Some days later at the Royal Paladin's Kingdom.
Blaster Blade Exceed was making his way in the hallway of the kingdom for the conference meeting room with thevisiting clan leaders who were already there as he was a tad late
"I made it" Ahmes said with a sigh as he went in the room where he saw that every clan leader except the Bermuda Triangle were there and were looking at the white knight who soon bows his head. "Forgive me for being late" he then went to his designated seat that is between Blaster Dark Diablo and Garmore Excel. "let us begin."
The clan leaders nodded before they begin the conference meeting for the political, military, and economics affairs for all nations.
The meeting took at least 3 hours or so to end as all the matters have been handled accordingly to each clan leaders' satisfaction.
"all matters have been concluded, we bring an end to this meeting." Ahmes spoke as he stood up from his seat and then bowed his head. "I thank you all for coming."
As soon as the meeting ended, the respective clan leaders exited the room while the rooftop opened for the Dragon Empire Clan Leaders who instantly left by flying back to their Nation.
"please enjoy your stay while you're here" Garmore spoke to several Clan Leaders who are temporarily staying in United Sanctuary for other business.
"we thank you for your hospitality." White Lily Musketeer, Cecilia thanked Garmore with a nod as she and a few other clan leaders nodded as well.
While several clan leaders conversed with one another, Blaster Dark Diablo was leaving the area but got stopped by Silver Thorn Dragon Tamer; Luquier who went and hugged his right arm from the back. the elf smiling lustfully to the black knight who glanced at her for a moment before looking away.
"Seems that those two are doing well like always." Garmore spoke, the knight and clan leaders knowing the relationship between the black knight and elf.
Ahmes looks at the two before he realizes something.
"Ahmes, we are planning to have a few spars on the training field." Garmore spoke to the white knight. "would you like to to join us?"
"I'm sorry but I must decline," Ahmes said while apologetically bowing his head to Garmore before he turns and begins walking away a bit quickly. "I have an important task I still need to fulfill!"
"he was in such a rush.." Cecilia said and Garmore nodded, both a bit curious as to why the white knight is in such a hurry.
In the town area of the United Sanctuary. Ahmes is in a rush as he made his way into the town with the citizens there looking at him. the knight keeps on running before he arrives to a store which sells children's product within.
"here it is." Ahmes said as he went in and then came out a few minutes later while carrying out two large boxes stacked together. He then sighs a bit tiredly before he made his way down the road while being careful of the luggage he is carrying.
At Blaster Blade Exceed's House, the knight arrived at his home as he carefully entered through the front door.
"at last…" Ahmes spoke as he walks in his home's hallway and to the connected Living room and kitchen area where he is greeted with the sound of squealing laughter. He looks for the source and just smiles when he finds Salome in his home and in the middle of playing with the two infants the two knights found together. "seems that the three of you are having fun."
"ah, Ahmes-san. welcome back." Salome said as she greeted the knight before carrying the two infants into her arms. The two were babbling to one another. "How was the conference meeting?"
"It ended quite well." Ahmes replied with a nod while placing the boxes on the kitchen table. "we have successfully gained another peace treaty with all nations."
"that's good to hear." Salome said with a nod as she came to the white knight's side while the children were cooing to each other in her arms. the elf then checks the boxes which has been opened by Ahmes. "these are?"
"I've obtained all their needed necessities." Ahmes said as he pulls out packages of baby diapers, cans of baby milk, and baby power along with various necessities needed for raising infants. "these should last for a while, correct?"
"yes." Salome said before she looks down and smiles to see the two infants cooing out while reaching out their little hands to the various objects that Ahmes has taken out. "Alice and Noah seemed to be interested in them."
After finding the two infants and trying to have them be taken care by the local Orphanage, Ahmes and Salome finds themselves raising them after their little crying tantrum with the Sisters. The White Knight had decided to adopt the children as his own under the pretense that he would raise them with Salome's help. The knight named each twin with a specific name that he and Salome thought of Together, the little girl is named Alice while the little boy is named Noah.
Not many know about their situation as only a handful of individuals knows about it. those being Alfred, Marron, Gallatin, and Elaine, the healing elf knows only because Ahmes once brought the infants to her in order to heal them of any affliction that they might unknowingly have.
Alice cooes out to Ahmes who smiles before he gently carries the child into his arms, the little elf child babbled to the white knight while playfully tugging the part of his helmet on the side.
"they're getting rather playful, aren't they?" Ahmes said as he chuckles to how Alice is tugging his helmet which he soon takes off to reveal his short yet spiky blue hair. The knight gently placing the piece of armor on the little girl's head and see how it is too big for her. "especially Alice."
"I believe that the twins have their own unique personality." Salome giggles while carrying Noah who seems to be interested in playing with the elf's long chestnut brown hair. "Alice is rather playful but Noah here seems to be the curious type."
"I see…" Ahmes nods in understanding as he takes his helmet off of Alice's head, the little girl was confused as to what was happening when she was wearing the piece of armor on her but she soon giggles in delight to the knight who smiles. "I can see that clearly now."
"yes." Salome nods before she and Ahmes hears growling coming from the two infants' little tummy which indicates that they were hungry. "ah, I'd better prepare their milk."
"I got it." Ahmes said before he takes Noah into his arms and allowed Salome to prepare the milk for the twins.
This is how it has been ever since Ahmes adopted the two children. He would take care of them till night and morning while Salome would come to his home to take care of them when he goes to the kingdom to handle the tasks that was given to him.
