"I am sorry but I may not be the person you are looking for."
From that one line, all of them understood that Noah knew who they were but decided to cut ties anyway. It didn't take a genius to guess why a child would want to cut ties with their family after a long separation.
Edwin and Emilia were visibly shaking. They wanted to convince him otherwise but they didn't want to push him further away either. On the other hand, Trish continued to look at Noah.
Looking at him, she could see his hands shaking even though he spoke resolutely.
She could see from his eyes that he didn't really want to cut ties with them nor did he have any hatred against them.
"Why? Do you hate me because we weren't able to rescue you sooner?"
"No! I don't hate you."
"Then?"
"..."
"It's ok. You can tell me."
"I don't have that many memories of all of us."
"Then we'll just have to start making memories from today."
"You don't understand, I don't hate you but I don't like you either, no, I don't even know you. There is no affection between us to call us a family."
"We'll try our best to win your heart then."
"No. I may not be the same kid you knew back then."
"Well, then I just have to know how you grew up to be now."
"Listen, you don't understand!"
Although the conversation had only just started, Noah could feel that he was already out of breath.
Caressing his hand, Trish sat on the bed next to him.
"What do I not understand?"
"..."
"It's ok. Tell me"
"...Bad things happen to the people near me. It's best to stay away from me."
"Why do you think so? Did someone tell you that?"
"No… I just know."
"Is that so? And that's why you don't want to come with us?"
"Yes.."
"It's okay.. Nothing bad will ever happen again. If it does, then we'll stick together and face it together."
For Noah, this was a second chance he never could have hoped to get again. A chance to have a family. Looking at Trish's clear eyes, Noah could feel a lump forming in his throat.
"So tell me honestly. Do you want to come with us?"
Unable to speak, Noah nodded his head. As tears started to fall, Trish, Emilia and Edwin hugged Noah tight.
Seeing the warm atmosphere in the room, Melissa quietly left.
====
After Noah decided to leave together with the Wyte house, they decided to extend their stay at the village for two more days to ensure Noah was in a condition to travel.
Edwin continued to travel to and fro from the city to the village to check up on his youngest daughter, Maeve, while also making medical arrangements for Noah.
Backlash from mana overload was very difficult to treat and also only a few survived from it. Staying optimistic, the family decided to put all their efforts into caring for Noah. Although Noah still sounded a little awkward while talking to Edwin or Emilia, they made sure to have at least one of them to be with him at all times.
Sitting on a wheelchair, Noah was carried by Emilia towards a white aircraft.
Although this went against the decree for ecological preservation, leeway was given for transporting Noah. Even though only the royal family and its retainers were told of Noah's survival, rumors spread like wildfire.
A confidentiality was sworn between all that gathered to lock information on Noah's skills and condition and also on the Altar.
The captured scientists and knights were taken into the custody of the Wyte house for further investigation. A small part of the knights were stationed at Aruk village to investigate the hideout.
After exchanging goodbyes, the group finally split. In the span of two days, Emilia and Melissa became closer than ever. Promising to visit the Wyte house soon in the future, the ice temple priest finally left.
Getting into the large aircraft in a wheelchair, Noah started his journey towards the Wyte ducal territory.
Unbeknownst to Noah, a huge commotion was breaking out in the Wyte territory with him in the center. Even though the two kingdoms united under the same banner without war more than a decade ago, the final decision for the previous Wyte royal family to become just a ducal house didn't sit well with many including nobles and commoners. To reduce chance of revolt against the decision, a few other conditions were also put as part of the unfication: the nobles will continue to retain their title and land; governance will continue to remain under the Wyte house for their territory but the royal family will have power to veto; the direct descendants of the current generation will have right to the throne.
Although being made a subject meant that the Wyte ducal house had to bend the knee if needed, the last condition was the hope for the citizens. For them, they could never imagine a ruler or a government better than one under the Wyte's as they have always remained true to their word. While the territory under the original Equirrion kingdom, though was larger, they had a significantly larger size of poor and slums. To the common folk, this meant that money and power continued to remain at the top.
Although there was nearly 10 to 15 years left for the next ruler to be decided, the citizens eagerly watched the growth of the two Wyte sisters. As Emilia remained impartial towards any politics and Maeve was too young, the citizens were gradually growing wary.
When rumours spread about the survival of the prince, the citizens kept a close watch. Even though there was no official announcement, seeing the erratic movement of knights and officials over the past few days, they knew something big was about to happen.
As if to answer all their questions, a large white aircraft landed on the ducal mansion a few days later and out came the duke and duchess followed by Emilia pushing a boy with dark blue hair in a wheelchair.