On a day after time passed at the United Sanctuary.
Currently at Ahmes' home, the wielder of Blaster Blade is currently doing self muscle training at the backyard of his home as there is enough free space for him to do it.
Ahmes is top naked and very sweaty as he is doing one hand pushups on top of the grass while huffing his breathing.
"196! 197! 198! 199! 200!" Ahmes counted his pushups, the knight profusely grunting as he lowers his body and then pulls it up upon each count. His bead of sweat drips on the grass as he keeps on moving. "201! 202! 203!"
Ahmes continues to do his one hand pushups in the passing minute while in the living room of his house, there's Salome tending to Alice and Noah; the elven knight sitting on the carpeted floor and smiling as she watches the twins playing with Flogal. The pink furred canine going around the twins in circles as she would occasionally bark when she would go and nuzzle her nose near either of the two kids.
Flogal was invited to the house as after the picnic event, the pink furred canine had always come to either Ahmes or Salome to get to them as she had grown a fondness to them.
Salome giggles as she watched Flogal gently push Alice down and then began to nuzzle her nose to the little girl's stomach which resulted in her giggling and laughing in joy.
Seeing her sister squealing and laughing, Noah babbled while trying to go and save her but Flogal sees him and went straight to tickling him.
Salome smiles in seeing how Noah is giggling and laughing while his sister slowly gets up and crawls to Flogal who turns her attention and begins to snuggle with her in turn.
Giggling with a smile to see how the twins are with the pink furred canine, Salome could only watch in joy to see them having such a fun time.
In the midst of her care, Salome turns and sees Ahmes returning inside as he had put on a greyish white shirt on that is getting soaked in his sweat. The knight in the middle of wiping off the sweat from his face with a towel.
"I see that they are enjoying Flogal's company." Ahmes said while continuously wiping the sweat off his face with his towel. The knight came near and smiled when he sees Alice and Noah hugging Flogal in between them, the twins having happy smiles and giggles to feel the pink canine's fluffy fur. "a little too much, I must say."
"it would seem so." Salome giggles before she proceeds to gently carry Alice to her lap and then did the same for Noah. The elf having the twins just babbling to each other before they looked at her and squeals in glee which made her smile. "had fun with Flogal?"
"arf!" Flogal barked out as the pink canine went to the infants who squeals in glee while reaching out their little hands to her.
"it would seem that they still wish to have fun with her." Ahmes chuckled as he kneeled and gently ruffled Flogal's head. "try not to have too much fun, alright?"
"arf! Arf!" Flogal barked to Ahmes before she turns back and begins playing with the twins on Salome's lap.
This has been the peaceful days that this little family had been having as the peace is delightful and appreciated.
Time passes in the home, Salome and Flogal are currently putting the twins into their crib as it is time for their afternoon nap which is something that they really needed considering that they tired themselves out by playing with the pink furred canine.
"there we go…" Salome whispered as she tucked the twins into their shared crib. Alice and Noah are already fast asleep as they were very tired after the fun time with Flogal. The elf then proceed to caress their heads one by one. "sweet dreams, little ones."
"arf~!" Flogal let out a small bark as the canine is peeking in while her tail is wagging left and right.
"I believe that they would like to play with you again when they wake up, Flogal." Salome said with a smile and Flogal barked in reply.
As both of them were tending to the infants, Ahmes came passing by as the white knight is currently wearing his armor and holding his helmet which he puts on.
"Are you going to the castle?" Salome asks in seeing the knight who proceeds to go to a glass cupboard which is where he stores his Blaster Blade. "I thought you said that you were off duty today?"
"I was, but Epona had come and delivered a message of a summoning to me." Ahmes said as he proceeds to unlock the glass cupboard and then takes out the weapon which he placed to his side waist. "King Alfred wishes to speak to me and other squadron's commanders regarding various issues that needs our attention."
"eh? Really?" Salome said in surprise while blinking her eyes twice. "I didn't hear that?"
"are you not currently off duty from your duties in your troop, Salome?" Ahmes replied. "perhaps only Lady Ashlei who will be present in this meeting."
"I see.." Salome spoke in understanding before smiling a bit sadly. "it seems that Lady Ashlei is bent on having her entire squadron to have peace."
"I believe that she is only seeing that her squadron members have their peace before another battle in the future." Ahmes said with a nod and a smile before he kneels down when Flogal came to his side, the knight patting and scratching the pink canine's head. "do take care of everyone while I'm away, Flogal."
