Herro was gently snoring as he lay srretched out asleep in his bed dreaming a happy dream. It had been a long time since he got the bed to himself and his body wanted as much room as it could get. A gentleman knock at his door was suppose to wake him but it did not reach his ears. A moment later the door handle jiggle trying to open it up but it was locked. A second knock, this time more forceful, followed but was also not answered.
“IF I HAVE TO KNOCK A THIRD BLESSED TIME I'M GOING TO BLOW THIS DOOR DOWN!” A annoyed familiar voice roared
Herro immediately jolted from his sleep knowing full well, even with a sleep hazed mind, that this person's threat held water.
He looked toward the door and replied “Ok ok Tsukiko give me a freaking second! I'm just getting up!”
“You are just waking up? It's almost 10!”
“We all can't be perfect princess!” Herro then got up from the bed. He noticed he was just in underwear so he looked around for a shirt and some kind of bottoms. Once dressed he walked to the door, unlocked, and opened it.
With a sarcastic bow and wave of his hand Herro intoned, “Enter my lady”
Tsukiko gave him a cross look and said “your lady is down in the common room pouting.” Tsukiko looked around the mildly disheveled room with a unapproving look. “Can't you keep this room clean? It's rude you know and guests shouldn't be rude to their host”
“Thanks mom. I will try my best to not disappoint you so much. Please, oh please…don't think less of me” herro replied, his tone dripping sarcasm.
“Furthermore, why are you locking your door? We have the greatest security.”
“Oh? I'm sorry. I didn't realize you are new here and didn't know. The security is amazing at keeping outsiders away, but I have a certain princess that can bypass them. I just wanted one night…oh that's why you mentioned she is pouting earlier…anyways, I should get at least one night's rest”
“Oh you have such a hard life. Having a smoking hot princess wanting to be by your side, she steams sometimes, so maybe even a Literal Hot princess? Anyway, Boo Hoo brother mine. Alas, we are back to the point that you are a rude guest”
Herro ran his hand through his hair in annoyance and breathed out a heavy sigh. “Fine I will make it up to her. Is this seriously the reason you woke me up??”
Tsukiko eyes gave a annoyed and dull look. “No. I wouldn't bother normally but we have to get ready. The trip to the party starts today and dad wants to talk to us.”
“Oh. Must be to tell us he is leaving.” Herro replied. “To be honest I am shocked he stayed around this long. Plus, it's not like he would get a invite to this party given how it seems only Victor likes him.”
“On the contrary dear boy, your mother and I will be staying a while longer. Also, you are wrong there are many Amazonian nobility that likes me. Sera's family absolutely adorned me.” A voice said in the corner of the room.
Herro and Tsukiko's head turn in the direction to find their father sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. He sat rather ridged with his legs crossed and his left arm supporting his head. He had a very neutral expression on his face.
“Since classes don't start for a few more weeks and I don't have any need to come up with any lessons plans for my classes I will be teaching I felt it would be nice to take my dear friend up on his offer to stay the summer.” Albert explained. “Also, it will give your mother a chance to see some friends and family.”
“Mom hates her family. Also, when did you get in my room?” Herro said flatly.
“Family is a loose term, which you obviously know, isn't tied to just blood. Her and Victor actually spend most mornings training. She enjoys it because she feels she is losing her edge. Though, I don't think that's true since she trains all the time at home.” Albert retorted. “On your original question, I’ve been here only for a few moments. I walked in when you opened the door.”
“I never-” herro started
“Something is strange.” Tsukiko interrupted. “There must be something going on if you are staying. You know mom is happy when she is with you be it home or here. Second, you know king Peacecraft would just bring you as his plus one and everyone would just accept that, love or hate you.”
Albert smiled a little and said “There is my bright girl. Always looking for the seams of the illusion. Yes, I could go but I will not be this time. I have some research to do and while the royal caravan is rolling through the capital and everyone's attention is on that I can walk around unnoticed.”
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“So it must involve that Warlock fellow” Tsukiko said as her eyes narrowed.
“There are always threats that don't involve him and honestly sometimes it is nice to wander the city without tabloids or assassins following you. There is actually a really nice book shop that has rare tomes that I been dying to see.” Albert said as his smile widened as he talked about the book shop for a few minutes.
Herro broke in before his dad could go completely onto a tangent, “Better take mom somewhere nice then. She deserves something if you are going to drag her around the city”
Albert's eyes moved towards Herro and his smile faded slowly. “She will not be going with me this time.”
