Clack* Clack* Clack* Clack* Clack*
The sound of clattering of horse hooves and creaking of a wooden carriage rang true to Theo's ear as he stared out of the window, revealing a vast prairie with virtually nothing in sight but escorting Holy knights that accompanied them.
It has been two years since the time Theo met Selene in Neutrum, though for him, it felt like a longer time, because of the amount of things he experienced these past two years
Theo was now standing tall at 180cm, a height that many men desire to have. He had shedded all of his child-like features and was now a genuine handsome young man. His figure was built like a greek statue, covered by the white outfit he was wearing, His short hair was as beautiful and golden as they were before and his eyes became sharper and more mature.
He almost looked androgynous, because of his quite charming beauty, making Theo worried that he might attract certain unfavorable groups that might approach him.
His mom was sad that her 'baby' was now grown up, sad that the childish Theo will never be seen again during his sixteenth birthday. Theo had to comfort his mother and embrace her for a couple of hours before she calmed down.
His sister was the same and dragged him out and trained him as a gift before she went back to her work.
Torturing your brother as a gift? My sister needs to get her head fixed! just give me a tie or a pair of new shoes or something! Not beat be down to a disfigured pulp!
Theo closed his eyes and reined in his anger as he remembered vividly what happened a few months back when her sister gave him his 'gift'.
"Big Brother Theo, is something bothering you?"
A golden child on a white dress with green accents asked with a genuinely worried expression.
"I'm fine, Helena, thanks for worrying, I just remembered a bad dream I had last night"
Where my sister threw me around like a ragdoll before healing me and again proceeded to beat me once more…
"Oh, That's too bad, I learned something from Mother Aurora, can you lend me your forehead, Big brother Theo?"
Of course I will my angel Helena.
For the first time in his life, he finally had a female relative that didn't resort to violence when solving most of their problems and had an attitude of an angsty dragon.
Helena, as expected, was adopted into the imperial family and donned the name of Ignatius, despite not having the right to inherit the throne, she nonetheless gets the treatment as a daughter of the emperor.
Adoption to the imperial family was only natural when she was a Saint of Life, a representative of the authority of their goddess.
Everyone in the family treated her as if she was their own.
His father looked to be indifferent but would regularly send Helena snacks.
His mother was the most gleeful, not only did she have a new daughter, she also had a new disciple to teach, his mother, was afterall a saint as well.
His sister, for some reason, unlike how she treats Theo, treats Helena with extreme gentleness as if Helena was glass and occasionally when she has time hangs out with Helena in the flower fields, where they eat afternoon snacks and drink tea.
I just visit her from time to time after her lessons to play or cook for her.
Theo reminded her of his little sister in his past life, who he had to raise most of his life.
Helana was undeniably gentler, though
Theo wished that Helena never changed. Her kindness and gentleness knows no bounds after all.
Theo leaned forward as per Helena's instructions.
Helana placed her index finger on Theo's forehead and muttered a spell under her soft breath.
"Breath of Life"
A wave of warmth traveled from Helena's hands to Theo's forehead, refreshing his mind, washing away all the discomfort he was feeling he had accumulated during their journey.
This is insane, I feel wide awake and all the unnecessary thoughts just disappeared.
Theo felt great. He was speechless on how well the spell worked for someone who just started training for a year.
Theo also felt Helena was on the brink of becoming an intermediate tier.
As expected of a saint
"Are you feeling better now?"
"I do, thanks Helena"
Theo smiled at his adorable little sister.
"That's great, if you ever feel sick just tell me!" Helena said with great enthusiasm.
What an angel!
Theo patted Helena on the head.
"I definitely will, Helena"
"Yaawwnnn, are we there yet?"
The other child, who just woke up from his nap, seated beside Helena was none other than Sky.
"Manners Sky, cover your mouth when you yawn, your the son of the Duke now"
"Yeah, yeah. Who care it's only you and big bro here anyways, who'd care?"
Sky said as he waved at the scolding Helena away.
"You'll turn it into a habit. You even picked your nose when you were in front of the Holy knights! If you can't learn privately then how are you going to learn it publicly in front of other people?"
"Ugh.... But, you're talking loudly! A lady shouldn't be raising her voice at people like this! What are you? A back alley hoodlum boss?"
"Why you!"
Bang!
Helena punched at Sky and punched him on the forehead.
"Ouch! Hey! No violence!"
"You asked for it!"
"Hahaha..." Theo laughed awkwardly at the scene in front of him.
Nevermind, she does have violent tendencies as well.
The reason why the two children were accompanying then was, one, to have them get used to high class events
Two to show off the other nation that Virtus had another saint and that their not hiding their manpower from Vitoten as a sign of friendship and trust
And Three Helena begged my father and mother to let her come with Theo, dragging Sky as well so Helena had a friend to accompany her.
And who was escorting this very important envoy to Vitoten?
Two grandmasters Holy knights from Virtus were accompanying them, specifically his mother and Duke Windsor.
Duke was out in the front leading them to Vitoten and his mother, Aurora, was inside another carriage with the mother of the Duke, Mary Windsor, who was previously a Grandmaster but tiered down because of her age.
The Duke's little sister was left as a proxy in charge of the Windsor territory as well as the duties of a prime minister with the help of her daughter who was going to be the next head of the household, giving her the time to learn more about her future position.
Two more Grandmasters from Vitoten will meet them part of the way as a means of showing sincerity to the visiting Imperial family of Virtus, so it was almost impossible for them to get ambushed and killed on the way with the amount of Grandmasters guarding the carriage, so Theo didn't worry about any kind of ambush happening.
It's kind of overkill if you ask me
"Hey! You can't hit a lady!" Helena shouted with aggression as she swung her hand to swipe on Sky's face
"This is self-defense! Man or Woman, who cares! My life is in danger!" Sky responded back as he ducked down to dodge Helena's swipe
I'll leave them to their devices.
Unexpectedly, Sky and Helena would always butt heads in Apple town. Sky was the leader of the troublemakers and Helena was the one that uphold discipline and insisted decorum on the children around her age.
It was only expected, Helena was a person who grew up with her sick father and was forced to grow up to take care of him.
It was inevitable that she would be as responsible and reliable as she was now.
Sadly, her father died and with his will sent to Apple town she was able to move there without any problem.
Now she has a family and friends to rely on and a friend that she could be truly be the child that she was.
Selene and I will make sure that she would continue living her life that way.
"The Vitoten escorts have arrived, Young master. We have an hour left before we arrive till we reach the capital city of Aventus."
Bennet said through the window of the carriage, freezing both Sky and Helena, stopping their earlier scuffle because of shock.
They hastily went back to their proper positions, but it was already too late, Bennet had already seen them.
He chuckled at the messy sight of Helena and Sky and moved back to his position, leaving the two kids red in embarrassment.
Theo on the other had other thoughts in mind. The black haired beauty kept flashing in his mind.ä
Knowing her, she's likely cooking up something to get me in trouble
Sadly for Theo, she wasn't planning anything nefarious against him, rather she was preparing herself to respond to any mischief he might pull off. He'll only find out when they meet later.
.... I would be lying if I said that I didn't miss her.
Selene was his partner, the one he shared a destiny with, the one he vowed to for the sake of the world and his one and only rival.
Theo looked outside in anticipation, wondering if the hour could just go a little bit faster.