Evan tried to get out of bed, but his long unused muscles failed him, making him fall to the ground with a crash.

“Evan!” Cara and Fel shouted, their voices laced with concern

Evan raised his arm, wincing slightly. “I’m alright. I just feel a little weak, that’s all.”

“Can you help me walk outside, Fel?” He asked, holding out his hand towards her.

Fel blushed slightly at the request.

“Sure.” She replied as she grabbed on to Evan’s shoulders, supporting him.

The height difference between them made it look like an older sister was teaching her younger brother how to walk.

‘They look so cute together.’ Cara thought while watching the two. ‘I wonder how they will react to the news.’

…

As the three of them left Evan’s room, they were met with the anxious gazes of the rest of the family.

Their expressions quickly lightened though and they breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Since Evan had been unconscious for six days, they couldn’t hide Evan’s injuries from the twins. At first, they had both been infuriated by the lack of trust in them, but understood why their parents had tried to hide it when they saw how pale and thin Evan had looked.

Meanwhile, Maren had the most mischievous grin Evan had ever seen on a person as he raised an eyebrow at the sight of Evan being half-carried by Fel.

‘He’s never going to let me hear the end of this,’ he thought with a sigh.

“Hey kiddo, are you alright now? You were sleeping for quite a while.” Maren asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine, Grandpa. I just feel a bit tired, that’s all.”

Maren ruffled his grandson’s dark auburn hair affectionately before sitting back down. Leon then knelt down and embraced him before whispering.

“Never make your mother cry or scare her like that again, do you understand Evan?”

Evan was taken aback by the sudden request.

Leon had never asked him to do anything before. He would always smile and support Evan in any way possible, agreeing to all of Evan’s requests no matter what they were.

However, Evan could hear the pain in Leon’s voice when he spoke.

‘He cares a lot about his family.’

“Promise, Dad.” Evan said with resolve.

“Good. Happy birthday, son.”

…

The family ate dinner together with Fel as a tradition.

In the Galien family, it was customary to host a home cooked dinner for the family and any other guests the birthday person would like to invite.

Evan had invited Fel since it would have been awkward to have dinner together without her and she did help him a lot during the kidnapping.

Besides, it looked like she got along with the family anyway.

The children’s eyes widened when they saw the bountiful feast laid out in front of them.

Leon had gone all out on the meal preparation. The table was filled end to end with different cuts of meat, salads, cheeses, and bread.

And of course, Evan’s favourite dish: Meatballs with Mushroom Sauce topped with Cheese.

Their mouths began to water after smelling the blend of different aromas of herbs and spices Leon had used.

The cook responsible for the sight laughed,

“Well, don’t just stand there. Dig in!”

…

After stuffing themselves full during dinner, Maren and Cara stayed behind to clear out the dining room while the rest of the family trooped upstairs.

“Hey Evan, do you want to join us for a round of knucklebones?” Zed asked as they walked up the stairs.

Evan shook his head, replying, “Nah, I’ll pass. I want to do some reading.”

“Sheesh, back to your books right after passing out for almost a week.” Wyra said.

“Yeah, what more do you have to read?” Zed added.

Evan shrugged, “I haven’t even finished half of the books in the house yet.”

“By finished, you mean making those little notes you always do?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you even need them, anyway?” Wyra asked. “You’ve practically memorized everything in those books.”

“Guys, you do realize he can’t walk by himself just yet, right?” Fel said.

Everyone paused, looking at Evan like a pack of hungry wolves. His legs were still weak and he was still being carried by Fel. He had nowhere to run.

“Fel, you traitor…” Evan muttered.

“GET HIM!!!”

“LET ME READ IN PEACE, YOU IDIOTS!”

“That’s enough, kids. Sorry, Evan. No reading today. I have something to tell all of you. You too, Fel.” Leon said, interrupting the children.

They grew silent. Leon’s voice sounded serious, something that rarely happened.

Zed tilted his head sideways, “What’s wrong, Dad?”

“Nothing, I just have some news. Come sit down in the living room.”

…

"Kids, as you know, I’ve been trying to contact the elven embassy in the empire to arrange for a transport to bring Felarya back to their kingdom.”

“However, I’m afraid I just received news from them saying that they would not be granting permission for that."

‘Heh,’

"Why not?" Wyra asked.

