Forgotten Conqueror

by Za1d3

  Adalina laughed at his statement. “You were a trouble child that needed to be disciplined, Kaidus isn’t.” She replied from the Kitchen.

  “It’ll be fine. I turned out well enough.” He answered before sneaking into the kitchen.

  “I did turn out fine, didn’t I?” He questioned, hugging Adalina from behind and pecking her on the cheek.

  “KYA!” Adalina shrieked and dropped the stems of green Furuce she had just taken out of the bag. “A-a little bit,” She replied. Troyle continued to kiss her cheek, moving to her neck. “Stop. Stop that, I’m trying to cook.” Adalina scolded.

  “Daddy! Anish too!” Anise cried out, tugging on him.

  “Does my little girl want a kiss too?” He picked up his cute daughter.

  “Uhn!”

  “Well then, here! And here! And here!” he kissed both her cheeks and her forehead, moving back to snuggle her cheeks.

  “Eheheh!” Anise laughed joyfully.

  “It’ll be fine, Adalina. He’ll be fine. I can see it in his eyes.” Troyle reassured his wife.

  “If you say so. Just please, don’t overdo it.” Adalina cautioned.

  “I would never do anything to cause him harm. He is my pride.” Troyle replied. “And this, is my Joy.” He kissed his cute daughter again, then put her on the ground. “And you my dear,” Troyle took Adalina into his arms. “You are my light, my star, and my life.” He gave her a passionate kiss.

  Before she starts gasping for air, he let go and quickly picked up Anise, retreating to the Living room.

  “Yo-You man-child! Anise was watching!” Adalina yelled after him, but her tone of voice was unconvincing.

  Grinning and trying to keep from laughing, Troyle sat down in the living room with his daughter.

  He was already laughing triumphantly in his mind. Not just because of the exchange between him and Adalina, but because of his son, his daughter, and his current life. He was happy.

  Troyle’s smile widen, thinking about his young son. The boy was not only a powerful mage, but given time and training, the boy will undoubtedly surpass him. Troyle couldn’t help but laugh at his prodigious son’s knack for the sword.

  The boy’s movements earlier were nearly perfect. His son was like his very own echo, following every motion almost flawlessly. The only difference was that his son favored the right arm over the left, and he himself favored them both equally. Even so, after only a morning of practicing forms, the child was already grasping the movements effortlessly. There was no telling how long before the boy can fight against him equally.

  “Are you a tiny bundle of surprises too Anise?” He questioned his adorable daughter.

  “Anish ish a big girl!” the little one replied, beaming with happiness.

  “Not yet,” Troyle smiled. “For now, you’re my cute little girl.” He gave her another kiss on the forehead.

  ——————————————–

  Three days later in the 11th ward.

  The Varath Manor.

  “Thank you all for coming, and welcome.” Lord Alzin Varath cordially greeted them at the door with his wife Reanne.

  “Sorry for the short notice, and thank you for having us.” Troyle replied.

  His whole family was also here today. Adalina, Kaidus, and Anise.

  “Come on in.” Lord Varath propped open the door himself, inviting them inside.

  The common room of the Varath manor was extremely different from that of the Paltos house.

  Furnished with extravagant and comfortable cushioned seats running alongside two intricately designed tables. There are vases filled with plants and flowers, work of arts plastered the walls, and the room itself was as spacious as the whole first floor of the Paltos house.

  “Please make yourselves at home.” Lord Varath stated, being the first to take a seat.

  “Reanne dear, where are my children?”

  “My lord, there is no need for-”

  “None of that, Troyle. I’ve told you many times. In these situations, we are guests and host. And foremost, friends. Call me Alzin.” Lord Varath interrupted Troyle. “And there is a need. You’ve brought your family to visit. It is imperative that mine shows some respect and come greet their guests.”

  “I’ll go call them. Adalina, would you please join me?” Lady Reanne asked.

  “Certainly.” Adalina gave a devious smile. “Come on Anise, you’re coming with mommy.” She picked up Anise and they strolled off with Reanne, leaving the three boys to play together.

