007 | Unique Joy

Although his life was upside down, everyone around him could still laugh and joke. So Arlo just sat in his chair, cutting through his steak with resentment.

"Oh my, Arlo, just relax!" exclaimed Lunabelle beside him, sitting upright and graceful like a sudden princess of Varidianth. "We should eat with gratitude and love."

"Yeah, but my love already burned in hell," grumbled Arlo offhandedly. He began to eat, trying not to direct his frustration towards her.

"By the way," Lunabelle's hand groped the table until finding his arm. "I hope nothing changes between us, Arlo."

Arlo softened. "Do you want to tell me the reason now? The reason why you want to live with Elios and Lana?"

"It's because," Lunabelle's voice faltered. "The weather in Remirer is always warm. I can imagine lots of stars at night, and blue skies during the day. It's so nice to stroll in the park with Cloud."

Arlo chuckled, though not genuinely happy. "Alright. Weather is just one of Remirer's many perks," he murmured. "While I continue my dark and gloomy life in Umbravale."

"Oh, you're testing my patience!" grumbled Lunabelle. "I'll still visit you there, and you'll visit me here. Nothing must change between us, okay?"

Arlo nodded reluctantly, feeling like his life had changed so much that nothing remained the same.

"You're still my little sister, Belle," Arlo murmured. "No matter what."

***

Umbravale and Remirer were like hell and heaven, at least that's what Arlo thought as he and Kieran sat inside the horse-drawn carriage, watching their small town breathe.

It wasn't that this town was unfamiliar with technology. But, horse-drawn carriages remained the choice for families here to roam around the city, a choice to preserve culture and not overly depend on technology.

When their carriage halted in the gravel courtyard of Nyxshade Manor, Arlo jumped out immediately. Passing by servants and knights who had lined up to welcome their return, he felt suffocated and only wished to retreat to his bedroom.

But Kieran called out to him. "Arlo?"

Arlo turned, having just ascended the grand staircase in the center of the house when Kieran approached him at an almost inhuman speed.

"From now on, we won't be alone," Kieran promised him.

Arlo didn't understand until Kieran glanced towards something at the top of the stairs. He followed Kieran's gaze and was startled.

At the top of the stairs stood a pair of bluish-black-haired husband and wife whom Arlo had only ever seen in Kieran's family portraits.

Xavian and Chandie Nyxshade. Kieran's parents had long been buried deep beneath the earth. Two individuals who were supposed to have died ten years ago.

"I know you are speechless, Arlo," Kieran grinned. The man quickly ran up the stairs and embraced his parents. "I've missed both of you so much."

The Nyxshade couple didn't resemble the stiff aristocratic family Arlo had seen in paintings. They were warm and full of life, making him feel safe approaching them.

"So..." Arlo smiled near them. "Am I your grandson or something?"

Lord Xavian laughed, making Arlo disbelieve this was the man famed for his skill with dual swords. "We don't know either, but we'd be delighted with the idea," he said.

Arlo chuckled. He joined them, allowing Kieran's parents to hug him.

Amidst this strange happiness, he hoped to share this moment with Lunabelle.