18 Family

Silence. Levhon's gaze stayed on Dreigh for a long time. He can't help but shake his head in resignation at the thought of this son. This son of his was very responsible and remains loyal to him and his sister. He's already at a marriageable age but he still chose to stay with them and help them in running the Crescent Moon. It's like nothing and no one can move him. He can even remain indifferent in front of a beauty. Another sigh involuntarily came out of Levhon's lips at the thought that he might not have a daughter-in-law nor a grandson for the following years.

"What's the matter?" feeling his father's eyes on him, Dreigh shifted his attention.

Levhon shook his head, "nothing, I was just a little bit lost in my thoughts."

"Is it still about the enlistment?" Dreigh frowned. His father had many things on his mind and then another matter suddenly popped up. But he didn't know that his being single was his father's biggest concern at the moment.

"Partly, but not necessarily. I was thinking of something else," his father vaguely replied. This only made Dreigh frown more. Many things flashed in his mind but nothing of importance came to mind or is it, someone offended their family?

Levhon noticed the change in Dreigh's countenance and chuckled. He can see what was running inside his son's mind. "It's nothing to be worried about. You shouldn't think about it and no, no one has harmed our family. I can see what you're thinking."

He chuckled, indifferent as his son is, he knew that Dreigh was extremely protective of his family. He could keep his cool amid a storm or an extremely overbearing customer but when his family is being bullied, he would not hesitate to retaliate.

Dreigh shifted his gaze, he felt a little bit embarrassed but that didn't even show on his face. His father knows him well. "I understand."

"Good, you need to relax. You are young and yet you think too much. Let the adults handle these things and you young people should live your life to your heart's contents before you grow old and can't do what you want anymore." Levhon gave his son a smile to reassure him. He would certainly miss these moments together with Dreigh if he would be listed to go to the battlefield but he wanted more for his son to be able to live a happy and normal life.

Dreigh remained silent and just stared at his father before he reluctantly retracted his gaze and nodded. He won't talk anymore and would just wait for his father to tell him what he thinks, for now, he would heed his father's words.

They continued on their task until Everleigh called them for dinner. The family of three finished the simple dinner of rice and meat prepared by the only lady in the family.

"What were you talking with father a while ago? Both of you seemed very serious." Everleigh asked out of curiosity. She left the kitchen for a while and peeked at the store only to see his father and brother seriously talking. She resisted the urge to eavesdrop but her endless curiosity didn't allow him to remain silent.

"Nothing, it's just about the business," Dreigh chuckled and messed his sister's hair, and pushed her to her room. "Just go to sleep so that you can wake up early tomorrow to open the store."

Everleigh pouted but still went to her room. Dreigh also decided to retire for the night after reading some books as part of his nightly routine. Sitting on his bed, he raised his hand and waved it a few times in the direction of the bookshelves. A book slowly floated towards him. The book settled on his hand and an imperceptible smile appeared on his face.

This was the only time he could be himself and the only time that he can use his gift. He calls it a gift because his father believes that there was a reason why this ability was given to him. After reading just a few words from the book, his mind involuntary wandered to his conversation with his father that afternoon. The enlistment worried him a bit because if he was to be drafted into the army, his family would be left without any protection. Crescent Moon was a small business his parents started and now that it has grown in popularity, many have come to mess with them and they have many business competitors that are just waiting for an opportunity to destroy them. That was something he doesn't want to happen.

Being a Remnant was not easy. The moment he manifested his ability to move objects at will was not a happy event for him and his family. It was also the reason why his mother was not with them anymore, all because he was a Remnant. It was the time he had hated himself and his power but his father never stopped encouraging him to accept and love his ability and from then on, they started to call it a gift. Aside from that unpleasant event, their family also started to live in constant vigilance.

People like him who were gifted with abilities were both admired and feared but most find them unpleasant and for the past three years, kingdoms around the Prism Continent have actively sought people with abilities to work for the military. Some would do it openly while some would make use of dirty means to obtain a Remnant for their personal use. Some even traded them, like they were not human beings. He was lucky enough to avoid any of this and he had decided a long time ago to remain low profile and not openly show his abilities in case he attracts unwanted attention.

Dreigh was thoroughly distracted that he wasn't able to read the book on his hands. His blue eyes narrowed in displeasure with all the thoughts going through in his mind. A slight shock caused some of the belongings to fall on the ground. The slight shaking of the room stopped after he was able to maintain his calm. It was one of the drawbacks of his ability, he can't control his power whenever his emotions become unstable. It is the reason why he trained himself to remain unfeeling in any circumstances but this self-control he cultivated will have no effect if his family was involved. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to stabilize himself.

A knock on his door pulled him from his stupor, he stood up and reluctantly opened the door only to see his sister and father's worried faces.

"I'm fine, no need to worry," he spoke before any of the two could speak.

"Dreigh-" Levhon was about to speak but Dreigh only shook his head. Levhon understood, "okay, just rest. Stop thinking of unnecessary things."

"But father-" she faced Levhon in protest but his father casually brushed her off and pulled her away.

"Your brother will be fine," he smiled. Everleigh dropped the topic, she was aware that the shaking was because of his brother's abilities and it's a sensitive topic for them but even though, she was still worried. She looked at his brother with imploring eyes.

"I'm fine Ever, you don't have to be overly worried about me." She reluctantly nodded.

"Let's all sleep then," Levhon gestured for them to return to their rooms which his children obediently did.