It has been six days since the Kelis Family arrived at royal capital and today is the day for the five year ceremony. The maids were busy dressing up Ray and Allen for the ceremony. Reind too was busy getting dressed up for the event but on the other hand Melinda was sitting on her bed as she furrowed her brow in anger, sadness and irrigation. The reason for her mood being foul was that she was not going to attend the ceremony due to her pregnancy. She was already six months pregnant she was only allowed to do some light work and bed rest was essential. Thus, even being allowed to travel to royal capital was a big thing.
"Melinda!! How do I look?" Reind entered the room. He glanced at Melinda and found her glaring at him. After that he didn't speak another word and the atmosphere of the room fell into an awkward silence.
Suddenly the door of the room bursted open and Ray and Allen came running in. They immediately went to Melinda and asked together, "Mama, how do I look?" Hearing that Melinda smiled and answered, " You look really cute."
Both the boys furrowed their brow on hearing this. "Mama, I'm a boy. I'm not cute." Said Ray in monotone.
Seeing the boys' faces her expression changed into a sad one. The boys saw her and felt sympathy for her. They knew how much she wanted to attend the ceremony but the given the circumstances she couldn't. Ray climbed the bed as he sat beside her. "I'll tell you everything after I comeback. Mama, don't be sad baby will be effected too." He caressed her face face with his tiny hands.
Melinda who felt the small warm hand caressing against her face changed her expression from sad to mellow eyes and gentle smile. Ah, Ray and Allen have grown up alot in such a short while. She thought inwardly and patted the boy's headed and gave him a hug.
Seeing the mother and son pair. Reind and Allen couldn't help but join in on the hug.
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As they arrived at the the entrance of the Central church the boys were suprised by how many people had gathered there. Reind held their hand firmly to make sure they don't run around and get lost. As they stepped out of the carriage they attracted the gaze of many people. For the first time in their life Allen felt overwhelmed. He tightly clenched Reind's sleeves and walked closer to him.
Seeing the the frightened boy he gave him a gentle smile. After they reached near the fountain some priest asked Reind stop there and lead him to where the ceremony was to be held.
He patted ways from Ray and Allen who went to garden area until the start of the ceremony. Only children who were particpating in the ceremony were allowed to go to the garden and adults were asked to go the ceremony hall.
As they reached the garden they spotted Garrick standing in a corner and yelled "Garrick" to get his attention. The boy who heard someone calling him saw the boys and his face started to turn pale. He wanted to run away but there was no place to run. Then when he saw the boys running towards him, he set all his thoughts aside turned backwards and started to mumbling some kind of chant.
Allen tapped on Garrick's shoulder the turned around although reluctant. He cried tears of blood in his hurt cursing his bad luck but his expression calm on the surface.
"Allen, Ray!!!" Someone yelled from the other side of the crowd waving at the boys. As the looked they saw Ivy and Paige they immediately walked towards them. Allen grabbed Garrick's hand and pulled him with them. "Garrick, come with us you will be bored alone. So it's better to be with friends." Said Allen as he slowly but steadily walked faster.
No, it's better to be alone. I don't think I can handle being beside you for long. Please somebody help. He cried in his but he could not say it out loud.
So you still have a soft spot for Allen huh. Sighed Ray as he thought how good natured a person Garrick turned out to be even though his face looks so ferocious.
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Reind thinking about Ray and Allen he could not help but smile heartily as he followed the priest to the ceremony hall he saw a man in his sixties standing with a young man on the hallway. Both of them having the same eyes as him. As he strided towards the man his eyes became narrow, his smile disappeared into thin air and atmosphere around him became tensed. His mood a little agitated.
The man turned and saw Reind walking towards him, he came into a abrupt halt. "Reind, what are you doing here?" Said the old man with a calm voice, his expression relaxed.
But Reind passed the old without saying a word or batting an eye. The man turned around a little irritated as if he wanted to say something but as he saw him walking away without looking back he backed off without saying anything.
