Chapter 28: Kidnapping Addicts

I spent another week thumbing through the ancient books and playing with pizza doughs, but progress is lacking on either front. Eventually, I gave up and built a pizza oven for my dorm. This trip was enough of a success. I’ll head home.

I take to the skies and make due south over Albert and the sea before reaching my home continent. It’ll be good to check on Oliver’s training, and I’m sure Mother is worried about the school incident.

I arrive at the estate around midday and make my way inside-

“Master Alfred! Welcome home!” Shayna is the first to greet me with an excited bow. She draws out my smile instantly.

“Shayna, it’s good to see you. How has everyone been?” I ask.

“Everyone is in good health, but your family has missed you dearly. Please follow me, your Father asked that you be shown to your Mother upon arrival,” Shayna says and leads me to Father’s office.

“Mother is in Father’s office?” I ask myself, Mother wouldn’t be caught dead reading governor reports, why would she be in with Father?

knock knock

“Excuse me, Count Pruss, Master Alfred has returned,” Shayna calls through the door.

“Alfred!” Mother yells from inside.

“Please show him in Shayna,” Father responds calmly.

I walk in to see Father behind his desk and Mother sitting opposite him.

“Father, Mother, thank you for welcoming me home,” I say with a polite bow.

Before I can look up, Mother has her arms wrapped around me.

“Oh, Alfred, I heard someone attacked the school, and you were injured!” Mother cries.

“I’m in good health, Mother, it wasn’t as serious as it sounds..” I explain.

She backs up and pats me down like I’m at a security checkpoint – this feels familiar?

“You don’t seem hurt, but we won’t make you go back to that school if you don’t feel safe. Your Father will hire tutors and finish your education here!” she adds with genuine concern for her son.

Mother really is kind, but I need Sara to fall and scrape her knee..

“That won’t be necessary, Mother, I promise my life was never in danger,” I say with a pleasant smile.

“Aha, as expected of our boy,” Father chimes in, then his expression turns serious, “but there is something we need to share with you, Alfred.” 

“His majesty’s report stated you worked to defend Princess Sylvie with another boy, Eric Duren. Are you two friends?” he asks with squinted eyes.

“Yes, Father, Eric is the first friend I made at the academy, and he helped me make several more. He’s a sociable young man and seems quite close to Princess Sylvie as well,” I answer, and Father nods.

“Marquis Duren is one of the best-connected nobles in the Sante Kingdom. I’m not surprised his son has a similar disposition. But there has been an incident in his territory..” Father says.

Incident? I did see a bunch of knights running around..

“What kind of incident, Father?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“At the start of the academy break, Princess Sylvie accompanied Eric to his father’s territory, but their carriage and the knights accompanying them never arrived..” Father says with a grimace.

Those two are close. Maybe they eloped? Losing Eric hurts my friend group, but losing the Princess makes the whole thing a net positive. I’d still have Tim and Liara, and I have lots of new ingredients experiment with and show Jen.

“Similar to the incident at the academy, the Alarian Empire is suspected..” Father continues.

Balls, they got kidnapped again? I know it’s a fantasy world, but twice in a semester is too much..

“Prince Elliot of Alaria has gained more power with their King’s aging. The first attempt to take the Princess followed a rejected marriage invitation. It seems Prince Elliot has yet to give up on that..” Father says with a sigh. But something doesn't add up.

“I see Father, though I’m surprised the King has shared the news..” I say while examining my Father’s composure.

“Indeed, the news is not public. But his majesty has made a request..” Father says, before glancing at my frowning Mother, “he says you’re familiar with the eastern forests and frequently hunt there.”

Argh, having the Princess in my friend group blows more by the second.

“His majesty has requested you act as a guide to a troop of knights that’s searching the area. The seaport has been under heavy guard, and the eastern road has essentially been sealed. If Princess Sylvie and the Marquis’s son were taken out of the kingdom, the eastern forests and mountains are the only option,” Father continues. A bead of sweat drips down his face as Mother stares daggers at him.

If I’m going on a rescue mission, I’d like to do it as the old man. So leading the knights is out, but I can’t turn down a request from the King..

