Under the midday sun's rays, a battle took place in the small field behind Zerenia's house. In Rozer's martial arts training area, the gleaming iron swords shimmered under the blazing sun. Surrounded by bamboo fences, this place resembled a real battlefield.
Even though it was merely a practice, Uncle Staal showed no mercy towards his much younger opponent, Rozer. Despite the significant difference in the length of their swords, Rozer, with his shorter sword, managed to match Staal's reach and strength.
"Stank...Ting..."
The clashing sound reverberated as their swords met. Rozer found an opening to attack Uncle Staal, with determination and full strength, he unleashed a vertical strike. However, with a smile of satisfaction at Rozer's progress, Uncle Staal quickly, reflexively parried the attack, then pushed Rozer's sword forward, forcing Rozer to step back a few paces.
"Today's training ends here," said Uncle Staal.
Rozer suddenly felt weak, unable to hold his sword, and he fell after hearing Uncle Staal's words. With heavy steps, he lay his body on the ground to rest, taking deep breaths while trying to recover from the fatigue of the earlier battle.
"Lately, the training has been getting tougher," Rozer thought.
From the house, Zerenia came out and approached Rozer resting. With a soft voice, she asked, "Is your training finished, Rozer? Let's rest near the river. There's something I need to tell you."
***
Under the shady tree where no grass grew, Rozer and Zerenia sat together, gazing at the serene river flow and the stunning forest landscape.
With a soft yet firm voice, Zerenia started a long-overdue conversation, revealing to Rozer that he wasn't her biological child. Zerenia narrated everything openly.
Rozer stared at the face of his father who had held onto such a deep secret for 11 years. His father's expression showed resignation, ready to accept any possible outcome. "So, I'm not your biological child?" Rozer asked, expressing a mix of confusion and silence.
"That's right. I'm sorry for not telling you earlier," Zerenia replied, looking at the river. "I was afraid you would hate me," he added, handing a letter to Rozer.
Rozer took it and started reading.
Silence.
The sound of flowing water broke the silence around them. Zerenia was lost in memories that took him back to the moments of receiving Rozer when the baby was only a few months old.
It happened on a peaceful night in the midst of the Boszeven forest. Zerenia was praying at his quiet home. However, a gentle knock on the door shattered the silence. Tania appeared behind the door with a baby in a cradle and a letter tucked among the folds of the cloth.
With hope, they brought the baby into the house and read the letter inside the cradle. The room was silent, filled with question marks.
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To Dearest Brother; Zerenia, and his Wife; Tania,
Greetings,
I want to express my deep love and trust to both of you. As a younger sister, I feel a tremendous responsibility in making this decision, but with a hope filled with love and kindness. With a heavy heart, I want to entrust my greatest gift in life, Rozer, to both of you.
I wholeheartedly believe that you, Zerenia, strong, and Tania, loving, will be exceptional parents to Rozer. I hope you will nurture him with love, wisdom, and firmness that will shape him into a strong, brave, and fearless individual.
Rozer, a name I chose with the hope that he will grow to have the inner strength like Brother Zerenia and the gentleness and kindness like Tania. I am certain he will absorb all the good qualities from both of you.
Believe me, this decision wasn't taken lightly. It's a step I took with my husband in hopes that Rozer will have a bright future under your guidance. I implore you to care for, protect, and give him love as you would to your own child.
I am confident that you will be a sanctuary and love for Rozer. I ask that you face him with the strength, love, and kindness you possess.
Thank you for everything you do. I am certain you will be exceptional parents for Rozer.
With great love and hope,
[Sierra and Dunkent]
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"I still remember how happy Tania and I were when we held you that night," said Zerenia, his eyes welling up with tears.
Rozer, in the moment of silence under the shady tree, let his mind wander, playing with the words he had just heard from his father and the letter he had read. He gazed at the river flow, letting that statement resonate within him, trying to find the right answer to express his confusion before his father.
"If that's true, then it is..." Rozer said, looking up at the sky. "I don't know why I wanted to say that. But I won't hate you, Father..." Rozer stared at his father with a serious expression. "My father remains Zerenia Striem, the hero, and my mother is Tania Striem, who works at the royal palace. If it was your younger sister who gave birth to me, she must have been a very kind person," he added.
"She was-" Zerenia stopped when Rozer pulled his cloak.
Shaking his head because he didn't want to hear the continuation of his father's words, Rozer said, "I won't rush to meet my mother or ask about her whereabouts. Let fate be the one to inform me."
Zerenia, confused, asked, "Why?"
"Because the most important thing right now is that I am the child of my father and mother who live in the Boszeven forest," Rozer said, making his father emotionally overwhelmed and unable to find the right words to say.
"Rozer," his father murmured.
"So, Father, don't worry. Thank you for raising me; I'm very happy to be your child and my mother's."
Zerenia's tears couldn't be contained, flooding his cheeks as he cried with profound sorrow, his sobs echoing in the silent forest, filling the space with the solemn sound of a shattered father's cry.
"Don't cry, Father, it's embarrassing," Rozer said, trying to comfort his father.
"Father, thank you," Rozer muttered.