Even in the morning he was late because he was busy handling the two before Salome came and help him.
The day goes on till it was in the evening, Salome had placed Alice and Noah in a crib that Ahmes had purchased for them. The twins were fast asleep and venturing deep into their dreamlands.
"Sleep well" Salome said while caressing Noah's forehead and then placing a little kiss.
"I believe everything has been finished." Ahmes spoke out as he came by while cleaning his hands with a wet towel, the knight having finished with some needed cleaning in his house. He then sees the twins asleep in the crib. "seems that they gotten tired."
"yes." Salome nods with a smile while caressing Alice's head and then gently covering the child's little body with a little pink blanket. "although it was Alice who made herself tired."
"I see.." Ahmes nodded with a smile. "thank you for your time as always, Salome."
"it's fine." Salome said. "I have no missions and was given a holiday to rest." She smiles a bit awkwardly. "it was better for me to spend some time helping you raise them instead of managing Tiffany and her daily antics in our residence."
"is that so?" Ahmes replied while raising an eyebrow.
After some more talk, Ahmes and Salome exited their Home where the elf was already getting ready to go back home.
"Thank you for taking care of them as always, Salome" Ahmes thanked her while smiling.
"it was nothing, I couldn't just let you be the one to take care of them by yourself" Salome replied after shaking her head and then smiling.
"I'm really grateful for your help." Ahmes said with a nod before he thought of something that made him smile. "by the way, I wish to ask you a question and its regarding your time tomorrow. May i?"
"What is it?" Salome replied.
"I wish to ask for your time in accompanying me and the children on a picnic the next day." Ahmes said. "I believe it should be the time for me to help in growing their vision of the world instead of merely raising them in my home."
"a picnic, I would love to" Salome said with a smile. "at what time and where it shall be?"
"let us meet at the castle's main gate tomorrow afternoon" Ahmes said. "will that be satisfactory?"
"yes." Salome nodded in reply. "I shall meet you there."
They then bid their goodbyes as Salome walked back to her residence while Ahmes reenters his home.
Time passes by as night came upon the Kingdom of the United Sanctuary.
Currently at the residences owned by the Jewel Knight Squadron.
Salome is found in the kitchen area and currently cooking something while humming. The elf is wearing casual clothing while having a white apron on top.
"These should be soft enough." Salome said as she is mashing up cooked rice, carrots, potatoes, and ginger in a bowl before she scoops up some with a finger and tasted it. "Alice and Noah will definitely love this."
With a proud smile, Salome looks upon several lunch boxes which she has assorted with food such as a healthy vegetable lunch set and various small, soft, yet adorable meals fit for children under 3 years old.
Salome made the dishes for the picnic tomorrow as she wanted to make something that would help in nurturing Alice and Noah's growth.
"Lady Salome?" a voice called out to the elf who let out a small squeak before she quickly turns and hides the lunch boxes behind her back. the Leading Jewel Knight faced where the voice was coming from and to her surprise, it is one of her squadron's members; the Dreaming Jewel Knight; Tiffany who is wearing her casual pajama outfits and seeming rather drowsy. "what are you doing here?"
"T-Tiffany!?" Salome stammered. "I could ask you the same thing, young lady!"
"I was just…getting a drink." Tifanny said as she went straight for the nearby sink while grabbing an empty glass to fill it with water. She then looks a bit drowsy at Salome. "What are you doing this late at night, Lady Salome?" she yawns and then looks to the night sky outside via the nearby kitchen window. "It's past midnight already, isn't it?"
"O-Oh forgive me, it is just that I got hungry so I thought I could get myself a quick meal first before I go to bed." Salome replied as she smiles a bit awkwardly while making sure to hide the lunch boxes. The Leading Jewel Knight respected her comrade but Tifanny is known to be quite the trouble maker in the Jewel Knight Squadron and she's one of the many people who doesn't know of her little unknown agenda in helping Ahmes taking care of the children.
Tifanny looks at Salome for a moment before she went and drink up her glass of water then sighs while placing the glass into the sink.
"Please remember to clean after yourself, Lady Salome" Tiffany said as she turns and then yawns while walking out of the kitchen. "Lady Ashlei might scold me for making your mess."
"O-Of-course" Salome nodded with a smile. "good night."
"Good night." Tiffany replied as she disappeared into the corner.
After making sure that Tiffany was gone, Salome let out a sigh of relief and then quickly prepared to clean the kitchen after using it.
"That was a close one…" Salome whispers as she cleans a piece of cloth that she soon uses to clean the nearby table. She then looks at the prepared lunch boxes which she had set aside. "I should take these elsewhere." She look side to side and then at the refrigerator. "Perhaps I should refrigerate them…"
As Salome was pondering what to do to keep the lunch boxes fresh and hidden away, she was being watched by Tiffany who hadn't gone back to her room and is just watching his superior.
"What is she doing?" Tiffany whispers as she watches Salome put the lunch boxes to the refrigerator. "Who are those lunch boxes for?" she squinted her eyes. "so suspicious…"
As Tiffany keeps on spying, she quickly hid herself to a corner as the kitchen's lights were turned off and Salome exited the facility while taking off the apron.
'I'm very sure that she's going somewhere with that many lunch boxes.' Tiffany watches Salome head upstairs and possibly to her room to get rest. 'I got to get the others notified about this…'
The Dreaming Jewel Knight waits for Salome to enter her room before she quickly head upstairs and entered her own room.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye
