Falling leaves tumble from the interlocking branches above, branches that grow so thickly that only bright gaps of sunshine break through.

Looking at the orange-painted mansion backyard, you would see an amusing scene of a stunning oni scolding a kid on his knees, with dried bird dung decorating his head and horns.

"What were you thinking jimmy? Sigh... jumping down from the roof.

In the first palace, what were you doing there?"

Stumping the ground, Mom brought her face close to mine. Looking deeply into my eyes.

"Why have you been ignoring me for several minutes? God knows how many times I've called you. Sigh... what's going on with you jimmy? You've been acting very oddly in the past few months."

Trying to make up an excuse, I said:

"Nothing much mom. I just was tired that's why I didn't notice you."

Looking at me like a fool.

"Oh come on jimmy. You are way smarter than this. You are probably the first person ever who has not noticed me when I was yelling at them."

Not wanting to look her in the eyes, I turned my head around. Taking a deep breath, I said:

"It's nothing too serious. It's just that I've been frustrated recently."

As I said that, Ava hugged me and kissed me on the forehead

"Oh, baby you know we love you a lot. Why do you feel like that? Is it because of us or somebody has been bullying you or even or did you start missing your father?"

Feeling her tight loving embrace and warm words. I don't know why, but I felt like my boundaries shaking and falling apart. Gathering my thoughts and courage, getting out of Ava's embrace. I looked her in the eyes and I broke my short-lasting promise with aunty.

"Mom, can you promise to be honest when answering my next few questions?"

Ava was slightly shocked having a bad hunch, nevertheless, she nodded her head thereby, agreeing to be honest.

"Why do you always dodge my questions? Why do you never mention anything about our other family members? Why have instructed aunt, not to teach me about the world? Why do you disappear from time to time? Why father hasn't come back after being away for half a year? Why...."

Hearing Jimmy's a thousand why's, Ava truly felt tongue-tied for the first time in forever. Taking a minute to process her next words carefully.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Sigh... that damn wench. I knew we should have been more transparent to begin with, to begin with, we had the plan to answer your every question gradually as you grew older. But it seems we've failed to notice that you were already this wise and sensitive at this age."

Patting my head, Ava then said:

"I hope you can trust us that your father and I will answer all your questions. And good news Alexie will be finally back home by tomorrow, so could you wait till then?"

Nodding my head I saw a huge sign of relief on Ava's face. Smiling she said:

" Great. Now let's go take a shower before those dungs are permanently stuck to your head, my little wise boy."

.......

Nighttime brings kisses of starlight upon a black basilica sky. While little jimmy was soundly sleeping. You could hear the sounds of a serious argument in the nearby bedroom.

Opening the window Ava's hairs stand on its ends due to the early autumn chilling breeze. Alexie and Ava could be seen in their birth clothes except for the underwear that was covering their private areas.

"So how was their response? Are we in deep shite?"

Alexie put up a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry Ava. I've managed to get unanimous support from both my father and uncle king Louise, helping us convince the council regarding jimmy's last name. In return, I have to be the representative responsible for both kingdoms ruled by Armstrongs for the heavenly tribute and Reverie four years later."

Hearing this, Ava's nervous looks and stuttering ticks could be easily distinguished. If jimmy was here he wouldn't have believed Ava's embarrassing and fearful manners, even if he was seeing these with his own eyes. Different from her mother's usual brave and stubborn mannerisms.

"Isn't this a one-sided agreement too much in the council's favor though? Did your father agree with those conditions?"

Feeling helpless with his soon-to-be responsibility and predicament on how to prevent hundreds of greedy Armstrong from embezzling the heavenly tribute, forcing them to pay. Alexie nervously shook his head.

"Father didn't want to go through with these conditions, but he was helpless as well since otherwise, the council wouldn't have agreed to our requests this easily. Looking at the bright side, Uncle also said that because of these conditions, the council would probably allow jimmy to rejoin the family as long as he wanted to, in the future."

Thinking to herself Ava also thought this is the best possible outcome, at the very least it was a good deal for jimmy. Then she went on telling the awkward situation that happened today with Jimmy asking those troublesome questions.

"Maybe we were in the wrong for keeping jimmy in the dark. He is a smart kid."

Noticing his wife's timidness, after hearing of the events in the capitol. a flame ignited inside Alexie, rising something else as well. Putting all worries aside he got up and stood beside Ava. While groping her brick like yet soft bottom, Alexie said:

"At the time the future was shaky, and you know how complicated the situation of my family is. still, it would have been better to talk about these kinds of stuff when jimmy was a few years older, but let's trust and indulge him now since he has already asked for answers. Sigh... I would rather have him have fun, but jimmy is too smart for his age."

Not forgetting bout the main suspect of jimmy's sudden enlightenment and the root cause of her worsening relationship with Alexie in the past year, Ava took a furious look at Alexie and said:

"We also have to teach that loose wench Wednesday, a good lesson as well."

Alexie started feeling guilty again. Because of the exposed cheating debacle that he had with Wednesday, hence breaking Ava's long-lasting friendship with her. But that's a story for another day. So he tried to change the mood by tightly hugging and lifting Ava.

Romantically saying:

"Oh my dearest love, let's put those troublesome matters away. Let us cherish this special moment. After all, it's not worth it to be worried by some inconsequential events and a simple mistress."

Turning off, the gas mantle which was brightening the room. Acting on their desires their long sleepless night began.