Chapter 11 - Familial Matters

Naver's magic increased by leaps and bounds after his eyes changed. He was even able to use wind illusion magic to disguise his eyes so that they would appear to be the normal light silver everyone was used to. He accompanied Jules and Mana in their classes for earth, fire and water magic, and the three children often ensconced themselves in the library to dig out books on wind magic and dark magic that could help Naver learn more.

Mana, too, was getting healthier and stronger by the day, under the watchful eyes of Physician Kale, Junioe Physician Vale, Grandpa, Grandma, Jules and Naver. They watched her like a hawk until she drank every last bitter drop of the numerous medicinal potions she was prescribed, much to her amusement. Although, she had to admit, given how unpalatable some of the potions were, she would be sorely tempted to pour them out of the window if no one was keeping an eye on her.

Jules also grew more handsome and valiant upon learning his true identity and two admiring children trailing him like ducklings. Naver had also been coerced into calling Jules "Big Brother" by now, and Jules would always feel his heroic spirit surge when he heard the sweet "Big Brother" from Mana and the shy "Big Brother" from Naver.

Several weeks passed by in this manner.

"Big Brother is rather dashing, isn't he? He'd make a wonderful king in the future," Mana commented idly, watching Jules practice sword-fighting with an advanced instructor who had been dragged away from the capital city by a letter from Physician Kale after Jules had managed to defeat every soldier stationed at the summer palace, including the guard Captain.

Naver watched Jules enviously. "He's brilliant," he murmured.

"How's your swordsmanship?" Mana asked. The Emperor Raven in the book had been a master swordsman, after all, and wielded a fierce black sword which was rumoured to have drunk the blood of a million people.

By now, Mana had learnt to take things mentioned in the book with a pinch of salt. This meek, adorable boy she had befriended was nothing like the Evil Emperor depicted in the legend!

Naver flushed with embarrassment. "I don't know how to wield a sword," he said in a small voice. "All I can do is hit people with a small projectile and run away."

Mana's eyes widened in shock. "You're not combat trained at all?!" she asked incredulously.

Naver shook his head. "I have a good aim, that's all," he confessed. "And I learnt a little by watching my half-siblings."

"Big Brother!" Mana hollered.

Jules, who had been about to strike his instructor a winning blow, immediately threw away his sword and ran over to Mana.

"What's the matter, little Mana?" he asked, his face softened into a fond expression.

"Naver has never been taught how to fight," she said.

Jules eyed Naver in shock. "Really? But…your aim is impeccable."

Naver shrugged nonchalantly, but his eyes were filled with hope.

Jules immediately called the instructor over. "Could you please check his combat potential? I'd like him to learn properly."

The instructor spent the next hour testing Naver, and by the end of the hour, the instructor's eyes were shining brightly. "Excellent potential," he declared. "He's a little lacking in physical strength, but that can be overcome with his speed and accuracy until he grows stronger and bigger. He is very nimble."

"Would you like to learn?" Jules asked Naver.

"Yes, Big Brother," Naver replied shyly. "I'd like it very much."

The instructor beamed. "I shall draw up a schedule immediately. We can start tomorrow."

"Thank you," Naver said gratefully.

The instructor went off, whistling to himself.

Jules winked at Mana. "We picked up a fantastic seedling for our family, didn't we?"

Mana agreed whole heartedly.

Naver pretended to cringe, but there was a pleased flush on his cheeks, which gave away his happiness.

"We discovered a good thing today," Jules said slowly, giving Mana a meaningful glance. "Shouldn't we celebrate?"

Mana giggled. "Just tell me that you want me to bake a cake, Big Brother!" she retorted, slapping his arm. "No need to beat around the bush."

A rosy blush crept up Jules's cheeks, but he didn't deny it. He really did want a cake.

"I wish we had some vanilla and cocoa," Mana said wistfully.

"What's that?" Naver asked curiously.

"Something delicious," Mana replied. "I'll draw them for you later. You know about thousands of plants…maybe you've seen them somewhere…"

Jules wore a befuddled expression. "How do you even know about these strange things?" he asked Mana.

Mana winked at him. "Secret," she said enigmatically. With her baby face, however, the effect was adorable rather than mysterious.

The three of them chatted and laughed together as they made their way to the kitchen.

With ample help from Jules and Naver, Mana made several cakes with fresh fruits from the palace orchards.

"What's my little Mana doing in the kitchen?" came a deep baritone voice, which made Mana almost drop the cake she was holding. She thrust the plate into the nearest person's hands and flew out of the kitchen.

