Some Sweet Memories

Morning time, Palace of Groacia:

Merlin was casually standing on the balcony of the palace. He had now become the king of Groacia. Merlin hadn’t changed at all in these two years.
Suddenly, Marina arrived there.

Marina: "Good morning, big brother."
Merlin: "Good morning."
Marina: "You woke up early today. What are you doing?"
Merlin: "Nothing. Just taking in the view from here. Now I understand that being a king isn’t an easy job. So I am relaxing before work. I guess Father struggled a lot to become a good king."
Marina: "Yeah. Anyway, did you see Lucaris? He isn’t in his room."
Merlin: "Oh, he is either training or having fun with his friends."
Marina: "Yeah, he has spoiled very much. He even started to drink and smoke at this young age. I don't know how to stop him. No one around here will say anything against him either. He only listens to you, big brother, so you can fix him."
Merlin: "It is true that he listens to my words, but I doubt I can fix him. He has changed very much. I need to find someone or some way to fix him."
Marina: "I see..."
Merlin: "Marina, I don't think you are here only to tell me this. I can sense that there is something you actually want to say but you aren’t ready to, isn’t it?"
Marina: "Wha… What?!"
Merlin: "Stop hiding anything from me. I am your big brother and I know you better than anyone else. I can understand when my little sister wants to say something to me."
Marina: "Actually… I want to tell you that you need to stop finding a man for me."
Merlin: "But…"
Marina: "I know there are many incoming proposals… but I am not interested in that at all. You already know that I love another man, don't you?"
Merlin: "I know… but do you really think he still loves you?"
Marina: "…… I don't know. But I can’t imagine anyone other than him."
Merlin (in a sarcastic manner): "But it isn’t me who is trying to find a man for you, it is Father. And another thing is that, I can’t marry without marrying you off first."
Marina: "What? But I know you don't have any woman in your heart."
Merlin (smiling): "Yeah. I was just joking."

Merlin realizes that Marina is actually becoming emotional.

Merlin: "Don't be sad, Marina. I am promising you that I will bring that Romero for you. No matter where he is and what he will say. He definitely will be your one and only groom."

Marina was still sad and didn’t have any hope, but she still smiled after hearing that, just to make her brother happy.
Marina then returned to her room. Merlin then went into deep thought.

Merlin (thought): "So I need to find Romero for my sister, and also need to fix Lucaris. I know I can’t do this all alone. The nation itself is slowly becoming a weight for me. Big brother, if you were with me now, nothing would be a big task for me."

*Flashback*

1 year ago, Night, Merlin's room:

Eidrin had come to visit Merlin. Both of them were sitting in Merlin's room and having a drink.

Merlin: "It's been a while, isn’t it, big brother."
Eidrin: "Yeah."
Merlin: "You know, Father wants me to be the next king."
Eidrin: "That’s good. You are his successor, right? Be the king as he wants. It will also be an honor for me to tell everyone that my little brother is a king."
Merlin: "Yeah, but I am not interested at all."
Eidrin: "Why?"
Merlin: "Because… do you really think I am worthy of it? I am adopted and not the true heir. I want Lucaris to be the next king. He is the true power heir."
Eidrin: "But he is still a kid. You can be king until he matures."
Merlin: "But… do you really think I can be a good king?"
Eidrin: "Yeah, you can. I believe in you, Merlin. And I will always be there if you ever need any help."
Merlin: "Thanks a lot."

*Flashback ends*

Merlin (thought): "I need your help. Where are you, big brother?"

Meanwhile, border of Francia:

Eidrin and his students are continuing their journey. They have now reached Francia.

Lars: "Master, so Romero is powerful as you?"
Eidrin: "Yeah. He used to be equal to me. I don't know how he is doing now though. But I am sure that he will still be strong."
Rio: "You both were very close?"
Eidrin: "He was the closest person to me. He had done many things for me and I think I also have done many things for him. Anyway, Alexander is going to kill me if he comes to know that I am here."
Lars: "Your another best friend?"
Eidrin: "Yeah, and also the king of this place. I am sure he would be angry at me because I helped many nations instead of his, after moving from his side. He is still my friend though. I hope he still sees me as a friend."
Rio: "Then, what about meeting him?"
Eidrin: "No, I don't have enough courage for that, for now."
By thinking about his friends, memories rushed into Eidrin's mind, containing his best moments with them.

*Flashback*
8 years ago

Early morning, Palace of Francia:

Eidrin was working out and practicing at the garden of the palace while Romero was casually lying on the ground.

