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3rd Pov
After the prince's disappearance there was chaos in entire Alf's forest, even the Elves outside of the Orario were ready to search for their beloved prince. That was what being an Elf meant; a race so united that no other race dared to fuck them off. However, the King called the search off much to everyone's shock.
King Larfal already knew that despite his prestige and power he wasn't omnipotent, he had already done his best but if he wasn't able to find his son, then maybe he just won't be able to. Using anymore effort and money will be a waste. Finally, after months calm returned to the Alf's forest and there weren't any more surprises until the letter from Ember came.
" Your Majesty! We suspect this letter was written by the prince", came a few soldiers with the news and the letter. The King looked at them with seriousness and said," Hand me the letter, I thank you for the effort", the soldiers nodded and handed him the letter. Larfal opened the letter but couldn't bring himself to read, so he handed over to his loyal minister standing beside him, " Please read."
The minister nodded and started reading it aloud.
[My dear family,
I know this letter was most probably will be firstly handed to you father. If it isn't then you can say I was wrong. I won't make any excuses for what I have done, and I won't blame you either for the strict restrictions you put on me. Maybe I am not the filial son you hoped for, and my reason for escaping isn't something grand either. It was my own selfishness that led to this, though I hoped you will be more understanding of my actions.
Mother and my sister understood my thoughts, my desire... I may not be a good prince, but I will surely become a good man. I can't talk much about where I am and how I am, however, I am fine. I have become adventurer, unfortunately what you feared has become true father. I met Gods, and yes, they are selfish like you thought, indifferent as you feared, weird which was not unexpected and what to say? Enigmatic?
I won't say that the God of the familia that I am now part of is a saint, however he is better than other Gods and kind if that puts your mind into ease. I will be exploring this vast world for maybe decades or even a century, when I think I am done, I will return to my home. I don't ask for forgiveness but understanding. Thank you, father, for everything.
P.S: The next few letters are for Mother, sister and miss Aina, don't throw them away with the letter for you]
Larfal felt infuriated and he quickly snatched the letter and started folding the paper into ball when the minister beside him said," Sire, the other letters are for Her Highness and princess", hearing his words Larfal stopped midway, he quickly took out the rest of the letters and flattened them up, then he threw his letter to the ground and said," Damn it, Ember!", he gritted his teeth, he was angry. Did his son thought speaking amicably will resolve the situation? Nope! Larfal can't forgive him, he can only punish him for such an act.
He took a deep breath, and then with a sigh handed the letter to the minister standing beside him. " Give it to Ada and don't tell her I almost threw it away", he said much to his embarrassment. His relationship with his wife has become sour... Again! He didn't want to spice it up anymore. It wouldn't be good for the Alf's forest if the king has a sour relationship with his queen.
Minister nodded with twitching eyebrows; the majesty of the king was as good as gone! But he didn't feel much, after Ada was Her Majesty and she held power second only to the king and for the king to remain calm for his wife, showed his love and thoughtfulness. Thinking like this the minister couldn't help but admire the king.
(A/N: Elves seeing their royalty sneezing: That's so graceful!)
" Your Highness, I request to speak something, however I beg in advance if it sounds rude", said another minister," Speak Darius", Larfal said giving him the permission. " Your Majesty I think prince is a lost cause-", immediately he was interrupted by another minister," Darius! DO YOU EVEN REALIZE WHAT ARE YOU SPEAKING?!", Larfal showed his hand," Calm down, Darius continue-"
" I apologize your majesty, but I think prince Ember is not fit to rule the Alf's forest, and since he had run away, I think it's better to give him the freedom. On other hand, her Highness Riveria is a very fit match for the throne and If anyone expresses her ability based on her gender, it will be plain heresy", he said and Larfal nodded.
" Honestly I thought for Riveria and Ember to get a century worth of experience before I decide about the heirship, but considering the current situation. I think it will be better to crown Riveria as the crown princess. This will be my punishment to my son! Since he abandoned his kingdom, he loses his right to the throne!", Larfal declared, and once he declared his words were in stone.
Ministers and nobles present, no one objected his decision. Even if Ada wants, she can't change this decision now, otherwise it will appear as bad leadership. However, what they did not know that time, that the prince they rejected, deeming as failure, having no qualities to ascend to throne, will one day do something so great, that it will shock them to their bones.
...
While the drama in Royal Alf's Forest unfolded, Ember unaware of it celebrated the festival of Christmas eve, one might wonder if there was Jesus in this world, and actually not. There was a man named Jaina who brought the gospel of Gods when the world has almost lost faith in the Gods and thought of them as fiction, the birthdate of his marked the Christmas in this world.
Today was Christmas Eve and the entire town was set up with twinkling lights. While this world wasn't as technologically advanced as the modern world, it had magic and the Gods who came down brought a lot of scientific knowledge, particularly Goddess of Wisdom, Ruler of Altena, Athena. Because of her knowledge, her militaristic nation and familia became a force to be reckoned with, they possess more magicians than anywhere else in the world, rivaled only by Orario.
They made so many inventions in world, that many modern stuffs here is common now. Ember was with his party members admiring the view of the town. " Tithonus how about you join Aschelois familia for this Christmas Eve?", asked Aika with excitement, Ember could only nod helplessly as he was dragged into the house of Aschelois familia.