  A servant came into the room carrying a tray filled with cups and two jugs of beverages, placing them onto the table before being excused by the lord.

  “Some wine for Kaidus?”

  “Just a little. Something else to mix with it would be great.” Troyle answered.

  Lord Varath poured Troyle and him each a cup of wine, then poured a small dose into another cup and added the contents of the other jug for Kaidus.

  “Derilt fruit juice, and a dash of Terinthian wine.” Lord Varath spoke with a grin as he handed the cup to Kaidus. “I hear you enjoy the fruit.”

  “Thank you.” Kaidus took the cup and sipped it. The sweetness of the derilt fruit overpowered the taste of the wine, but he could smell a tinge of the wine’s rich aroma.

  “My lor- Alzin, any words from Thurllton?” Troyle questioned once they’ve all taken a drink, and a moment to relax.

  “No, not yet. It seems the leaders are still deliberating about the exclusive contract.” Lord Varath sighed. “They’re perfectly fine and jumped at the chance for a trade agreement, but asking for exclusivity has got them arguing amongst each other. It’s not like I’m paying them any less for exclusivity.”

  “They’ll come around. No one else would pay that much per kek of pelt and hide.”

  “Well, it’ll be fine. Even with a nonexclusive agreement, the trade should still bolster my future endeavors.” The lord smiled, looking at the profits—albeit a lot smaller.

  The sound of footsteps could be heard.

  “Good afternoon Troyle, hey Kaidus.” Larant came into the common room.

  “Hello, Larant.” “Hello.” Troyle and Kaidus greeted back.

  “Father, what are you scheming this time?” Larant questioned his father, a knowing grin on his face.

  “Guh- Scheming?!” The older man almost dropped his cup. “Boy, we are just having a friendly chat. What a ridiculous thing to say… me, scheming…”

  “Father, you were running around like a madman after getting words last evening that Troyle’s family would be visiting. You’re telling me you’ve got nothing up your sleeves?” Larant responded inquisitively.

  “You are getting too insightful for your own good, my boy. Stop blabbering and come sit down.” Lord Varath sheepishly voiced, taking a gulp of his drink.

  “Thank you, I learned from the best.” Larant provoked, sitting down next to his father.

  “Where’s your mother and your sisters?”

  “Mother told me to come first. She’s making sure Jillian and Sylvia are ‘presentable’.” Larant gave a shrewd smile.

  “…” Lord Varath saw the underlying message and couldn’t answer.

  His son knew everything.

  Even though Larant had been busy learning how to control his newly awoken magic the past year, the young man was very perceptive and could see right through him. The boy loved to torment him just like his mother.

  “Have you finished your replica of the academy’s lighting apparatus?” Kaidus asked Larant, changing the atmosphere around them.

  “No, not yet. I’ve got the device built, but I don’t know the runes required for the device to function properly. Unfortunately, runes aren’t taught until Intermediate Magic Artificing. All of us beginners are just constructing devices to help the intermediate students learn how to inscribe runes now.”

  “Then next year you’ll be the one inscribing runes, while someone feeds you freshly craft devices?”

  “If I
can pass the beginners test, that’s what I’m hoping for.” Larant grinned.

  “How is Larant at school, Kaidus?” Lord Varath asked from beside Larant.

  “Kaidus no. Keep it a secret!” Larant cried out.

  “He is very hardworking and friendly. I hear he is one of the artificing master’s favorite student.” Kaidus complimented with a grin.

  The sound of footsteps were coming towards them.

  “AHHAHAHA!” Lord Varath burst into laughter, drowning out the footsteps. “This one here? A hard worker? AHAHAHHA!”

  “See, father? This is why I try to hide my activities from you.” Larant groaned.

  The lord quieted down, wiping away a tear. “Ha…. Sorry, you’ve just been such an indolent person, relying on your words most of the time that I couldn’t help myself. It’s a good thing you’ve learned the pleasure of hard work.”

  “I have my moments…” Larant muttered.

