3. Family's backstory

“A blind boy? What did you mean?” Lanver asked with confusion. He never remembered that he had problems physically.

“You were born blind, Lanver. And the fact that you were the first born of the great mage and a princess was a big deal. For everyone in Terra Lucien, you were considered as a sign of death and destruction. Some said that you and your family were cursed. Rumors even had it that Lord Vincentius wasn’t as noble as he claimed to be and was practicing dark magic.”

Lanver remained silent. Although the story was still unbelievable for him, a big part of him was saying that Lucius was telling nothing but the truth.

“Princess Anna’s family was condemned by their people and someone tried to overthrow the king. Her father was enraged and sent men to kill the child as he valued his throne more than his own blood. That’s when Princess Anna thought that the best thing they should do was to take you away from this world and bring you to the land of humans. However, Lord Vincentius had to remain as he needed to cast a spell in the portal so that no one with ill plans against you can enter it. A spell that will cost the caster’s life.”

The window’s glass turned into a mirror. Lucius stepped back and gestured Lanver to stepped forward. Lanver advanced and stopped just a meter away. But he didn’t see his reflection in the mirror. Instead, he saw a man and a woman carrying a child. They looked running for their lives from whomever it was after them.

Even though the woman seemed to be in her prime years and was wearing different clothing, Lanver was sure. His eyes wouldn’t lie to him. She was his mother.

“The man is Lord Vincentius, your father.”

Lanver looked at the man and he swallowed the lump in his throat. He had never seen him before. His mother never described what he looked like. And to see their resemblance this way hurt him. How could he miss such an important detail in his life?

The window turned back to its original state. Lucius spoke.

“I guess that’s enough evidence that I’m not just talking nonsense here.”

Lanver faced him. “That’s unfair, don’t you think? They did nothing wrong. If the child was born that way then how was it connected to everyone in your world? It was already painful to them to have a blind child but no one cared.”

“My father and our kingdom tried to protect them, Lanver. But that time my father was new to the throne. He had enemies even inside the palace. He tried his best.”

Lanver looked away, frustrated as hell. He never thought his life was this complicated.

“But I’m not blind. I was never blind even in the oldest memories I have.”

“That’s because you healed yourself.”

Lanver’s lips parted.

“You healed yourself just before you turned two years old. But your mother wanted you to live away from bloodshed, so she never came back. Lord Vincentius was dead, her family disowned her, she had no one. There was nothing to come back for.”

“If that’s the case, why did you bring me back? If the people loathe me back then, it will still be the same. Besides, I was raised as a human. I don’t belong here. Let me leave.”

“It was all in the past, Lanver. And you need to understand that we can’t let you go. For now.”

“Tell me why then. Why? Why should I be here?”

“A year ago, our kingdom’s divine prophet had a prophecy. A big war will break out soon and Azlea’s barrier is getting weaker every year. Lord Vincentius was the one who built it. We had tried all the most powerful mages of this generation to rebuild it but no one could as it requires Lord Vincentius’ blood.”

“So you need me for that? Fine. I’ll give you my blood. After that, let me leave.”

“But that’s not as simple as that. You have to rebuild the barrier yourself. We believe only you can do it because you are Lord Vincentius’ descendant.”

Lanver stepped back and shook his head. It was already enough that they brought him here without permission. To know the truth about his parents was already enough. He can’t stay here. He has a life waiting in his world.

“I don’t think I can do that. I am not as powerful as you think. No, I can’t do that. I’m sorry. Just let me leave peacefully and I’ll forget everything that happened here,” he said firmly. There was no way he’d let himself be involved in their matters.

“You only need to awaken your abilities, Lanver. You can do it.”

“I said, I can’t! I won’t do it. My decision is final.” Lanver equaled Lucius’ intense cold look.

“If that’s the case, then I have to apologize on behalf of my family. It’s not your decision to make. The king had made the decision. You will stay here and we will only let you go once you’ve done the job.”

Lanver’s mouth fell apart in disbelief.

“No, you can’t do that. How can you force someone into something, huh? Where is your king? I will talk to him.”

“Alright. I’ll lead you to him. But first…” Lucius trailed off and his gaze went down to what Lanver was wearing. “You need to dress appropriately.”

Lanver looked at his own clothing and remembered he was only wearing his sleeping clothes. He didn’t even have shoes or slippers.

“Stuart, get him some decent clothes.”

Lanver thought the servant would leave the room but Stuart went to the big closet at the far corner instead.

“Isn’t this your sister’s room?”

“Yes, it is,” Lucius answered flatly.

“Why would she have men’s clothes in her closet?”

“For her men.”

For her men… Lanver echoed in his mind. He couldn’t believe it. He thought girls here were a little more conservative than humans, but turned out they were worse. And how come that his brother seemed to not care about his sister’s doings? He should be disciplining that young lady!

“But rest assured, my lord. These clothes are clean and unused,” Stuart said, smiling politely as he handed the clothes to him.

Lanver had no choice but to wear it. Even though it wasn’t the current trend in human world, it was good and passable.

Lucius led him out and he followed him as they walked on a long carpeted hallway. To see the grandeur at every corner, Lanver thought that they must be a big and powerful kingdom.

Lanver saw them approaching a room with double doors. There were servants lining up outside. When they saw Lucius, they immediately bowed their heads and two opened the doors.

“This is the royal meeting hall,” Lucius informed him.

However, he stopped on his track when he saw who were waiting for him at a long table, with their amber eyes fixated on him.

The wicked princess raised a brow at him, her lips curving up into a wicked smile.