Chapter 12 : Finally back

Stefan's POV

I drop Vincent on the ground when we were close to False Reservoir Forest. I change back into myself and sat on the ground and catch my breath. Vincent groaned in pain while rubbing his butt.

"I think you need to take landing lessons, Stefan. How could you throw me like that?" He complains. I didn't answer him first then took a minute to breathe.

"Don't blame me. You weigh like a Spencer's Box mystery." I replied. I was 13 when Spencer brought home a huge box at home one day. He didn't let us know what it was and asked us to help him bring it to his room. Taylor and I were the only ones left at home. I didn't want to bother Taylor who was sleeping at that time so I carried it myself to his room and I haven't learned the telekinesis spell yet too.

"Well, since we're here at False Reservoir Forest, let's just walk our way there." He said and walked to me lending a hand to stand up. I accepted his hands started walking. I took the lead since Vincent had forgotten his way around the forest.

Vincent's POV

Walking through the forest on our way to the Preacurin's entrance gate. We continued walking abruptly when suddenly someone tackled me from behind. I called onto Stefan for help and he turned around pointing a huge stick, he just picked up on the ground, to the thing tackling me. I turned my head to see who it was, and to my surprise, it was Fluffy. My pet fox when I was a kid.

I found him when I played with the twins at Lined Wolf Forest in winter. I was 8 when I found him. I was also kinda surprised to see him in that forest. Like the name itself, that place is packed with wolves and both of them are not on good terms. He was a little lost fluffy pup when I found him. He was whining in the snow with his dead mother beside him. I felt pity for him and I took him home with me, I lived at Preacurin by that time. And ever since then, I grew up and raised him myself. Also, one thing that I adore about him is that he had two tails. The other one was cut off when I found him.

I slightly pushed him back so I could sit straight and looked at him. I guess they kept their word and took care of him properly I mean, just look at how much weight he gained. He was really small the last time I met him.

"Hey, there boy. Did you miss me? I bet you did." I said while rubbing his face and kissed him. Ah, I think they took him with them when they hunt. The smell of blood sticks right to him. I looked at Stefan behind me as he puts his stick down.

"He smells like blood. Did you take him with you when you hunt?" I asked. He just shrugged.

"Sometimes, we do. But he mostly explores all by himself in the woods." He explained. I rubbed his cheeks again then stood up. I dusted off the dirt in my clothes and continued walking. Unlike other dogs, Fluffy doesn't need to be on a leash. He is well trained and a very smart one. It almost thinks like a human. When we were near the gate, Stefan knocked at the door twice and the tiny peephole slide aside showing us a pair of angry eyes. I think I know who this is.

"Who is it? What do you want?" The man in the peephole angrily asked. Stefan was about to answer but patted his shoulders and slid him aside. I smiled at the peephole and Fluffy barked. He scanned at us then closed the peep door. There were a few clicks and sounds before the door opened. When it fully opened, I saw my mother's brother, Uncle Trystan. I ran to him and was about to give him a hug when he opened his arms, but he suddenly choked me between his arms.

"You brat! About time you came to visit. It's been so long. You've gained a few pounds, I see. But that's not enough. Why don't we bond again for all time sake, huh? It will be just like the Good old times." Uncle Trystan said while choking me. I patted when I felt light-headed. He let go of me and I distance myself a little from him. Trystan Norman Myles, also known as Knight Commander Trystan. He was recognized for his great swordsmanship at such a young age that he was already recruited when he was 14. And He took over as the next commander when he was 28.

"Ah, thanks Uncle but I need to see the king and Sean right now. Maybe later?" I excused. 'Bonding' with him is not what you think like playing or doing guys' fun stuff. He will bond with me at the training ground.

"The king and Sean? Why? Did you cause a mess again Vincent? You really have no shame." He remarked. I was around 9 when I wandered off at Majestic Otter Grove. I didn't know it belonged to the Ucheopohan Kingdom, the fiercest Kingdom ever known. I was caught stealing their fruits. They were about to punish me but luckily, King Stephen came and saved me. I was left off with a warning. And this is what my uncle meant about having no shame since I called on the king every time I'm in trouble.

"I want to argue with you uncle but I really am in a hurry, so let's catch up later," I said and pulled Stefan and walked fast away from my uncle.

As we were walking on our way to the palace, everyone was very surprised to see us. I mean, Stefan who's been lost for 3 years just came back and I, the very most troublesome kid in Preacurin came back here so suddenly after years when my family moved. I continued walking when I noticed a familiar face from a distance. I walked closer and tapped her back. She was arranging her items in her little stall. She turned around and was surprised to see me. I knew it, I was right. It was Grandma Anne.