"Arf~! Arf~!" Flogal barked.
In a minute, Ahmes leaves the front door of his home as Salome and Flogal stayed to take care of the home and the twins in his absence.
"do take care." Salome said as she waves goodbye to Ahmes who did the same while Flogal barked a few times.
Ahmes leaves the area as Salome and Flogal watches as he disappears when the distance grew great.
"to have all of us be at peace, is it?" Salome said before she sighs a bit and smiles while looking down at Flogal. "shall we go inside and have some refreshments, Flogal?"
"arf! Arf!" Flogal barked before panting with her tongue sticking out, indicating that she liked the idea.
The two then went inside the house as they closed the front door and locks it.
Upon the castle of the Royal Paladin. Ahmes is found walking in the hallway as the white knight is on his way for the room used to host private meetings between King Alfred and all other commanders of the Royal Paladin Clan.
Ahmes keeps on waking before he stops when he heard his name being called out from behind as he turns and sees the King of Royal Paladin; Alfred coming near him.
"Afternoon, Ahmes." Alfred greeted his friend.
"King Alfred." Ahmes did a polite head bow while having an arm over his chest. "afternoon, my king."
"no need for formalities today, Ahmes." Alfred said with a hand raised and then lowered the next second. "it would appears that you and I have arrived too early for the meeting."
"it would appear so." Ahmes replied before the knight and the king begins walking alongside each other to the meeting room. "pardon me for asking abruptly, but what is the topic of the meeting?"
"there are various topics that must be discussed, but the prominent one would be the rising hostility from the Megacolony Clan." Alfred stated. "after the defeat of the Dragon Deity of Destruction, the Queen of Megacolony; Darkface Gredora is planning to expand her clan's territory leading to a possibility of another war between the Megacolony against Great Nature and Neo Nectar clans." He then looks at Ahmes. "there may come the time for our clan to come and help them end the conflict before it escalates."
"I see." Ahmes nodded in understanding before he frowned a bit. "another war, is it?"
Alfred looks at his trusted knight for a moment and sees his expression which made him smile and sigh a bit before looking forward.
"You worry for your little ones, do you not?" Alfred spoke as Ahmes made a noise while looking at the king. "I've heard from Marron and your comrades that you've been taking care of the two infants that you and Lady Salome discovered the previous month." He sighs a bit. "to think that the both of you would find children in a basket which is flowing down a river. What a cruel and awful fate has befallen upon those children." He then looks at his friend. "however, I'm certain that their fates are turning after you took them in as your own children, correct?"
"yes…I have." Ahmes nodded as he slowly looks to the front while looking a bit unsure. "as I have taken them under my care, I'm still inexperienced in taking care of them." He sighs a bit softly. "I'm only able to take care of them with the help of Lady Salome and I'm thinking that I would be unfit to be their caretaker once she is no longer unavailable to care for them in my stead."
"then perhaps you should wed someone who would help you" Alfred said as Ahmes looks at the king with a surprised look. The lord of the Royal Paladin smiles and looks to the front. "it has been years since the start of the war against the void and such. The time of battle is still present yet there is also time of peace. You are one of the many knights of the Royal Paladin who deserve that time of peace." He then looks back at the knight. "shall I assist you in finding someone who would be willing to be your partner?"
"please don't joke around, King." Ahmes said as he looks to the front and shakes his head. "my duties as the Leader of our clan's very leader is an utmost and sacred duty; therefore it would lead to trouble with any partner of mine who will be forced to be patient with how busy I shall always be day by day."
"is that so?" Alfred said as he reaches a hand to his chin and gently scratches it. "then perhaps Lady Salome could be your partner." He looks back at the knight. "considering that she had willingly volunteered in assisting you in taking care of your children."
"No. I've already asked too much of her." Ahmes said after shaking his head. "and besides, she's from a different platoon with a duty as important as mine." He sighs a bit. "I shall try to make do and find a way to raise Alice and Noah."
"Ahmes, I am not certain that would be a good path to take." Alfred stated. "being a father to two children is no easy task."
"I know, but I can always learn to do it." Ahmes replied. "I have done the impossible on my own, I can without a doubt raise my children on my own."
Ahmes walks ahead while Alfred sighs a bit after shaking his head.
"You can do many things on your own, old friend." Alfred muttered. "but raising children requires two parents and not one."
The King soon follows after Ahmes as the knight reaches the large doorway to the meeting room and awaits Alfred to come.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye