“And that’s how I spent those years,” Joe said, sitting beside Evangeline, both holding cups of tea.

Evangeline gazed into her cup, her mind lingering on the story’s details. “The nobles envy you,” she remarked. “After years of mocking and gossiping behind our backs, they finally recognize you as both a man and a warrior.”

Joe’s smile grew sharp. “Mother Evangeline, I couldn’t care less about them. They’re just as childish and useless as I was. Their opinions mean nothing in the real world, so let them say whatever they want.”

Evangeline nodded, her eyes on Joe. “We’ve also heard some troubling stories about you. They say you were quite the rogue, Joe. I hope that’s not true.”

Joe looked at her with a small smile. “I’m not that wicked—I’ve got some good traits, too."

Evangeline patted his arm gently. “Good for you, son. But what will you do now? You could return to being a noble. Jeffrey isn’t—”

“Sorry,” Joe interrupted, his tone softening. “Sorry, Mother Evangeline, but I can’t. I’m already unsure about meeting him. I don’t know if it’s shame or fear, but…”

"It’s all in the past, Joe," Evangeline said with a gentle smile. "He misses you; he doesn’t even try to hide it. You’re his family, his first son. Just meet him once—it’ll get easier after that."

Joe smiled. "I thought you’d say, ‘Once and never again.'"

Evangeline sighed playfully. "I’ll make sure you two meet, even if I have to send the guards after both of you."

They shared a soft laugh and sipped their tea. Then Joe asked, "Where are Agatha and Ebe? I’d like to see them."

"Agatha’s at the market with two guards," Evangeline replied. "You’ll probably spot her by the mountain of things the guards are carrying."

Joe raised an eyebrow. "But it’s the nobles’ market. Everyone has—"

"The capital’s market," Evangeline cut in. "The commoners’ market. That’s her favourite place to shop."

Joe nodded. "And Ebe?"

"Ebe is with Ilana at the noble school. Oh, and by the way, Ilana has… changed, just so you’re aware." She answered.

Joe nodded again. "Yeah, Jogo mentioned she’s turned into some rich, annoying brat."

Evangeline smiled. "So, you’ve kept in touch after all."

Joe nodded. "Of course. I’ll head out now. See you later, Mother Evangeline."

"Wait a second," Evangeline called out, stopping him. "Promise me you’re not a bandit or a thief."

Joe looked at her earnestly. "Never. I have a mother who’d be very disappointed if I did that."

Evangeline smiled to herself before giving a nod, and Joe turned toward the door.

"I’ll be cooking dinner tonight," he said.

"I’m looking forward to seeing your skills," Evangeline replied.

Joe waved as he opened the door to leave.

"Joe?" she called after him.

He turned back. "Yes?"

"You look good with a beard," she said with a warm smile.

Joe grinned and nodded before stepping out.

As he walked through the bustling commoners’ market, Joe glanced around. "This market’s huge, but I should’ve spotted her by now," he muttered, absently stroking his beard as he considered his next move. Just then, a box lightly bumped against his back.

"Why don’t you put those strong arms of yours to some real use for once?" teased a familiar voice behind him.

Joe turned around with a smile. "Good day, Agatha."

Agatha smiled back and handed him a box full of vegetables. She then turned to the two guards, each weighed down with similar boxes. "Go deliver those to the mansion. I’ve got more rounds to make. Come on, Joe."

Joe followed behind as Agatha leisurely strolled through the market, eyeing the merchants' offerings. She paused thoughtfully at a spice table.

"You look as beautiful as ever, Agatha," Joe said.

Agatha smiled, inhaling the scent of a green powder. "You’re not looking too bad yourself, Joe. That beard’s a bit scruffy, but otherwise, you clean up well."

Joe chuckled softly. "Grab the red powder—I’ll make soup for you today."

Agatha laughed mockingly as she paid for the red spice. "Good thing we’ve got a doctor on hand in case your cooking backfires."

"Don’t worry," Joe replied with a grin. "I know your doctor works miracles."

