Chapter 1: The Found Child, Aito
"
It was an evening, yet it felt like night because of the many clouds scattered across the sky."
— And the sound of carriages and knights beneath the rain was simply beautiful to hear — "My lord, we are already listening," exclaimed a knight.
"Listen to me, children, do not be afraid," spoke a voice.
"Of course, father, as long as you are with us, we have no fear," the children replied.
"Oh God, you flatter me too much," said the one comforting the children, who was their father.
"How fortunate, my husband. If you are the 'King,' it is understandable that the children trust you, including your wife and the entire 'Kingdom,'" replied the 'Queen.'
"With your permission, everyone, we have arrived at the castle," said the royal knight.
"Excellent work," said the 'King.'
"No, my lord, it was nothing; it is my duty," the knight responded.
"Children, come down now," exclaimed the 'Queen.'
Once called to the palace, the 'Queen' bowed to the king and took the children, so the servants could attend to them.
The king sighed, looked at the sky one last time before entering the palace, and murmured,
"Ah… I have the feeling that something is about to happen."
The next morning, one could admire the magnificent sunrise, its burning flames spreading across the sky. The fresh, pure morning breeze swept through the surroundings of the 'Royal Palace.' The sound of swords clashing as knights and apprentices practiced fencing was refreshing to the ears of enthusiasts and swordsmanship lovers.
The king sat upon the 'Royal Throne' when a knight with a commanding presence entered. As he advanced, people bowed in respect. Reaching the stairs to the throne, he knelt and exclaimed, "Long live my king!"
"And how did your journey go, my old friend Zekin Marville?" the king asked.
"It went well, Your Majesty," Zekin replied.
"Tell me everything, old friend," the king urged.
"Well, my lord, the subjugation was a success," Zekin reported.
"As expected of you. I would not have expected less," said the king. "But it is not only that—I can see it in your expression."
"You read me like a book, Your Majesty," Zekin responded.
"It is about that feeling I had yesterday," the king murmured to himself.
"During the subjugation, my lord, we found a child," added Zekin.
"A child?" the king asked, surprised.
"Yes, my lord, we found a child," Zekin explained. "I am not sure if my granddaughter Nadia was born first or this baby, but regardless of who came first, this child cannot be more than a few days old."
"Well done," said the king. "But was the child found with its parents?"
"No, my lord. We found a trail of blood, likely from the parents protecting the child. Surprisingly, in the end, they succeeded—the child survived," Zekin explained.
"Indeed, this child is very fortunate," said the king.
"Truly, Your Majesty," Zekin agreed.
"Then we shall go see the child after the queen arrives," the king told Zekin.
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Zekin replied.
After the queen, the prince, and the princess arrived in the throne room, they went to see the child who had survived the subjugation. The medics were attending to the boy. He had dark black hair and golden eyes like pure gold—a truly beautiful child, like a little prince. The queen extended her hand, and the boy grasped it with both hands, smiling as if he were greeting a relative or his biological mother. The queen's heart was moved, feeling once again that maternal love. She asked Zekin what would be done with the child, and he explained that was why he had come to speak with His Majesty.
The queen asked if she could keep the child and care for him as her own son, and Zekin said there was no objection. The queen held him, and the boy smiled again while looking at her. She, too, was happy and said, "Then I shall name you Aito—your name shall be Aito Greymont."
"Oh, how wonderful! I have another brother!" exclaimed the princess.
"You must take good care of your little brother, Calithia," the queen told the princess.
"I am the older brother, so I will now take care of my younger sister and brother," said the prince.
"That is right, Eliel. You must take good care of them," the queen replied.
"So that was the feeling I had last night… it is even better than I thought," murmured the king.
"Well then, I am the only one left. Welcome, Aito Greymont. From now on, we are your new family. I hope you adapt well," the king exclaimed, as the sunlight streamed through the windows of the Royal Palace.