Eidrin: "Romero, you haven't trained a bit. Come on, get up."
Romero: "Let me rest for a little bit more time."
Eidrin: "You are acting like this for some days. What happened? I think there is something you are worried about."
Romero: "Actually… I am worried about my family. It's been 7 years since I left home. I wonder how they are doing now. Are they okay? Do they hate me or miss me now?"
Eidrin: "…Actually the fault is on your side. Leaving your family behind isn’t a good thing, you know."
Romero: "I know, Eidrin, but… I didn’t have any other way. If I stayed there, I would end up as a farmer. I am not saying that being a farmer is a bad thing, but that’s not my passion. My dream was always becoming a great warrior, and I wouldn't be that now if I stayed there."
Eidrin: "Yeah, you are right too. But if you really care about your family, why don't you go and see them again?"
Romero: "But…"
Eidrin: "What?"
Romero: "I don't have enough courage to face Father."
Eidrin: "So you are planning to never meet your family again and abandon them?! Come on, Romero. I am sure your father will be proud if he comes to know you became a warrior and achieved your dream."
Romero: "But…"
Eidrin: "No more excuses. If you don’t have enough courage to go alone, I will accompany you."
Romero: "Okay. Thanks, Eidrin."

Night, Alexander’s room:

Alexander was casually lying on his bed. Suddenly, Eidrin and Romero arrived there.

Alexander: "Oh, where were you two all this time? Come on, let’s have some drinks."
Eidrin: "Okay."

They then drank together.

Romero: "Xander, I am planning to meet my family again."
Alexander: "Oh, that’s a good thing."
Eidrin: "I am going with him too because he is too scared to go alone. So both of us will not be around tomorrow. So take care, Xander."
Alexander: "Hey, if both of you are going, then I am coming with you too."
Romero: "But… Xander, my house is too small. I don't think you will like it there. That’s not a suitable place for a prince to visit. If I had a big house, I would have invited you too."
Alexander: "Romero, is that how you understood me? I don't care if you are wealthy or not. You are my friend and I am ready to visit your house, no matter how big or small it is."
Romero: "But you need to take guards when you travel anywhere. That will cost too much just to visit my house."
Alexander: "Hey, why do I need guards to protect me when you two are with me? I am sure I will be safer with you two than with guards. I am coming anyway."
Romero: "Okay, thanks."
Eidrin: "That’s a good thing."

Eidrin, Romero and Alexander set toward Romero's house the next day. It took one day to reach his house from the palace. It was afternoon when they reached there.
The place was very beautiful, with many fields and trees.
At one of the fields, a young boy was doing his work. He suddenly paused after seeing Romero walking through the field. The boy was none other than Ron, Romero's younger brother. Ron didn’t believe his eyes. He was so overjoyed after seeing his big brother after many years. He rushed toward Romero.

Ron (screaming): "Big brother…!"
Romero: "It… It can't be…"

Romero didn’t know who the boy was at first but then he realized it was his brother. Tears came into Romero's eyes but he tried to hold them back. Romero also rushed toward Ron and both of them hugged each other.

Romero: "Ron, you have changed a lot."
Ron: "You too, big brother."
Romero: "Then how did you recognize me?"
Ron: "No matter how much you change and how much time we stay apart, I can still recognize you."

Romero became very emotional after hearing this, but still he was able to hold back his tears.

Romero: "Anyway, how are you doing?"
Ron: "Still trying to become a good farmer, like I always wanted. And you?"
Romero: "Trained very hard to become a great warrior. Still, I don't know if I became a good warrior or not. Anyway, who am I to call myself great? People around me and my opponents can tell whether I became a great warrior or not. But I can say I put all my effort into it."
Ron: "I can guess you did great because you always do."
Romero: "Thanks. Anyway, these are my friends. Eidrin and Alexander."
Ron: "Oh, nice to meet you all."
Eidrin and Alexander: "Nice to meet you too."
Romero: "Eidrin is also a warrior like me. We trained at the same academy and now work together."
Ron: "Oh, I see…"
Romero: "And Alexander is…"
Ron: "Hey, I think I have seen him somewhere."
Romero: "Yeah, that’s possible. He is kinda famous."
Ron: "Really?"
Romero: "Yeah, he is the prince of this nation and I now work for him."
Ron (very shocked): "What! I am very sorry my lord, I didn’t recognize you."

Ron tried to bow in front of Alexander but Alexander stopped him.

Alexander: "Hey, no need to do that."
Ron: "But…"
Alexander (smiling): "I am also like you all, just a normal human too. Being a prince doesn't make me superior to you. You are my friend's brother, so you are like a brother to me from now on."
Ron (a little panicked): "O… Okay. Thank you, my lord."
Ron (to Romero): "I can’t believe. You now work for the prince, big brother."
Romero: "Yeah. Anyway, how is everyone doing at home?"
Ron: "They all are alright. Come on, everyone will be happy because of your return."
Romero: "But… I think Father would still be angry at me, wouldn’t he?"
Ron: "Yeah, but still, he can't hate you. Don't worry about that, let’s go."

