Way of the Knights

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"Goo!"

"Yi~"

*Giggles!*

"Haha! You two are so cute!" 

Raven bent down and gave his siblings a kiss on the cheeks. He then resumed playing with by allowing them to pinch his face and pull his hairs while he's holding the two of them.

It's been a whole week since the defense against the Beast Horde and his fight against the invaders.

To welcome the King's return, the Final Haven Kingdom descended into a week long holiday. The whole place was in a merry mood. Not only did they successful in repelling the beast horde, their beloved King also came back. 

Banquets were thrown all over the place. Booze and food were offered at a very low price, the whole was lit up with colorful lights and adorned with celebratory banners. No one was allowed to work, which sounds somewhat irresponsible but it is what it is. 

Raven fell into a two day rest after the battle. He was just too exhausted, ever since he came out of the Transmission Portal, he was just dragging his body with his sheer will. He didn't expect the beast horde to come that early and thankfully, they came back at the right time. He was also glad that the invasion from the previous timeline still happened. If not, then he might've no time for celebration right now.

He used this merry mood to relax and play with his sisters, Nina and Tori. He practically never left their side as soon as he woke up. He just adores them too much and their existence gave him another reason to protect this place with all he has.

Raven hadn't met Luna since that day. It would be a lie if he said that he isn't nervous. Him chasing after her isn't some secret, everyone who knows them knows this as well. Now, her father, the King of Final Haven Kingdom, is back and is probably already aware of this fact as well. If it's not the Golden Knights, then it would be the Prince who'll let him know about it. So of course, he feels a little jittery.

He purposefully didn't meet with Luna. It wasn't because he was afraid, it's because he wanted to allow their family to catch up with each other. The King had been away for a decade, a mere week won't be enough to talk about all the things they wanted to.

And if his instincts are correct, then he won't have to wait that long before they meet each other.

***

"How do you do, Young Raven?"

A voice suddenly interrupted Raven's training. He turned around and saw Old Lee smiling at him. He performed a salute and replied:

"Professor Lee! I'm doing well. I've recovered fully from the last battle."

"That's good to hear." Old Lee nodded, "I think you know why I'm here right?" 

Seeing that knowing smile gave a jolt to Raven's heart. A wry smile appeared in his face as he said: "I think I have an idea. But just to be sure, I would still ask why."

"Oh! Seeing you tense up like this is rare." The old man teased, "His Majesty, the King. He wants to meet you."

'Here we go…' Raven took a deep breath in. He then looked at Old Lee and said: "I'll get ready first."

Raven excused himself and took a quick bath. His heart was pounding loudly, he lost count on how many times he inwardly screamed to hopefully release his nervousness to no avail. He kept on sighing again and again like an old man. In the end, he could only smile wryly and think to himself:

'Has it always been this stressful? Meeting your in-laws, I mean.' 

'We didn't have this chance before due to my stupidity and uselessness. I faced with many strong enemies back then with a resolute mind but I can't even calmly prepare myself to meet my Father-in-law. What is wrong with me.'

Raven finished his inner rituals and met up with Old Lee downstairs, he bid goodbye to his parents and sisters before they rode a carriage towards the Royal Palace. During their way, Old Lee was talking to him with some random topics. Raven thought that the old man must be distracting him to make him forget about his nervousness. Which helped, somewhat…

Eventually, they reached the Palace and went off the carriage. Halfway towards the King's office, Old Lee went his separate ways, saying that he has other matters to attend to. Raven bid him goodbye and moved on alone, he knows where to go anyway. 

It was originally the King's office anyway. Because he was absent, it was the Prince who used the same office. He had been here a couple of times so he knows.

If there's any differences now, it would be the fact that no one's guarding the office. It might be due to the King's orders. 

Standing in front of the office, Raven took a deep breath in and knocked. 

"Come in." The King's voice echoed from behind. Raven tensed up for a bit but he steeled his heart and entered the room.

Closing the door behind him, he walked up several paces forward and paid a deep and respectful salute towards the King. 

"Vendrick Valorheart, here to answer Your Majesty's summons."

"Mn." The King nodded and accepted his salute, "You may sit."

Raven stood up from the salute and sat on the chair available to him. As soon as he sat down, he immediately saw the King looking at him straight into his eyes. Raven stared back at him, clearly expressing his intents.

This is the first time that he met the King this close. He used to see him from afar back in his previous life. 

He looked just like Balmung. Strong and rigid face that shows kindness, golden hair, ashen beard, bulky body and that majestic bearing. 

The stare down was broken down by a the King's sigh. Raven saw him rest his back against his chair, his majestic bearing dropped by a couple of notches. Without these fancy clothing, if they're not in this majestic place, and if the king is wearing that same disguise, no one would believe that he is a King.

"Can't you at least show that you're intimidated? You're making me lose face here." 

*Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!*

Well, Raven wasn't expecting that. "Excuse me, Your Majesty." He said while feeling his ears heating up.

"Haha!" Alexander laughed, "Balmung is right. You do get flustered easily."

'I knew it! Screw you, you mean Brother-in-law!' Raven inwardly screamed.

"Relax." Alexander said in a carefree manner. "I did not summon you here because I have any ill intents. How can I do that to the savior of my daughter and the Young Hero of our home?"

Raven felt his face heating up. The King's words basically confirmed it. He already caught up and learned about what happened during his absence.

"I'd like to express my gratitude for saving my daughter not as a King, but as a father." Alexander said emotionally. "

"I merely did what I could, Your Majesty." Raven replied in a humble tone, "Besides, I couldn't bear to see her suffering like that when I could clearly do something about it, so there's no need to thank me about it."

The King paused for a brief moment and asked: "It still feels unbelievable to me. The things that you've done, I mean. You even faced, what remains of my foolish brother. Even the Pale Bastard, Vit'hum. Honestly, if it would've been someone else, they would start thinking that you're aiming for the throne."

Raven shivered when he heard that, he hurriedly explained: "That is not my intentions, Your Majesty. I merely wished to ease up our living conditions and to protect our home."

"Uncle." 

"Eh?" Raven was stunned.

"You may call me Uncle for now." Alexander said with a kind smile in his face. "No need for these formalities, it doesn't sit well with me, besides didn't tell you to relax? I'm not going to hurt you or anything like that."

That made Raven a little embarrassed, but inwardly he heaved a sigh of relief. It seems that the King wasn't opposed to them. 

"Yes, U-uncle." 

"Good." Alexander nodded, still wearing that kind smile in his face. "Lee told me that you've been blessed by the memories of an Elder from an old era. Is this correct?"

"Yes, Uncle." Raven nodded in agreement, "He came from the Creed of the Sun Warriors, mostly composed of people who worship the Sun. Their influence dated way back during the Dark Moon Era."

"Ah, Dark Moon Era." Alexander repeated. "The time when the Kingdom faced multiple threats which caused it to nearly fall. It was a dark time according to the records I've heard. If it wasn't for…"

Raven and Alexander switched their topic and mainly talked about the history of the Kingdom. Both of them enjoyed the conversation, it was like they're taking each other as equals. 

"Anyway, I have another purpose of calling you here." Alexander said as he took out some items on top of the table. "Do you recognize some of these?"

"T-these are...."