Vol. 2 Ch. 23: Reunion (Draft)

Author's Note: I tried something new with this chapter. Let me know how you feel about it. Recurring Characters: Peter: The protagonist of t

Author's Note:

I tried something new with this chapter. Let me know how you feel about it.

Recurring Characters:

Peter: The protagonist of this novel.

Mariah: Peter's mother. You can find her picture in Art collection.

Lidia: One of Mariah's friend, whom Matteo (Mariah's younger brother) used to have a crush on. She had been explored in the chapter "Dream and the past" in you're interested in her appearance when she was young.

Matteo: Mariah's younger brother. She used to bully in the past, told by herself and shown a glimpse in chapter "Dream and the past".

Tessa: Lidia and Matteo's second child. We just met her in the last chapter.

Mira: Lidia and Matteo's first child. Tessa grumbled about how she got to learn dance while she had to stand guard at the entrance in the last chapter.

Elena: Mariah and Matteo's mother. She first appeared in the chapter "Dream and the past".

Recap:

Tessa glanced at him sideways. “So,” she said slowly, “you’re really my cousin?”

Peter looked at her and gave a small shrug. “I think so.”

Tessa frowned. “That’s… weird.”

He didn’t argue, just laughed.

…End of Author Note...

...

Mariah turned her head sideways, watching her friend’s smiling face as they crossed the diner. She felt the firm grip of her friend’s hand, just like she remembered in her memories.

The workers, still wiping down tables and arranging chairs, exchanged baffled glances. Their eyes flicked to the bits of dry mud she was not tracking across the freshly mopped floor. But none of them dared say a word. Not with Lidia practically glowing beside her.

Mariah looked around the place, drinking it all in. A lot had changed. The wooden counter had a newer design, sleeker and lighter in colour. There was now a row of framed portraits just above it. Even the floorboards were different. They didn’t creak beneath her boots, not like the ones that used to betray every late-night snack run.

Yet somehow, despite the changes, the place still smelled the same.

“Don’t just stand around!” Lidia called over her shoulder, grinning at her. “Let’s see how long it takes for your brother to recognise you.”

Mariah smiled faintly, giving her a small nod. “Alright. Where is he?”

“Where else?” Lidia said, stopping near the kitchen door. “Behind this.” She knocked once, then pushed it open.

And there he was.

Matteo stood near the stove, sleeves rolled up, arms busy kneading dough. His rich brown hair was pulled back into a tie. He hadn’t noticed them yet, too focused, telling two youngsters about yeast ratios.

Mariah froze in the doorway, suddenly unsure.

Gone was her baby brother, whom she used to bully all the time. He looked older, broader, and much more mature. Instead of looking reserved and introverted, he appeared composed and confident as he taught his apprentices.

Lidia cleared her throat dramatically.

Matteo glanced up, brow furrowed. “No, Tess. You’re not getting any snacks—” He stopped, his eyes locked onto Mariah’s. He blinked once, then again, as if his brain had short-circuited. Then his hands dropped the dough with a soft thump, and he stepped around the table slowly, staring like he couldn’t trust his own eyes. His gaze stopped at the moon pendant that hung around her neck.

“…Mariah?” he said, voice rougher than she remembered.

“Hi, Matt,” Mariah said, her smile small and unsure.

“Goodness. It’s really you,” he said, softer this time, his face trembling with emotion. “Finally decided to show up, huh?” he said, chuckling a bit while shredding a tear that he quickly wiped with his finger.

“…I did,” Mariah nodded, her voice catching in her throat. “Did you miss me?” she asked, chuckling too.

“All of us did,” Lidia said, standing beside her and rubbing her back gently. “Even father.” She added, her eyes misty.

Mariah desperately wished to have memories back, to know if she had done something to upset her father.

“Where is he?” she asked, facing her brother again.

“At the cathedral,” Matteo said. “He took Mira with him. But Mom’s here. Come on, I’ll take you.”

