chapter.6 : Surprise

Amidst the noise of the festival, Oliver's thoughts raced uncontrollably. His eyes followed the children, Alier and Jaden, as they moved between the stalls and games, but his mind was not fully present. His earlier reaction was still fresh in his memory, and he felt anxious about whether the children had noticed his tension.

After some time, Alier approached Oliver, gently touching his shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her eyes filled with concern.

He looked at her, seeing in her gaze the silent confusion words could not express. Jaden stood a few steps away, watching silently. His expression revealed nothing, but Oliver knew he was worried as well.

He smiled at them, trying to ease their worries. "I'm fine, don't worry," he said steadily, though he felt his words were not enough to reassure them.

Alier continued to look at him for a few moments before gently nodding and returning to where Jaden was. Oliver watched their steps, trying to focus on the present moment, but his thoughts were preoccupied with bigger and grander plans than the festival.

The three continued to wander through the festival for several hours, with games and celebrations filling the square. Alier and Jaden began to immerse themselves more in the festive atmosphere, though they occasionally glanced back at Oliver to check on him. He smiled at them now and then to confirm that everything was okay.

Time passed quickly with the laughter in the air and the lights illuminating the sky, but inside, each of them carried their own worries. After several hours, the festival lights began to dim slowly, signaling the time to head home.

When they finally returned home, the night had grown quiet, and darkness gently enveloped the place. Oliver opened the door and invited them in. As they crossed the threshold, they suddenly stopped in surprise at an unexpected sight.

The table in the middle of the room was decorated with a large, beautiful, and shiny chocolate cake. On top of it, candles glowed softly, and the surface was inscribed with the words: "Happy Birthday Alier and Jaden - 15 Years."

The children looked at the cake with profound amazement. This scene was unfamiliar to them. They had never seen anything so elaborate on their birthday before. In previous years, Grandma Martha would bake them small meat cakes, which they celebrated with simple joy, but this... was entirely different.

Alier was the first to speak, in a soft and astonished voice: "Is this for us?"

Oliver approached them, his eyes filled with warmth, and said gently: "Yes, it's for you. I wanted today to be special."

The children felt a surge of emotions. The cake was not just a treat; it was a gesture of how much Oliver cared about them, a desire to make them happy in a way they had not expected.

Grandma Martha, who was standing in the corner, looked at them and smiled, saying: "Oliver worked hard on this cake. He wants this day to be special for you."

After the celebration, as they sat around the table, there was a moment of quiet. They drank tea and enjoyed the warm atmosphere that filled the home. Suddenly, Oliver spoke quietly while watching the children: "I was thinking... I heard you were considering entering Phoenix Academy."

Alier looked quickly at Jaden and then at Oliver. She paused for a moment before speaking hesitantly: "Yes... we were thinking about it, but... after seeing the recognition of the top students today... it seems impossible."

Jaden added in a hesitant tone: "Not that we don't believe in ourselves, but... what we saw today was intimidating. Those students were... different. It felt like we couldn't even approach them."

Oliver looked at them carefully, seeing the hesitation and small fear in their eyes. Then he said with calm confidence: "Don't let what you saw today fool you. Those students are five years older and more experienced. But I believe you have rare talent. Don't compare yourselves to anyone, and instead, focus on developing yourselves."

Then he added seriously, looking them in the eye: "You are my students, and I know well what you are capable of. I may not say that you are the best for your age, as there are many small monsters in the world, but I believe you have what it takes to succeed, and perhaps even more."

He paused for a moment before adding with a playful and slightly mysterious tone: "Who knows, maybe you are small monsters in your own way."

The children felt warmth spreading in their chests, as if Oliver's words were the boost they needed to renew their confidence.

They all sat around the table, having enjoyed the cake and tea. As evening approached, the twins, Alier and Jaden, began to feel anxious.

Alier looked at Grandma Martha with worried eyes and said hesitantly: "Will you be okay? I mean... we'll be far away at the academy and won't be able to see you much."

Jaden followed calmly, holding his sister's hand: "Yes, we fear leaving you alone."

Grandma Millie, who was also present, smiled kindly while looking at them reassuringly: "Don't worry about us. We'll be fine. All we ask is that you visit us from time to time."

Martha added with a playful tone and a chuckle: "And also... we won't accept anything less than the top ten ranks, understood?"

The twins tried to protest in unison: "But..."

Martha interrupted them firmly but affectionately: "No, buts. Are you going to tell me that Oliver's efforts in training you have gone to waste?"

Millie looked at Oliver with a sly smile and gently scolded him: "Look at him... he seems touched."

Oliver understood what the two women were trying to do, so he smiled inwardly, then played the role of being touched and said in a feigned sorrowful tone: "Ah... I guess I'm a really terrible teacher."

Quickly, the twins exclaimed together: "Nooo! Oliver is a great teacher!"

Oliver smiled mischievously at them and said calmly: "Well, if you believe that, then you need to prove it. As Martha said, we won't settle for anything less than the top ten ranks."

The twins looked at each other and then smiled lightly. It seemed they had fallen into a trap, realizing that this was not just a challenge but a well-executed act to deceive them.

Alier then said with a resigned tone: "Alright, you win."

Everyone was in a good mood, with Millie smiling with optimism. Martha also had a contented expression and a slight smile showing her happiness at the success of the celebration.

The twins felt tired. After finishing the sweets, Grandma Martha approached them gently and said: "Well, it's time for bed. Come with me."

Martha quietly led the children upstairs while Oliver stayed with Millie in the kitchen to clean the dishes.

While Oliver was busy washing the dishes, Millie approached him with her cane. She looked at him and said in a calm voice: "In the end, you won't tell them, will you?"

Oliver remained silent and did not answer. Millie looked at his back and sighed, saying: "You know, I haven't seen them smile since their parents passed away. They are always excited and work hard when it involves you. Oliver, my dear, I respect your decision and won't try to dissuade you, but in this way, you might hurt them more than you're trying to protect them."

She then left, leaving Oliver alone in the kitchen, lost in his thoughts.

After a while, Martha came down the stairs and informed Oliver that the children had gone to sleep. Oliver decided to go upstairs to say goodbye to them before leaving.

When he entered the bedroom, he discovered that the children were pretending to sleep. When they saw him, they asked with curiosity: "Will you disappear like our parents did?"

Oliver tried to deny it, but this time he couldn't. He decided to be honest and told them: "I will be away for some time due to work."

The children were deeply affected, and tears were threatening to fall. Alier and Jaden quickly turned to cover their faces with the blanket, whispering: "That's what Mom and Dad said too."

Oliver looked at the children and sighed, then stood up to leave the room. It was painful for him as well, having grown attached to them over the years.

Oliver went downstairs and bid farewell to both Martha and Millie. He headed towards the door to leave. But before he could leave, he heard footsteps running from behind. He turned to see Jaden and Alier looking at him with red but determined eyes. They said in unison: "Don't be late, or you won't see us head out like before the Emperor."

Oliver turned to see Jaden and Alier with red, tearful eyes but filled with determination. He smiled happily and said: "I won't miss this for sure."

Then he closed the door as he left, feeling content. Perhaps this was one of the few truly happy moments in his life. Millie and Martha watched the scene, and it seemed that things had finally been resolved.