They all then went to Romero's house.
The house hadn’t changed much. It was still very small and made of wood.
When they reached there, Romero's father was sitting outside.

Ron: "Father, Mother, big brother has returned!"

Romero's mother rushed out of the house after hearing that. She came outside and looked around. She was unable to believe her eyes. Tears rolled down from her eyes. Romero didn’t know what to say or do. He just stood still. His mother rushed toward him and hugged him tightly. Tears were overflowing from her eyes. Romero still didn’t cry.

Romero: "Mother, please don’t cry. Please forgive me."
Mother: "It's alright, Romero. I knew you would be okay and return one day."

Romero's father then came toward them.
He had now become much older and his entire hair had turned gray.

Father: "So you have returned. I always knew you would return after realizing how hard it is to live."
Romero (smiling): "Yeah."
Father: "So… how are you doing? Did you really become a warrior like you wanted or return to become a farmer?"
Romero: "I don't know. Who am I to say it by myself? Anyway, I am not here to become a farmer. These are my friends. Eidrin and Alexander."
Father: "Oh, are they also hopeless like you?"
Romero (smiling): "Yeah, maybe."
Eidrin: "I am Eidrin. I am also a warrior like Romero. I work with him."
Father: "Oh, so I wasn't wrong. You too are hopeless like him, interested in fights and wars."

Eidrin just smirked after hearing that.
Romero's father then moved toward Alexander.

Father: "What about you? Are you a fighter too?"
Alexander: "No. I am Alexander. I am just a normal man. I don't know how to fight at all."
Father: "Oh I see. So you are just a lad who hangs out with two fighters."
Ron: "Father, actually…"
Romero: "Alexander isn’t a common man at all. He is actually our prince."

Both Romero's father and mother got frightened after hearing this.

Father: "Hey, don’t try to fool me. I know that no prince will visit our small house. Moreover, which prince goes out without guards?"
Alexander (smiling): "Do I really need to prove that I am a prince? I don't like to show off anyway, but if you really want to know so…"

Alexander then showed the golden seal that contained the emblem of the royal family of Francia. Everyone realized that he was indeed the prince.

Alexander: "These two are my closest friends and guards, by the way. I only need them when I go out because I am sure I will be safer around them than with an army."
Romero: "Anyway, where are Rosalie and Rhea?"
Ron: "They are inside. They will be very happy if they see you."
Romero: "Yeah. Rhea was just two years old when I left. I don't think she will even recognize or remember me."
Ron: "Maybe not, but she is well familiar with you. I used to tell her about you every day, so she could know about her big brother."
Romero: "Thank you, Ron."

They then entered the house while Romero's father and mother stood outside.

Father: "So… my son won and I lost. He became a warrior like he always wanted, and I who always tried to discourage him, lost."
Mother: "Yeah, it is the rule of nature. At some point in life, we need to lose in front of our children and let them win."
Father: "Maybe I was always wrong."
Mother: "No, you weren’t. But in this case, Romero was always right."

Inside the house:

Romero entered the house and saw his younger sister Rosalie. Rosalie didn’t expect Romero's arrival. She instantly recognized her big brother even though it had been a long time and was very shocked. She had now become a very beautiful girl.

Romero: "Rosalie, you have changed a lot."
Rosalie: "Big brother! I didn't expect that you would shock me this way. I really missed you."

They both then hugged each other.

Romero: "Eidrin, Alexander, this is my younger sister Rosalie. Rosalie, these are my friends. This is Eidrin."
Eidrin: "Nice to meet you."
Rosalie: "Nice to meet you too."
Romero: "And this is Alexander."

At that time, Alexander's eyes were locked on Rosalie. He was unable to take his eyes off her. Rosalie also noticed the young man staring at her. Both of their eyes met.

Romero (worried): "Xander, are you alright?"
Alexander (a little bit awkward): "Yeah, I am."

Romero and Rosalie then continued their talk and moved to the next room.

Eidrin (to Alexander, smirking): "Xander, what happened? I haven't seen you looking at a girl that way for that long time."
Alexander (a little bit shy): "Eidrin, please don't take it that way. I just didn't expect to see a beautiful girl here, that's why…"
Eidrin: "Oh, I see…"

*Flashback ends*

Eidrin laughed after remembering all that.

Rio: "What happened, master?"
Eidrin: "Nothing. I was just thinking about some old good things."
Lars: "There is much greenery in this place. Many fields too."
Eidrin: "I think we reached the place. Now let's go to meet Romero."
Lara: "Yeah, I can't wait."

To be continued……