Agatha laughed again and placed the powder into the overflowing box Joe was carrying.

After an hour of shopping, they finally climbed into a carriage to head back to the mansion. Joe broke the silence. "So, how have you been these past few years? How are the kids?"

"They’re doing great," Agatha said proudly. "Very talented, too. They’re my pride, not just as a member of the Gostave family, but as their mother."

Joe nodded, but after a brief moment of silence, he added, "I returned the necklace… to her, personally."

Agatha gave a slight nod. "That’s good, but don’t you think it’s a little late for that?"

Joe couldn’t help but grin. "When I was younger, the way you spoke used to make me so angry. But now, it just makes me smile."

Agatha turned to the window, her voice steady. "I’ve never been one to sugarcoat. I say what I think, straight and without a filter. You’ve always known that."

"That’s what’s both annoying and endearing about you, Agatha," Joe said, smiling. "Something a boy couldn’t appreciate."

Agatha then shifted the conversation. "And the thieves' guild? I heard Urien mention you working with them. Is it true?"

Joe noticed the conflicted expression on her face—stern, yet tinged with warmth and concern. He could see her care behind the question.

"As a merchant," Joe began, "you need them to keep other thieves away from your wares."

Agatha sighed and said, "Good, keep them away from us."

Joe teased, "No more questions? I thought Agatha would have a few more up her sleeve."

Agatha smiled, shaking her head slightly. "I trust you. For the first time in years, I feel like I’m talking to the real Joe. You’re strangely honest and open today."

Joe nodded. "Where’s Urien? I’d like to meet him."

Agatha glanced at him. "And what for? To throw him off the capital walls?"

"Only if he’s stubborn," Joe teased, then added more seriously, "I promise I just want to talk."

Agatha sighed again, a hint of playful exasperation in her voice. "Great, now I’ve lost a free helping hand."

Joe looked confused. "You already bought three boxes full of—"

"I need more," Agatha cut him off. "I’m running a mansion, not a barn."

A half-hour later, at the knight school in the capital, Urien beamed with pride as he patted his older son, Rodney, on the back. "You won the tournament! They’ll assign you a level-seven knight for training. I’m so proud of you, Rodney!"

Rodney grinned, his chest puffed out. "I told you I’d win! I’m the best! I trained hard and studied, just like Mother always said."

Urien nodded, his face full of pride. "Tonight, we’ll have a big dinner, and Uncle Jeffrey will probably get you something special. And remember—"

"He’s a noble before he’s Uncle Jeffrey," Rodney finished the sentence with a smirk. "I know, Father. But he’s still Uncle Jeffrey, so he’ll buy me something big and awesome!"

"Don’t be greedy!" Urien laughed, playfully smacking Rodney on the head. They both laughed together.

Just then, Urien’s gaze shifted, and he spotted Joe standing by the gate, smiling at them. "Joe?" Urien said, surprised.

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Joe walked over, and Rodney, noticing the unfamiliar man approaching, asked, "Father, who’s that?"

"That’s Jeffrey’s eldest son, Joe," Urien explained. "We haven’t spoken much about him, so you wouldn’t know him."

Rodney nodded thoughtfully. "Jogo always said good things about him. I was curious to see what kind of person he is, but… he looks a bit older, doesn’t he?"

"He is," Urien replied, though Rodney noticed a faint smile on his father’s face.

As Joe reached them, he looked at Rodney with a warm smile. "Congratulations on beating those kids, Rodney."

Rodney nodded respectfully. "Thank you, sir."

Joe turned his attention to Urien, noticing how much older he looked—weathered skin and visible veins on his hands, but still the same Urien, just aged. "Good day, Urien. It’s been a long time," Joe said.

Urien nodded. "It’s been many years, yet here you are. Is this a sign of good things coming our way? Or something more ominous?"

Joe couldn’t help but grin. "Take it as you wish. I came today to meet you as family and as an old friend. Someone I wronged years ago, and I’m here hoping you can forgive me."

