brother's in arms

As we were playing the chatting, the door to the carriage was suddenly opened, and my mom stuck her head in.

"Hey, you two, dinner is ready. Are you done playing?"

Rose and I turned to look at her.

"Yay, I'm hungry!"

Rose cheered and immediately hopped off her seat to exit the carriage. My mom smiled at the little girl and motioned for me to follow. I got up from my seat and joined them.

"Let's go then."

The two of us followed my mom into my house where my father and her father were still chatting.

"Daddy!"

Rose rushed forward and jumped into her father's arms, giving him a tight hug. He chuckled and patted her head.

"Did you have fun playing with Micheal?"

He asked with a smile, looking over at me.

"Yeah, we played rock paper and scissors!"

She answered, a gleeful grin plastered on her face. My parents looked at each other, slightly bewildered at the unfamiliar game.

"Rock paper scissors? I've never heard of that game before"

He asked, turning to look at me and Rose.

"It's a simple game, you make a shape with your hand and then the one who makes the shape that beats the other one wins."

I explained the game to my parents, who listened to me with interest.

"Sounds like an interesting game."

My mom said, looking impressed.

"I didn't know kids came up with such creative games nowadays."

Aric said as he smiled and ruffled Rose's hair before setting her down. She pouted at the gesture but didn't say anything.

"Well, let's all sit down and have dinner."

My mom ushered us over to the dining table where the various dishes had already been laid out. We all took our seats and began to eat.

The dining table was quite spacious, enough to fit a large group. On the table was a variety of dishes such as roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and a jug of red wine. My mom, who was sitting next to my dad, had prepared all the food and looked quite pleased with herself.

My parents were sitting at the ends on one side, with me, lord aric and rose sitting opposite to them. We all began to dig into the delicious food.

I helped myself to a generous portion of roasted chicken. The crispy skin and juicy meat melted in my mouth, bringing out a complex array of flavors. I let out a satisfied hum as I savored the savory taste.

As I took a bite of the roasted chicken, the flavors filled my mouth. It was good, but...something was missing. In my previous life, I had tasted some damn good chicken wings at a fast-food restaurant, and they were way better than this. The sauce was spicier, the chicken was crunchier, and it was just overall better.

As I thought about it, I realized that the food my mom had made, while not as perfect as it could be, was made with love and care. I remembered how I had lost my parents in my previous life, and the pain and loss I still felt in my heart.

"I shouldn't take this for granted"

I thought to myself, a sense of gratitude washing over me.

As I munched on my food, I overheard my parents talking to Aric about some recent political tensions.

"Iheard the relations between Acheron and Ophiuchus have been pretty tense lately."

My dad said, sighing as he stabbed his fork into some vegetables.

"Yeah, it's been a bit worrying. Acheron is already at war with Lofenhiem...if relations with my land turn sour as well, it's bad"

Aric responded, his face grim as he spoke.

Aric took a gulp of wine from his glass and let out a deep sigh.

"If the tensions between our two countries worsen, it will be a major blow to my trade business. Acheron is a major market for Ophiuchus, and I have many clients here. If a war breaks out, it would be impossible for goods to flow freely across the border, not to mention the safety of my merchants who often travel between our lands".

"My country is huge and has a lot of fertile land. We export most of the goods, especially food such as cattle and crops. So, if Acheron goes to war with us, the food supply will drop significantly...food prices will skyrocket, famine will be imminent."

Aric said and then looked at my dad.

"You know robert, if that ever happens come to me with your family"

My father looked at him in surprise, not expecting such a generous offer.

"Seriously?"

Aric nodded, a serious expression on his face.

"Yeah. If things ever go south, don't think twice about coming to Ophiuchus. I'll take care of you guys and give you a safe place to stay"

My dad was speechless, touched by Aric's offer. But he shook his head.

"No no, we can't impose on you like that..."

Aric interrupted him.

"Hey, consider it us being even."

Aric looked at me and said

"You know Micheal, back when your dad and i were young, we were knights and served under a noble. Back then your father saved my life many times."

"It was nothing!"

Robert chuckled, trying to downplay the situation. But Aric wasn't having it.

"No no, it wasn't nothing. He saved my life multiple times, taking arrows and blades for me. He's the reason I'm alive and here today."

Aric stared at Robert with a serious expression.

Rose then looked up at her father in surprise as she didn't know he was a soldier back then, i was quite surprised too.

"Daddy was a soldier?"

She asked incredulously, her eyes wide.

Aric looked down at her and nodded.