Silvia Hearthbound P.O.V.

Even after all these years, whenever I find myself a free moment I always end up looking out the window over the courtyard trying to convince myself it’s all real. It’s been more than six years now since we moved to the capital and since our family was officially declared nobles but to me it still feels like I’m behind and just catching up with my own life.

This was brought into sharp focus just recently as the crown prince’s sister and her daughter arrived to give us a surprise a couple of weeks ago. As it turns out Ajax had managed to gain delve spots in Deepwood’s dungeons, not only that but he did so rather publicly so their visit was more of a show of force to ensure nobody got any ideas.

“Already looking for them?” Alana asks me as she sees me looking out the window.

Alana and Judy were inseparable since they were children. Even now she is one of the fixtures that helps me keep track of the quick changes that happen as we work together with my mother to manage the business.

“They should arrive today.” I answer, referring to Judy and my father.

Both had left with Ajax and they were supposed to accompany him for his entire journey, only coming back around two months from now. Like any meticulously laid plan however it lasted until the first major event. Ajax’s pass into Deepwood for the delves meant they would have to separate for a few months so it was simply better for them to return and for us to go out and meet him in Sylvanthal’s capital as he was on his way back.

“Is that them?” Alana asks as we hear the gate open.

“No, it’s Tom and his delve team.” I respond as I move to welcome Tom back after a few days when he went delving.

Tom has fulfilled his duty as a city guard a while ago but instead of slowing down he pushed himself forward taking his role as a commander of our house guards very seriously. Two years ago he even managed to have his level surpass his age as he and the rest of our retinue delved into the dungeons as often as possible.

“How was it?” I do my best not to let worry and anxiety I feel looking at his roughed up clothes and the few dents in his armor that weren’t there a few days ago when he left for the delve creep into my voice.

“Everything went well,” he said with a smile. “Didn’t even have any close calls thanks to Fluffy and Theron.”

Even with Tom’s surge in levels he has only barely begun to put a dent in the gap that opened up between him and Fluffy. The large shadow cat still being more than enough to handle almost anything that might show up on the floor Tom delves.

“Daddy! You’re back.” We are quickly interrupted as the one thing Tom puts more effort into than being a commander dashes straight at him.

“Hey there kiddo!” He said as he picks up his child. “ Have you been good while I was gone?”

“Of course I was!” Despite the conviction the answer was given with it didn’t last long.

“Are you sure about that?” Kate asked as she walked up, her hands already glowing with a spell ready to make sure that her husband wasn’t just pushing through any injuries he sustained.

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“I thought I was quite clear when I said to listen to your mother.” Tom said in a fake upset tone.

He didn’t even get an answer as the child already ran back inside the mansion looking to escape a second punishment. “Welcome home.” Kate said as followed up with a wide area heal that went over the remainder of the retainers who were unloading their delving packs.

“It’s great to be home,” he replied. “Are they back yet?”

“No but they should be here today.” Kate answers him as she helps him unbuckle the armor.

As if called by the words at that exact moment I see the head of one of our two large transport worms start to push its way past the open gates. “Seems they were waiting for you to welcome them yourself.” I tease Tom.

The rest of the afternoon until dinner is spent welcoming them back and just letting Judy and Elija settle back in after being away for so long. All of us do our best to give them some time before we set upon them with questions about everything that happened. The letters we got simply weren’t enough.

“You wouldn’t believe how different their cities look.” Judy gushed as she described the Republic's capital. “The dwarven tunnels and the elven tree houses, not to mention the more basic beastkin huts and tents, all seamlessly interwoven.

As the story moves on to the tournament I can’t help but praise Sam’s idea of reinforcing the chairs in our dining room, the incredibly detailed recount of Ajax’s fight in the final has my knuckles turning white as they clench onto the armrest.

“That was when he showed a new mana type.” all of us were drawn in to Judy’s retelling. “ He threw his hammer only for it to bounce stop dead into the ice, a moment later however the princess was tossed like a ragdoll across the rocky arena.”

Despite the pride I feel in Ajax I can’t help a small part of myself from wishing that he would just slow down and not take so many risks. For a small moment there I daydream of what it would be if Ajax would just focus on his Alchemy going forward. The daydream is broken however by a large wave of laughter.

“That’s when the golem pulled on his leg a second time dragging Darkclaw’s face through the mud right as he was talking.” Judy finished regaling us with Ajax’s post tournament spar.

“Speaking of his Life mana.” Father said in a sobering tone. “There are a few things that he has asked us to get started on once we return home. Things that wouldn’t have been safe to entrust via a letter.”

For the next ten minutes or so Elija explained how Ajax had passed a message through the royal family to have them bring back home in preparation for his return.

“So he wants us to start decorating?” Tom said with a hint of amusement.

“This will be a lot of work.” mother said as she rubbed her forehead in thought. “We’ll have to throw a celebratory party, one where the royal family is invited.”

“What, why?” Judy asked, taken aback, considering how much the high quality statues Ajax requested would cost. I can see why she would be worried about an extravagant party on top.

“We need a justifiable reason as to why we are getting the statues.” Alana explained to her friend. “Otherwise every nosy merchant and gossipy noble will be looking into why we are getting statues made from mana rich stone.”

“Ughhh, fine.” Judy relented. “But in that case all of them have to be cute.”

“That might not play out the way you want.” I will try to point out . “You do remember they will be killing machines. Do you really want to be cute?”

My question brings Judy’s enthusiasm to a complete stop. “Now that I think about it…”

“We should have Kate go and place the order.” Tom suggests.

“Why Kate?” I can’t help but ask.

“Because it would be best if the statues were of beastkin or monsters.” Tom explains. “Sharp claws and fags would work much better than a dull stone edge on a sword.”

“MREOW!”

“Of course we’ll have a statue made in dedication to you!” Kate quickly pacified the large shadow cat while scratching him behind his ears.

“We can always attach metal to the claws and fangs later.” Sam says.

Sam’s work as a blacksmith has seen a similar increase in progress as Tom’s level has ever since he started working with higher quality materials that Ajax and our retainers were pulling out of the dungeon. His work could now comfortably be used by a level seventy adventurer.

“It’s nice to at least see that Ajax is at least consistent, we only need to worry about his absurd skills.” I laugh as I shake my head thinking of this.

“I’m not so sure about that…” Father says with a bit of an awkwards smile.

“Oh what’s he done now?” Tom said with an overly dramatic sigh.

“It’s not so much something he did…” Father has me a little worried with how much he is beating around the bush. “It’s just that, a certain elven princess seemed to have taken a strong liking to him…”

My thoughts grind to a halt. “What do you mean an elven princess?” Kate sounds a little aggressive as she and Lexi had been getting along very well.

“It seems to be entirely one sided,” Father quickly backpedals. “ I doubt he is even aware of her intentions, at least he wasn’t during the meeting where we sold his tournament winnings.”

“And he better keep it that way.” Kate said with a small huff. “Lexi is such a nice girl.”

“He could always have two.” Sam says.

“Could he now?” his eyes instantly widen at my tone as he begins his own backpedaling.

I can’t wait until my little boy comes back.