8) Return of the heirs / Miro's mistake.
Almost a year after the queen's disappearance, and almost a month since the snakesmans were defeated, the three princes returned to Eternos with their paternal grandparents.
They stayed with both grandparents for months, both paternal and maternal, staying in both the summer palace and Beira-Mar, but only Brinna and Jeremy wanted to return to Eternos.
The ship landed in another courtyard, the one located on the west side of the palace, far from where everything happened.
Logan had returned months before the princes and had helped Miro with many of the real tasks and struggles as well. Now he was waiting for them at the king's side while the ship landed. The day was sunny, but no one there at the time cared.
The first to leave was Miranda, who ran to Miro, who hugged her tightly, followed by Stefen and Randor. A year seemed to have made the three mature very quickly.
Randor was more muscular now, as if he had done nothing but fight and train, which Logan did not doubt that the prince had done. The hair was short in a messy style, but the clothes still showed their royal ancestry. The gray pants and blue shirt were new, along with the black boots.
Miranda had cut her hair at some point, as they were just below her chin instead of the usual long braid she kept before. The dresses apparently were also ironed, since she wore white leggings, boots and a short yellow dress, with the greeting going halfway through the thigh.
Stefen was the only one who remained with the same style, of course, like the older brother, the muscles were a little visible. He wore black pants and boots and a gray shirt.
'' You're fine ... '' Miro murmured to no one in particular as he hugged them.
The hug lasted a few more minutes. So much so that Miro only realized that his parents were there much later.
xxXXXxx
Two and a half years after returning.
'' I don't believe he hasn't arrived yet. '' Brinna grunted. '' It's the son's birthday and he didn't arrive. ''
'' Be patient, man-at-arms warned that he would be late. '' Jeremy replied while looking at his watch. After what happened three years ago the two started to live in the palace again to help, initially temporarily, but that changed two years ago when Miro realized that he needed to travel the planet to find what was left of the snakesman. Since then the two help him to rule Eternia when the king decides to return home after months of traveling.
Meanwhile, Randor took on the royal duties. Much of the decisions that Miro was supposed to make, it was Randor that he made under the help of his grandparents. Now at nineteen, he had reached adulthood. And the counselors were already talking about Miro having to crown his son sooner than expected if things went on like this.
'' It's past ten, he'll miss his entire birthday. '' Marina commented. She and her husband, as well as Arabela and Chaol, had gone to the celebration.
'' He will arrive. And if you're late again, we'll be there, to Randor. '' Patrick looked at his wife. Miro had lost Patrick's respect by the age of 17, and the king's actions currently did not help him.
xxXXXxx
Meanwhile on the way back to the palace.
'' I'm late. '' Miro murmured.
'' Yes, you are, your majesty. ''
'' And this thing doesn't go faster. ''
'' No sir, this is the maximum speed. ''
Miro got up and walked to the back of the ship, the man-at-arms followed him. '' I just wanted to find them. '' Miro had been out for almost two months looking for the snakesman, but he hadn't succeeded with that.
'' But we both know that Leandra wouldn't want that, sir. ''
''I know.''
'' So why continue the search? '' Logan asked confused.
'' It's necessary. '' It was the only response he received.
Understanding that the king wanted to be alone, Logan bowed and left.
Miro sighed and shook his head. He could not reveal the second reason for these searches.
FLASHBACKS.
Two days before.
Miro visited the village where Ashley lived. After 17 years, the king decided that he would at least try to know a little more about his son, or at least know about how Ashley was doing, since the money stopped being withdrawn at least three years ago.
Thinking it was just out of teasing him, Miro came home and found a man who smelled like alcohol.
'' Ashley? And who would like to speak to her? '' He asked.
'' An old friend. Tell her that Max needs to talk to her. '' Miro spoke as polite as he can.
The man's face became pure anger and the king casually placed his hand on the hilt of his sword hidden under the cloak.
'' Where I come from, only friends don't have children together. Even more so when that friend is married. Isn't it majesty? ''
'' Know the truth then. ''
'' Both may have forgiven you, but I didn't. ''
'' I'm sorry, but who are you? ''
'' I was her husband! ''
'' Was it? '' Miro interrupted.
The man looked him in the eye before speaking, his voice more serious. '' The snakesman battle didn't just take the queen from us. ''
Miro felt that the world stopped. He did not know. He was so consumed by the search for the enemy that he only now realized that he didn't pay much attention to the smaller villages after the battle. '' I ... '' He had no words, but he remembered the son. ''The boy?''
'' Why do you want to know about him? '' The man asks dismissively, taking a threatening step forward. '' Are you going to take him to the palace? What will the people think of this? Especially now that both his wife and the boy's mother are no longer here to count their side ... '' He was interrupted when Miro grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.
'' Don't talk about them like that. ''
''Or what?''
Miro released him and asked again, trying to calm himself. '' For the last time, where is the boy? ''
'' Well, he pulled his dad. '' The man straightened his shirt collar while walking to the house again. ''He ran-away.''
''Ran away?''
''Yes.''
'' He's a child, how do you let a child get away like that, with, with snakesman let go? ''
'' Well, if you don't mind, majesty. I have to go back inside. A commitment awaits me and without wanting to be boring. Get off my property. '' He closes the door, leaving Miro furious outside. The man opened the door again. '' Ah and one more thing, 'Max'. The boy's name is Keldor. '' He closed the door again.
End flashback.
The next two days he went looking for the boy. So much so that he almost forgot what day it was and that was why he was so late now. He looked at his watch again. Almost eleven o'clock at night. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair before he heard an explosion on the side of the ship. The king stood with his hand on the sword.
xxXXXxx
Chaol walked around the ballroom looking for his nephew. He looked around the room, asked Duncan, Stratos, the brothers and even his girlfriend. Whose he'd just discovered that Randor had broken up with her a few hours ago, according to Duncan he had caught her kissing another guy.
He found his nephew minutes later in the royal gardens looking at the stars. Chaol pursed his lips. He remembered his sister and nephews going out in the gardens to look at the stars every year to see the moon's eclipse.
'' Randor! Randor! '' He called his nephew, who looked at him as soon as he heard his name.
''Hi Uncle.''
Chaol sat beside the young prince on the garden bench.
''How are you? I heard about Elinia. ''
''Good. I think I'm a little better than before I finished. ''
''As well?''
'' I realized that she just wanted my crown. ''
Both were silent.
'' Well, if it's any consolation, Leandra never really liked her very much. ''
Randor laughed. '' I know, although Mom never said anything and even supported us a lot as a couple. '' The prince lowered his eyes, it was still difficult to talk about his mother.
'' Leandra knew that you are wise enough to make your own decisions and see the truth soon. ''
''Yeah...''
Both returned to look at the stars.
'' He hasn't arrived yet, right? '' The prince asked.
'' No, but it's on its way. ''
Randor shook his head. '' I understand him. I would do the same, I think, but ... he is not the only one who is suffering from it. ''
'' He thinks leaving you safe is the best choice. ''
'' I've always admired him a lot, but when I'm a father I'll try my best to be present at all times. Especially difficult ones ''
'' There's still a lot of time to think about it. Come on, let's go back to the party. '' Chaol put his arm around his nephew's shoulders and took him to the ballroom again.