Chapter 377 - The Ending and a New Beginning (2) (unedited) (2/2)

”Alphonse and Aerith...” Regaleon repeated. ”That sounds good. How did you come up with them?” He asked.

”It just popped out of my mind.” I looked at my two little angels sleeping peacefully in their cribs. ”I just thought that it would suit them.”

”Then Alphonse and Aerith it is.” Regaleon replied with a happy smile.

And as if the twins already knew their names, they woke up and reacted. Regaleon took Alphonse from his crib and handed him gently over to me while he took Aerith and cradled her in his arms.

”My little Al.” I said while poking his cheek.

My little Alphonse smiled sweetly at me and my heart melted instantly after seeing it.

”Little Aerith wants to join you two.” Regaleon carefully placed her in my other arm. The two of them were so little and was a good fit in my arms.

”My little angels.” I said with a smile. I can feel warmth in my chest that was spreading all over my body. I knew that this was the feeling of love.

Regaleon sat down beside me and wrapped his arms around us lovingly. This was my little family, the family that me and Regaleon started. I felt bliss at this moment.

**

”Your highnesses…” A young male knight was running around the palace ground while panting hard. ”Where are you?”

*GIGGLING*

Soft giggles can be heard in the vicinity.

”I know you are here. I can hear you both.” The young male knight replied.

The giggles can be heard behind the bushes. The young male knight walked towards the bushes carefully.

”Gotcha!” The young male knight quickly pushed back the bushes but there was no one there. ”Huh, I was sure that I heard it from here.” He scratched his head with confusion.

Then wind blew through his ear and the sound of giggles came along with it.

”Ohhhh… so you are using your magic huh.” The young male knight said. ”I will find you in no time.”  He said teasingly.

The young male knight conjured little golems using the earth. The earth golems quickly darted all over the place in search. After some time, a golem had found something behind the trees and informed the young male knight.

”So, you are there.” The young male knight smiled and went to inspect the tree the earth golem mentioned.

The young male knight treaded carefully towards the tree and when he was just standing right below it, a magic circle started to light up from under him.

”A magic trap!” The young male knight was surprised, and his feet started to freeze through his waist. ”Ahhh… I surrender. You got me.” He sighed in defeat.

”Hahahaha…” Two giggling voices was heard melodiously.

From up the tree jumped down a young boy with black hair and silver eyes, while a young girl with long silver hair and blue eyes came out from behind the tree.

”Gotcha Philip.” The little girl said while giggling.

”You got me Princess Aerith. The magic traps that your uncle Jack has been teaching you paid off. I just hope you will not use me as a test target in the future.” The young male knight named Philip replied. ”Now can you please melt the ice around me. It is getting a little cold.” He smiled.

”You cannot even dispel the ice Aerith made?” The young boy asked with a smirk. ”How can you be our personal bodyguard if you are that weak?” He said jokingly.

”Your highness Prince Alphonse, I am still an apprentice knight in training as you know.” Philip said with an irritated smile. ”I am only sixteen now and is still under the tutelage of Captain Dimitri. And your father the emperor is personally teaching me swordsmanship. At least I can still beat you at that.” He smiled to Alphonse with pride.

”Tsk, I know you still are above me at that.” Alphonse replied. ”But just you wait, I will get to your level and beat you, and move above you after.” He then used his fire magic to melt the ice around Philip's body.

”I am sure you will your highness.” Philip replied. ”Even though you are just twelve years old now, your skill in the sword is more advance than your peers. Oh, speaking of age, your mother the empress is looking for you two. It is both your twelfth birthday today and you need to prepare for the banquet later.”

”Mother is looking for us?” Alphonse replied with surprise.

”Oh no, we are in trouble.” Aerith said with a scared expression. ”What are we going to do brother? Our clothes are…” She looked at her brother with worry. Their clothes are both dirty.

”Do not worry, I will fix it once we go back.” Alphonse said with a determined look. ”Come on, before mother sees us like this.” He took his sisters hand and started to run to the direction of the palace.

”Your cousins have arrived as well.” Philip shouted to the twin's direction. ”I am sure they are waiting for you.”

”Thanks…” Alphonse waved his hand to Philip without looking back. Philip sighed and shook his head but then smiled. ”To think that the future of the empire and the world are in his highnesses shoulders. But I still promise to get even stronger, to support both of you in the future.” He said with a look of determination.

Philip saw the receding figures of the prince and the princess of the empire, the hope of the world in the future.