Chapter 24: Mom!

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Morning came as the Kenway Family woke up one by one. Linette woke up first and started helping Helena in cleaning the house. Eleanor followed as she also helped despite her weak body.

Bernard and Leonard now had a conversation with Solomon, with the latter apologizing that he had to leave so soon.

"Nah, don't ya worry, lad," Bernard smiled as he placed a hand on Solomon's shoulder. "We'll manage."

"Aye," Leonard nodded while folding his arms,"There's plenty o' opportunities here... we'll be fine."

Solomon sighed in relief then nodded at the two brothers, "I know you'll be okay, you have one heck of a child, Leonard."

"Hm?" Leonard's eyebrows rose as he listened.

"Well... I don't think that young lad is going to leave you guys homeless," Solomon added as he folded his arms, "You guys should get to know him better, haven't you noticed that he hasn't come home yet?"

Bernard's eyes widened as he looked at Leonard, "Umm... hello? Did ya not hear what he just said?"

Leonard, who was calm as ever, sighed. "Don't bother. I can't control that child. He'll come back alive."

"What..." Bernard couldn't believe what he just heard, "Oi, you moron... your child is missing, are ye deaf?"

"As I said," Leonard sighed again. "I can't control that child, nor can Eleanor, Linette, or even you."

Bernard could only look at Leonard who walked outside the room and then turned his eyes on Solomon.

"Well... what he said is true," Solomon chuckled, "If you've seen that child's abilities like I have, you'd have nothing to worry about."

Bernard, still surprised, also watched Solomon as the Egyptian walked outside the room.

'Am I going crazy?'

---

As everyone was having breakfast, the front door of Helena's house opened, making everyone turn their heads.

"Good morning to each and every one of you," Alaric smirked as he walked towards the dining table, "I've got good news, and another good news."

"So... which one's first?"

Everyone who was eating stopped as they stared at Alaric. Leonard, Bernard, Eleanor, Linette, Edward, Solomon and Helena.

"The... good news?" Edward said/asked as he raised a brow, "They're all the same!"

"Heh... of course."

Everyone's ears were on Alaric as he grinned, making them expect that he was bringing another child.

"I'm sure all of you noticed that Thulani, the slave, is not upstairs," Alaric said as he went to a seat on the dining table and grabbed some food. "Don't worry... he's somewhere safe... really safe."

Alaric ate his meal while everyone stared at him.

"..."

"And... the other good news?"

"..."

"..."

"I've found a comfortable place for us to stay."

"..."

"..."

"WHAT!?"

"Oh my, that was louder than I expected." Alaric murmured as he continued eating.

"Wait... what!?"

"What d'ya mean ya found a place?"

"Where?"

"Son, is that the truth?"

"When have I ever lied?" Alaric smiled as he chewed his food, "Anyways, follow me when you're all ready. It's better to see it than listen to a five-year old brat spew nonsense... right?"

"It's best to believe it," Solomon started as he finished his food and wiped his mouth. "Don't doubt one's effort just because he is a child."

"..."

---

An hour passed by as everybody got out of the house and Helena locked the front door. All of them had already packed their bags.

"Well then," Solomon smiled as he looked at the Kenway Family one last time. "I'm off."

"Huh? Yer not comin' with us to see the new house?" Bernard asked as he scratched the back of his head. 

Solomon only shook his head and took a look at his silver pocket watch, "The ship I'm boarding will set sail in half an hour."

"That's too bad," Alaric sighed then smiled at Solomon, "Then, it was nice knowing you Suleiman Al Rashidi."

Solomon's eyes widened as he stared at Alaric. "You... remember my name."

"Of course," Alaric smirked. "I'll visit you soon."

Not knowing what to answer, Solomon chuckled and nodded towards Alaric.

"Well..." Bernard smiled at Solomon, "See you, friend."

Solomon nodded for the last time and walked away.

"Okay now, I'll be going to my buyer," Helena hugged Linette for the last time and said her goodbyes everyone else.

The Kenway Family aside from Alaric and Edward shared their sighs as they finally walked while Alaric led.

"Say... 'Laric, I haven't got to bond with ya here," Edward walked beside Alaric to strike a conversation. "I must say, makin' friends in this city ain't easy."

Alaric could only look at Edward and continued to walk, "I'm your friend, aren't I? I mean... I'm your cousin."

"But you're too busy!" Edward grumbled, "Ye'r here and there, you appear and disappear, you're like father."

"Come on now boy," Bernard chuckled while he and the others followed Alaric, "I ain't that bad."

"Tsk." Edward rolled his eyes.

---

They walked for a while as they admired the city.

*COUGH!*

Alaric immediately turned his head as he saw his mother touching her chest with her other hand was covering her mouth.

"Eleanor!"

"Mom!"

They all ran towards Eleanor as she was about to collapse. Fortunately, Leonard was close to her so he was able to catch her.

Seeing her knees shake, Alaric immediately went to Leonard and motioned for him to hand over his backpack.

"It's okay," Leonard said as he held Eleanor, "You're already carrying lots."

"No, let me," Alaric insisted as he continued, "Everyone else have maxed their weight, you need to carry mother."

"..."

"Come on, we can't have her collapsing in the streets," Alaric hurried as Leonard finally gave in and handed him the bags.

"Here Honey, let me carry you," Leonard carried Eleanor on a piggyback.

Eleanor could only bite her lips as small tears could be seen from the side of her eyes. "I'm sorry... I-"

"No," Alaric shook his head and continued walking, "You don't have to apologize mother."

"Don't worry, we're here."

Everyone turned to Alaric as the youngest Kenway faced a place they never thought possible.

"'Laric, you..."

Not a single one of them didn't widen their eyes, as their eyes were met with a HUGE estate.

"Ah! You must be Mister Alaric."

Everyone turned their heads to a middle-aged man who was wearing a costume that signified that he was working as a servant of a well-off family of some sorts. He had a blond short hair and cleanly shaven face.

He was a butler.

"Master Penn has been expecting your arrival," The butler said as he smiled. "I am Sebastian, head butler of the newly named Penn Estate."

"Please, allow us to carry your... baggage."

The butler raised his index finger and made a quick circular motion, prompting several staff members to appear and take their belongings.

"Mister Alaric," Sebastian said as he looked at the youngest Kenway, "If you don't mind, please have yourself and your family follow me inside."

Alaric nodded as the Kenway family only gasped at how things were going.

"Hey... 'Laric, what in the nine seas is going on?" Bernard asked as he followed Alaric, "I don't rightly understand how we're walkin' through a great bloody house right now!?"

"Come on unc'," Alaric smirked as he continued walking, "This is me we're talking about."

"..."

"In anycase," Alaric continued as he walked to the ground level balcony, "Let's hurry inside, we have to put mother to bed."

"Bed?" Bernard repeated the word as his eyes widened, "We're actually staying here?"

Alaric could only chuckle.

'Is it that unbelievable?'