A Heartwarming Reunion

In the main hall of the Palace at Groacia:

The conflict between Eidrin, Romero, and Merlin had finally come to peace. Now, Eidrin and Romero were speaking calmly with Merlin, the King, the Queen, and the other nobles of Groacia.

Merlin (happily): So… me and my other brothers, we didn’t have parents, so it was my big brother who took care of us when we were young. I still remember how much he struggled for us. Sometimes, he didn’t even eat his own food and gave his portion to us. The fact that he was only four years older than me, yet took care of me like a parent… it still moves me.

Romero: Oh, I see…

The nobles silently listened to Merlin’s words.

Merlin: Then, after a while, big brother came up with the idea of splitting up. It was painful for all of us, but I knew he did it for our safety and a better future.

Eidrin: Then… how did you end up here, Merlin? You didn’t tell me that.

King: I found Merlin when he was around eleven years old. He had the strength to defend himself but was weak due to starvation.

Queen: We couldn’t abandon him. Moreover, our firstborn was a girl, so we adopted him as our own son, gave him the love of parents, and made him the heir to our wealth and our nation. He is not like our son — he is our son.

Eidrin: Thank you very much. I don’t know how to repay such kindness. Jonas wouldn’t have survived without you two. I still regret my decision to separate us. Now I understand it may have been a mistake.

King: No, it wasn’t. Because of that decision, Merlin became a prince — and we gained a son. And you became a great warrior. If all of you had stayed together, you might have spent your lives only protecting each other, never reaching your full potential.

Eidrin (emotionally): I know… but I’m still worried about my other siblings. Are they doing well like Merlin?

A silence filled the hall for a moment.

Eidrin: Anyway, Merlin, I’d like to speak with you privately.

Merlin: Okay.

Eidrin and Merlin left to talk. Lucaris was quietly observing, but he didn’t seem pleased with what was happening.

King (to Romero): We sincerely apologize for acting rudely towards you earlier.

Romero: It’s fine. The fault was on our side too.

King: Then, please stay and rest as long as you wish. You both are always welcome here.

Romero: Thank you very much.

The King and the nobles left for the court.
Soon after, Marina approached Romero.

Marina: Hey, I never thought everything would turn out like this.

Romero: Yeah, me neither. Who would’ve guessed that Eidrin and Merlin were brothers? I didn’t even know Eidrin had a brother. By the way, did you know Merlin was adopted?

Marina: Yes, I already knew. I was eight when Father and Mother adopted him. Me and Lucaris have always seen him as our real brother. We could never think of him as an outsider. He’s always been so protective of us. But I don’t think the citizens or the other nobles knew he was adopted.

Romero: Oh, I see.

Marina: By the way… now that you’ve come to good terms with my father, what about telling him about our marriage?

Romero: Hmm… I’m not confident enough to tell him myself yet. I’ll ask Eidrin’s help when the time’s right. Don’t worry — we’ll tell him soon. Anyway, I should also talk to Alexander about it.

Marina: Who?

Romero: I mean… our king.

Marina: Oh, I see.

On the Palace Balcony

Merlin (excited): I can’t believe I finally reunited with you, big brother!

Eidrin: Me too. And look at you — you’re a prince now.

Merlin: Yeah. And you’ve become such a powerful warrior. I never imagined you’d reach this level.
By the way, I don’t even know what to call you now — big brother James or big brother Eidrin?

Eidrin (smiling, emotionally): Call me whatever you like… but I prefer to call you Merlin now. You’re no longer the little boy I once knew.

Merlin: Okay then — I’ll call you big brother Eidrin from now on.

Eidrin: Now, let’s get to the topic. Since we’ve reunited peacefully, what do you think about creating an alliance with Francia?

Merlin (serious): …I have to think about that.

Eidrin: Why, Merlin? There could be a war at any time. If that happens, I’ll have no choice but to stand with Francia — and I don’t want to fight against you. I’m warning you, your army isn’t strong enough to face Francia. Before something terrible happens, please listen to me — forming an alliance is the best path.

Merlin: I know… but forming an alliance with Francia means falling into the trap of the Twelve Nation Alliance.
Tell me, do you know fully about the Twelve Nation Alliance?

Eidrin: Not really.

Merlin: Then let me explain. The Twelve Nation Alliance — the largest and most powerful alliance in the world — consists of twelve of the most ruthless nations ever known. I agree that Francia is the most just and calm among them now, but if we look back in history, about three generations ago, Francia was also merciless.
Alexander I (Alexander's grandfather), the late King of Francia fifty years ago, was one of the most ruthless rulers ever — conquering countless lands to expand his empire. Francia is calmer now, but the remaining eleven nations are still cruel. They destroy any kingdom that refuses to kneel before them.