" Now everyone! Get on the job!", shouted Goddess Aschelois as everyone cheered and started setting up the decorations. "Griffith! Put the Christmas tree in the middle!", goddess shouted and then said to another guy," Mika! Put the decorations there! Also, James don't slack off! Diana be more artistic with how you put up the decorations, Shazar put the purple lights there!"
" Goddess! How about you stop commanding us? and start helping us!", James said with anger, " No way! How can you make this lovely Goddess work? I am afraid I will be sent back to Tenkai with tiredness alone", Aschelois said in a dramatic and exaggerated way. Everyone clicked their tongues when Ember entered alongside Aika.
" Fufu! Amazed, aren't you?! Miss Amalda was same when she saw this, after all I heard Elves rarely celebrate Christmas", said Aika with a smug look as she showed the Ember half-done decorations which already made the room look very amazing. " Oh, Aika you are here, and Tet as well", said Mika as she greeted them.
" Sir Elf!", Ember heard the voice, and he couldn't help but feel troubled,' Man here we go again! ', he thought, and it became true as Goddess Aschelois appeared in front of him and ran towards him. " Sirrr Elffff!", she said dramatically as she ran to hug him which Ember smartly avoided letting her hit the wall behind him.
" Damn cold", whistled Aika while witnessing her goddess foolishly crashing to the wall. " Ouch! It's not good you are avoiding me!", said Goddess Aschelois with a pout as she stared at Ember who looked at her as if looking at trouble. " Anyway, Sir Handsome Elf-", she was interrupted by Ember," I have a name Goddess"
" He does", said Chad making Ember frown as he stared at him,' Did he just? Nah- I must be imagining ', meanwhile Aschelois couldn't help but shake her head as she stared at Chad," Chad, you need to be live up to your name and behave like a Chad!", she said making him confused," But I am Chad?", some couldn't help but want to laugh especially Amalda.
" Anyway, sir Tithonus don't you think today is a fine day to plant your seeds inside me?", she said in a loud tone making everyone stop at their tracks, making many shocked. ' This brat! ', Ember thought and said with a sigh," You are a Goddess", Aschelois didn't stop smiling, instead her smile became bigger," Isn't that better? You need not fear impregnating me."
Many members gasped in disbelief, Ember didn't say anything further to her and instead looked at Griffith, the captain of the Aschelois familia," Sir Griffith can I just hit her?", he asked in a very, very polite tone. The man grinned and said," Slap her, smash her, she is all yours", suddenly he felt he said something wrong but couldn't point it.
Meanwhile Ember facepalmed,' Language! Damn it! Her stupidity is infectious ', he thought as he looked at Aschelois who suddenly asked," Why do I think you are thinking something rude?", she frowned and Ember replied with a shrug," Because I am", for a moment she was baffled, before saying," Anyway, how about we head to bed-", Ember flicked his finger on her forehead.
"AghhhhH!!!!", cried out the Goddess as she rolled on the ground in pain," It hurst! HurstS!!!", her cries were ignored as some laughed and Griffith gave Ember a thumbs up, admiring him for his courage. " Tet! How da-", Aschelois wanted to complain but seeing his emotionless face which slowly turned into one with a smile, she shivered.
" Goddess what were you saying?", he asked calmly, and she shook her head with panic," Nothing! Nothing! I meant you did right! How dare this bitch Aschelois spout nonsense in front of you! She deserves this", some people facepalmed while Aschelois cried in her mind,' Aurora! Save me! '. For first time in eons, the Goddess regretted her antics gravely.
" Achoo!", Aurora sneezed as she was decorating the Christmas tree. " Goddess, are you alright?", asked Maria with concern, Aurora shook her face," I am not ill, it's probably someone remember me, let me guess! Aschelois! It must be her! ", she nodded while Maria not understanding how she was involved but just got along with her words.
Meanwhile, back in Aschelois familia Amalda said," That's what you deserve for threatening an Elf's purity", Aika made a whistle," Elf Supremacy!", and others laughed out while Aschelois gritted her teeth. " I had enough of your racism!", shouted the Goddess as she started running after Amalda," Get here you!"
Everyone couldn't help but laugh, soon the decorations were done and everyone was assembled in dining room for the dinner. " Violin?", asked Griffith as he looked at Ember holding one, who nodded and replied," I saw this one a few days ago and thought why not play a tune during Christmas? I know a carol though it had been decades since I played violin, thus I practised and here we are."
" Oh! Violin! Play Christmas is here!", said Chad with excitement, " Sorry but I don't know that one", Ember apologised making others excitement lessen. The fact he was playing after years also made them wary, wondering if their eardrums will wear off. " Don't care about them just play", said Amalda and he nodded, and after a deep breath he started playing.
As the music played out, it captivated everyone, the entire place became silent as he played the carol, everyone as if in trance closed their eyes hearing the melody, straining their ears to hear more louder, clearer. Ember was playing Carol of the bells, and despite not any other assistance he managed to play it off well, it as a carol never played in this world, and for first time Carol of the Bells graced this world.
Once the song ended," What was the name of the carol?", asked Goddess Aschelois and Ember replied," Carol of the bells", and everyone couldn't help but mutter the name. " Tet! Play it once more!", Aika demanded and everyone nodded, " Once More!", " Once More! ", "Once more!", in the end Ember played it again for three times before they started dining.
To be continued...