Percival's smile widened as he stepped forward. "Oh, hey, Jona!" he greeted, his voice carrying an easy warmth. "Been a while, hasn't it?"
Jonathan chuckled, clapping his brother on the shoulder. "Yeah, brother, it's been years."
Percival let out a small laugh. "I've been pretty busy these past few years," he admitted. "Just couldn't find the time to visit my brother."
Jonathan waved off the comment with a grin. "Don't worry about it. No matter how long you're away, family is family. You're always welcome back."
Xavier, watching the exchange, felt a knot of confusion tighten in his stomach. His father had a brother? Not just any brother, but an identical twin? He glanced between them, trying to make sense of it.
Jonathan caught his expression and turned to him. "Xavier, meet my twin brother, Percival Ashford."
"It's nice to meet you, Xavier", Percival greeted with a bright smile.
Xavier blinked in surprise, struggling to process the revelation. Percival, noticing his reaction, stepped forward, offering a small box with a knowing smile. "I heard from Aleksander that you like vanilla chocolates."
Xavier hesitated for a second before accepting the gift with a nod of thanks. Before he could say anything, the door burst open.
Violet, Jason, Jupiter, Princess Misaki, and the rest of Xavier's friends stormed in, eager to see him. But the second their eyes landed on Percival, the room fell silent.
Violet's gaze flicked between her father and the stranger before realization dawned. "Uncle Percival?" she gasped. Her face lit up, and she rushed forward, throwing her arms around him with enough force to make him wheeze.
"I've missed you so much, Uncle!"
Percival chuckled, patting her back. "I missed you too, Violet."
After a few more greetings, Percival exchanged a look with Jonathan. "How about we grab some lunch? Give Xavier some time with his friends?"
Jonathan nodded, clapping Xavier on the back before heading out with his brother.
The second the door shut, Violet turned to Xavier and hugged him tightly. "I've missed you, little brother!"
Xavier smiled, returning the hug. "Yeah, it's been a year since we last saw each other."
Violet pulled back, frowning. "A year? What are you talking about? It's only been seven months since you disappeared."
Xavier's expression shifted. "Wait. Seven months? Are you sure?"
Princess Misaki nodded. "It's September 3rd, 1808."
Xavier's eyes widened. "No way… it felt like a whole year."
Violet's eyes narrowed. "You were spotted by the imperial soldiers last week, when you arrived at the kingdom's docks."
Xavier shook his head. "I swear it was a year."
Jason stepped forward, curiosity flickering in his gaze. "Why do you think it felt that long?"
Xavier exhaled. "I was fighting a varmint. It grabbed me and dragged me into its portal—the one it used to enter our world."
Silence gripped the room.
"I managed to escape, but I got trapped in another dimension. I spent what felt like a whole year there… alone."
Gasps erupted. Elowen looked horrified. "You survived a varmint's portal of despair?"
Xavier nodded like it was nothing. "Yeah."
Elowen's shock turned to awe. "That's… incredible. No one has ever come back from one of those. Soldiers from all four races vanished into them during the Great Race War. None have returned."
Jupiter smirked. "You must've gotten stronger, huh?"
Xavier grinned. "Of course. I achieved my Expert Core—and mastered it completely."
The room fell silent again.
Jupiter let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Already? You fully mastered it?"
Xavier nodded. "Yep."
Jupiter groaned. "I just reached the green expert level of my core a few days ago, and I'm still struggling to control it."
Jason and Misaki exchanged looks, both seemingly thinking the same thing.
Violet smiled proudly, ruffling Xavier's hair. "That's amazing, little brother. I'm so proud of you."
As the conversation continued, the door creaked open. Princess Jasmine stepped inside, carrying gifts. Xavier's breath hitched, and his face flushed as she approached.
Violet noticed and barely hid a grin. "We should give Xavier and Jasmine some alone time," she whispered.
The group chuckled, throwing knowing glances Xavier's way before making their exit.
Jasmine smiled warmly. "I'm so glad you're okay, Xavier."
Xavier swallowed hard, fumbling for words. "Yeah, I—I'm glad to see you too."
She handed him the gifts. "I brought these for you."
Xavier took them, his fingers brushing against hers. His heart pounded as she stepped a little closer, her eyes filled with something he couldn't quite name.
The warmth in the room seemed to intensify, and for the first time in a long while, Xavier felt at peace.
With a sweet smile that made Xavier's heart skip a beat, Jasmine whispered, "You were so brave, Xavier. Protecting everyone from that varmint… you're a true hero."
Embarrassed, Xavier chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "It was nothing… I just did what I had to do."
Jasmine leaned in closer, her breath warm against his skin. She placed a soft kiss on his forehead. "A kiss for my heroic knight," she said playfully, a teasing grin lighting up her face.
Xavier froze.
His face turned crimson, his thoughts a whirlwind, completely unable to move. Jasmine frowned, concern creeping into her expression. "Xavier? Are you okay?"
No response.