The alliance is filled with tyrants — kings like Gladior and Trimur who exploit their own people.
And all of them serve under one man — the most powerful and feared ruler in existence. Few have ever seen his face, few know his real name, but all know him… We call him as, The Dark Emperor.
The cruelest ruler of all time — a man who shows no mercy to those who defy him.

If we ally with Francia, we’ll be forced to align with the Dark Emperor — and that’s something I cannot accept.

Eidrin: I see… I can’t blame your reasoning.

Merlin: I promise you this — I’ll never move against Francia unless they make the first move. It’s up to you whom you choose to support. You can stand with me, or with your king Alexander. I’ll respect your choice, big brother.

Eidrin: You’ve truly grown into a wise prince, Merlin. I’m sure you’ll make a great king one day.

Merlin: Thank you… though, I’m not sure if it’s right to ask this, but…

Eidrin: What is it?

Merlin: Can you stay here with me? As my brother?

Eidrin: …I can’t. I know it’s hard, but we can’t stay together now. You have your duties, and I have mine. But I promise — I’ll visit you whenever I can, and I’ll help you whenever you need me.

Merlin (with tears in his eyes): I see… You’ll always be welcome here, big brother. And if you ever need me, I’ll come to you too.

Eidrin: Okay.

Eidrin and Romero then prepared to return.

Marina: Romero, you’ll come back to see me, right?

Romero: Yeah, I promise.

Merlin: Big brother, I hope you return soon.

Eidrin: I promise I’ll visit whenever I get the time. Goodbye.

Merlin and Marina: Goodbye… see you again!

Lucaris silently watched everything from afar.

On the Way to Francia

Romero: Eidrin, why didn’t you ever tell me you had a brother?

Eidrin: I already told you — I’d reveal my past when the right time came.

Romero: Fair enough. But you know everything about me… anyway, how many siblings do you have?

Eidrin: Four younger brothers.

Romero: Oh, just like me — though I’ve got two brothers and two sisters.
Heh… oh right, you already knew that.

Eidrin fell into deep thought.

Eidrin (thought): The Dark Emperor… I’ve even forgotten his real name. People only call him by that title now. But I still remember his cruel gaze — the man who killed my parents and destroyed my nation.
I’ve lived my whole life and grown strong just to avenge them. I’ve never killed anyone, not even as a warrior, because I wanted him to be my first and last kill.
But I can’t go against him now — not while serving Alexander, the one who gave me strength, fame, and purpose when I had nothing.
I owe him… yet I must take revenge.
For that, I need to become even stronger — and I’ll need allies I can trust.
I must find my other brothers.
But… will Alexander still stand by me?
And even if Jonas — Merlin — accepts me, will my other brothers still love me… or will they hate me for leaving them?

Eidrin and Romero continued their journey in silence.

In the Palace of Groacia, Evening:

Merlin noticed that Lucaris was acting strangely.

Merlin: Lucaris, what’s wrong with you? You’re acting so distant today.

Lucaris: Oh… big brother, now that you’ve found your real brother, I guess I’m no one to you anymore, right?

Merlin: What are you saying?! Did I ever say or do something like that? You’re my brother, Lucaris! I took care of you from childhood, and you’ve always seen me as your own brother even though you knew I was adopted. What’s gotten into you?

Lucaris: You shouldn’t have told the whole crowd that Eidrin is your brother! Now everyone knows you’re adopted, and this news will spread across the nation.

Merlin: I don’t care about people’s opinions. It doesn’t matter to me whether they know or not.

Lucaris: But big brother, when the time comes for you to become king, people might not accept you. They’ll question your right to the throne because you’re adopted. You should’ve kept it a secret.

Merlin: Lucaris… I actually don’t want to be king.

Lucaris (shocked): What?!

Merlin: You are the true heir to the throne. Me becoming king would mean stealing that position from you. I want you to be the next king.

Lucaris (sadly): But… I’ve always wanted to see you become king. How can you say that to me? I don’t think I could ever be a good king.

Merlin (smiling): But I believe in you.

Lucaris (crying): Big brother…

Lucaris burst into tears and hugged Merlin tightly.
He might act tough, but deep inside, he was still just a boy — one with a little pride, envy, and ego, but a heart full of emotion.

To be continue......