Hektor never expected to return home when he left to become a soldier. At least, not like this. The house was the same as when he left it, a rustic wooden cabin in the middle of town. He stood in front of the door, palms sweating as he reached for the door. Why was he so nervous? No one was home right now in the afternoon. His parents were still probably at the bakery, cleaning up before closing.

Maybe it was because he hadn’t been used to returning to his own home. Or perhaps, he was nervous because Selena and Sophie stood right behind him. He expected them to go home for the day.

“Well, with everything that happened today, you two haven’t gotten the chance to spend your birthdays together,” said Sophie.

“Then why are you here?”

“Well, I can’t leave you two kids by yourselves. What if something else happens to you two? I got to make sure Selena comes straight home afterward.”

Kids. Sophie wasn’t wrong. Despite everything so far, the two of them were now kids under the supervision of their parents.

“Right…Please make yourself at home then.”

Hektor finally reached for the door to see that it was already unlocked. Strange. He was sure he had locked it back then. Maybe his father had returned early? No, certainly not at this time. The bakery would have been busy at this hour.

Could it be Peter? What happened to him after the fight in the forest anyways?

“What’s wrong, Hektor?” said Selena.

“Oh. It’s nothing.”

Perhaps he forgot to lock the door. He couldn’t possibly remember every detail of the past, after all.

He opened the door to be greeted by a sight he had never expected to see in his past life.

In the living room, everything was pushed aside for a table in the center of the room. Placed on it were plates of fish, vegetables, meat, and bread. At the center of it all was a plate with two golden pastries with small candles at their sides.

But more importantly, behind the table were the last two people he had expected to see before today.

“Mother? Father?”

"Happy birthday, Hektor and Selena!"

There was too much to unpack here.

The first was that Hektor’s parents were alive in this moment. He didn’t know how to face them. Despite becoming a soldier to avenge them in his past life, he had already accepted they had died.

The second was that they had prepared a surprise party for the two of them. Rather, it would be more accurate to say both Hektor and Selena’s parents organized the surprise party. Granted, today was their birthday, but given today’s events, he had not expected them to set this up like nothing had happened.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

Then again, this was better than whatever scenario he expected.

“Hektor?” Selena waved a hand in front of his face. “Are you okay?”

“Huh? Oh. I’m fine. Sorry.”

“I’m not surprised he’s shocked,” said Katrina. “I knew this was a bad idea.”

“And I said it didn’t look that bad,” said David. “He definitely looks alright.”

“Of course, he’d be alright!” A hand landed on Hektor’s head from behind. “He wouldn’t be Selena’s friend if he couldn’t tough out a fight.”

Selena jumped. “What the? Dad?”

“Artemus!” Sophie greeted her husband with a hug. “You made it!”

“Of course I did. Wouldn’t miss my baby girl’s birthday for all the fish in the river.”

“Well, don’t just stand in the doorway.” David waved everyone to come inside. “All of you, come over to the table!”

Hektor sat down at the table, watching everyone as they gathered at the table.

“Anyways, are you two sure you’re okay with closing the bakery early today?” said Artemus.

David nodded. “Like you, we weren’t going to miss our son’s birthday either. Besides, Kat and I will just have to work twice as hard tomorrow.”

“It’s a shame Hektor needs to rest. He’d certainly be helping you out.”

Hektor nodded.

He did dream of taking over his parents’ bakery back then. When Peter took everything from him, however, Hektor was forced to pursue the life of a soldier. Come to think of it, Selena also intended to take over her dad’s role in the village, only to change and follow Hektor. If Hektor regretted one thing, it was that Selena abandoned her own dream just to follow him. But he couldn’t tell her after everything she had done for him.

But that could all change. Hektor might not need to worry about Peter depending on how things played out. He had his powers now and could protect his parents if he played his cards right. Selena might also have her own powers, but she wouldn’t be forced to fight.

Maybe that way, they could also avoid dealing with Justin.

“Are you ready to blow out the candles, you two?” asked Katrina. “Be sure to make a wish.”

“Yeah. Selena?”

“Waiting on you, Hektor.”

Hektor smiled. He wished for a peaceful life with Selena. He faced the candle, ready to blow it out.

One, two—

A loud knock at the door interrupted the party.

“Hektor Khion, is he here?” said a gruff voice.

Everyone looked at each other.

“Did you invite anyone else?” said Katrina?

“Of course not,” said David. “We promised to keep this small and personal.”

“I ask again,” said the voice outside the door. “Is Hektor here?”

David stepped up from his seat before Hektor could say anything.

“Let me answer the door.”

David approached and opened the door, revealing three cloaked individuals.

“I apologize for interrupting you this afternoon. You must be Hektor’s father. Is Hektor here?”

“What do you want with my son?”

Although the hoods obscured their faces, Hektor quickly recognized the emblem on their cloaks.

“Dad, he’s the—”

“I know who he is.”

The tall cloaked individual took off his hood to reveal the stern face of a middle-aged man.

“Forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Magistrate Lukas Tavros. I’m here to apologize on behalf of my son’s actions.”