Chapter 424 - The Chosen One (2) (1/2)

The ball ended with a spectacular fireworks display. The night sky was lighted up with colorful lights with different shapes and sizes. The sound of the fireworks was heard in all the parts of the capital. All of the residents in the capital were able to watch this beautiful show that was made especially for the eighteenth birthday of the imperial twins.

”Beautiful…” Aerith muttered while watching the fireworks up in the night sky.

”Yeah, you said it.” I agreed.

”Well, we are now eighteen. For sure father will give us imperial duties to work on starting tomorrow.” Aerith smiled.

”You are right there.” I replied with a smile.

”I hope you two are happy with your birthday celebration.” Father walked towards us with mother right by his side. ”Me and your mother had made this day extra special for your eighteenth birthday.”

”I love it!” Aerith exclaimed and hugged mother and father. ”This is the happiest day of my life. If only a certain someone just agreed to be my escort this evening, then it should have been the very, very, best happiest day of my life.” She giggled.

”Oh, do not scold the poor boy. Okay?” Mother giggled. ”He is just so dedicated with his job as a knight.”

”Well he is still technically a duke's son. He is the adopted son of Uncle Dimitri.” Aerith scowled. ”He at least might as well hang his knight's uniform for one knight and be a duke's son and escorted the princess of the empire for her eighteenth birthday.” She rolled her eyes.

”Haha, please understand that Philip has a big sense of dedication in his work.” Father added. ”You would need to work hard to make him see you in a different light. Well, I more than welcome him to be our little girl's suitor compared to others. I have seen that child grow into a fine young man.” He said to mother.

”I know.” Mother smiled. ”How about you Alphonse? Do you have someone you fancy? You are now a young man.” She asked innocently at me.

My mother's question caught me off guard. One girl popped up on my mind after hearing my mother's words that I blushed realizing I am thinking about her.

”Oh, he has a long time crush on someone.” Aerith said teasingly. ”And she has grown into a fine young maiden.” She giggled.

”Oh, really?” Mother smiled happily hearing my twin sister's words. ”And who is this girl?” Mother looked towards me after asking this question.

”I-It is someone you know mother. But you do not need to be concern about it for now.” I stuttered, feeling embarrassed being in the spotlight. ”I have not yet thought of how to court her, and I am not sure where to start.” I can feel a blush form on my cheeks.

”Well, she must be something for my son to blush just by thinking about her.” My father added to my embarrassment. ”Just a word of advice, strike while the iron is hot. When first saw your mother when she was just fourteen years old, I knew that she was the one to be my wife and I have solidified my place by her side hence forth.”

”Hahaha, yes I remember clearly the love story of mother and father.” Leonhart who was just by our side joined the conversation. ”Father had gone undercover and become mother's personal knight. And since then their love blossomed like no other.”

”You got that right, hahaha.” Aerith giggled and I joined them.

Mother blushed when we recounted the beginning of their love story and father teased her by planting a kiss on her cheek.

”Of course, I will not let go of your beautiful mother the first time I laid my eyes on her.” Father lovingly smiled at mother.

”Regaleon…” Mother scolded lowly. ”There are many people watching us.”

”So, let them watch.” Father smiled. ”Let them see how I love my wife until now.” Mother giggled with Father's flirting.

Aerith, Leonhart, and I felt shy seeing our parents all lovey dovey.

”I bet you and Thalia would look good together like mother and father.” Leonhart remarked.

Mother and Father heard him and looked my way.

”Thalia, Gladiolus and Anatalia's daughter?” Mother was clearly surprised. ”But… she is your second cousin.” She looked at father with worried eyes.

I knew that being second cousins would impose a problem with my parents. The old royal family of Atlantia had practiced inter marriages in the family that are incestuous in nature. My parents had clearly wanted to steer away from such a tradition.

”But she is in a second level, mother, father.” I replied. ”And my feelings for her are genuine and true. I may not know how to start courting her, but I know for certain that she is someone I fancy since I first met her.”

”But Alphonse… maybe it is just a fancy.” Mother tried to reason. ”I mean, it is a crush from childhood, maybe…” She cut her sentence when father patted her shoulder and shook his head. Mother fell silent and lowered her head.

”If that is what your heart is telling you, then your mother and I will give you our blessing.” Father told me. ”Think about it hard first, if you think that she is the one, then go for it. But before the matters of the heart, you must do your princely duties first.” Father said.

”Princely duties?” I asked in question.

”Tomorrow morning, go to my office after breakfast.” Father said. ”I have something to discuss with you.”