Hero's Welcome

The road to the capital city was smoothly paced. The scenery of the beautiful autumn leaves floating down, lacing the road with strips of red, orange and yellow were a sight to behold. 

Mikhail however had his head looking downwards to glance at the rein in his hands. It was a pretty foreign feeling for him. 

All his life he had been tasked with walking all over the village to harvest, plant or help someone elderly with their chores. He hadn't had much practice with riding a horse ever since the last time roughly seven years ago when his mother had taught him.

"Mikhail, why are you looking downwards?" Xander asked as he spared a glance in Mikhail's direction.

"Eh?! Uh... I... Truthfully... haven't practiced riding in a long while... I'm scared I might fall and embarrass myself."

"I see. You shouldn't put your head down, though. Horses are sensitive creatures. If you're nervous, they can sense it as well. Many do not enjoy the feeling of their riders rubbing off on them."

"Eh? S-so... I will get thrown off?"

"No. That stallion is pretty tame from his years. He has a gentle personality. I remember that even William got used to riding with his help." Xander said as he gave a hearty laugh.

Mikhail felt embarrassed so he averted his eyes elsewhere when a red leaf fell onto his hands that were clutching the reins. 

For the first time in the past two hours they had been riding back to the palace, Mikhail glanced upwards to find a world of passionate beauty.

The treetops glistened with a marvelous glow, coating the leaves in a sheen of majestic gold. Mikhail soon forgot his anxiousness as he was left awestruck at the scenery.

I haven't had much time to look up at the sky. Especially since the disappearance... or rather, the abduction... of mother...

Mikhail slowly lowered his eyes as he straightened his back and tried to remember what his mother taught him about horseback riding. It was a wonder how she knew of it.

Xander glanced briefly towards Mikhail before giving an approving nod. He then looked forward and cleared his thoughts of the cargo at the far end of their line up.

***

Susie sat cross-legged as she frowned and leaned her chin on her palm. The swaying of the carriage or wagon she was on was the only thing that could keep her entertained.

"Ugh.... Why did I agree to this?" Susie argued with herself as she leaned back onto the floor in frustration.

"No, no, no. I'm sure that guy could have easily set me up in a carriage. Why am I stuck in this dark cargo like thing?! Even the luggages are placed in a carriage!"

"He must have done this on purpose! Ugh! That bastard!" Susie grumbled again as she hit her fist against the floor.

***

"Pardon me, Your Highness... I thought... we're travelling with Susie?" Mikhail asked as he turned to face Xander.

"Yes, we are. He said he'd meet us there." Xander said without turning to look at Mikhail.

"Oh, alright."

He? Mikhail wondered as he faced towards the front once more.

***

A quick hour and a half passed and they were reaching the gates of Archon Menoch. Xander took a quick glance in Mikhail's direction and gestured at him to smile.

Mikhail started to feel giddy and nervous, having little to no experience being the centre of attention.

"I... Will do my best." Mikhail said as he put on an awkward smile.

"You'll be fine. Just do as we agreed." Xander said as he nodded towards Mikhail with a smile.

Mikhail still felt jittery as he tightened his grip on the reins. The anxiety began creeping into his bones once more as he started envisioning different ways he was going to mess it up.

The thoughts swirled and muddled his mind, drowning the everything out from his surroundings until he felt a warm hand on his shoulder.

"Ah! Yes!" Mikhail exclaimed as he jumped in the saddle, nearly losing his stability.

"Mikhail. Everything will be fine. If you're too anxious, just pay attention to me. I'll be by your side all the way." Xander said as he tried to help Mikhail relax, squeezing his son's shoulder firmly before patting it and pulling back.

Sounds of trumpets blared as they welcomed the entourage of the king, signalling his return. Excited murmuring and cheers could soon be heard even from as far back as they were.

"Mikhail. To the front. Follow my lead."

"Y-yes..." Mikhail responded as he urged the stallion to follow after Xander's lead.

***

"We gather here today, to witness the birth and legacy of a true hero. With great reverence and humility, I hereby present... the Sovereign King!" the bell crier rang out as he hollered and rang the bell, announcing the arrival of the King.

The crowds that were parted started to cheer as flower petals were scattered to the ground from high above. The sweet scent of the flowers wafted in the air while the petals rained down over the masses in the various colour of the rainbow.

Mikhail glanced up at the falling petals and was reminded of the time he first stepped foot in the capital city. It felt like that day was so far away.

He smiled to himself as he felt the knot in his stomach starting to unravel and his chest feeling lighter.

"Mikhail, you seem to look better now." Xander said as he spared Mikhail a glance.

Mikhail turned towards him and nodded his head before brimming with a confident smile. "I think I will be able to pull it off!"

"That's good. Anyways, we're nearing the palace now. Once we reach the veranda, just follow my cue."

***

"Fellow citizens of Archon Menoch, on this prosperous and blessed day where the Silver Dragon in his mighty wings, a new hero has shown himself!"

"With a heart of compassion and dedication to a cause, this young man has saved countless lives bounded by slavery and broken them free from their chains!"

"He stood against the perilous mages of the West and withstood against them through sheer willpower and determination. Striking down those who had brought harm and caused disruption in our beloved nation."

"I give to you... the Hero of the Plains, the White Light of Tefflander... Mikhail Orvielle!" Xander proclaimed as he gestured Mikhail to follow him to the veranda.

Mikhail couldn't control his expression and had don a weird grin as he raised his hand and waved awkwardly towards the masses who congregated below.

"Now... we have managed to capture a single mage who had caused the disturbances. She will not be sentenced as the Hero's heart of compassion has touched even my soul."