"Xavier?" she asked again, her voice more urgent now. "Xavier!"
—
Hours later, Xavier walked beside his father, Jonathan, the cool evening air brushing against their faces. The weight of earlier events still lingered, but the quiet moment between father and son brought a strange sense of peace.
Jonathan sighed, glancing down at him. "You know, we were all worried sick after what happened at the Forest Crown Hunt. The whole family—even your grandfather—searched everywhere for you."
Guilt pricked Xavier's chest. "I'm sorry for making everyone worry," he muttered.
Jonathan ruffled his hair with a chuckle. "No need to apologize. We're just happy you're safe."
Xavier hesitated for a moment before grinning. "I never thought you had a twin brother!"
Jonathan laughed, the sound rich with nostalgia. "Yeah, Percival and I haven't seen each other much over the years."
Xavier, curiosity piqued, asked, "What was he like when you were kids?"
Jonathan's expression softened. "We were complete opposites. I was the troublemaker, always testing boundaries, and Percival… well, he was the golden boy. Charming, brilliant, always knew the right thing to say."
They shared stories and laughter until Xavier's next words left Jonathan speechless.
"Father, who are my real parents?"
Jonathan's face paled. The air between them grew thick, heavy with something unspoken. His voice, when it finally came, was quiet. "What do you mean by that, Xavier?"
Xavier took a deep breath. "You don't have to lie to me anymore, Father. I know I'm adopted."
Jonathan blinked, his usual composed demeanor faltering. Xavier pressed on, his voice softer now. "I've always known… I don't look like you, or Aleksander, or Violet. Not even Grandpa."
Jonathan's heart twisted. He had always feared this moment—not because he wanted to hide the truth, but because he worried Xavier would feel like he didn't belong.
Sensing his father's pain, Xavier immediately softened. "I'm sorry," he murmured, guilt in his voice. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just… I need to know where I came from."
Jonathan exhaled slowly. "Xavier, we found you as a baby. You were inside a shipping container on a vessel from the Imperial Kingdom of France. We searched, tried to find your family, but there were no answers. So we made you ours. You became part of this family, no different from Aleksander or Violet."
Xavier lowered his head. "France, huh? I never would've guessed."
Jonathan pulled him into a firm embrace. "It doesn't matter where you came from. Blood or no blood, you'll always be my son."
Xavier's chest tightened, emotions threatening to overwhelm him. "Why do you love me so much, even though I'm not really yours?"
Jonathan smiled. "Because love isn't about blood, Xavier. It's about choice."
Xavier wiped at his eyes and frowned. "Why do you always talk about love like it's the most important thing?"
Jonathan chuckled, glancing at the horizon. "Because love is everything. It's patient, kind, selfless. It's not proud or envious. It forgives, sacrifices, and brings people together. Love is what makes someone a good person, a good man."
Xavier absorbed his father's words, realization dawning on him. Jonathan placed a hand on his shoulder, his gaze steady. "I want you, Aleksander, and Violet to use your gifts to help others, to live with kindness. Too many people with power believe they're better than everyone else. I don't want that for you."
Xavier frowned, thoughtful. "But why should I help others? No one's going to save me when I need it."
Jonathan's expression was knowing. "You reap what you sow, my boy. Help others, show them goodness, and they'll return it when you least expect it. But the real question is: Who do you want to be?"
Xavier's eyes burned with newfound determination. "I want to be a knight."
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "A knight?"
Xavier nodded, conviction in his voice. "Not just any knight. A heroic one. I want to protect people and guide them, just like you said."
Jonathan's expression turned serious. "Being a knight—especially a heroic one—means suffering. Sacrifice. Are you ready for that?"
Xavier grinned. "I am!"
Jonathan's heart swelled with pride. He lifted Xavier effortlessly. "Then I'll be cheering you on, my son."
As they continued walking, a familiar voice called out.
"Xavier!"
Aleksander stood nearby, clutching a bundle of flowers and gifts—things meant for Xavier's hospital room. His shocked expression was almost comical.
Xavier grinned. "I missed you, big brother."
Aleksander, momentarily frozen, dropped the flowers before rushing forward. He wrapped Xavier in a tight hug, his relief palpable. "You're awake… I can't believe it."
Xavier pulled back, studying Aleksander's face. "Are you okay, Aleks?"
Aleksander chuckled, ruffling Xavier's hair. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just relieved."
Xavier smirked. "You don't have to worry anymore—I'm stronger than ever!"
Aleksander arched an eyebrow. "Stronger, huh? How about we spar later, then?"
Xavier's face paled. "Uh, no thanks. I'd like to live a little longer."
Aleksander smacked the back of his head lightly. "Relax. Don't say stuff like that."
Xavier laughed. "I know, I know."
The night stretched on, but in that moment, Xavier wasn't thinking about the past or the pain of not knowing his real family. He wasn't worrying about his future or the battles ahead.
He was just Xavier—brother, son, and soon-to-be knight.
And for now, that was enough.