Assembled at the dining table, Percy continued to address his father in the eyes, eagerly recounting his experience that day.

"-and after we did a bit of searching around, we eventually found the mother and returned the little duckling with its family." Percy sighed contently, reflecting as he leaned back in his chair. "Oh, you guys should've been there – they were so adorable!"

Turning back to his father, Percy was greeted with one of his old man's cheerful toothy smiles. "Ha ha" announced Arthur triumphantly, "that's my boy – always ready to extend a helping hand!" The older gentleman swung his fist triumphantly, accidentally knocking his beverage over.

Percy, however, smiled bashfully; still unprepared to handle such praise.

As Arthur attended to the spilled drink, he smiled once more. "I couldn't be more proud to call such an extraordinary young man my son and trusted partner in the pursuit of justice! Do you remember the code, Percy?"

The young man smiled eagerly, "I sure do, Pops!"

Both gentleman rose to their feet, placing their fists over their chests. "A hero must be ready for anything", they both announced triumphantly.

"Alright, you two, settle down" called a voice from behind them. Entering the dining room, Felicia carefully cradled the tray containing that night's meal in her hands. "Please, not at the table. I don't want to be responsible for cleaning up another mess", she smiled nervously, "or creating one myself."

Arthur laughed dramatically. "Nonsense, my dear! Why, your skills and abilities have improved exponentially; your performances are a testament to that!"

Felicia smiled bashfully. "Do you really think so?"

"You bet, Mum" added Percy eagerly, "you're the best maid in the whole kingdom! I bet Lord Corrin must feel so lucky to have you as his retainer."

Blushing profusely, Felicia bowed gently. "Aww, thank you both so much. It means a lot to hear you say that." Upon performing the gesture, the plate of boiled spud potatoes rolled off the tray and scattered across the floor. Felicia sighed with defeat. "W-well, I suppose there are still areas for improvement…"

Percy and Arthur wasted no time in assisting her by collecting the fallen vegetables. While Arthur struggled to manoeuvre around them without crushing them, Percy retrieved them effortlessly and arranged them back on the tray. It wasn't long before the family resumed eating.

As Percy eagerly shoveled the roast beef into his mouth, he was greeted with a question from his father.

"So, tell me, my boy: who is this anonymous individual accompanying you on your escapades? Another aspiring hero of justice?"

Shrinking with uncertainty, Percy winced slightly; he had yet to share his and Rhajat's relationship with his parents, and wasn't quite prepared to do so.

"Oh, did you guys want to know about them?"

Felicia smiled politely. "Yes, dear, you've been talking about them quite frequently lately? Who are they? Someone we've met before?"

Percy was beginning to grow uncomfortable over the prospect of sharing the development. He wasn't embarrassed, definitely not, but he'd always hoped he'd confide in them when the right time arrived; he and Rhajat had still only been seeing one another for just under a month.

"They're…they're a new friend I've made pretty recently." He fabricated an answer and hoped it would suffice. His father was, naturally, delighted.

"Ha, ha, splendid! Someone we're acquainted with?"

Percy shook his head nervously. "No, not really…I don't even know them that well."

Smiling warmly, Felicia acknowledged. "Well, regardless, we're very excited to hear that you've made a new friend. You'll have to introduce us to them sometime."

"Y-yeah, maybe…" whispered Percy.

Wiping her mouth with a serviette, Felicia continued. "So" she announced casually, "what are they like? Would you mind telling us a little about them?"

Apprehensively, Percy answered politely. "Well, like I said, I still don't know them very well yet – we've only been…seeing each other…for a little bit right now…"

"And whom might we refer to your friend by, son?"

Sensing where the discussion was heading, Percy averted his eyes. "…I'd rather not say…it's kinda embarrassing…sorry."

After a moment of inactivity, Percy returned his attention to them. He was greeted with sympathetic expressions from his parents.

"Percy" whispered Felicia gently, "your new friend – they wouldn't happen to be a girl, would they?"

Feeling the heat on the back of his neck, Percy nodded sheepishly.

Almost immediately, Percy observed curiously as an overwhelmingly excited expression developed on his mother's face as she covered her mouth hastily with her hands. "Oh, my little man…" she whispered, "…he's all grown up…"

Percy could only stare in disbelief.

"He's no longer our child anymore" added Arthur dramatically, "he's taken his first steps into adulthood."

As Arthur cradled Felicia gently, Percy folded his arms and pouted, displeased with their childish reaction.

"This is really important to me, y'know? I really like her…"

Drying her eyes with a soft laugh, Felicia turned to him and acknowledged with a bitter-sweet smile. "No, of course it is" she reassured, "please, forgive me for overreacting. I understand how special this is to you…it's just…" she sniffled audibly, "I never though this kind of moment would arrive so early…I hadn't realised how quickly you're growing up." She extended her hand towards him. "You're no longer my little boy anymore."

Overwhelmed by her words, Percy turned to his father who greeted him with a similar demeanour. "Congratulations, my son, we could not be any happier for you."

Smiling bashfully, Percy folded his hands tightly in his lap. "Thanks Mum, thank you, Dad."

See the bird with a leaf in her mouth / After the floods all the colours came out

It was a beautiful day / Don't let it get away