•••
In the heart of the dhyānved hall, at the temple that housed the sacred waters of the third order, family head Jofré stood before the preceptor of the house Borgias, Geshe Suigard Borgias.
The household now had two boys that had gone through Jaladīksā ritual. And another, this one a daughter, would go through in a few weeks time, thus it was imperative to discuss the course of these children's teachings. Spiritual as well as administrative.
"Are you absolutely certain, Noctis doesn't have any affinity for the divine arts, your holiness. Touching the Mandārā at the first ritual itself is worthy of top nomination."
"I did not say he doesn't have any. He indeed could. But given the reaction that he had with Mandārā, it is best we don't push it."
"It could just be his lineage, as you said."
"It could Jay, it could." Preceptor Suigard stood up from his chair at this and started moving towards the garden.
He stood before the sacred water before saying,
"I've met their royalty before, son. Their peculiarity is apparent at mere glance of 'em, but that child… perhaps it has something to do with it. But I'd rather not take a chance. But that's just me, see as you see fit."
"Oh you jest uncle. If you say you don't feel it then you must have your reasons. Please forgive my insolent greed." Jofré sheepishly added.
"I understand that having the next saint from your lineage is tempting indeed, but settle down. It's a given he has a great aptitude for learning other arts as well as the fact that he has inherited the high Eldaliëan blood means they can't ignore him for long. You'll have a great asset in him."
"You don't have to sully yourself with those matters, your holiness. Believe that I know well."
After a brief pause as he stood up he added, I'll excuse myself then your holiness. May your blessings be forever with us."
Preceptor just nodded his head while still facing towards the pool still deep in his thoughts.
***
As soon as he was released from the longest prayer session he has ever attended, although it was most certainly the most unique as well, his famished self was allowed to be fed.
Now after eating as well as a subsequent nap after washing up, he was again with Ms. Marina, his governess, to attend to his studies.
Chiefly, language and some history of the land he inhabited; the sacred realms of Elutheria. Why it was named such as he was informed, minus the very divine-coded patriotism was the nation/kingdom that was made up of many many islands of and in addition to the silvefuye archipelago.
Most of his days went by like this. Wake up, dress up, attend a short prayer, real short like ten minutes or so, unlike today, a little wandering in the beautiful valleys surrounding the estate that he inhabited, rest, study, dinner and back to bed.
About dinner though, he would meet again with the rest of the family that consisted of his uncle, his wife and two kids, a boy about 2-3 years older than him and a girl about his age and his grandfather, also the head of the house. They were normal.. all things considered but the unfamiliarity kept him on somewhat of an edge.
From family he remembered,
"Ms. Marina, where, my parents?"
He asked with his half broken skills in the native language of this world.
Marina's heart skipped at the very sudden question as well as the nature of it.
She debated internally for a good few minutes whether it was her place to break out such things to the young child, but the more she looked at his eyes the more she understood, her initial presumption of change in his psyche had been hasty.
He had indeed changed. Those eyes possessed intelligence she did not remember from all those days prior to the incident.
She took a deep breath to steady herself and decided to convey as gently as she could.
"They, my child, are not in this world anymore."
She focused on his eyes as she said this trying to glean what he felt at this revelation.
Noctis's expression remained steady. He was right.
Now the question was, "How?"
Marina was conflicted whether she was glad that he did not feel anything deeply personal as well as immensely hurt at his loss for his sake that he would have to face one day.
She took another deep breath and sighed at his fate before answering,
"Your father died while he was out hunting my dear, as for your mother, she was afflicted with an incurable ailment that claimed her life not long after the first anniversary of your birth. Perhaps it was her loss that she couldn't bear and left for her husband to accompany in his afterlife."
Her voice became quieter the more she said. Her last sentence was barely heard by Noctis. But he got a jist of it.
Now for the most important part, he didn't how to break this or whether he'll get an honest answer to it but he tried,
"Why, me, like this?"
"Like what?"
"Like this." He said pointing at his ears. He had noticed not one person in the whole household resembled him which meant he didn't inherit it from this family, coupled with many surprised reactions he noticed, it was most definitely not ordinary.
"Oh. Ohhhh. That's right. Uh.. your father was a little different than us, not all that different just a little little. And you look like him. But don't worry you'll meet many people like you. It's nothing to be worried about, dear, nothing at all."
This question made her sound a bit nervous without her intending to, but she was worried the young mind might develop a complex over it. She might have to talk to his uncle about this.
Noctis just nodded his head calmly. He wasn't worried. He hadn't felt any hostility from anybody yet, just confusion and bewilderment. And discrimination was least of his issues given he clearly outranked 90% of people and probably in the kingdom, easy.