A Family Reunion

The concussive force of her crown colliding with his glabella blurred Yezekael's vision, knocking him onto the ground. For a split second, everything went black.

Yezekael winced in pain. 

Faintly, he could hear her voice.

"I-I'm so sorry! Are you alright?!" a worried tone in her voice.

He felt something pressed at the sides of his waist. Someone's knees?

Slowly, his vision returned to him. The view in front of him was an unfamiliar one.

Natalia's hips straddling his, with her hands pressing against his chest. 

It's strange…

I was in a similar situation with Caelum, yet it didn't feel as… charged.

"I'm… I'm fine."

He replied faintly, words barely escaping his lips.

Realizing how long they had been stuck in such a position, Natalia flew backward, her ears visibly red.

"Sorry…"

She stuck her hand out, waiting for Yezekael to grab it. He stared at her pale fingers, with a bit of hesitation. 

[Cast: Flame Maelstrom]

The hair on Yezekael's body stood up.

Out of nowhere, a quickly rotating whirl of hot, fiery mana came crashing toward him. It was about the size of his entire body.

Yezekael quickly unsheathed his sword, applying mana onto it. With a swipe, he sent the fiery maelstrom into the air in a separate direction.

What the hell was that?

"She's here too… no… was there some sort of family reunion I wasn't told about?! And why now if at all times?!" Natalia groaned, a finger running through her hair.

"Who…?"

"Sister, seems you've been doing well, heheh. You've gotten a new servant? He seems competent. But I don't think he's supposed to be pouncing on you like that."

A voice from nowhere could be heard.

"Ruby…"

Rumbling was felt. Ten fingers manifested mid-air, stretching the space in between. A sight that confused Yezekael, but Natalia had expected.

"Spatial magic really is a wonderful thing!" the woman grinned, as she stuck her leg out from the warped space. 

The portal closed behind her.

The woman was taller than Natalia, a little shorter than Yezekael. Her scarlet hair fell down underneath the witch's hat atop her head. 

She wore a long black robe that was tied with white fabric at the waist, with long sleeves that covered her hands.

After a few seconds, she landed. 

"It's been a while, my little sister. I've been studying."

Ruby looked at her little sister, then at Yezekael.

"Reacting to such a quick attack is not an easy feat. You protected my sister, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt."

"Ruby, why is everybody here? What's going on?" Natalia asked, irritation still lingering in her voice. She placed her hat back on.

"Is there something wrong with us wanting to visit? Your brother's here, as well. With the war, we all wanted to see each other again, as it may be the last time."

. .

The dining room was quiet.

Natalia, her two sisters Ruby and Amelia, and the estate saleswoman sister, Alina, sat close together. 

Her two brothers, Azil and Landon, sat together as well. 

The rest of the seats were filled by cousins, uncles, and aunties. Relatives of the Laio family. Held in silver platters, handed out by cooks, were luxurious dishes.

On one platter, there were sweet, chocolate cakes, with the chocolate bread appearing like sponge, while the actual chocolate covered the top and dripped down the sides.

On another platter, hot seared lamb basked in butter, cooked to a perfect brown, was presented. Sliced green onion was sprinkled atop it, along with salt and different spices.

Another platter contained mashed potatoes with a dash of salt. 

There was a lot of variety, from cheesy pastas, to steamed bear meat. Drinks were handed out as well.

Ruby sighed a breath of relief, inhaling all the scents. Finally, she spoke.

"This is all really amazing…" 

"It's been a while since I've gotten to eat such a luxurious, wealthy meal," Azil added. He was tall and muscular, with cuts here and there on his forearms. His hair was not styled, and crimson red.

Sitting beside Azil, with similar height but a smaller frame, was the professor of the family, Landon. He had a masculine face and bore a resemblance to Azil, minus the facial hair, and with streaks of blond in his hair.

Landon took a sip out of his glass goblet, filled with red liquid, placing it down. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"I think that's your own fault. You restrain yourself to simple meals to harden your mindset, brother. Maybe you should relax more often."

"He's right!" Amelia yelled out from the other side of the long dinner table. Everybody engaged in chatter, and it was a warm feeling that rose in the room.

Soft classical music was being played in a room nearby, the door open.

Caelum stared fondly at the scenery.

This is that familial feeling. Seeing it from a distance, like how I usually do, really sets it in for me.

I wonder how my sister is doing.

"You're so deep in thought. Are you feeling sad, or something?"

Yezekael came out of nowhere, wrapping his arm around Caelum's smaller shoulder.

"I'm not sad. Just reminiscing about… better times."

Caelum's eyes were stuck on that scenery.

And Yezekael's eyes were stuck on Caelum.

With a softer voice, he spoke gently.

"Loosen up, Caelum."

He patted his shoulder once.

"Hey, you know what? Let's check out that lake. I bet it'll look really nice. With the moonlight bouncing off it like a mirror."

"Lake…?"

"Yeah. There's a lake deep in the forest."

"You're thinking too rashly, Yezekael. Haven't you considered that we could get in trouble?"

"You've gotten way too absorbed. Have you forgotten who you are? The Young King of Anore, commanded by nobody?!!

"And besides… we can figure something out if we actually do get in trouble," he quietly added.

Caelum slowly grinned.

"Heh… being disguised as a servant has almost made me believe that I am truly of lower status! Let us depart to this lake that you speak of!"