Leon sighed before explaining,

"The elves have this superiority complex towards other races.”

“They believe themselves to be better than all other races. So it would be a great shame for them to accept an elf who has been captured by another race.”

“I thought Felarya would be an exception since she is still a child but it seems as though Felarya has been completely disowned by her parents and disavowed by the kingdom."

“…”

‘Haha, they actually did it.’

‘Damn it, if only I was stronger.’

Silence befell the room as everyone wondered how a nation could be so cruel to its own people. How Fel’s own parents could disown her just like that.

Except Evan.

He broke the silence by breathing out a long, disappointed sigh.

“So what? Why are you telling us this?”

“Well, now that Felarya does not have a home, we were thinking of adopting her.”

“What?!” The children all yelled.

“Are you serious? This better not be a joke.” Fell added angrily.

“No we are not and that’s no way to talk to your father, young lady.” Cara scolded Fel as she came up the stairs, making Fel blush in shame.

“Of course this is still only an offer but we have been preparing the paperwork. All you have to do is accept and we will take care of the rest.”

“You have been nothing but an angel in the house: helping out with the chores, being a great friend to the twins and Evan, even helping Leon out in the kitchen.”

“Gods know he needs help with all the food we eat every meal and I am not allowed in the kitchen.” Cara said, earning a nod from everyone in the room.

“So what do you say, Felarya? We would like you to be a part of our family. Would you like to have us as yours?” Cara asked.

“Please, Mom. Call me Fel, and yes I accept.” Fel said, running into Cara’s arm and crying tears of joy.

Leon and Maren smiled warmly at the sight. Zed composed himself and plucked enough courage to say, “Welcome to the family, Fel.”

“Thank you, brother.” Fel said with a clearly improvised curtsy, getting a laugh from Cara.

“Goodness, Fel. We’ll have a lot to teach you about etiquette and traditions, but I’m happy you accepted. We all welcome you and I hope you feel like you are one of us soon enough.”

“I guess you’re my big sister now.” Evan said, scratching his head awkwardly.

“Stop it! Please don’t make this moment awkward for me.” Fel said, turning deep red at Evan’s words.

“Alright then, Tomato.”

“Wha- you gremlin!”

“Baby!”

“Jerk!”

…

The welcomes and congratulations continued for a while until the time came for Evan to open his presents. His parents had gotten him another stack of paper and what appeared to be Javik’s version of a binder.

The twins had made him a poem composed by Zed and decorated by Wyra.

Finally, Maren gave him a massive book the size of Evan’s head and a small purse of gold and silver coins.

The money system from what Leon had taught him went from copper, tin, silver, gold, to platinum. One tin coin was approximately enough food for a family of four for one whole day with each rank up multiplying by ten and rank down dividing by ten. Maren had just given Evan a year's worth of food, making Fel’s eyes nearly pop out of their sockets.

‘Would they give me that much on my birthday? Damn it, mine just passed two months ago.’ She thought.

...

After the celebrations ended, everyone returned to their rooms to rest. Fel carried Evan back to his room as he had been too tired to attempt walking back, both of them blushing in embarrassment.

Leon chuckled seeing their discomfort.

‘They do look really cute.’ He thought.

“Umm, Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“Where do I sleep tonight?” Fel asked.

“Oh right, I forgot about that.”

“Well, we can’t have you sleeping in the spare room downstairs anymore now that you’re a part of the family. I guess you can share Evan’s room, he doesn’t have much in there and I’m sure he won’t mind, will you?” Leon said.

“Sure, I can sleep in the living room.”

“No, I’ll bring over a mattress. Tomorrow, I can bring the bed up from the spare room downstairs.”

“O-Oh, I see. Thanks Dad.” Fel said, deep red with the implications of sharing a room with Evan.

“Hey, no fair. I want to sleep with Evan too!” Wyra said, complaining.

“Wh-What?!” Fel exclaimed.

“Yeah, that’s great. Let’s have a sibling sleepover!” Zed said, joining his sister in her plea.

Leon laughed and replied, “Alright, all of you can sleep in Evan’s room, but just for today, alright? And no talking or playing late at night. When I come to check on all of you, you had better be sleeping otherwise no more sleepovers.”

“Alright, thanks Dad.” Wyra said while Zed cheered. Fel breathed a sigh of relief.

‘At least things won’t be so awkward between us the first night.’ She thought.