34 The past always returns?

We are sitting on a bench in front of the musical building and waiting for Rose to get us. I feel horrible. 

"*Sniff* I am so sorry. I messed up our first date. All because I didn't keep track of such a basic thing." It's all my fault. 

"It's okay. I know how it feels. You don't have to blame yourself." Angrod tries to comfort me, but it's a lame attempt. 

"You are a guy! You have no idea, what you're talking about!" -Me 

"I was female too in some reincarnations. So I think I am allowed to say that! You should have been a guy one time or the other too." -Angrod 

"Pff. You as a girl. That must have been quite the view." Somehow I can't imagine the hermit as a girl. 

"Don't laugh, those weren't exactly my best times. Though I think, you didn't have a problem when a reincarnation messed with your gender. You would be a perfect muscle guy." -Angrod 

I will get you for this! Fear the might of a female! 

"*Hic..* You really don't ….. don't think of me as a woman at aaallllll." It's easy to cry when you feel horrible anyway. 

"It's... It's okay! Don't cry! You are a fine woman now! No need to feel anything about it." Angrod answers with a flustered voice. 

Ah, so nostalgic. My Johann back then was also weak to the crying me. Tehe... I grab my Johann tight and hug him without giving an answer. 

"It …. It's really no problem. The important part of the story was already told. All that was left of the story was a stupid fight with the last boss anyway. Those stories always follow the same set of rules." -Angrod 

At this moment Rose stops her car in front of us. "Did you two have a nice evening?" She gets out and smiles at us. 

Tch! Just a few more minutes and I would have had him eating out of my hands! It's no use, I will have to give him my present inside the car. 

"Unfortunately Celes had a small mishap. And we didn't see the end of the performance." -Angrod 

Ahhh! Don't tell her about a women's problems. She will pester me about it! 

"Oh. You have to watch it again then. The end is the best part! Celes is everything okay now?" -Rose 

"It's okay now. I just had a minor problem and missed the last part, while being on the toilet." -Me 

"Oh, my. Too bad. Just get in, I will bring you home." -Rose 

We enter the car and Rose closes the door. 

"Um. Celes. Why are you sticking to me like that?" Angrod asks with a disturbed voice. 

Since I hugged him earlier, I didn't let go. It makes me feel at ease. I don't know why and I don't care. 

I grab a box out of my pocket and shove it onto him to shut him up. 

"That's for not being a total douche bag. Though you didn't manage completely in the end, I will grant this to you if you shut up." I use him as a pillow again, while he opens the box. 

Yes, chocolate always works on that guy. At least that trait of his character didn't get lost. It's nice to know an easy way to please someone. 

It's best if they don't make too much work. I lean onto him, while falling asleep.... 

**Angrod's POV** 

I carried Celes into her room. She was sleeping like a log and didn't wake up, even when I shook her. 

Afterwards I went to work again. Though there isn't much I can do. Everything is set up. The automatic factory is working and my employees know their jobs. 

All I can do is to check the progress. If I am lucky, everything will be ready in time. 

*Knock* *Knock* 

"Yes?" I answer and Ireth enters the room. 

"Angrod, I know that you are trying to break that shield spell, but something came up." -Ireth 

"Why do you sound like something horrible will happen?" I ask my mother. 

"It's this stupid law stuff! You see, your father has a brother." My mother says it like everything is clear with that. 

"Uh... you know that I don't like this law issue. So why don't you start at the beginning? I totally don't get what you are talking about." -Me 

"I am talking about your birthday in a few months! You will turn sixteen and with that, you will have to succeed the throne of Tirna. Your father is dead after all." Ireth sighs. 

"I can't give the boring stuff into yours and grandpa's hands any more?" I ask. 

"Yes. You have to take over the throne, although we will still be able to help you." -Ireth 

"So where does my father's brother come into this?" -Me 

"When the crown goes to the next heir, everyone who is able to succeed the throne can challenge him for the crown. This was established to make sure that a strong king is in power." -Ireth 

"So you believe that my father's brother will make an entrance. Whom I have never heard of by the way?" -Me 

"He challenged your father for the throne when he took over and married me at eighteen. Your father crippled him in the following fight. Then your uncle went into exile by his own choice." -Ireth 

"So you think that he still has a grudge and is striving for power. So why didn't he jump at the chance when father died?" -Me 

"I am pretty sure of that. And he didn't act, because he doesn't have any legal claim. I am ruling the country -in absentia- of your father, because you are not allowed to take the crown yet. But with sixteen you will have to." -Ireth 

"So how did you just remember someone, who disappeared years ago?" I am a little confused. 

"Two days ago, he appeared in town with someone who was introduced as his son. He claimed a few old favours from some nobles. Some of them saw a problem with him and informed me." -Ireth 

"This joke is getting old. The Meltheims tried that already." -Me 

"Yes, unfortunately I believe that this is another attempt by them. Just in disguise." Ireth shakes her head. 

"Oh?" -Me 

"When the Meltheims locked themselves up in the City of Seria, they still had a big amount of money in various banks and institutions. We tried to trace it down, but most of it just disappeared." -Ireth 

"And let me guess. My uncle is throwing around with money left and right and nobody has a clue where it came from." -Me

Ireth nods with a sad expression. "We don't have any evidence, so we can't stop him. The exile was of his own choice, so we can't send him away either." 

"So you think he will send that son of his against me?" -Me 

"That's likely. He even signed him up for your school." -Ireth 

"Wonderful, so I will have to endure a pest similar to the Meltheim brothers in school, until I am challenged at my coronation." This gets less and less funny with every word. 

"Your uncle's name is Seredorn of Tirna and his son is named Markorn of Tirna." -Ireth 

"Hmm. What about the mother? Or did my uncle just use cell division to sprout an heir?" I throw my arms into the air and my mother has to smirk. 

"We don't have any clue on her. Your uncle just showed up with his supposed son and set up his residence." -Ireth 

"Is he even his real son?" I doubt it somehow. 

"We are investigating. When it comes to the rank of succession, things have to be clear without a doubt. But so far we couldn't find a clue against it. He looks similar enough to his father from what I heard. And they came with a lot of servants who confirm their story. Right now a few investigators are on their way to your uncles previous residence. But I have my doubts that they will come to a different result. If your uncle could be caught with such simple measures, I doubt that he would have made an effort to pull a stunt like this." -Ireth 

"You sound like you know him in that regard?" -Me 

"Before he challenged your father, he tried several times to get his hands on me. He was always smart enough to leave no evidence. So it was always his word against mine. And he had a really good relationship with his brother. Your father didn't believe me that he had ulterior motives. Until the challenge, he was the nice brother of the heir to everyone." 

I nod. "Then we will have no other choice than to keep being on alert. Don't fear for me, I can take care of myself. And thanks for the warning." 

Ireth hugs me with tears in her eyes. "Don't do anything dangerous. I lost so many of my family already. Any more and I wouldn't be able to go on." 

I hug her too with a grim expression on my face.