A Hero's Legacy and Unwanted Engagement

Velanova and Savanna arrived at the duchy. "Let's go to the duke immediately."
"Yes, Savanna."

Velanova opened the door to the lord’s office. "Hey, Dad! Why did you call for me? Did I do something wrong? Or are you mad that I went out again? Or is Lunna going to scold me again?" Velanova grabbed his head with both hands, scared of the possible outcome of his lecture.

"Hahahaha! No, son, don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. I just need to speak with you. Alone." The duke looked at Savanna, who nodded and immediately left, leaving the two of them alone in the office.

"So... what's up, Dad? What do you want to tell me?"
"I heard you were performing magic in the forest." Velanova’s expression was shocked, like someone who had just been caught.
"What do you mean, Dad? I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Hahahahaha! Your expression gives it all away, son. You should learn to stay calm under pressure."
"That's impossible in your presence, Dad. You’re the hero of the kingdom. The Champion of Light, that’s what everyone calls you."

"Ahhh... I do miss those times. But that’s not important right now. This isn’t about me, it’s about you. You know Orion will come to your birthday, right?"
"You mean the king?"
"Yes, the king."

"Yeah, I know. So you should also know that the prince and princess will attend with the king and queen."

"Where are we going with this, Dad? I know they are coming because it’s my 5th birthday. My magical affinities will be revealed tomorrow. But what about the king and all?"
"Well, since they’re coming, me and Orion have been talking. You and the princess are the same age, and you get along well, right?"
"Yeah, I like Princess Lyra."

"Good. Then it’s settled. Tomorrow, together with your magical affinities, we’ll reveal your engagement to Lyra."

"Wait, what?! Dad, where’s this coming from? I didn’t agree to this. And what about Yuna and Mom? They wouldn’t let me get engaged like that. Especially Yuna, she’s way too fond of me."

"Don’t worry. Your sister actually agreed because she likes Lyra. And Prince Alistair actually said he’d love to have you as a brother-in-law."
"So, everyone knows except me?"
"No, Lyra doesn’t know yet. But it’s good this way. You’ll be set with a wife in the future—smart and beautiful. Nothing to sulk about, son."

"Haaaa... Dad, I just want to play and learn magic. I don’t want to get involved in politics. It’s not needed for me."
"You will need to learn it eventually when you take over the duchy."
"Yes, but that comes later. I don’t need to worry about that right now."

"Okay, but onto the next topic. You learned magic from the beasts. Explain."

"Okay, let me explain, Dad. I was just playing with the beasts, but they kept escaping with Shadow Step. It wasn’t fair, so I just tried it. I got it after trying three times, so I kept playing with them. But when I got Shadow Step right, they started flying. So I tried it too, and the beasts gave me tips."
"Wait, you can understand beasts?"
"Yes, I can speak with them."
"So they tried helping you learn Flight, but Savanna scared them away before you could get it."

"Alright, my son is a genius!! I knew you’d be a genius, but not this much. I’m proud of you, son."

"But I’ll warn you, you’re going to get scolded by Lanna. And there’s no escaping it."

"Noooo!!! Dad, please help me!"

"Young master!!!"

"Dad, hide me!"
"Too late, son."
Lanna opened the door to the office, greeted the duke, and grabbed young master Velanova by the ear.

"Get over here, young master."

"Daaaaad! Heeeeeelp!!"

"Hahahaha! Take it easy on him, Lanna."

"I will, sir. Don’t worry."