Chapter 26: Invitation

o.o

*

"Suit yourself.", Giliath uttered to himself as he shrugged his shoulders, seeing the door forcibly shut in front of his face after the incantation finished. Yet he didn't get angry at such a sight, he just remained calm like always. He even continued to speak to himself after saying that.

"Still, these witches are even more unpredictable than us normal humans are. I didn't feel any hostility from this sudden "Guest", either. I am curious to see if they will find out anything. I know you aren't normal like Rean is, Naoto...", Giliath continued say to himself. "But either way, you are still my son. If anything does happen to you, witch or not, I will interfere.", Giliath concluded with a smile.

Concluding that, Giliath turned around to try and head back toward the kitchen area.

However, his body was suddenly enveloped by a hidden black mass that the naked eye couldn't see. After it did, Giliath's expression turned weird. This new expression was actually very similar to what Franz showed. It was reminiscent, and yet, at the same time, different. A deeper voice escaped from Giliath's lips, to to question himself.

"Aren't you a little curious? About the boy's origins?", The deeper voice said to Giliath.

"...", Giliath didn't say anything as if he ignored this question. But he didn't seem startled by this sudden voice.

"I know as much as Aurora does. Naoto has come forth to bear his other self, as a royal of his Auslese blood. However, due to Aurora's impurity, his path will be filled with uncertainty. That won't be his only inheritance he is rightful to claim.", Giliath answered the deeper voice, only for it further question Giliath.

"You know what I mean. That' boy's soul, it shines forever bright. I can hardly wait to savor it myself, kekeke.", The deeper voice said with a creepy laugh. However, the moment it said that, Giliath's expression turned serious.

"As long as I am standing I will not permit you to touch Naoto. It is not nor will it ever be your time.", Giliath retorted at the black mist.

"Only for now. I will agree the time is not yet ripe. I still need to claim yours first. Yours will bring my plan to fruition. Do not keep me waiting for long. ", The black mist answered Giliath, only for it to leave Giliath's body. In the next moment, the atmosphere around Giliath returned to normal. This exchange only lasted for a couple of moments.

Giliath shook his head a bit, letting out another sigh.

"I still do not know who you are. The day you decide to show yourself, I fear a calamity may come with it...As to whether Naoto and Rean will take part in it, only the goddess Aidios will know.", Giliath concluded to himself.

Finishing that, Giliath found his way to the end of the staircase which led him back down to the living room and kitchen. Upon his arrival, Kasia and Rean looked at him with a hint of worry in their eyes. But that wasn't the only thing. A couple figures wearing full blown black suits and black sunglasses could now be seen next to Kasia and Rean. If one looked closely, Black pistols could be seen at their waists.

Giliath didn't feel any threat to these new arrivals. Upon seeing Giliath arrive, one of the two men in black spoke out to him.

"General Osborne, you and His Highness Naoto have been summoned by His Majesty to Valflame Palace.", One of the two men in black declared, causing Kasia's eyes to turn wide. As for Rean, he curiously turned his head toward the one who said that.

As for Giliath, he simply let out a laugh hearing that summons. To which caused Kasia to become surprised, since she rarely saw Giliath laugh like that.

"Haha! So the time has come. That old fool knew all along, didn't he? He only waited till now before he kicks the bucket.", Giliath responded with a laugh.

"Sir. His Majesty wishes to meet with you and the His Highness Naoto before he passes. He does not have much longer. The next enthronement for His Highness Prince Eugent has been set in two months time. As for His Majesty, besides this last duty, he declared he has one final duty to give to His Highness Naoto.", The man in black responded to Giliath.

"One final duty, is it? Understood. Tell your men to prepare the car. We will depart when we can.", Giliath answered him.

"...When you can, Sir?", The man in black questioned Giliath.

"Yes. The Prince you request is currently in a meeting with another guest of sorts. I don't think it last too long. Prepare to depart within the next hour or two.", Giliath answered.

"Understood, General Osborne.", The man in black answered. The two then departed quickly from where they were currently standing, leaving behind Giliath, Kasia, and Rean. Seeing the three alone, Kasia spoke out to Giliath.

"...Is this alright?"

"Yes. This time was due to come eventually. Since we have received the date of His Highness Prince Eugent's enthronement to become the next Emperor of Erebonia, His Majesty waited till now to deliver his remaining will, so to say. Yet to think he would know Aurora's circumstances all along...", Giliath uttered softly.

"Even though you like to do many calculations at once, the Emperor isn't one to be underestimated either, fufu.", Kasia replied with a laugh as well.

"You are right about that, Kasia. Even though Aurora chose Liberl's side in the end, she couldn't deny the heritage she bore. Her predecessors came from the fallen house of Duke Phoenix, cousins to that of the Arnor family."

"Princess Aurora von Auslese, born into the Auslese family from her parents. And yet she bears another, Aurora Reise Phoenix...", Kasia uttered softly. Her voice didn't have scorn at all. In fact her tone was rather the opposite, and she had a hint of longing.

Seeing Kasia behave like this, Giliath approached her only to give her a hug. Rean looked on curiously.

"Who is that, mom?", Rean decided to ask, only to earn a smile from her.

"That will be something you will learn in the future, Rean.", Kasia responded.

"And Brother is fine, right, dad?", Rean asked Giliath.

"He is, Rean You needn't worry. Once his visitor has left the two of us will depart to Valflame Palace.", Giliath answered Rean to ensure him. Rean smiled.

"Okay!", Rean happily answered. As for Kasia she looked at Giliath once more and spoke.

"Still, was that your plan this entire time, Giliath? To revitalize House Phoenix?", Kasia asked, seeing the matter was brought into light.

"That part was mostly my promise to Aurora. I loved her just as much I do you, Kasia.", Giliath answered, smiling back at her.

"Giliath...But that isn't all there is to this, is there?", Kasia continued to ask.

"No.", Giliath said, shaking his head at her.

"Revitalizing House Phoenix is but the first step, Kasia my dear. The noble system is currently dominated by four Great Houses. I doubt most of them know of House Phoenix's presence still lives on. The moment House Phoenix sheds its light, they will be thrown into chaos."

"And as His Majesty passes on his crown to His Highness Prince Eugent while the Four Great Houses are thrusted into chaos, I will take my own foothold, and secure my position to become Erebonia's Chancellor!", Giliath declared.

Hearing Giliath suddenly declare his ambition, Kasia's eyes turned wide in shock. As for Rean, he just looked onward at his father after saying that, confused as he didn't know much of what he had just said.

And as for me...

I did not know a thing of what father had just declared to Kasia and Rean back down on the first floor, as I had my own trouble now seeing a magic circle appear right before the door that was shut by an incantation. The issue now was the same blonde haired little girl wielding that large crimson staff who I met yesterday teleported into my room, out of the blue. And a look of interest could currently be seen in her eyes.

*

Fun fact of the day: Did you guys know most of the Hexen Clan's incantations are based off of Latin? At least from the looks of it they are.

Aurora is an OC.

House Phoenix is an OC.

Don't forget to drop those stones!