"Dear me, Is that you, Vincent?" Grandma Anne asked. I looked at her felt the same warmth I felt at her years ago. When I was a kid, I always hang out with Grandma Anne in the afternoon when she goes out and sells her handmade scarves, baskets, and dolls. She's not really 'my' grandma, she's everyone's Grandma. She's the sweetest woman in the kingdom. This kingdom is so secluded that only a few knew about us. Only most hunters knew about us. When she was young, she was known for very sweet ever since she was young and she was everyone's first love too. Only Grandpa Tranio was able to capture her heart.

"Grandma Anne. Yes, It's me, Vincent the troublemaker. How have you been?" I asked and hugged her. I felt her tears on my shoulders and I broke the hug and wiped her tears.

"You've grown so much. I almost didn't recognize you." She said while caressing my checks. She looked behind me and her eyes widened when she recognized the person behind me.

"S-Stefan? Prince Stefan is that you?" She asked and got tears again. I moved aside and Stefan Took a step closer to Grandma Anne. She grabbed her hand and kissed it.

"It's been a while, Grandma Anne. I'm home." He said and hugged her. Grandma Anne burst into tears again. As I said, she's everyone's grandma but she had a different relationship with the Royal Frost siblings. She's actually also their babysitter. She also used to babysit the previous king's child which was when Queen Tyrell was and her siblings.

"My dear little Stefan. You're finally home. Does your brother know your coming? Your parents?" She asked Stefan while caressing his cheeks. Stefan was like a son to her. Stefan shook his head with a smile.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go inside and surprise them. I think Sean is home as well. Come, come." She said and pulled us both. We reached the entrance of the palace and the people who worked there were surprised to see us. Well, more likely surprised to see the lost prince home after 3 long years.

"Change it to a red one and use the utensils on the top left shelf. For the table napkins, ask Ellen to fold them into water lily. Oh, use the gold table linen and the black table cloth. Thank you." We heard someone from the kitchen. Grandma Anne rushed us to the kitchen and slowed when we were at the door. We saw the back figure of a guy and was ordering the busy people in the kitchen. Everyone was busy preparing for a certain festival. It was Sean. Oh right, tomorrow is the Blood Blue Moon Festival. It's the anniversary of the time when the founder of Preacurin siege at Nuvia and killed them. It was the day Preacurin was created.

Sean was busy ordering them when Grandma Anne walked in leaving us behind and tapped on Sean's back. Sean turned around and smiled when he saw Grandma Anne.

"Nana Anne! What brought you here?" He asked and hugged her. Grandma Anne broke the hug and smiled at Sean.

"I have a surprise for you but I want all your siblings here right now." She demanded.

"Spencer's feeding the Griffins at the moment and Tyler and Taylor are at the flower shop. Can you wait for them at the moment? I'm wondering what's this surprise is." He said.

"Fine. Be sure that all of you are in the garden before the sun sets." Sean just nodded and Grandma Anne left.

She pulled us away and rushed us to the Garden. Along the way, we met her granddaughter, Ellen.

"Grandma? What are you doing here?" She asked. Ellen was Grandma Anne's first granddaughter. She had two grandsons first before Ellen. Ellen looked at us and was surprised to see us here. We just waved at her and smiled but she suddenly ran away. What's wrong with her?

"What happened to that girl. How could she run away like that? It's not like she saw a ghost or something did she?" Grandma Anne uttered to herself. She just shook her head and smiled at us the continued pulling us to the garden.

When we get there, she asks us to hide before they all get here. We both hid in a nearby bush. While hiding, we just noticed the place we just hid. We looked at each other and gulped in fear. We accidentally hid in one of Tyler's plants. We were about to change place when we heard a familiar voice coming this way. Shit, they're all here. We had no choice but to hide there and just pray that Tyler will let us go just this once.

"Grandma Anne!" We heard Tyler, Spencer and Taylor called out as they reached sight of the garden. They ran quickly and hugged her. I looked at Stefan who was quiet behind me and uttered Taylor's name. I all the Frost brothers loved Taylor so much. You can say that they have a sister complex.

"It's good to see you all. I have a surprise for you." Grandma Anne said. "Boys." She called onto us. Slowly we got out of our hiding place and revealed ourselves. They were all quiet and just stood there staring at us with teary eyes.

Taylor suddenly ran at us and jumped to hug Stefan. Stefan caught her and hugged her tightly with tears in their eyes.

"You're back! You're back! You're finally home! What took you so long?" Taylor exclaimed while crying and hugging Stefan. Stefan didn't answer and just hugged his twin sister tightly. I smiled at the sweet scenery. Oh, well I'm not expecting to be so enthusiastic at my return so I step aside to let them hug Stefan. But to my surprise, Spencer ran and hugged me.

"You idiot! You finally took your time to visit us." He said and hugged us. I'm just a month older than Spencer and he and I are really close. I guess someone is still waiting for my return.

"Sorry, bro. Got busy at Aimosan." I said and just patted his head. We all went inside and rejoice at our return. I smiled as the warm feeling of home embraced me.