King Jaren stood just outside the kitchen with a smile on his face.

"Papa!" Mana cried excitedly and threw herself into his arms.

King Jaren picked up his young daughter easily and swung her around. Even though she was a proper adult on the inside, Mana enjoyed his actions very much. She giggled in delight.

She kissed her father's cheek when he finally stopped. "What are you doing here, Papa?" she asked.

King Jaren ruffled her hair. "You little brat," he complained. "I missed you so much that my heart was breaking, while you forgot all about your old Papa?"

Mana pouted. "How can I forget my Papa?" she demanded. She peeped behind him. "Did you come alone?" she asked.

"I came with a few guards. Why?" King Jaren asked curiously.

"And Big Sister and Aunt Sora are still in the capital city?" Mana enquired.

King Jaren nodded. "Those two princes from the Amber Kingdom – Mars and Liam – are still there."

Mana made a face at the mention of Liam.

King Jaren raised an eyebrow and Mana quickly told him about her encounter with the two of them.

Predictably, King Jaren was furious. "How dare he?" he boomed angrily. "Laying a finger on my little daughter! I'll beat him to death!" He pinched Mana's cheeks. "And you little brat, why didn't you send me a letter to tell me about this?!"

"I was afraid you'd get angry and kill him," Mana said fearfully. "Big Sister wants to marry Prince Mars, and if you killed his brother, wouldn't the Amber Kingdom be angry about it?"

"They can be as angry as they want," King Jaren said flippantly.

"But Big Sister will blame me," Mana said.

King Jaren huffed. "I won't let my little Mana be wronged, let alone for a scumbag like that!"

"I kicked him real hard, you know," Mana told him with a smirk.

King Jaren put her down and patted her back. "Well done," he said proudly. "Now, where are the two boys who saved you?"

Mana took his hand and dragged him into the kitchen, frightening the kitchen staff nearly to death. Mana ignored their discomfort and called out, "Big Brother! Naver! Come, meet my Papa!"

Jules and Naver quickly put down the plates they were holding and walked forward nervously.

King Jaren froze as soon as he saw Jules and Jules was equally stiff at the sight of the father he had never known and only recently heard about.

Mana issued rapid instructions for the cakes to be served in the small tea room next to the dining hall, and sent another servant to fetch Grandpa and Grandma.

Then she led her Papa, Big Brother and Naver away. Everyone remained silent until the cake was served and the servants went away.

"Mana," King Jaren asked hoarsely. "Who is this young man?"

Mana smiled up at him. "What does your heart tell you, Papa?"

King Jaren choked. "My heart…" he muttered, clutching his chest. "My heart says that he's my flesh and blood…mine and Dora's…but…but how could that be possible?"

There was a knock on the door and Grandpa and Grandma entered. King Jaren fell into his chair with a thump.

"Mother-in-law…? Father-in-law?" he cried softly. "You…you were alive…?" His head turned wildly and his eyes fixed on Jules as if seeing the most precious thing in the world. "Then…then this is really my son…?

Grandpa patted King Jaren's shoulder. "It's been a while, Jaren," he said quietly.

King Jaren leaped out of his chair and rushed to Jules, pulling the teenager into a hug. "My son, my son!" he cried, tears streaming down his face. He kissed Jules's brow and examined him from head to foot. "My son," he whispered again, as if not daring to believe it.

"Jules, greet you father," Grandma said, wiping her own tears.

"Hello, Papa," Jules said nervously. "It is good to finally meet you. Mana told me a lot about you." His eyes brimmed with tears, too.

"Jules…" King Jaren murmured. "You're called Jules…?"

Jules nodded.

King Jaren hugged him again. "My son, Jules!" he cried. "Papa has wronged you, my dear child…"

Jules shook his head. He didn't blame his father at all.

"Little Mana makes excellent cakes, Papa," Jules said instead. "Why don't we all try some?"

King Jaren blinked in surprise, looking at the cakes on the table. "My little Mana made these?" he asked, shocked.

Mana nodded smugly. "Big Brother and Naver helped me, though," she said and pulled Naver's arm. "Papa, this is Naver, the poison expert, and also the other boy who helped me that day."

King Jaren gave Naver a hug, too, and thanked him profusely for helping his daughter. Then he turned to his parents-in-law. "Could you tell me what happened?" he asked quietly.

Grandpa and Grandma told King Jaren everything as they ate. He listened carefully, sitting really close to Jules and holding his arm, terrified that his long-lost son would disappear if he let him go.

"My poor Dora…" he whispered. "How she must have suffered…" He pursed his lips. "I will fix this," he promised.