving his hands over a caldron. She waited until the mixture produced a great puff of smelly smoke within which a demon appeared. Devilina held her nose as Astrodrake asked the demon, "Have you located the head of my ancestor, Mordalph?"
 The demon replied, "He is where no one can find him. Although you will encounter with him in soon enough." It then vanished.
 Devilina said, "I apologize for interrupting your necromancy, Dear Brother, but I need your help with a problem."
 Astrodrake grinned evilly. "Since when have I been your dear brother. We've always hated each other. This must be a really difficult problem."
 "I wish to make amends for my past behavior towards you. Please Astrodrake, can we not start fresh and become friends like other brothers and sisters."
 "Wow! This must a real lollapalooza of a problem."
 "Don't be so cynical. Oh well, I may as well admit it. Yes, it is. But, Dear Big Brother, you will benefit greatly if you help me."
 "Now you've got my attention. What is your desire?"
 "I wish to be queen."
 "I see. You already have King Ivan under your spell. Is it not a simple matter of doing away with Queen Angela?"
 "It's become more complicated. For one thing, Ivan does not love me. He simply regards me as a plaything. Secondly, Angela has given birth to twins.