Author's Note:My motivation to write is nearly gone.I wonder any-who keep moving forward I guess.

As always reviews,ratings,Recommendations,Corrections,Questions and comments are greatly appreciated

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Chapter 26: The fault is my own

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Tomorrow, every Fault is to be amended; but that Tomorrow never comes.

—Benjamin Franklin

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>Edin

Asshole!

Standing on the bow of the ship, gripping on the handrail and gritting his teeth while mumbling curses.

He had gone to visit his Grandfather—Abraham Dragkagua— from his mother’s side, but the visit just made him feel worse.

“While you were playing knight, your cousin gathered allies from the nobles in the capital, I wonder who’ll win between the both of you. Can you put the princess back on the throne? For now I will continue to remain neutral, but I’m rather interested in knowing who’ll win.”

He sighed remembering what his asshole of a grandfather had told him.

‘So then what's the plan?’ asked his brother in his mind.

“I don’t know. I doubt any of the truly powerful houses will help us without an assurance of victory. Even with the knightly houses who still honor their oaths, it won’t be enough to take back the throne.”

‘Plus the fact that there are enemies who remain unknown?’

“No, I know who my enemies are. After all you failed to kill Daniel.”

‘Well …. um... what can I say?’

He looked towards the shore. After a few weeks of travel they finally arrived.

“It’s been awhile since I last saw this place.”

The port town of Naoni was just a fishing village with a dock that could only handle one large ship. Currently, Docked was the only ship House Freestone owned— the Swimming hawk— so they prepared a row boat for the three of them.

He helped the sailor row the boat by increasing their speed until they finally hit shore.

After tossing a copper towards a thankful sailor, he helped the Queen and the princess off the boat.

“Are we almost there?” asked the princess

“About a week more on horseback princess.” He answered while they were entering the village.

The small fishing village didn't get many visitors, so naturally they were the center of attention.

Noticing a pink haired girl packing things onto a carriage, Edin called her name

“Lucy!”

Lucy turned around surprised.

“Eh... Ed... Edin!”

Nodding “The one and only.” he said.

“It’s great to see you.”

“Likewise. By the way, Lucy, are you heading towards Hawk’s Nest?”

“I am.”

“Is it alright if we tag along?”

Finally, noticing that he was not alone, she turned to look at Princess Aislynn and Queen Diane.

“Who are they?” asked Lucy

He had no answer for her. Should he tell her the truth or perhaps say that they were acquaintances. He hadn’t thought of a cover story. As he was thinking these thoughts the Queen responded for him.

“I am his future mother-in-law and this is my daughter, his fiance.” said the Queen as she was gesturing towards the princess.

“WHAT!” screamed Lucy.

Oh that’s a great lie your majesty! With this, it won’t seem weird if she started living here.

With widened eyes, Lucy slowly turned her head.

“What is she talking about Edin?’

“Um... we have a week of travelling time to talk.”

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Divya

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She sighed.

“Ganesh I've already told you I have someone I like.”

Recently, many of the village boys had started realizing that Divya was a beautiful young woman. She was fourteen now, and growing into a beautiful flower. In the past,the children in the village had avoided her as she was a bit of a tomboy. Now, however, many of the boys had crushes on her. Among those countless boys, the most persistent was Ganesh.

Every day, he would constantly bug her, asking her to be his girlfriend.

“Divya I am the most talented of the Mahouts—i.e. Elephant rider—I will surely rise to a great position in the future.”

She was standing outside the village shop waiting for her friend Lucy to arrive. When she saw the carriage come into view.

It was easy to spot Lucy who had bright pink hair, but there were other people riding on the carriage besides Lucy and the goods.

Lucy pulled up the carriage, and Divya was finally able to tell who was sitting next to Lucy.

Wearing armor similar to the knights who had passed through the village years ago and a white cape trimmed with gold, it was him.

With an apathetic look, he waved his hand to Divya.

“Hey Divya. Long time no see.”

“Edin?”

He nodded and turned towards the two unknown people.

“This is um my erm fiancé, I guess” He pointed towards the youngest blonde girl “and my future mother in law.”

Both of them bowed and raised their skirts

“A pleasure to meet you.” they said in unison

“I am prin..”

“NAH!” interrupted Edin before the princess could end her sentence.

The princess noticed her mistake.

“I’m Aislynn and this is my mother Diane.”

“Um I’m Divya. Nice to meet you both.”

Edin turned towards Ganesh

“I don’t think I've had the pleasure.” He said while offering his hand for a handshake

Surprised Ganesh took Edin’s hand.

“My name is Ganesh I’m..”

“My boyfriend!” interrupted Divya

Why did I say that!?