Urien lowered his head slightly, a soft smile on his lips. "Realistically, a guard can’t hold a grudge against a nob—"

Joe cut him off gently, shaking his head. "Not as a noble, but as a man who wronged a friend."

"I'm sorry, Urien." Joe’s voice was heavy with regret, and Urien looked at him, surprised to see such an expression on his face—something he had never seen from Joe before.

Joe continued, bowing his head low. "I’m sorry for everything I did. I regret a lot of the things I did to good people, and you’re one of them, Urien."

Rodney stood in shock, watching as Urien walked over to Joe. Urien placed his hands on Joe's shoulders, lifting his head. "As I always taught you," Urien said, his voice thick with emotion, "this isn’t how nobles behave, Joe."

Joe looked up and saw tears streaming down Urien’s face. Urien spoke firmly, "A noble never bows! That’s what true nobles do!"

Joe nodded, then embraced Urien, who hugged him back tightly, both of them patting each other’s backs in a gesture of shared respect and forgiveness.

After half an hour of catching up, Joe finished telling a story. "And that was the situation with the two guards in Cerulea City."

Rodney, still trying to make sense of the tale, looked confused. "So, let me get this straight… You did all that for gold bars? But that’s illegal, even if you were entitled to those bars!"

Joe smiled and glanced at Urien, who explained, "Son, the real world is what lies beyond our region. Jeffrey has done a great job of curbing injustice and corruption here, but not every noble is like him. What Joe’s been through is just one of many stories I’ve heard."

Joe added with a grin, "See? I a—"

Urien cut him off, shaking his head. "But that’s excessive, even if it was your gold. You went over the limit."

Joe chuckled. "I told you, I’m not exactly a good guy. I’m Joe, just a simple merchant."

Urien then smiled and said, "But you fought off the ghouls and helped the nuns. Falkor, the priest at the temple, spread plenty of praise about you and your demon friend."

Joe nodded thoughtfully. "Falkor's an asshole, but I respect his dedication. He fought bravely, even if that doesn't mean much to me."

Urien smiled. "Funny enough, Jeffrey's in a meeting with the temple priests right now, but he'll be at the mansion tonight."

Joe hesitated, thinking deeply before asking, "Do you think I should meet him?"

Urien looked at him seriously. "It’s up to you, but take my advice—meet him. Based on the stories you’ve told, any moment can be the last, so take it while you can."

Joe nodded, then turned to Rodney. "Stay strong, kid, and make sure you protect Urien and your mother, alright?"

Rodney grinned confidently. "Always! I’m ready!"

Joe patted Rodney’s head before standing up. "How’s Ebe? I’ve missed her."

Urien’s expression shifted as he answered, "She got engaged to a noble. The wedding’s in half a year."

Joe whistled in surprise. "Good for Ebe! Looks like I’ll have to buy her a gift, huh?"

Urien’s face grew serious as he continued. "She’s engaged to Lud."

Joe's memories drifted back to his three years as a student at the nobles' school. Lud was one of the people who harassed him back then. He was a tall, brown-haired kid with a few bruises from the fights he got into with other students. Always mischievous, Lud was one of the main reasons Joe had hated that school.

Joe remembered the pain—the bullying, the punches, the times Lud destroyed or stole the books Jeffrey had bought for him. But now, he smiled at Urien and said, "It's in the past. We were just kids."

Urien sighed in relief. "Lud’s a good guy now, Joe. You might even like him."

"Maybe," Joe replied. "Anyway, I have to go. See you at dinner tonight, Urien."

As Joe walked toward the gate, he added, "I’ll be cooking dinner tonight."

Urien nodded and watched him leave. Rodney, standing beside him, remarked, "He’s cooking? Is he better than Jax, our chef?"

Urien smiled. "We’ll see."

After a brief pause, Urien remarked, "That beard looks awful."