"H-huh? C-captured a ma--?" Mikhail whispered to himself as he glanced towards Xander.

"Bring the mage here!" Xander ordered as he glanced at his knights, taking into account Mikhail's expression which was growing more alert.

"Ouch! Damn! That hurts! Can you be a little more gentle?!" Susie belted loud enough for Xander to hear as she struggled to release herself from the knight's grasp.

"Silence!" Xander said as he glared at Susie. Susie felt shivers down her spine as she glanced up at the condescending look plastered on Xander's face.

"W-wai... Your Highness... This..." Mikhail said as he tried to defend Susie.

"This witch had tried to sell of the young children into slavery and was involved not only with animal trafficking but also human trafficking! Even if the hero demanded to release her, the cost is too high." Xander said with a sigh as he pressed Susie on the balustrade and showed the crowds her face.

"Xander..." Susie growled as she glared at him. Xander spared her a cold glance and then ordered his knights to hold her back.

As Susie was dragged away from the balustrade, the crowd of people were yelling threats at her and demanding her head. Xander furrowed his brows before shaking his head disapprovingly in a slight manner before turning around.

"Your Highness... What's goin--" Mikhail protested as he noticed Xander's expression changing.

"I told you. Just follow my lead." Xander said as he glanced towards Mikhail with a concerned expression before putting on his serious expression.

"I have decided! What better way is there to make such a monster understand their evil deeds yet not take their life for it?"

"This monster shall be known as the Black Dog of Enoch! With the magical abilities suppressor, they are reduced to mere common folk. With this, I will personally see that this monster receives punishment on par to their wrongdoings." Xander said as he glanced at Susie and tossed a choker to one of the knights who then placed it around her neck.

"G-uh... What...?" Susie groaned as she slumped in the hold of the knights. 

The crowds cheered as Xander then faked a smile. He was about to bring Mikhail to officially end the ceremony when an arrow struck his left shoulder.

"A-attack! Men! Search for the source!" a voice yelled from behind, startling both Xander and Mikhail.

Mikhail glanced behind him to find a young man with ashen grey hair and eyes of ruby red. They locked eyes for a second when suddenly Mikhail felt his body lifting off the ground.

"E-eh..."

"You... So-called Hero! You can't even protect the person right next to you!" the stranger growled as he then tossed Mikhail aside, seemingly like a sack of grains.

"Father! Are you alright? Shall I fetch a cleric?" Mikhail heard the stranger ask Xander as he sat himself up and rubbed his head.

"I am fine, William. There are other matters to attend to right now." Xander said as he held firmly onto the arrow implanted in his left shoulder.

With a swift motion, Xander pulled it out before muffling a groan. William quickly ripped off the hem of his shirt as he wrapped Xander's wound up, noticing Mikhail glancing at them in shock, petrified in place.

"Xan-- Your Highness..." Mikhail started but was cut off when William stood up and stormed towards him, cornering Mikhail against the wall as he slammed his fist right beside Mikhail's ear.

"You can drop the helpless act now, boy! Protecting the King should be your number one responsibility as a hero, renown or not. From what Father was saying, I thought you would be someone our citizens could depend on but... You're not even worth a copper coin." William growled as he then moved away.

The wind blew seemingly colder as William parted from Mikhail, a look of pure rage still encasing his complexion.

Mikhail frowned and felt thoroughly embarrassed. What the stranger... no... William said was right. He wanted to correct the suffocating feeling in his chest and reached out to grab hold of William when he noticed something gleaming from the corner of his eyes.

"Watch out!" Mikhail yelled as he pounced onto William and fell on top of him, an arrow darting past narrowly.

"... ... You...." William growled as he pushed Mikhail off, turning to glare at the person who dared push down a prince.

His eyes widened when he realised who Mikhail was. Silver hair and eyes of clear amethyst. The boy back at Vogrant! He wasn't mistaken when he had made an assumption that day.

"William! Mikhail!" Xander yelled as he moved towards Mikhail and touched his cheek, an expression of distraught upon his face.

William frowned at the scene as his heart clenched. His father reached out not to him first... but to a complete stranger. 

"Father! I'm right before you! Because of this... person... I was injured and fell flat on my face! How could you pay more attention to him before your son! Me!" William exclaimed as he felt the pent up emotions flowing out uncontrollably.

Xander glanced towards William and had an expression of confusion and disappointment etched on his face. Why was William reacting so differently from usual? There was no way he couldn't recognise his own brother. Our hair is a symbol of the royal blood that flows in our veins...

"William. You are not only my son... you are the first prince... the... Crown Prince. Hold yourself with dignity."

William gritted his teeth as he wiped off the tears with the back of his hands before turning away to leave from the preposterous scene unfolding before him but stopped in his tracks when he heard the last sentence Xander had to say.

"This is a little sudden but... William. Mikhail is your brother. Your older brother... Though this may change nothing about your position I want you to..."

"Forget it. I'll treat him however I see fit. I shall take my leave, my King." William said curtly as he left the scene, a bitter flame burning in his chest.

"... Well... that was interesting." Susie said, breaking the silence as both Xander and Mikhail stared at her in amazement.

"You were there?" Xander asked as he moved to stand up, pulling Mikhail up beside him as he moved them into the guarded palace walls.

"I was here the whole time." Susie said as she rolled her eyes. 

The trio stood in silence before Xander shook himself out of his stupor and instructed Mikhail to follow him to his study. 

He surveyed the scene and sighed in relief as there didn't seem to be anything out of place.