Family

Leo

Bruno came to him soon after the service. He didn't know what to say, and neither did Leo. He held Leo as he silently, tearlessly sobbed.

"Little Lion, I know what he became. It shames me, as once he was my friend. A dear, fierce, loyal friend. I, too, have lost a father. He was a brave man, but none too warm. No matter who they are, the loss of a father is a great loss indeed," Bruno breathed out.

"Bruno, you have always been nearer a father to me than he ever was. You were everything he wasn't. I am glad it is him and not you taken from us," Leo let out.

"You are kind to say so, Little Lion. I have always hoped you felt that way. I tried my best. I did. I fear it wasn't always enough, but I did try. I have already failed one child. I could not fail you as well," Bruno breathed out.

"Thank you, Uncle. Thank you," Leo let out. Bruno held the Little Prince in his big, strong shoulders as long as Leo needed. It was a long time.

.Sato found him next. Sato was the opposite of Sam. He couldn't stop talking.

"Believe it or not, I know how you feel. Well, not exactly, but I lost my father too, you know. He also died in a war. But I didn't know him so well. I was young. I felt his absence more than I ever knew him. But I saw how my mother cried. And I saw how it broke my brother, who knew him better. He was never the same. I know your father was a great man. I also know he wasn't a good man. I'm sorry, Leo. I'm sorry I couldn't save him. I really did try. I really did," Sato stammered. He broke down into a blubbering mess of apologies and tears. Leo comforted him, and they came to rest on the ground, and Sato cried into Leo's shoulder.

"It's alright. I know you did everything you could. None of this is your fault. This is the cost of war. We are all just pawns in it all. Even the kings. Duke's die," Leo lessoned. Sato's tears dried, and he wiped his red eyes.

"I was supposed to be comforting you. Look at me mucking it up," Sato mumbled.

"You did just fine," Leo let out. 

Leo meant to seek out Sam, but she found him first. He never thought he'd see the Tomcat in a dress, black as night, with a veil. She looked sad and not herself. Sam had seen some of the abuse Leo had endured. His mother had spared her the worst of it, as well as the sight and sound of it.

But Sam was a smart girl, and she had seen Leo's pain. Leo had never confided in her. Never opened his gate. He had wanted to, but he could not burden the child with his woes. He would not. Instead, he had shown her love and understanding but never himself. His hurt. It seems he didn't need to. The Tomcat took him in her arms and didn't let go. She was nearly as tall as he now. Very nearly.

"Brother... Leo... I know. I mean, I don't know, not really... but I still... You know... I'm saying that I don't... I mean... You know..." the Tomcat stumbled.

"I know. Thank you," Leo let her off the hook. His sister was never so skilled with her words as she was with her sword. But he knew, and she knew, and that was enough

 "I have to go find Jo. Please excuse me," Leo let out.

Jo was in her room. It was covered in books and toys, and beautiful tapestries. Her bed was magnificent with curtains and eaves and all. Everything was pink except for the princess, who was clad in a little black number. She had her favorite book in her hand as Leo entered and called him in.

"Read to me, brother, please. Tell me a story?" Jo begged.

"Very well, little sister. Which story do you want to hear?" Leo agreed. Leo knew the answer already. It was a sort of pagentry they played together. She always wanted to hear the story of the Unihorn Knight. Sometimes she would listen to other tales, but more often than not, it was the Unihorn Knight.

"I want to find a story about daddy. Do you have any?" Leo had not expected this. He steeled himself."

Jo understood nothing of what his father was. He was here hero. She loved him truly, wholly, and unreservedly. Leo would have to steel himself. To be there for her as she needed him to be. 

"Let me see. There is, of course, the story of how... father... helped defeat the Cruel King and overthrow the monarchy, or how he conquered Kelton or defeated Doubling, or how he fought against the Ruby Emperor and his armies with Uncles Bruno and Earl," Leo considered.

"Tell me about Ruby King. That one sounds exciting," Jo demanded excitedly.

"Very well. Many years past, there was a young Duke Leonidas of Pax Publica. The Paxan King called upon all his vassals to levy their forces to stop the Ruby Emperor, who hoped to claim the Avidian Plains from the Avidians. Now the Paxan King was bitter rivals with the Avidian King until a controversial marriage between an Avidian Prince and a Paxan Princess was arranged. Duke Leo gathered his men and led the Paxan forces alongside Uncle Yorrif. They met the Avidian Prince, named Earl, and a Ranger named Bruno, and all fought against the Ruby Emperor and his General Turrik Silentsword. Duke Leo and his friends defeated General Turrik in the Battle of Bordertown. The General surrendered, and the Ruby Emperor vanished and... Father returned a hero. Uncle Earl and Bruno returned with him to see his home and ended up staying there," Leo narrated. He knew most of the story was untrue. Except for the...

"What happened with Earl's Princess? I didn't know Earl was married to a Princess," Jo questioned.

"Well, he isn't. The King then promised the Princess to Duke Leonidas that he had once promised to Earl. His other daughter was promised to Uncle Yorrif. That is Aunt Mary," Leo detailed. It was a bit more complicated than just that. The Duke had wanted Mary, not Anne. Jo's eyes widened.

"Uncle Earl was engaged to mommy?" Jo shouted, having connected the pieces.

"Yes, she was. And that engagement saved Earl when the Avidian Revolution occurred and the other royals and nobles were put to the talon," Leo added.

"Does that mean mommy will remarry Uncle Earl?" Jo asked. 

Leo hadn't considered that. He had forgotten they had ever been engaged at all. They had been in love, as he recalled. Only... They couldn't share children. But his mother already had three heirs. And if Earl were to marry Mother and serve as King Consort, then his mother could retain the throne, and Leo wouldn't have to be King. They both wanted this. Leo wanted nothing less than to be King.

"Mayhaps, dear sister," Leo considered. Jo yawned. "Get some rest, you have had a very long day." Leo kissed his sister lightly on the forehead after he tucked her in, her Unihorn besides.

"I hope mommy marries Uncle Earl," Jo mumbled as she drifted off into a long night's sleep. 

Leo rose from the bed and picked up a few books, and returned them to the shelf. Leo had much to do. He must speak to his mother at once.