“Son, this would be dangerous. I understand you’ve been hunting since you were a boy, and I’m sure you’re familiar with the forested area near the academy, but we won’t force you take the King’s request,” Father says. As problematic as I am, he cares about me more than currying favor with the King. Or, he fears Mother more than the King.

“Father, I accept the request,” I say, “the carriage I took from the capital is returning immediately, I can catch them as they leave town if I go now.” 

If I handle the travel arrangements, I can fly up and commence the rescue operation as the old man before I’m ever supposed to reach the capital.

“Alfred dear, it’s admirable you want to serve the Kingdom and help your classmates.. but you’ve already been injured in that service..” Mother says with watery eyes before wrapping her arms around me again, “you must promise you’ll be safe, Alfred..” Mother adds, a tear rolling down her cheek.

I wrap my arms tightly around her, trying my hardest not to remember breastfeeding.

“I will be safe, Mother. Why don’t you and Father visit the capital soon? It’s warmer there, and I can prepare a meal for everyone as I used to,” I say, holding my Mother tightly, having vivid flashbacks of breastfeeding.

“O-Ok Alfred..” Mother answers, and stays any more tears from falling.

“Father, are Oliver and Sara home?" I ask as I wriggle out of Mother's embrace, "I’d like to see them before departing.”

“Oliver has taken to the forests just as you used to, but Sara is home," Father replies and moves his eyes to Mother, "Dear, why not share a moment with your eldest and youngest before Alfred departs?” 

“Y-yes, Alfred, come with me, let’s see your sister,” Mother says and takes my hand.

Mother leads me to a study where Sara is reading, and I discreetly pull a tomato from storage, then place it into my pocket.

“Sara dear, Alfred is home,” Mother calls through the study’s open door.

“Brother!” Sara shoots from her chair and runs to wrap her arms around me.

“Aha, hi Sara, I missed you,” I say, hugging her back and shifting my posture so we don’t crush the tomato in my pocket.

“Brother..” she says and buries her head in my chest.

I’ve kept a bit of distance between my siblings and me as I suspect I’ll be a war criminal someday. But Sara truly missed me.

“You look well, Sara, and you’ve gotten a little taller,” I say and place my hand on top of her head.

“Yes! I’m growing lots, I’ll be bigger than you in no time!” she says excitedly.

“I’m sure of it," I reply and take the tomato from my pocket, "I brought you something, Sara, this is a red fruit native to the northern continent that rarely makes it to our Kingdom,” I explain.

“Oooh," she says with sparkling eyes, "it’s bigger than our apples.” 

“It is, the taste is different too. It’s quite good when sliced and topped with a little salt or cheese. You can ask Ricardo to prepare it as a snack that way,” I suggest.

She takes the tomato from my hand before looking up and wrapping her arms around me again.

“Your home now, brother, can you prepare it for me?” Sara asks with puppy dog eyes that even those with allergies would succumb to.

“I’m sorry, Sara, but I have urgent business.. I have to leave again,” I say with a frown.

“Wha- brother, you haven’t been home since summer!” she yells, “Mother please ask him to stay!” Sara pleads, turning her weapons of emotional manipulation on Mother.

“Sweetie, I’m very sorry, but Alfred’s business cannot wait. He hardly has any time before he must leave, and he’s chosen to spend that time seeing you Sara..” Mother says, but Sara's drops her head.

“It’s not fair..” she grumbles.

“It’s not Sara, but I’ll bring you even more foods to try next time,” I say and smile at my pouting little sister.

“..they.. better be tasty.. and you better visit soon!” Her grumble turns to a yell as she looks up at me again.

“They will be Sara,” I say, wrapping my arms around her for a parting hug, “I have to go, but I’ll be thinking of treat ideas for you,” I say with a teasing smile before turning to Mother.

“Mother, I’ll see you soon. Please have Ricardo prepare the fruit today or tomorrow for Sara, they tend to spoil quickly,” I explain.

Mother looks at me with a strained face.

“Of course, Alfred, I’ll pray for your safe travels.”