482. Nightval Festival IV

482. Nightval Festival IV

Omen: 7, 9

“We are sorry, Adam,” Mulrot said, sitting opposite the Half Elf. The light of the noon sun barely broke into the Iyr, providing them with gentle light, but very little warmth. “We have said things no Iyrman ever should.”

“Ah, well...” Adam replied, awkwardly. The heat of the tea flowed upwards, creating a barrier between the pair. They sat within Elder Zijin’s courtyard, the Elder remaining nearby, writing some matters in his books. Sonarot sat off to one side too, sitting near the older Jarot, while the twins cuddled up to his side. “It’s not like I can’t sympathise. I’m a bit of a troublemaker, and it’s not like bringing in Goblins to the family will ever bring you glory.”

Mulrot winced at the words which she had stated back then. The words had formed a rift between herself and her husband, and her daughter, the Family Head. It was not a rift which would have destroyed the family, and when it was required, they would have worked together for the Iyr, but the mood was something which she could not stand.

“We have always been those who pride ourselves in our words and actions, but we have betrayed your trust,” the old Family Elder said, warming her hands against the cup of tea.

Adam wasn’t sure how to respond, looking to Jarot sitting off to one side, with Jirot and Jarot beside him. When he had heard that Mulrot had come to speak with Adam, he had forced his way in to attend, bringing his greatchildren with him. It was an obvious message to Mulrot, who knew his stubbornness.

“Since we have accepted you as a Nephew of our family, and that you are Jurot’s brother, it was only natural to accept your children into our family. We, who are of the Iyr, used a foreign notion of family when discussing your children. Even if they are not your blood, you have accepted them, in the same way that the Iyr accepts its children.”

“I hope you understand why I felt so sour when you accepted only the two children who shared blood with me,” Adam said. “Though, I’m certain if they didn’t share my blood, you still would have accepted them back then, but it was still wrong to judge them like that.”

“What?” Mulrot asked, tilting her head.

“It has been confirmed that the triplets are Adam’s children by blood,” Zijin said, writing more notes within his book.

“We were not informed of this matter,” Mulrot said.

Adam frowned. “What do you mean?”

“We were not informed they were related to you by blood,” Mulrot said.

Adam looked to Jarot, who nodded his head slowly, his face revealed that this was the first time he had heard of it. After all this time, no one had told them that the Half Dragon children were Adam’s by blood. There was always a joke that they were Adam’s and Entalia’s, though they expected the children to be Talias by blood, and given to Adam to raise for some reason, but for them to actually be Adam’s children...

“So?” Adam asked. “Is that relevant?” He had thought this entire time they had accepted the Half Dragons because they were his by blood, but to think it was actually because of their race... His blood began to boil at the thought, but he sighed out, trying to calm himself, though the frustration was still evident on his face.

Mulrot sighed too, rubbing her forehead. “No, it was not relevant.”

“You know, I can’t help but wonder why you’ve decided to accept them now,” Adam said, looking to Elder Zijin. ‘Was it about what Strom said?’ “I heard that I caused a bit of an uproar recently, though I wasn’t told of the details.”

“I don’t know how any of this works, but it seems to me that the Iyrmen, so proud of their rules, decide not to follow them with it doesn’t benefit them, even if they say otherwise. I, at one point, trusted you, Family Elder Mulrot,” Adam said, awkwardly, unsure of what to call her. “I trusted you because you were Jurot’s grandmother, in the same way that I trusted Jarot. However, I trust Jarot today because he is my children’s greatfather.”

“We made a mistake,” Mulrot said. “We are sorry, Adam.”

“Yeah, you did make a mistake. You can get away with making those mistakes because you, your Rot family, your Iyr, you’re way stronger than me, and I need your help. I’m certain if I was ever to make a mistake, you wouldn’t give me a second chance.”

“That is not true.”

“Can I believe that?” Adam asked. “With so much at stake?”

“Yes,” Sonarot said. “I will give you a second chance.”

Adam bowed his head. “If you say so, then it must be true.” The thought crossed his mind that even Sonarot could betray her, but he pushed it away. If Sonarot would betray him, then there was really no point in him living, and there was no chance for his children to live either.

“I will inform the family, as the Family Elder, that your children are now Nephews and Nieces of the family, by Jurot’s right,” Mulrot said.

“Alright, thanks,” Adam said.

Sonarot sat down beside Adam, holding the back of his hand. She had noted that Adam, who had been poured tea, hadn’t drunk a drop. She pulled him to his chest, hugging him tight. “Your children will always be welcome within our family, Adam.”

“Thank you,” Adam said, letting her embrace him tight.

He remained within the shared family estate that day, sitting with his children, his triplets having chosen to sleep in the snow beside him. Jarot, too, remained with him and his greatchildren.

“You’re not going to enjoy the festival?” Adam asked.

Jurot, who had sat near Adam, shook his head. “No,” he said, crossing his arms. He, who still felt the guilt eating at his heart due to what happened back then. He, who had sat silently while his grandmother refused the children.

‘I should have said something.’

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:(

I might post up double chapters soon.