“Oh. I bet she is none to pleased with your choice about going alone. You know how she gets.” Tsukiko said
“Oh I know she does. She even checks up on me in between classes at the college. She thinks I don't notice but I find it endearing. I just don't know how she has the time to do that and run a house.” Albert replied with a wistful shake of his head. “No, she will be going to the party and will be accompany Victor. Given the climate I felt it would be best….though yes she is not pleased at all about the choice.”
Albert then got up from the chair and walked towards the door. “She is in a mood and it be best to behave. That goes double for me. However, even she had to admit her skills are best suited for the moment. Side note too, you two should really get along. At this point I am about to nominate you two for worst twin awards. I love you both and you two need to discover that love for each other”
“You feel something may happen?” Tsukiko blurted with a worried tone.
Albert froze for the briefest of moment then continued. “Remember to work together and get along. Also, herro you better make it up whatever you did to the princess for she is not too pleased right now” He smiled a full smile and faded from view.
The twins looked around the room expecting him to reappear but after a few moments they realized he was not.
“Well something is definitely on his mind.” Tsukiko broke the silence. “Get ready and meet me down stairs then.” Tsukiko turned and shut the door with a huff.
Herro huffed as well and hung his head. “I just wanted one night!!”
Lorelie paced back and forth up and down the courtyard. Her face full of worry as her eyes darted across the large open space towards the front of the manse. The small person sized door’s latch turning broke the silence of the plaza as the door opened quietly on its well-maintained hinges. Her head snapped towards the door hoping it was her beloved, part of her knowing it couldn’t be as he was inside the building with their kids, she still hoped though. But her face still dropped as she laid eyes on the taller amazon man who stepped inside, saw her, and scowled with an exaggerated roll of his eyes.
“Uncle, oh how nice it is to see you.” Lorelie said, false sweetness in her voice
“Ah, well if it isn't the Magia whore I see. You have brought great shame to our family.” Her uncle replied with equal contempt.
Lorelie’s lip curled in a sneer, “My birth parents must be just rolling I'm their grave right now. However, they would be pleased with how my beloved treats me and our kids.”
“Your kids? Bah! They are rejected creatures from their birth mother. You are just some young things he manipulated-”
“Yes, OUR kids. I don’t care who gave birth to them, they are MINE.” Lorelie interrupted with a snarl, the scorn for her biological family dripping from each word, ”And Albert has done no such thing, from day one I know he has been genuine and if anything treats me too good.”
“Sure sure. You know had you actually honored this family I had a possible marriage lined up with a lesser nobility. He even knew you couldn't have kids.” Pain shot across Lorelie's face at hearing those words but she quickly became an expressionless mask as he continued. “Now I can't line anything up since what you done. Being that Magia's plaything.”
“Huh, Well then I will defiantly make sure to lament that lost opportunity as I let him fuck my brains out later tonight. I will make sure he defiles every part and hole of me. Claiming me mind, body, and soul again and again. If only to drive the thought of another man doing the same from your machinations, Uncle.” Lorelie replied as her tone showed she was having a hard time holding back her anger.
“Vile creature you are! I don't need to hear your love life with that washed up Magia is. For such an amazing wizard he is he is defiantly walking down a mediocre path. He and those brats you call your kids are a dishonor to your families and yourselves.”
“Another word and you will be meeting my parents. I will not stand here and hear you say bad things about my family.” Lorelie replied her words shaking in anger and her fists balled up and a slight glow of aura surrounding them, “You know my actual title and I will make sure to live up to it”
“Ah..yes you are known as The Reaper. I shudder in fear.” Her uncle replied, with a sarcastic tone, “You know it would never be allowed for you to hurt nobility.”
Lorelie took a step forward causing him to take a step back. “I have been told by king Peacecraft himself that if I felt the need I can eliminate anyone I so chose including you, and I feel extremely close.”
Her uncle scoffed, “Victor would say no such thing. That said as I am here on official business and do not feel like ruining a good mood with threats from a disgraced mongrel, I shall take my leave.”
He turned and walked towards the front of the building leaving her to growl softly in her throat before a slight pop and familiar hands on her shoulders kneading the tension out made her lean back and look into the eyes of her lover before he spoke softly, “Don’t let his words get to you. You were always the best of that abhorrent family.”
“Yes, I do but it’s hard,” She sighs as she lays a soft kiss on his cheek, “You and the kids make it worth it though.”