20 THE MCALLISTER FAMILY (1/2)
ANTHEA looked at her friend.They were in his study, while the children and Felicia were lead to their rooms.She'd known Jaxon the same amount of time she'd known her husband.Dorian Blackbourne and Jaxon McAllister were both adventurers.They met in their youth, both reckless and seeking for adventure.Together with others they trust, they formed a small crew.A band of misfits sailing across the world, looking for undiscovered treasures.It was during one of those adventures she met them.
Anthea could still remember how much Dorian infuriated her.The two of them fought and bicker, but in the middle of all that, they fell in love.Just a year later, they got married and she became the new Duchess of Hanover.Remembering all those memories now gave a bittersweet pang in her heart.Because Dorian has been missing for eight years now.She refused to believe that he's dead just like what everyone else said.Because if she did, then she'll break into pieces.And her daughters doesn't need a broken mother.
She shook her head.This was not the time for her to feel melancholic.She returned her attention to Jaxon.The last time she saw him was eight years ago when the news about Dorian's death came out.Dorian was not the only one lost, a lot of their other friends also went with him on that last expedition.The only reason Jax didn't also disappear was because he had to take over the family business.He had to stop being an adventurer that year.
”I can't believe it's been eight years,” Jaxon started.”The twins are all grown up.They're lovely, Thea.Argent certainly is the splitting image of Dorian.”
”Yes.Argent was actually the one who suggested we go here.Saying that having their primary education here will help with their growth more than if they had it in one of the royal academies in Albion.”
”And the boy is right.”From what Jaxon could remember, Argent was a NoGift.It was hard for a powerless kid to grow up in a stiffling society like Albion.Even if that kid was a duke.”But how about Aurum?You told me about that incident three years ago.Has she already gotten control of her Gift?”Because from what he saw earlier, he didn't even feel the child's Mana.Which was weird, considering she's an SS Gift.There should be at least a small spike.But there was completely nothing.
”No.Argent made a special bracelet that could stop the Mana flow in Aurum's body.”
Jaxon was amazed by what he heard.A device that could stop the flow of Mana.He never heard of anything like that.And what's more remarkable was that it was made by a seven year old boy.”Did he made it alone, with no one's help?”
”Yes.”
Jaxon whistled in admiration.”Then Thea, your son is a genius.”
”About that, Argent is actually a girl,” Anthea didn't hesitate to tell that important piece of information to Jax.If her twins will live with him for the next seven years, then he needed to know that.Besides, she knew she could trust Jax with that information.”My children are twin girls.”
If Jaxon was amazed earlier, he was unbelievably surprised now.That boy was actually a girl?He - or he should say 'she' - acted with perfect calmness earlier.A calmness that any adult would envy.He couldn't believe it from a seven year old boy, much less from a girl.Not that he's being a chauvinist.Girls at that age just tended to be more emotional.Just ask his niece.
”Was there really a need for a masquerade?” he couldn't help but ask.Thea was not the type to subject her daughter to that kind of hardship.
”You know that the Hanover title can only be passed on the male line.If I didn't pass one of them as a son, then the title would be given to some distant cousin.I know it's selfish of me to let one of my children bear so much at such a young age.But I wanted to keep the manor.It's where Dorian grew up.Every little trinket he found in his many adventures are there.That manor is him.I couldn't give it up.Not when he's missing.Not when I don't even know when I'll get him back.”
Anthea took a deep breathe.She forced herself to calm down before she broke down and cried rivers in front of Jax.
”I understand, Thea.”He understood that kind of love more than anyone.”There are still no news about Dorian?”
Anthea shook her head.”You know one of the reasons Argent wanted to study here was because she believed I would be confident enough to leave them here so I could personally lead the search for their father.As if she could feel that's something I've been wanting to do.”
That made Jaxon smile.”As I've said, she's a genius.And you could leave them here confidently under my guardianship, you know.I will look after them as if they're my own.which was really not hard since they're yours and Dorian's children.”
”Well, I do plan on doing that.But not before Argent and Aurum feel comfortable living here.”Anthea would wait, even if it took a whole year for that to happen.”You said your nephew and niece are also living with you.”
”Yes.I had to take care of my brother's children.You know what happened to him and his wife.”
The former head of the McAllister family, Jaxon's brother, died nine years ago.He was travelling on a ship with his wife when it sank due to a strong thunderstorm.The sudden death of Jaxon's brother was the reason he stopped becoming an adventurer.Because he has to take responsibility for their family's huge business empire.
”Maybe you should've married a long time ago so someone could help you take care of the kids,” she joked.
”You know I couldn't do that,” he said, a bitter smile on his lips.
Anthea immediately understood what he meant.”Still waiting for her?”