Conflicting feelings were going through her. Most of it surprise rather than jealousy. Why she had said Ganesh was her boyfriend she didn't know. She looked at Edin hoping for a reaction.

“Is that so?” He said while scratching his ear.

That’s it!?

“Well we've got to get going. See you later” said Edin as he beckoned towards Aislynn and Diane.

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Thomas Jr.

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He turned the page of the ledger. After his graduation he returned to Hawk’s Nest. Life was going great. Both of his brothers were away from Hawk’s Nest and his father had gone missing making him the Head or so he thought but his grandfather was still alive.

“You can help with the administration this way you can learn how to manage the plantation.”

In other words his grandfather had told him to fuck off. Still he was allowed to help with the accounting and administration.

What did you do with my money father?

House Freestone had over five generations of savings. The only thing they could spend their money was on improving their lands and business. Yet somehow they had lost over %75 of their Family savings. Where the money had gone was a mystery.

“What! He’s here!?” He heard Lilith screaming outside the study.

Gah why can’t I have professional maids

He stood up and opened the door to the study.

“Hey! Can you not….”He stopped noticing his brother standing in the doorway.

“Edin.”

Edin looked at him and nodded.

“Brother,” he turned to Lilith “Lilith bring me and Thomas some tea and Allison please take my fiancé and her mother to the guest rooms. Thomas and I will be in the study.”

Edin passed him and entered the study. Thomas closed the door with a large Thud.

“Where’s our Grandpa?” asked Edwin as he sat down on the couch

“He’s out. Any who what can I help you with brother?”

“Not much I’d guess”

Who does he think I am?

“I am the head of the house little brother.”

“Hmph, you say that Thomas but we both know grandpa is still the head for now.”

“tch what are you doing back here anyways?”

“Moving back home Thomas obviously.”

“You can’t!” screamed Thomas as he slammed his fist down on the desk.“This is my House!”

Thomas shut his mouth as his brother suddenly stood up and stood next to him in an instant.

“I don’t care.” Edin whispered in his ear.

Thomas grit his teeth and gripped his fists.

Edin walked towards the door.

“I’ll wait for him elsewhere.” he said and then closed the door.

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Edin

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“Mom.” he stopped hugging his mother

“You’re taller than me now Edin”

“Not by much mom.”

“Well you still have years to grow taller.”

They were outside in the garden.The garden was the pride of his mother.She had asked for once ever since she moved here.It was as old as Edin filled with roses and many flowers.It was on par with the Castle’s garden.

It brought back memories he’d sooner rather forget.They sat down and Lilith brought them tea.

He explained the situation to his mother while leaving out a few details until he was suddenly tackled to the ground by something that had jumped out of the jungle.

“You just got here.”

He patted his sister Sue’s head

“I did.It’s good to see you little sis.”

They both stood up.

“Dinner is ready!” screamed the cat-maid Allison

“sis have you seen grandpa?” he asked

“Oh he’s drinking with sensei.”

“I want mother and you to meet two guests at dinner .I’ll go get call grandpa for dinner.”

He started walking towards the village.

Four years and not much had changed in the village.He waved to the villagers that recognized him.

‘So you're fine with Dyvia being stolen from you?’asked his brother within the depths of his mind.

“She was never mine to begin with.”

‘Don’t worry your brother will help you get her back with my skills’

“Shut up.” Edin removed the ring from his finger

Finally some peace and quiet

He finally reached the small house where he used to train and saw two older men sitting down drinking.

“Hmm well if it isn't the kid.Finally back?” asked his sensei Amano Shunji.

“Yeah,for now.”

“A bit gloomy aren’t we?” asked his grandfather

“Some stuff happened.”

“Here.” his grandfather held out a bottle of alcohol.

He took it and drank.

“Gawk,that’s horrible”

“So you don’t want anymore Edin?” asked his grandfather

“I never said that.”

****

“That’s the gist of it grandpa.”

“Hmm So my great-grandchildren will have royal blood.” Said his grandfather while stroking his chin.

Edin frowned“Grandpa were you listening?”

“I was but there’s not much we can do.You could lead an army of houses still loyal to the princess but most likely everyone will die.Neither do you have the support of the people,”

He was right.Many of the commoners of the kingdom saw the freedom of slaves as a threat.Saying things like how the freed slaves would be stealing jobs and such.So Edin lacked the support of both nobles and commoners.

“So just marry her highness and live a long happy life here.” his grandpa said as he put out the smoke in his mouth.

“I doubt Thomas would like that.”

“Your father never decided on an heir.”

“No it’s his birthright as the eldest.Thomas may be a bit of an asshole but he’s my brother.”

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