At the nobles' school, Ebe stood near the gate, smiling as she talked with one of the teachers. He was a tall, muscular man with a small moustache and blonde hair, and he smiled at Ebe, who looked at him with affection while holding his left arm. He was Lud—her fiancé.

Joe arrived at the gate and spotted them. Approaching, he greeted, "Good day, sister Ebe."

Ebe, surprised, turned to see Joe. She smiled and hugged him warmly. "I missed you so much, Joe!" she exclaimed as they embraced.

Joe replied, "Just here and there."

Then, turning to Lud, he said, "Lud, long time no see."

Lud looked at Joe, clearly surprised. It wasn’t just that he hadn’t seen Joe in years—it was the shock of facing the man he had once bullied, now knowing Joe's reputation for being anything but forgiving.

"It’s been a long time, indeed," Lud responded, regaining his composure. "Are you well and in good health?"

Joe smiled and gave Lud a friendly pat on the shoulder. "I’m in good health, thanks for asking. And congratulations on your engagement to Ebe. I wish you both a happy life together—and best of luck with your future kids."

Lud smiled, the tension between them easing as he patted Joe’s back in return. "Thank you. And of course, you’re invited to the wedding."

"So, I’ll really have to buy a gift," Joe teased. "I was hoping to avoid the invitation."

Both Lud and Ebe chuckled. Joe then said, "I’m cooking dinner tonight, so you’re welcome to join our family gathering."

Lud nodded, while Ebe, a bit surprised, asked, "You? Are you planning to meet the whole family after all this time?"

"I already have," Joe replied, cutting her off gently. "Everyone except Ilana and Father. It’s still early, so Ilana’s school day isn’t over yet."

Ebe’s expression softened into a warm smile. "So, you’ve really made it back. I’m proud of you."

Joe nodded. "Thanks. I’ll see you both tonight."

As Lud and Ebe waved goodbye, Joe walked away, his pace quickening as memories of the past started to resurface. He passed people while hurrying back to the mansion, his mind drifting to what happened after he killed Dan.

After months away, Joe returned to Goven Town, where he greeted Cox the blacksmith, and Tyka and Ola at their shop. They scolded him for not visiting sooner, and he apologized over and over.

He then bought honey wine as a gift for Safle and her husband Ogilvy. Safle hugged him tightly, having missed him dearly, and Ogilvy joined in, embracing them both with a wide grin.

Next, Joe visited Lyra, bringing a large box of expensive sweets and chocolates for her. When she opened the door and saw him, she hugged him warmly, as he was like a son to her.

Finally, Joe made his way to the cemetery, where he sat beside Beatrice’s grave. He sat quietly, smiling softly—how could he not miss her? After all, she was his mother.

He also placed some herbs on Kaelen’s grave, saying, "Let your grave reflect what you did best in life, Kaelen. Requiescat in pace, old friend."

Joe always visited Goven Town, no matter the circumstances. Whether the White Fang had stolen from him, or when Cetus and Eli abandoned him, whether he worked as a miner or a mercenary, he always found his way back home to see the people he called family. Each time he entered his old house, memories filled the rooms, nostalgia tugging at him.

Through snow, rain, heat waves, or bitter cold, Joe was always there. Different clothes, the same smile, as he visited those he loved.

A few years later, on a rainy night in Goven Town, Joe stood near his mother’s grave when he heard the sound of a carriage approaching. Walking to the graveyard gate, he saw his father arriving.

Startled, Joe sprinted to a tall tree and hid behind it, watching as Jeffrey entered with Urien. Jeffrey placed flowers on Beatrice's grave and sat in the mud, smiling, while Urien draped a coat over him.

Jeffrey looked at Urien and waved his hand. Urien nodded in understanding and left the graveyard, leaving Jeffrey to sit alone.

Sometimes, Joe would notice fresh flowers on Beatrice's grave. He would hide and watch as Evangeline visited, sometimes alone, other times accompanied by Ebe or Agatha.

On occasion, Jogo would visit the grave with Evangeline, bowing respectfully before sitting quietly beside her.

