The grand house, nestled in the heart of the village, was aglow with warm candlelight as Aiden, Mother Rosibelle, and Cordelia sat down to a sumptuous dinner. The aroma of roasted chicken, savory stew, and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, making Aiden's stomach growl with anticipation.
Mother Rosibelle had outdone herself, preparing a small feast in honor of Aiden's return. The table was laden with an assortment of delicious dishes, including honey-glazed roasted chicken, beef and vegetable soup, steak and kidney stew, warm wheat bread, smoked fish, and sweet apple juice cider.
As they sat down to eat, Aiden's eyes widened in appreciation. "Ma, this looks amazing," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Mother Rosibelle smiled, her eyes shining with love. "I'm just glad you're home, dear," she said, her voice warm. "Now, let's eat and catch up."
Cordelia nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've missed your cooking, Mother Rosibelle," she said, taking a bite of the roasted chicken.
The three of them dug in, savoring the flavors and textures of the meal. The warm atmosphere and good food filled Aiden with a sense of contentment, and he felt grateful to be home with the people he loved.
The dinner table was filled with laughter and cheer as Aiden shared stories of his time at the WhiteWood Stronghold. He regaled them with tales of his adventures, the friends he made, and the lessons he learned. But what truly captivated Mother Rosibelle and Cordelia was Aiden's revelation that he could form weapons from his faith.
Cordelia's eyes widened with excitement as she leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "Aiden, can you form one now?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Aiden smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. He got up from his seat and walked over to a nearby table, where a silver handle with ancient scriptures etched onto it lay waiting. He picked it up, feeling the familiar weight and power coursing through it.
As he closed his eyes, the ancient scriptures on the handle began to glow with a soft blue light. Aiden's eyes shimmered with a matching blue radiance, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with energy. With a subtle movement, a blue sickle materialized from nothing, its curved blade glinting in the candlelight.
The sickle seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly power, its presence both beautiful and awe-inspiring. Mother Rosibelle and Cordelia gazed at the sickle in wonder, their faces filled with a mix of amazement and curiosity.
As they finished eating, Aiden smiled mischievously. "I would showcase more, but that's for tomorrow," he said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
As they began to clear the table, Aiden insisted on washing the dishes, feeling it was the least he could do to help out. Mother Rosibelle smiled, her eyes shining with warmth, and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, dear," she said, before retiring to her room to get some rest. As the Village Leader, she knew the importance of a good night's sleep.
As Aiden and Cordelia washed and cleaned the dishes, Aiden turned to her with a knowing glance. "I know there's something you want to tell me, but you're hesitant to," he said, his voice gentle.
Cordelia's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you guess?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Aiden smiled, his eyes shining with a hint of mystery. "When you share God's vision, all is visible," he said, his voice filled with a sense of wonder.
Cordelia's expression turned serious, and she hesitated before speaking. "The 1st Prince wants to take me as his wife," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
Aiden's eyes locked onto hers, his expression thoughtful. He seemed to be processing the information, his mind working overtime to understand the implications.
Cordelia's voice was laced with concern as she spoke about the 1st Prince's proposal. "I told him I'd think about it, but I know my answer won't matter," she said, her eyes clouding with worry. "He's only considering my feelings because our village is under the protection of the Priests of Divinity. But I know his nature – he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants."
Aiden sighed, his expression softening with empathy. "Don't worry, Delia," he said, his voice filled with reassurance. "As long as I'm around, that won't happen under my watch."
With a gentle smile, Aiden reached out and took Cordelia's hand, his touch warm and comforting. "You're not alone in this, Delia," he said, his eyes locked onto hers. "We'll face whatever comes next together."
The gesture seemed to calm Cordelia's nerves, and she smiled weakly, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Aiden.
As Cordelia headed back to her own home, Aiden made his way to his room on the second floor. He locked the door behind him and gazed out the window, taking in the breathtaking view of the village front. The moon cast a silver glow over the thatched roofs and the quiet streets, and Aiden felt a deep sense of peace wash over him. He had truly missed this place.
With a sense of gratitude, Aiden knelt down beside his bed and began to pray. "Dear God, I thank you for keeping me safe on my journey and for guiding me along the way," he said, his voice sincere and heartfelt. "I thank you for keeping my loved ones safe and for bringing me back home to the people I care about. Amen."
With a sense of calm and contentment, Aiden climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep, the soft moonlight casting a gentle glow over his face.
The sun rose over the village, casting a warm glow over the thatched roofs and the quiet streets. The rooster's loud crowing echoed through the air, but it wasn't the sound that woke people up. Instead, it was the arrival of the 1st Prince with his escorts that stirred the villagers from their slumber.
The 1st Prince's carriage was a grand sight to behold, adorned with the emblem of a red dragon on its side. The carriage itself was painted in vibrant red and gold hues, and it was pulled by a team of majestic horses. The Prince's escorts, dressed in formal attire, rode alongside the carriage, their presence commanding attention.
The 1st Prince himself was a striking figure, with short cherry red hair that was perfectly styled. His albino-colored eyes seemed to gleam with an otherworldly intensity, and his rose beige skin tone glowed with a subtle sheen. He was dressed in royal attire that matched the colors of his carriage, and he exuded an air of confidence and authority as he stepped out of the carriage.
The knight in full armor, adorned with the red and gold colors of the royal family and the dragon emblem on his shoulders, stepped forward and announced the 1st Prince's arrival. "Hear ye, hear ye! Prince Nox Draconias, the 1st Prince of the realm, has arrived to claim Cordelia as his bride!" he declared, his voice booming across the village.
The villagers gathered around, watching the scene unfold with interest. Cordelia stepped forward, her eyes flashing with defiance. "You're not here out of love, Prince Nox," she said, her voice clear and strong. "You're here because of my beauty, and the fact that you want to add me to your collection."
Prince Nox's expression remained calm, but a hint of amusement danced in his albino-colored eyes. "Perhaps," he said, his voice smooth and suave. "But would that be so bad? You would want for nothing as my bride, Cordelia. You would be treated like royalty, and you would have the power and influence that comes with being a member of the royal family."
Cordelia's voice was laced with conviction as she spoke. "I would be nothing but a pretty trophy and a pawn in the royal family, only to bear children for the royal family," she said, her eyes flashing with determination.
Prince Nox smiled, his expression unwavering. "Despite that, your village will be protected and cared for quite well," he said, his voice smooth. "You will want for nothing, and your people will thrive under the royal family's protection."
Mother Rosibelle stepped forward, her eyes flashing with a fierce light. "The Priests of Divinity are already doing what the Royal Family fails to do," she said, her voice strong and unwavering. "We don't need your protection or your charity, Prince Nox."
One of the guards stepped forward, his face twisted in anger. "How dare you defy and answer back to the Prince so crudely?" he shouted, taking a step closer to Mother Rosibelle.
But before he could get any closer, Aiden stepped forward, his eyes blazing with intensity. He stood between the guard and Mother Rosibelle, his stance protective. "If you dare make a move, you'll lose the hands that lay on Mother Rosibelle," he said, his voice low and deadly. The guard hesitated, his eyes locked on Aiden's intense gaze.