Steel and Mana

Chapter 356 – Parents

I was sitting in our bedroom, lying back on our sofa, facing the open windows, gazing at the clear night sky, and enjoying the cool weather. It was such a relaxing feeling to look at the countless stars above us all. In the past decade, gazing at it many times, I finally understood what many might have felt in the ancient days or why we all looked to go outside of our planet. Well... In this life, in this world, I may not even be on a planet at all.

There was only one thing that was even more beautiful than the starry sky, though: the scenery within my room. Surrounding me were my four wives—Sasha, Luna, Yuri, and Mikan as we had our family meeting.

"Leon, are you listening?" Sasha asked, drawing my eyes back from the outside world into the room with a small smile, scratching my short beard that I have been wearing for the past six or so years.

"I do." I nodded, enjoying the conversation and their lovely voices, even though Sasha's was a bit more on edge, probably because of the upcoming summit that I would be attending.

"Relax, Sacchy!" Yuri chuckled, sitting down next to me and beginning to put a few grapes into my mouth, "Leocchy is THE Sovereign, hm? He will do just fine."

"It is just that none of us will go with him..." Sasha mumbled, making Mikan stand next to her and rub her shoulders.

"He won't be gone for long." She said, making me chuckle, glancing at Luna, who was lying next to me, her head resting in my lap.

True. This time, I would go without them. Sasha would stay home, acting in my stead because I am also bringing Merlin along. Then, Yuri would be here, staying with the kids, while Luna... Well, she is just lazy, and I am too good of a husband not to force her to go on a trek with me.

“We leave for Ishillia in less than a week,” I began while rubbing Luna's head, who started purring like a kitten. “Empress Mirian is expecting us to be there anyway, and as Avalon’s leader, I will attend her grand meeting. That much is certain. But there’s another issue to discuss—Leyla.” I shrugged, seeing Sasha do the same, her shoulders dropping.

"She has been crying about it since the invitation came." Sasha exhaled sharply, folding her arms across her chest. “She has been asking about it every day for weeks now. And my answer is still no.”

"Come on!" Yuri, lounging next to me with an air of ease, continuing to feed me grapes, shot her a sideways glance. “You’re being too harsh, Sacchy. The girl is old enough to start practicing diplomacy. Soon, she will need a husband, too, and start giving us grandkids! This is an opportunity she may never have again.”

"Stop acting like Lousie." Sasha retorted, making me twitch my mouth at the mention of my Mom's name. She has been... so much calmer in the past years anyway, usually spoiling our kids. She also didn't bother them with the same speeches as we had when I introduced my wives to her.

“She is fine with not looking for a boyfriend, hmph! Also... Understanding diplomacy is one thing,” Sasha continued, her fiery eyes narrowing at Yuri, “but experiencing it firsthand is another. She’s still a child, and the world of politics is not as forgiving as you make it sound. It is more like your past, and you should know it!”

"True," Luna agreed, opening her mismatched yes in my lap, stretching with a loud moan. “Even if Mirian made a lot of changes, especially to the noble families, I don't think centuries of cutthroat politics would change just yet,” she said while opening her mouth, letting Yuri plop a grape into it. “Leyla is young, but she is also curious and intelligent, like her Mom. So, she would undoubtedly learn much from the summit. However, there is always risk in taking a child to a gathering of foreign leaders. I heard the Kingdom of Scorc will also attend, and even though they reestablished themselves, they are not friendly to either of us... Not at all.”

"It is no longer a kingdom if I recall it. They changed to the Federation of Scorc, ruled by a collective of people of the different regions within the country." Mikan added, making Sasha sit down and bring her a cup of warm tea. “But Sasha... We cannot keep the children sheltered forever,” she explained softly, her tone gentle and soothing. “At some point, they will have to step into the world and see its realities for themselves. If we always say ‘no,’ they will never be ready when the time comes to take the reign from us. Why do you think they tried to smuggle Lancelot away?”

"Heh, that was funny." Yuri giggled, receiving a sharp gaze from Sasha, but she ignored it.

"Also," I spoke up before she began smoking from the ears, "Nobody would be stupid enough to try anything. That would be, honestly speaking... the most idiotic move ever."

"They can frame others, but..." Sasha sighed, rubbing her temple. “I know I can't keep them in Avalon forever,” she admitted. “But the timing doesn’t sit well with me. This summit isn’t just a formality, something that Mirian thought up on the spot. This will be a discussion about the whole region’s future now that everything has settled and people had time to start rebuilding. Tensions between Ishillia’s neighbors are still high after what happened. And Leyla… she doesn’t know how to hold her tongue yet.”

"And it is not my fault!" Yuri smirked. “And neither do you, but that’s never stopped you.”

"..." Sasha shot her a glare, but Yuri merely chuckled.

"Even with our influence spreading," Mikan continued, "It is not a guaranteed safety, yes. But nothing is."

"Heh," Luna chortled, sitting up and sitting down in my lap instead of lying there, "They are still held strongly by us, even if they don't realize it. Try anything funny, and we can forbid them to use our trains. If I recall correctly, most of them never bought the rights to own them. No? They are only leasing the machines, and they still owe us big time for laying down the infrastructure. They got really used to enjoying riding them, huh? Try anything funny, and we can cut them off. Then good luck going anywhere!"

"Let us hope it won't come to that." Mikan interjected before Sasha could, "It is a meeting, not a war-time council anyway. People love the peace we brought to them... They are on our side, wanting to preserve it."

"Maybe..." Sasha muttered, biting her lip.

“Look, I understand your concerns." I leaned forward, holding her hands, "But we should also consider what this could mean for Leyla. She’s always been fascinated by the world beyond Avalon. At least she is not looking to go beyond the mountains, huh?"