Mariah gave a small nod and stepped aside, letting him pass. He moved ahead without waiting, clearly eager, and she followed close behind as they headed toward the back of the building.

“Mom! Look who’s here!” he called out, his voice light with excitement as he opened the door to the backyard.

The garden was smaller than she remembered, likely due to the newly enlarged stable beside it. Ivy covered the wall that separated the two, and rows of clay pots lined the edges. The old olive tree from her childhood was still thriving. A wooden chair sat beneath it, and in it was their mother, sitting comfortably with a shawl draped over her shoulders. A basket of peeled peas sat on her lap, forgotten as she turned to regard them with confused eyes.

Her gaze shifted between Matteo and Mariah, lingering on the latter. Then her eyes widened.

“…Mariah?” she said, half shouting as she put the basket aside and stood from her chair.

Mariah took a few quick steps forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. “It’s me, Mom.” She said, unable to stop herself from breaking into sobs.

“You’re home,” Elena whispered, voice thick with emotion. “You’re really home.” She closed her eyes and held her daughter tightly.

Behind them, Lidia smiled, her arms folded gently across her chest. Matteo wiped his cheek with the back of his hand, pretending not to cry.

For a few moments, the garden was silent except for Mariah’s soft weeping and the quiet rustle of leaves overhead, stirred by the breeze.

Elena slowly pulled back. “Where’s my grandson?” she asked, smiling through her tears. “Don’t tell me that you left Peter and Joseph in that backwards village of his.”

“He’s here, Grandma,” Tessa said, walking in toe with Peter as they emerged from the stable.

…

Peter slowed as he stepped into the garden, blinking at the scene ahead. His mother stood beneath the tree, arms still loosely wrapped around an older woman whose eyes glistened with emotion. The air felt thick, like the moment held more weight than he could grasp.

Elena turned, her gaze falling on him. Her breath caught, and her hands flew to her mouth.

Peter froze, unsure of what to say. It didn’t seem like a good time to bring up his father’s death or the fact that his mother had lost most of her memories. A part of his mind still couldn’t believe she hadn’t told the guards about his abilities when they entered the city.

“Mom,” Mariah said softly, resting a hand on her shoulder, “this is Peter, my son.”

For a moment, no one moved. Then Elena advanced, her arms opening to invite her grandson into her embrace.

Peter hesitated at first, his lips pursed, but the look in her eyes, so open and full of love, disarmed him. He let her pull him close.

“Would you look at that?” she said, holding him in her arms as she turned to her daughter. “He has the same eyes and hair as I.”

Besides them, Tessa caressed her raven black hair with a pout.

“You’ve grown up well,” Elena murmured, pulling back to study Peter’s face. Her eyes flicked down to his waist. “Leather armour is fine, but why are you carrying a real sword at your hips? How old are you now?”

“Past ten,” Peter said, puffing out his chest and lifting his chin with pride.

Elena raised an eyebrow. “Past ten and already carrying steel like a grown man? It seems I need to talk with Joseph.” She turned to give her daughter a sharp look. “Where is he?”

Peter answered before Mariah could say anything, “He’s gone.”

Elena’s expression didn’t change at first. She simply blinked, her hand still resting gently on Peter’s shoulder. “What does he mean, Mariah?” she asked.

Mariah’s lips parted, but no words came out right away. She glanced at Peter, then looked down briefly before meeting her mother’s eyes.

“He passed away,” she said softly. “There was a dungeon in the forest that no one knew about. A brake happened. None lived besides us, as far as I know.”

Elena sat down slowly onto the ground, her legs folding beneath her, her shawl slipping from one shoulder. Her shoulders sagged, and her hands trembled in her lap.

Lidia, quiet and calm, touched Tessa’s back and gave Peter a soft nod, guiding them both away to give the family space.

Once they left, Mariah told them the story agreed upon between her and Peter, also informing them about her loss of memories during the process.

…

“Have you eaten anything yet, Peter? Both of you can have some cookies,” Lidia said as she guided the children to a table inside the diner.