Safle and Lyra often spoke of how they visited their loved ones almost every day, especially Beatrice, their oldest and dearest friend. Even Cox and his family never forgot her.

Joe felt a warmth knowing his mother was not forgotten. People continued to visit her grave, honouring her memory and showing their respect.

At that moment, Joe realized just how great and loving his family truly was—more than he had ever acknowledged.

As the memory faded, Joe found himself in the mansion’s kitchen, cooking with intense focus. He was preparing a soup, determined to make it the best one ever cooked in this mansion.

Joe was lighting the firewood and starting to cook when he heard someone sit at the table behind him.

He placed a large chunk of meat into the pot, took a deep breath, and turned around to meet Jeffrey's gaze.

Jeffrey looked older, now past his fifties, and it showed. His once full head of hair was now light and white, though there wasn’t much left. His hands, like those of all the elderly, were lined with prominent veins. He sported a small moustache, but his beard and bushy hair were long gone. Yet, despite the passage of time, his broad shoulders and strong arms remained—he was still as solid as ever. Time had weathered his appearance, but not his strength.

Joe looked at his father and greeted him, "Good day, Father."

Jeffrey smiled and nodded. "Good day to you too, Joe."

Joe closed the pot and sat down face to face with his father. Jeffrey reached over, giving Joe a playful smack on the head, to which Joe didn’t flinch or react.

With a chuckle, Jeffrey tugged lightly on Joe’s beard before giving him a few firm pats on the shoulders, as if testing his son’s strength.

"You fought the ghouls," Jeffrey said, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "Now I believe it."

Joe nodded as he replied, "I had a friend and plenty of knights with me. Besides, I couldn’t go without seeing you at least one more time."

Jeffrey smiled and asked, "And what about the others? They missed you."

"I met all of them," Joe said. "And I gave Mother Evangeline her necklace back."

Jeffrey smiled and said, "Good, but I bet she was happier to see you."

Joe replied, "Yes, she was."

Jeffrey glanced toward the kitchen. "I was wondering where Jax was, but I guess you're the chef today."

"Yeah, I’ll make something good for the family."

Jeffrey chuckled. "If you do a great job, I might just hire you instead of Jax."

Joe laughed lightly. "Let Jax keep his job. I’m a merchant, and that right now suits me just fine."

Jeffrey’s eyes grew misty as he looked at Joe. "You... you look handsome with that beard."

Tears welled up in Joe’s eyes as he looked at his father, who was also tearing up. Joe stood and hugged Jeffrey, and they embraced, gently patting each other’s backs.

Joe whispered, "Thank you for visiting her, Dad. Thank you for giving her peace, for not forgetting her."

Jeffrey nodded silently and gave Joe a firm pat on the back. He was proud of the man Joe had become, overjoyed to see him home. He was just... happy.

When night fell, in a small inn, Yory and Lana were reading a book together. Lana suddenly exclaimed, "I can say a lot of difficult words now!"

Yory smiled and asked, "Shall we call it a night and go to sleep?"

But Lana shook her head, quickly jumped up, and dashed to her bag. She came back with a small children’s storybook, sat on Yory’s lap, and declared, "I’m going to read you a story!"

Yory chuckled. "Alright, I’d be honoured to hear your story."

Yory chuckled. "Alright, I’d be honoured to hear your story."

With a warm smile, Lana held the book and began reading Yory a short but sweet tale.

Meanwhile, back at the mansion, the whole family was gathered around the table, chatting and laughing. Ebe and Lyra, Lud and Rodney, Urien and Agatha, Jeffrey and Evangeline, and Jogo and Ilana were all enjoying each other's company.

Suddenly, everyone paused as their eyes turned toward Joe, who was walking toward them with a big, steaming bowl. Smiling, he announced, "Time for a great dinner prepared by Joe Gostave himself! Tonight’s soup is full of bravery and cunning!"

They all cheered as Joe served the meal, and then he sat down to chat with Evangeline and Jeffrey while the rest of the family continued having fun together.