"Hmph! Then I would lock her up!"

"Sure." I laughed a little, "You know as I do that she has the drive to learn and not just from books. From experience. If we refuse her now, what does that tell her? That we don’t trust her?

"..."

"She wouldn’t be attending as a representative." I continued after a brief pause, "She wouldn’t be expected to speak, only to observe.”

“That’s not the problem,” Sasha muttered. “What concerns me is that this summit won’t just be for talking. There will be posturing, manipulation, and hidden agendas, for sure. From all sides! The Geth and Sar empire... Roblesia, the Theocracy, even the small kingdoms who attacked Ishillia once and the rest from the west!"

"I thought we were friendly with our Western partners," Yuri mumbled, scratching her chin. "Aren't the three idiots playing ambassadors there? I heard Matilda telling her son about it and lecturing him how not to grow up like his older brothers."

"That's Pion's family matter." I raised a hand, waving the topic back on track. "But yes, we are on friendly terms with them, although they are still isolationists. They don't trust either Ishillia or Geth. This will be the first type of meeting they are willing to attend, probably because I will be there."

"And do you really think Leyla is ready for that?” Sasha asked, "Visiting a city with so many unknown elements gathering there?"

"I do." I answered firmly, "She is my daughter. She has been ready for years."

"I agree," Mikan nodded slowly. “But Sasha is also right, Leon. Which is why she would need protection.”

"Of course." I said without hesitation, "I already have the people in mind for that."

"And for Arthur's." Luna sighed, making Sasha flinch, but this time, she didn't argue against it. “The two are not really ready to separate. They always came as a single package. Oh, and we need to make it very clear to both of them that this is not a game.”

“She understands more than you think,” Yuri winked at her. “She’s perceptive. The same goes for Arthur.”

"It seems... I am the only one who is against it, huh?" Sasha exhaled, conceding defeat. “Fine. But if they go with you, I want them to always be with guards! No wandering off, no speaking out of turn, no unnecessary risks. They will want to explore the city... they may, but only with proper supervision!”

"Of course!" I smiled at her happily. “Then we agreed?”

Finally, the four of my wives exchanged glances, each silently coming to terms with the decision, and even Sasha relented with a nod.

“Good!” I grinned. “And don't worry, we will make sure they are prepared.”

“We should also consider how this will look to the other delegates,” Mikan spoke up thoughtfully. “I remember, from my time, that bringing a child to such a gathering could be seen as a sign of openness—or as a weakness. I wonder how the others will read it...”

"Or a power demonstration." Luna added, "Pretty much the latter in this case, showing them that we are not afraid that anything would happen to one of ours."

"Don't make me go back on my decision..." Sasha moaned, "I don't trust Scorc. I don't trust Geth's Kadosa either, as I heard he barely stayed on his throne after his defeat. He could harbor a great amount of hatred towards Ishillia and us."

"That hatred is mostly aimed at his old ally, Ahnud of Sar." I mused, smacking my lips, "From what we can gather, the relation between the two soured greatly."

"I wouldn't worry at all." Yuri shrugged, her tone light but her eyes sharp. “Let them think what they want. If anything, the twins' presence might disarm them. Who expects a child to be a threat? It could work to our advantage.”

"They will read them as a mage. Instantly." Sasha’s lips pressed into a thin line. “They will immediately realize that just like them, Avalon is now also a magic-boosted bloodline. Also... We’re not just representing Avalon; we’re representing our family by that logic. Their behavior will reflect on all of us.”

"We can tutor them a little." Mikan reached for her teacup again, smiling. “We still have some time to teach them how to behave,” she said simply. “The twins are quick to learn. If we explain the stakes, they will rise to the occasion.”

"Pft, noble etiquette is bullshit," Yuri grunted, rolling her eyes, and I couldn't help but agree, but only with my eyes.

“This is why I am glad you won't go with them,” Sasha muttered, her eyes staying on Yuri. “What if they say the wrong thing to the wrong person? You know how they are. Both of them. They are curious, yes, but also impulsive, and they are not used to... Something like this One misstep could jeopardize everything, including Mirian's planning and our alliance.”

"Now you are just worrying over nothing!" I said, holding her and pulling Sasha over to my side, kissing her lips. “You’re their mother. It’s natural to worry. But we can’t let fear dictate our decisions, and Arthur will take my place one day. Also...” I said with a firm voice, "I am their Father. They can't say nothing that I can't smooth over if not with words, then by force!"

"Don't turn us into another bully like the old Ishillia," Sasha said with a soft laugh as her shoulders slumped, the fight finally completely draining out of her. “I just… I don’t want them to grow up too fast. The world is harsh enough as it is...”

"They grew up just fine!" Yuri reached over, placing a hand on Sasha’s arm and patting them. “They both had already grown up, whether we like it or not. The best we can do is to start letting them go and become their own person.”

"That doesn't mean we won't be part of their life either!" Luna nodded in agreement. “And we’ll be there to protect them. Aren't we?”

"Exactly." Mikan agreed, too, her gaze steady. “She’s not going into this blind.”

“Alright. But if anything goes wrong, I’m holding all of you responsible.” Sasha pouted.

"Stop jinxing it!" Yuri grinned. “But fair enough. Still, don’t worry—Leon's right. He will be there to smooth over anything that may happen because the twins cause a ruckus.”

"Yuri..." I looked at her with a deadpan expression. "Don't jinx us either."

"I'm just saying!" She laughed, throwing her hands up, "But with Lancy staying back home, the Troublemaker Triumvirate has been broken up enough to be harmless~!"