"Grandfather! Who is he? Do you know him?" asked the boy as he looked at the back of the man walking away.
"Eh! Ah......yes, but it's not important right now let's go to the ceremony hall." Said the old man, alarmed because of the sudden questions.
"Yes." Said the boy as they started walking towards the hall slowly.
"Lilian, what is that man doing here?" He asked pissed his tone cold, his brow furrowed and eyes full of anger and frustration as he cleched his fist.
Lilian hesitated a bit and opened, "Reind-sama, it seems they too will attend today's ceremony." Hearing that Reind came to an abrupt halt and glared at him. The priest who was leading the way too stopped at his place waiting for Reind.
"Reind-sama, please calm yourself. I don't think they have intention to harm Ray-sama and Allen-sama." He tried to calm the man down.
"I know but make sure he stays away from them. Tch. And today was supposed to be a joyous event." Reind clicked his teeth as he started walking again. "Lilian, attend the ceremony with me."
"But how I can possibly attend the ceremony."
"You are already like a parent to them. Melinda can't come today so they are a little sad but if you are there I'm sure they will be happy. You are family after all."
The man hearing those words stood dumbstruck for sometime. And tried to refuse the offer but got cut short inbetween as Reind said in an intimidating tone, "This is an order, attend the ceremony." He sighed and reluctantly obeyed the command of his master.
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Ivy, Paige, Allen, Ray and Garrick were standing in a semi circle talking when they approached by a kid. "Are you Ray and Allen?" The kid asked shyly his ears red from nervousness.
Ray and Allen nodded yes in response. Cute. Both the boys thought as he saw blushing boy. The boy was slim but plump his unkempy brown hair gave him a little ferocious look but his white skin, big red cherry like eyes and pink thin lips made him look like a kitten.
The boy looked up at them with his big eyes, "Allard was right you look so cute. I was able to distinguish you from crowd so easily. He told me about how you bravely confronted some thugs inorder to protect some kids." He admired the twins as he looked up in their eyes. "He told me you are both really nice. Um... my name......is.....um....Ambert....so.......if.." he fumbled nervously as he spoke. He took a deep breath and blurted out in one breath, "Will you please be my friend?"
The boys looked at the boy whose face was flushed red as he blushed. They looked at each other from the corner of their eyes as if to say you answer him. Thus, stare competition ensued between them. In the end Ray won and Allen had to fight the urge to hug the young boy and said "of course." softly with a bright smile.
"Um......if I'm not wrong you said Allard right. How do you know him?" Inquired Ray as stated at the boy startling him a little.
"Eh.....ah.....you see he is my older brother." He said blushing as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Wait a minute, you are a prince?" Scrutinized Allen. The boy nodded in response as he blushed nervously.
Ivy grasped in suprise and lowered her head thinking she might offend Ambert. But seeing her reaction he frawned a little as his expression changed to a depressed one. Ray tapped on the girl's shoulder to make her raise her head. The looked at Ray who signalled her to look at the prince's face through her eyes.
She looked sideways to take a quick glance at him and found a sad boy, she immediately realised her foolishness but the damage has been done. Garrick tapped Ambert's should as he said, "My name is Garrick. Nice to meet you." After him one after another everyone introduced themselves and lastly it was the prince's turn, "Um....my name is Ambert Lucian Felicia. Nice to meet you."
As they were all busy with their business a girl at the other side of the crowd who had the same brown hair and red eyes as Ambert watched them and sneered, "That good for nothing is making friends who are the same as him. Well, they all will be as stupid as him." She looked at the group and spotted a long haired boy who looked like a girl smiling. She suddenly felt a thump in her heart.
As some were busy chatting and some anxious about the ceremony, all fell silent when a priest came and announced, "Everyone please come forward as we call your name and form a line." Some more priest came forward. Each with a list in their hand and began calling out names. The first one which was announced was of Paige.