Chapter 54 Part Of The Family

Once the chefs placed the food on the table, Zen and Arvell began scarfing down the food.

While they still paid attention to their table etiquette, they couldn't hide their elation at being able to taste properly cooked food.

After eating roasted meat and fruits, having prepared meals was an exhilarating experience for them.

Lienna watched Zen eat with a bittersweet smile.

'Just from watching him eat I can tell how much he suffered out in the wilderness… At least from now on, he can hopefully be safe…'

Last night Wilfried and her had a chat privately in their room.

***

LAST NIGHT

After they led Arvell and their children to their respective rooms, Wilfried and Liena retired to their room for the night.

As soon as they entered, Wilfried made sure the room was completely closed off.

Even going as far as to form a wind domain around him and his wife to create a sound-free zone.

He looked at his wife with a serious gaze.

"If the people who kidnapped Zen are whom we think they are… We need to make preparations to confront them."

Lienna nodded.

"Those people can't be taken lightly. If we don't do this properly… We might end up destroying the Silvercolt duchy as a whole."

The matters this time were far too serious to be handled normally.

Their son was kidnapped after all.

Their daughter Angela didn't want to become the next head, so it was decided that Zen would become their successor instead.

"I'll leave Rupert in charge of the operation, after all his loyalty is undeniable."

Lienna nodded at her husband's decision.

"That would be for the best"

Wilfried paused for a moment before asking his wife a question.

"So… What do you think about that boy Arvell?"

Lienna brought her hand to her chin and deliberated for a moment.

"I feel like he is hiding something… But I also didn't feel any traces of hostility from him either. I don't feel like he's Vispian since he knew about a remote village that was destroyed years ago, so unless he has an insider providing him with detailed information about Elantrya, he's not a Vispian spy."

Wilfried nodded his head.

"I feel the same. While I felt quite inclined to believe him,

I'm not so young to naively believe what I hear. However, this doesn't change the fact that he still brought Zen back to us.

According to Rupert, Arvell almost died giving up his life for Zen.

There was nobody nearby to help them other than Ruper's men, and there was no way Arvell would be able to take down a rank 4 beast at his age.

Even if he was a legendary Empyrean."

Lienna looked at her husband dumbfounded.

"He nearly sacrificed his life for Zen? On top of saving him?

No wonder Zen became sworn brothers with him.

I for one agree with our son's decision.

People like Arvell are rare if not almost impossible to find.

Befriending him would definitely pay off in the long run!"

Wilfried nodded.

"We are in turbulent times right now. There's still civil unrest after the war, and it'll only take a spark to start another conflict between our two nations. In the future, Zen will need all the help he can get."

"Do you think we should ask Arvell if he wants to enroll in Sky Sword Academy? From what I heard, Arvell seems to be quite the talented boy. It would benefit him greatly to study at the academy." Lienna proposed.

"I agree as well. I feel like we should give him a chance to enrol there. It's the least we can do to repay him." Wilfried agreed.

The two of them didn't want to enrol Arvell only to repay him.

If Arvell made it in, Zen would have someone he was close with, so if he ever ended up in trouble, Arvell would be there to help him.

After hearing that Arvell saved their son's life on numerous occasions, Lienna and Wilfried decided to entrust their son's safety to him.

He did have a proven track record after all, and actions did speak louder than words.

"Since there are only around 2 weeks until the entrance exam, we can still pull some strings to get Arvell enrolled. But to actually get in? He'll need to prove his worth," Wilfried declared, "Of course, if what we heard about him was true, it should be a cakewalk for him."

Lienna nodded her head.

"Let's ask Arvell tomorrow at breakfast. We should at least ask him if he wanted to join or not."

"All right, let's do as you say."

***

After Arvell finished cleaning up his plate, Lienna turned her head to look at him.

"Arvell I would like to ask you a question"

Arvell looked curiously at Lienna.

"Of course, what would you like to ask me Lady Silvercolt?"

Lienna smiled gently.

"Just call me mother, didn't we agree on that yesterday?"

'That's just something you decided on your own!' Arvell screamed inwardly.

"Ma'am… Isn't that improper?" Arvell nervously questioned.

"Your my son's sworn brother, which makes you my son too! You're a part of our family now!"

Arvell took a glance at Zen who was softly smiling at Arvell's nervous appearance.

It wasn't every day he saw Arvell that riled up after all.

'When did he tell her that? Was it after I went to my room?'

Lykos materialized next to Arvell.

'Just do it… She won't relent no matter what. Just save yourself the hassle.'

While Lykos acted as if he too was tired of Lienna's instance on Arvell calling her mom, the teasing grin on his face told a different story.

He was definitely finding fun in Arvell's misfortune!

'Fine… I'll do it…' Arvell unwillingly relented.

"Yes… M-Mother?"

Lienna had a wide grin on her face.

"See! It wasn't that hard!"

Arvell's smile twitched, threatening to break at any moment.

Zenos made a silent prayer for Arvell, seeing the emotional damage his sworn brother was going through.

Lienna looked from Angela and Zenos, and then back to Arvell.

"Would you like to join these two in attending Sky Sword academy?"