Tessa’s eyes lit up. “Cookies? Yes, please.”

Lidia smiled, already walking toward the back. “I’ve some in a jar. With nuts and raisins.”

Peter glanced around the place, taking it all in. “Sure, I love cookies. I had some skewers that mom bought for me, but I still have some space for cookies in my tummy.”

Lidia returned with a small plate, placing a few warm cookies in front of each of them. “Eat up,” she said fondly. “You’ve both earned it.”

Peter had already reached for one when her voice came again.

“Also,” she added, her tone light but firm as her eyes flicked to the sword at his hip, “can I’ve it for now? You can get it back when you need it.”

Peter paused mid-bite, showing a reluctant expression on his face. After a second, he nodded and unbuckled the sheath, placing it carefully on the table.

“Alright,” he said. “Just for a little while. Don’t give it to anyone else, it’s mine.”

Lidia nodded, her expression gentle as she picked it up. “Not even your mom?” she asked.

“She’s fine,” he said.

“Okay then,” Lidia said, crouching slightly to meet his eyes. “How about I give it to your mom for safekeeping, and you can have it back under supervision?”

Peter hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. “Okay.”

Satisfied, Lidia gave his head a gentle pat before turning toward the side. She called one of the staff members over and spoke quietly to him. The boy nodded and moved quickly to the entrance, positioning himself at the gate, ready to turn patrons away.

With that handled, Lidia made her way to the kitchen and explained the situation to Matteo’s apprentices. She spoke gently, letting them know that they'd be managing lunch today on their own, for the guests staying at Brooks.

After doing all that, she left the kids in her staff’s care and returned to the backyard to join the conversation.

…

Peter leaned back in his chair, chewing thoughtfully on the last bit of cookie. Across from him, Tessa sat with her elbows on the table, chin resting in her hands as she stared at him curiously.

“So,” she said, “what’s your village like? The one you came from?”

Peter blinked. “Um…small. It was near a forest, so lots of trees. Everyone knew each other by face…unlike here.”

Tessa tilted her head. “Must be boring watching familiar faces all the time.”

“Not really,” Peter said, smiling fondly. “It was fun. Going for hunts in the woods with my friends, training with dad, trying not to get chased by geese,” he said with a smirk.

“Not bad. Not bad. Still,” Tessa nodded sagely. “Rosefall’s much better.”

Peter smiled faintly. “Is it? Tell me more about it then.”

Tessa sat up straighter. “Well, for one, we have street shows on the weekends. Dancers, bards, and sometimes even adventurers decide to show some magic too. There’s a toy maker nearby who builds little animals that can move.”

“Wow,” Peter said.

Tessa leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “He made this tiny wolf once. It barked, wagged its tail, and chased after a string like a real puppy. I begged my mom for it for two weeks.”

“Did she buy it?”

“Nope,” Tessa said, shaking her head with a dramatic sigh. “Said it would distract me from chores.”

Peter chuckled. “Sounds like something Dad would’ve said.”

Tessa gave him a sideways look. “If you’re staying here for a while, I’ll take you to see it. Maybe we can save up and buy one together.”

Peter grinned. “Give me some time, and I might make one for you that even flies.”

Tessa raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “You know how to make things like that?”

Peter shrugged. “I’ve a good class. I bet I can learn to do it if given time. Mom said it’s so good that I can learn anything that I like.”

Tessa leaned in, eyes wide with curiosity. “Seriously? What class is it?”

Peter hesitated for a second, then leaned into her ear. “It’s called prodigy. It’s an unusual grade class.”

Tessa jerked back, her mouth opened wide. She gasped before leaning forward. “Really?” she whispered. “I don’t believe you. I haven’t seen anyone with that grade yet.”

Peter smirked, taking a sip of water from his cup. “Well, now you’ve. If you don’t believe, you can ask Mom when we’re alone in a room.”

“Ask what?” a gruff voice called from the entrance.

…End of chapter…