Age of Heroes

When Arial return to the castle he was greeted with great fanfare. The castle decided to throw a banquet in the commemoration of his return. 

His parent has waited for him in the Great Hall and he could see them waiting for him anxiously. 

It seems the story of his exploits in the Martial Art Meet is not yet spread around.

The moment he comes near them, his mother hugs him on his return far from the prying eyes, while his father beamed with pride.

'You should visit your sister this weekend; pay a visit at her mansion. You rarely seen her' his mother said and Arial could only bitterly smiles

'She would be delighted to see you. You rarely see her and she is longing to see her brother. She respects you, do you know that?'

Then she added 

'Sometimes I fear that she respects you too much' 

Arial could only nod. He has to admit it has been long time since he has visited her. She must have turned into a lady by now. 

And he has not bonded with her like he had bonded with his parents. He never had a sister before or siblings to familiarize himself with this kind of situation. 

In his timeline he was the only child. So, it is kind of awkward for him to act like a brother, mainly because he doesn't know how a brother is supposed to act. 

And his goals and his near misses with death requires him to think about other matters, thus making him unavailable to be beside his sister

From what he heard, she is beautiful and kind, graceful and pious in her nature, courtesy of his mother beauty and his father graces probably. 

It is also from hearsay that Arial hear she frequented the church, garnering the common folk adoration and mostly the church approval. 

The church must view their family with gratitude seeing that his mother and father lavish them with gifts. 

But in years that followed their family rise, most of the church officials have been trying to appease us. 

They may have influence via faith, but the Vermont's have gold. Faith does not give you a bread to eat in the cold hard winter, gold does. 

But Arial know better than to underestimate the power of blind faith in the common masses. 

Not to say that the Church teachings is evil, after all it promotes justice, truth and all the cardinal virtues but as long as human is the leader of the church…. he is not infallible. 

He is liable to mistake. Man…. not god. 

It is because of man that sits on the top Arial could never truly throw his absolute belief on the faith of Light. 

The teachings itself is beautiful even though it is full with contradictions if you read the Book of Light. 

But he does not dislike the church. Far from it. 

He respects those priests and Bishop that try to promote love and hope, to spread kindness, what he hates is those who uses the name of God to commit atrocious plots, to use God name in vain, to raise their own selfish desires. 

Fanatics like the Church of the Dark god in the Dark Lands are one example. Not to say that the Church of Light is faultless in this matter. 

After all the Church has a dark history by itself. 

Mikael once tell one theory that perks Arial interest. Lost in his thought Arial look back at his mother face and realized he must look like he is thinking something terribly hard. 

Arial smile a little to ease the complicated expression that his mother wore. Then he said

'I will, mother. I also have wanted to see Adriana. There are many things I need to talk with her and many more things to share. It is my duty that prevents me from visiting her too often but surely now I have time to spare.' My mother nodded satisfied.

'How about Helia, mother?' Arial asked with his heart beating furiously. Did she decide? Has she decided? Did she choose…. him? 

All this question and more pervaded his mind. Will she tell him? Will she hide it? Will she forget it? All of this question is swirling in his mind.

Then Julia answered

'She is fine, Arial. She has waited for you patiently. I think she is on your room, knitting some tapestry. Her new hobby. Try not to anger her this time. It took me and your father every ounce of diplomacy and tact to convince her to let you go the last time when you go to the Martial Art Meet and before when you go to the Dark Lands. You should treat her nicely befitting of her status dear. Her family is no longer in the world. She has you and ours as her family and she did her duty for this family marvellously. So treat her well, treat her great. She is a lonely woman and not to mention a strong woman. A bad combination. Lonely and strong, that is.' His mother advises. 

Arial father nodded. He then looked at Arial and said with a slight sigh.

'You have been an absent lord….and husband for these past few years. It is time you settle down and start putting your roots, son. Spend time with your wife and daughter, less your daughter doesn't know the warmth of her father embrace and your wife doesn't know your heart. You are a reclusive man, my son, and secrets are your forte, but not all secret must be kept away. Sometimes it has to be shared. I know you to be a warm hearted man, a man with compassion and great love for the people, a caring disposition, and one that you regrettably rarely express. If there is one thing I would like you to do, it is to express yourself more to the people who love you. Your reputation does no justice to your true self.' his father said giving his wise opinion, an opinion Arial keep to heart.

Arial then sighed and nodded before saying

'I know, father. I know this better than anyone. But you must understand my difficulty. I could not be weak hearted in my dealings, not to appear weak in front of our numerous enemies, those who would pounce and devour us if they see a chink in my armour, I must remain unpredictable and mysterious, else they predict my intentions, my heart must be kept tucked away, else they see right through me and that will spell doom for most of my venture. But your words father, this son of yours will clearly remember this to heart and try his hardest to do.' 

Aries smiles and nodded

'Good, Arial. I know the burden of the head of the house is a terrible burden, which I have passed to you, and I understand your difficulties in the matter of the hearts, but to your family…. I think they deserve more than your usual lordly attitude. Your wife would be happy to hear your heartfelt words and true feeling, this I guarantee. And so does my granddaughter' he chuckled. 

'The late Helve adores your daughter very much and I could understand why. Your daughter is adorable. Just as much as your sister.' 

Arial is grinning happily. Ariadne is truly beautiful though that is probably Arial own bias since she is his daughter.

'My lord' Arial suddenly hear a voice calling on him

Then from the distance Arial could see the Council members. They walk in crowds and the servants all give way. 

These are the House Council of Vermont's, a body of advisory nobles to Arial policy and one that help Arial in governing his region.

They are immense in influence of power, a governing committee handpicked by himself. They look happy and then they immediately greeted him

'My lord, thank goodness you have returned unharmed. There are many things to be discussed in the matters of Arrandy. There is threat everywhere' 

Lord Oliver said not giving the other a chance to talk while the other nobles especially Lord Massey looks at him with rolling eyes. 

It seems he is anxious enough though Arial do not know for what reason he is so anxious about.

Arial sighed again. Of course there is more problem. 

'Why does the world keep not letting me having a break? One problem after another.' He thought to himself

'Lord Oliver, when was the last time Arrandy never have a threat? It always has a threat. I've been dealing with threats since I first take over the region' Arial said sighing

'Later. We can postpone all the bad news for a day can't we?' he said

'I….my lord…yes' he sighed giving up. 

'For one day…I don't see what harm it could do.' Lord Oliver returns to his original position. Arial released a relieved sigh. 

A problem…postponed for a day. Usually Arial do not procrastinate but after all the life and death situation, he thinks he deserve a one-day rest. 

Then another courtier came asking him about the banquet.

'Good. Then prepare for the banquet. Order the cook to prepare the greatest dish they could have made, the greatest drinks. Invite my vassal's lords, my banner man, the army greatest, the lords and nobles, the churchmen, invite them all. Let them feast. 

'Yes, my lord.' The courtier obeys. 

It is time he greets his daughter and wife.