  With the sound of footsteps, a group of ladies came into the spacious room.

  Two beautiful women in their prime. One was holding a little girl who had been dressed up in a frilly vibrant red dress that paled in comparison to the silky redness of her hair.

  Followed by a tall and beautiful blue hair teenage girl who is currently in the process of ripening into a woman. The defined protrusions of her bosoms are evident through her green dress, and her figure; given a few years, will be irresistible to many young men.

  Wearing a blue dress laced with red inlays and golden frills, was another girl with a head of long dark blue locks. Not yet of an age as her older sister, but well dressed and impeccable. Her hair had grown longer from the last time he saw her, and she now walked with a practiced and confident gait. She gazed at him calmly as she made her way behind her father.

  Chapter 45 – Hidden Gem

  Her outward appearance was that of a calm and confident young lady, but her insides were in turmoil.

  It’s been half a year since she last saw the boy, and Sylvia was doing all she could to hide how nervous she really is. Everything she learned this past year and a half was all for situations like this.

  ‘Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot.’ she chanted in her mind, remembering her lessons. Catching the boy’s cool and calm gaze, she almost blushed but steeled herself and continued walking to stand behind her father alongside her older sister.

  “You called father?” Her sister Jillian asked.

  “Yes. Come greet our guests. You too, Sylvia.”

  “Good afternoon Mr. Paltos, thank you for visiting on your day off. Is this your son?” Jillian inquired pleasantly.

  “Yes, Miss Jillian. This is Kaidus. I don’t believe you two have met.” The boy’s father replied with a grin.

  “I am Jillian Varath. Nice to meet you Kaidus.” her sister made a curt bow and greeted the boy.

  “Kaidus Paltos. Sorry for the intrusion.” Kaidus replied warmly.

  “Hello Mr. Paltos. Hello Kaidus.” Sylvia greeted the two after her sister, giving a practiced curtsy.

  “Good afternoon Sylvia”.

  “Hi Sylvia.” The boy replied, staring at her as if peering right through her facade.

  ‘What do I do?’ she thought to herself.

  Ever since the outing outside of Ferrent half a year ago, she had worked tirelessly and diligently. Yet, everything she’d learned in all her lessons were crumbling to the ground.

  Learning is one thing, but putting it into practice was another altogether.

  She was always a timid girl, and in front of the boy, she couldn’t help but want revert back to her old self and hide behind her mother.

  Managing to not make a fool out of herself, Sylvia silently took a seat next to her mother.

  “Sylvia, why don’t you give Kaidus a tour of the house?” as if sensing her internal discord, her mother threw her a lifeline before she situated herself.

  “Ah, that’s a good idea. This is Kaidus’ first time visiting like this.” Her father added.

  “Really? If that’s the case, I can show him around.” Her brother Larant volunteered with a teething grin.

  “Someone closer to his age should do that. Let Sylvia do it.” Her father objected, smiling at her. “Why don’t you show him the grounds and the library?”

  “Down that hall is the servant’s quarters,” Sylvia pointed down a corridor, “and through that door there is the kitchen and the storerooms.”

  Adhering to her mother and father’s words, she was giving Kaidus a tour of the house. Although not her first time at the Varath manor, Anise also joined them. The three of them were walking side by side.

  Standing next to him, seeing how he acts towards his younger sister, seeing his face up close, Sylvia was starting to see how Kaidus is amongst his family.

  Besides the first time she locked eyes with him, she had actively avoided looking him in the eyes, opting to only sneak in glimpses here and there as they made their way around the manor.

  “Shylvia are we going outshide?” Anise asked as they walked towards the back of the Manor. The younger girl was holding onto her brother’s hand—Kaidus’ hand.

  Sylvia had shown them the great hall, the guestrooms, the four washrooms on the first floor, the guard house, the courtyard where the guards train, and the various rooms where she and Jillian took lessons. Having toured most of the first floor already, all that was left was the second floor, and the backyard.

  “We’ve seen most of the first floor. Do you want to go see father’s library?” She asked, playing the dutiful host.

