Chapter 322 - It's Been A While...

Three figures landed in the middle of a huge courtyard almost silently. Well, "almost", was because as soon as they stepped foot on the ground, one of them did a flamboyant release of energy as if to announce their arrival.

"Stribog," Alistair called out his errant brother, his voice low as if scolding.

Kazehaya Gin, on the other hand, gave his scowling older brother a sheepish grin. Nevertheless, he didn't feel like he did something wrong even if he knew that his brother wanted to come quietly. He's aware that Perun knew that he released the energy to warn Ryuu and Ara of their arrival. He's also perceptive of his brother's nervousness that normal people wouldn't see on the surface – except for him and probably Ivan who'd been with him for a long time.  

Yes, Perun, the feared King of Heaven was very nervous at this moment. Even if he had already been told that things happened were not entirely his fault, he was still afraid, and the guilt in his heart didn't make it easier. He was hoping to have more time to prepare himself before facing his daughter, but Stribog's announcement made it impossible for him.

Sure enough, as soon as the energy dispersed, people of the Homura House came out to the courtyard one by one as if summoned.

Gin guiltily scratched the tip of his nose as he continued to watch his somber-looking twin swallow while his amethyst gaze searched the sea of curious faces for his beloved child. Perun had long since stopped walking; he gave up after his steps seemed to be heavier and heavier after each one. The younger brother knew he had denied the other more time to compose himself ergo the hesitation.

On the other hand, the people of the Homura House had come out and saw what was happening in the courtyard. All eyes were on the three men standing there, but they were more focused on the very fair man standing next to their Young Master Gin.  The man in question was equally tall and striking. But what was more conspicuous was the fact that the man, although more refined-looking than their master and somewhat different in coloring, was the mirror image of Kazehaya Gin – or Stribog.

Yayoi who had come out with Emi in tow immediately realized who the other person was and signaled for everyone to prostrate themselves before him. "Your Highness, Perun, the King of Heaven," she called out as she bowed which the others immediately followed.

Kazehaya Gin felt a vein tick at the side of his head upon the scene. "What is this disparity in treatment?" he complained loudly albeit jokingly.

The people who were on the ground's lips twitched as they hid their mirth. They just realized that yes, the Young Master Gin was right. Everybody ignored the fact he was Stribog, the first prince of heaven, and continued to treat him as the Young Master Kazehaya.

"Grandpa, you're so petty," Ivan commented as he shook his head at Gin.

"Ya! Who's petty? And I told you not to call me Grandpa" Gin was indignant, but he was truly just jesting and it's not a big thing.

"Rise," Alistair ordered, and everyone exchanged looks, unsure if they should stand up or not.

"You can stand," Gin said as he signaled for them to be on their feet which they followed reluctantly.

It's the first time they'd seen Perun, and his presence was such a big thing that they were scared to commit a faux pas. But seeing as Kazehaya Gin was telling them it was alright, they followed.

"Where are Ali and Grandpa Kresnik?" Ivan wondered loudly as he too searched the crowd for the two.

"They'll be here," Gin answered confidently.  "Ara's probably also preparing herself mentally like my brother."

"Who's preparing mentally? Ritz?" Ivan asked as he turned to Perun. "He'll never be prepared. He's always a nervous wreck with Ali," he added teasingly but only the three of them could hear.

"Enough of your jests," Perun scolded them, but he never denied being a nervous wreck as it was the truth. He was both excited and dreading the moment he'd see his daughter again.

"Ara is her name here?" the King of Heaven asked.

As a parent and as a deity, he took good care of giving his children names as they include blessings depending on the meaning of the name itself. Alencica meant a bright existence, while Alinea meant a new beginning. Ara on the other hand simply meant an ornament or someone who brought rain.

In any case, he was not the one who had given that name, and he was not going to complain.

"Yes. Suzuki Ara. That's what she's called here – oops! It's Homura Ara now. Kresnik who is Homura Ryuu in this world just married her."

Hearing that, Perun gave a sad smile. He had missed his daughter's wedding, and the fact gave him a small ache in his ċhėst.

Stribog who felt what was wrong tapped his shoulder for comfort. "Don't be sad. They just registered for now. The real wedding will not take place until Ara graduates from school."

Oh?

With this, Alistair visibly brightened. He had missed so much in his daughter's life that he wished to be part of that very sacred ceremony.

This time, when the percentage of winning against their enemy and ending the curse was so high, he vowed that he'd never miss Ali's wedding for the world. That was if she'd let him give her away…

"Ah, she's here!" Alistair heard Ivan commented, and he quickly turned to see her stepping out to the corridor followed by a man.

Of course, his amethyst gaze immediately ignored the surrounding scenery as well as the people in it. All he saw now was the girl he thought he'd never see again in this lifetime.

His beloved child…

Perun's mouth hung open as he tried to call her name, but no words came out. His heartbeat thumped wildly against his ċhėst as his eyes filled with mist and his nose soured and he swallowed his raging emotions.

He was a man who never really showed what he felt outside. But in front of his child, he was reduced into a normal father who longed for this time to reunite.

Ara had come forward and stepped on the ground towards him, her silver-grey eyes equally misty as she stared at him. Her lips were trembling as well as she came nearer.

"Long time no see," she said, her voice light, contradicting her tensed body.

Alistair swallowed hard as tears fell from his eyes while he nodded. "Yeah, it's really been a while," he answered, his voice breaking.

As if on cue, Ara too cried openly, her face crumpling as more tears fell as she launched herself towards the man, and Perun welcomed her in his embrace.

"Father!"