Always

"We'll see each other at the academy," declared Helen as she left with her father and brother.

Before Michael could even respond, a voice behind was heard.

"Michael! Congratulations on your win. Even though we hadn't had time together today due to some unforeseen circumstances, we'll surely spend more time at the academy," Anne said while subtly looking at the leaving back of Helen.

"Thank you, and I'm sorry I didn't expect the duel from John, but of course, we'll see each other there," replied Michael while missing the fact that the unforeseen circumstances Anne was talking about were not the duel with John…

After some more pleasantries were exchanged between them, Anne also left with her mother, and after them, everyone followed suit without forgetting to leave a congratulatory gift to Michael. Soon enough, everyone left, including John, who his family's guard took after being mostly healed from the potion Aragon gave him.

At Aragon's office Michael, his mother, and Aragon sat on the sofa while talking about the events that transpired today.

"What happened between you and the princess?" inquired Amelia.

"When she arrived with The King, even though she tried to hide it, she seemed rather forced to be here, so after they left us alone, I tried to get closer to her as father, and I discussed before, so I took her to the garden," replied Michael to both his father and mother.

"Ohh, that's a good move," replied Aragon with a slight smile, which he did not often do.

"After that, I saw that she was more open with me, so we engaged in some small talk, and before she left, she told me that we'll meet at the academy, so I guess getting closer to her would be a lot easier there since she won't have anyone to give her instructions," continued Michael his previous talk.

"Hmm, still be careful. You don't want to mess with a woman's heart Michael. You never know what they'll do," advised Amelia.

"I know, mother, don't worry. I'm not getting closer to her to be in a relationship with her," replied Michael as he tried to clear his mother's worries.

"Okay, enough with the love talk. What do you think about the duel between you and the Clithford brat?" asked Aragon as he changed the topic.

"He was strong. If I hadn't broken through to E+ rank I don't think I could've won this easily without being injured. His last attack with the lighting he imbued made him too fast."

"That attack was his family's main spear art. It's a very strong one, but nothing our sword art can't handle. Aside from that, I think his father put him to duel you so that he can lower the opinion of The King towards you since it seems he wants you on his side," said Aragon.

"Then shouldn't I've lost and made it seem that he is stronger than me so that The King wouldn't drag me in his political ploys?" asked Michael, still remembering the words of his father that the King would most likely try to lure him in his side.

"The King is an S-rank awakened. He would know if you used all your strength or just a portion of it, and even if he didn't realize losing to John would make the King turn his attention towards the Clithfords even more. Maybe that would result in internal strife, and all the noble families would have to choose a side, between The King and the crown prince or the second prince and the Clithfords," said Aragon.

"Your father is right. Even though we don't want all the attention from The King, neither do we want him to ignore us completely. Don't show too much nor hide too much. You have to find the middle ground," said Amelia.

'What is this? A riddle?' thought Michael as he was listening to his mother's words, and as if she was catching his confusion, she continued by explaining,

"I know it's hard to understand what I mean, but what I'm saying is don't rush too much. All the political ploys that are happening behind the scenes are too much, sometimes even for us. So, for the time being, try to draw the right amount of attention," said Amelia as she solved the previous riddle.

"Hmm, ok. Much but not too much," said Michael in a half-joking and half-serious tone.

"Don't be ironic with us, boy. Everything we do is for your own good. Remember that. Now go. We have some things to discuss with your mother," said Aragon.

'Why do parents always turn every joke into a life lesson?' thought Michael as he got up and left his father's office.

"I think it's time for them to know the truth about what happened all those years ago. Maybe our approach on the matter was wrong since the beginning," said Amelia as soon as Michael left the room to Aragon.

"We both agreed that we must make them stronger first and then tell them the truth. Sometimes ignorance is truly bliss," said Aragon.

"But with Michael, we once push him to become stronger, then we tell him to try and not draw too much attention, and Elizabeth is getting colder towards us, especially those two months that she returned from the academy," said Amelia with a sad tone as she was basically watching her kids getting further and further away from her.

"First, who would know that Michael's talent would explode this much? All these years, we saw his progress, and we made him train based on that progress. Second, as for Elizabeth, she's getting stronger. The time for her to learn the truth is drawing near. And lastly, sacrifices must always be made. Maybe our approach was wrong, and we should've told them the truth from the beginning, but since we got to this place, there is no turning back," said Aragon and got up from the sofa he was sitting on with anger visible in his face.

Amelia stayed no longer in the office and left with a depressed face.

**********

"Brother, the day for our departure to the academy draws near and you won't have to always face the harsh training they put you on," said Elizabeth to Michael.

"Liz, I've already told you I asked for this type of training, and also, you don't have to be that cold towards our parents," said Michael as he watched his sister.

"But all those years, they never cared for us. How can you put your trust in them?" asked Liz with a harsh tone.

"You are smart, Liz. You probably also know that our parents are hiding something from us. When the time is right, they'll talk to us. Till then, don't try to create any more rifts between your relationship," said Michael as he understood that something must have happened that made them act this way towards him and Liz, especially after his last conversation with them.

"Yeah, I'll try. But we'll always have each other, right?" asked Liz Michael.

"Always."