  “Look Kai! Flowersh!” Anise exclaimed excitedly, looking outside through the back windows.

  “Would it be alright if we go to the backyard?” The boy responded kindly, patting his sister’s head.

  Seeing the excitement on the younger girl’s face. She could see that his answer was for Anise.

  There was an air of warmth and care around him today unlike the other times she’d seen him. He made sure to slow down his pace and allowed Anise to lead him, he patiently walked beside Anise’s short strides allowing her choose where to go. He was even smiling and his usual indifferent face was nowhere to be seen.

  *Ba-bump*. A different emotion: one beyond the feelings of ‘I want him to notice me’ bloomed inside her. She recalled something from that evening after a day outside of Ferrent.

  —

  The beginning of Hiso, 4 turns ago

  She was asking for her mother’s continued help in the lessons.

  She apologized for her lackluster performance in her lessons, and explained that she would work hard on them from now on. Promising to do her best.

  “Something happened earlier didn’t it? Why didn’t you tell me at dinner?” Her mother asked. It was the night after they’d returned from outside of Ferrent.

  “Promise you won’t laugh?”

  “I promise.” Her mother caressed her cheeks tenderly, giving her an earnest smile.

  “I… I think I know why you and daddy want me to m-marry K-Kaidus.” she answered sheepishly, trying to hide her embarrassment. Her mother’s smile widened at her words.

  “Honey…” She was embraced. “I would never laugh at you for something like that.” Her mother told her.

  After the hug, she was examined closely. There was a glimmer in her mother’s sharp eyes, and she knew her mother saw her secret. “Did my little girl already fall in love?” her mom asked with a playful grin.

  “Fall in Love?”

  “Yes darling, with the Paltos boy?” the grin broadened.

  She was unsure what it meant. “Like I love you, and father, sister Jillian, brother Larant, and everyone who lives here with us?” she replied quizzically.

  “That is different. That’s familial love.”

  “Different?”

  Her mother thought for a moment, then spoke up. “Do you like Kaidus?”

  “I…” Sylvia lowered her head in shame.

  “Do you like Kaidus a lot?”

  The
boy’s name and face ran through her mind, and her face lit up like a torch.

  “Hehehe.” Reanne giggled, seeing the adorable reaction.

  “You said you wouldn’t laugh…” She sulkily rebuked her mother.

  “Sorry dear. I laughed because of how cute you are right now, not because you like someone.” Her mother’s warm smile returned. “It’s okay, you don’t need to know what love is right now. One day you’ll understand.”

  —

  “Sylvia?” Kaidus was looking at her.

  “Y-yes?” she quickly replied, trying to remember what was happening before she relapsed into her memories.

  “Can we go to the backyard?” Kaidus asked, still holding onto Anise.

  “Oh, sorry. Yes we can.” She quickly walked towards the backdoor to conceal her embarrassment. Her mother’s words replayed in her mind, and she could feel her strong front being whittled away little by little.

  ——————————————–

  Kaidus could see the discomfort in Sylvia.

  Her confidence from earlier was waning, and he noticed that she kept glancing in his direction whenever she believes he is not looking.

  Pretending not to notice and holding Anise’s hand, they followed Sylvia to the backyard.

  A wall of metal rods ran around and fenced off a portion of the backyard.

  A flower garden with beautiful floras filled the right side of the enclosed area. Two moderately sized Valune trees were shining with golden leaves and already showing deep violet buds that will undoubtedly bloom as soon as Fulta comes around. A patio fit with table and chairs sat between the two trees, overlooking the garden. On the left side of the enclosure was the beginnings of a vegetable garden with tiny green and yellow sprouts.

  A stone footpath connected everything together.

  “Kai. Flowersh.” Anise pointed to the garden excitedly, and they walked towards the flower garden.

  Seeing the variety of different flowers, he went straight to a very recognizable one. “I didn’t think I’d ever see any of these inside Ferrent.”

  A cluster of pure white Danach flowers with golden streaks bloomed beautifully together, indicating their lavish consumption of sunlight and water.