Chapter 479: For love (1/2)
”Lady mother, what a pleasant surprise?”
”Igna,” her melancholic posture rose above his shoulder, her heels made her taller than normal, the hair flowed ever-so-gently. No tie, nothing, she left it to the wild, ”-thank you for lunch.”
”I'm grateful you came,” replied he solemnly embarrassed, such a refined lady had no right to be associated to the likes of him. A day didn't escape when he thought of if he was a burden to the lady. She'd return the same phrase, '-you're my son, there's no doubting it.'
A whiff of perplexion blew on their face, each gazed for answers to no avail. Lady Courtney's arrival brought the friendly atmosphere to a stand. She watched through her grey pupils yearningly.
”Lady Courtney,” came a familiar voice, ”-please, over this way.”
”Alright, Igna, I'll see you in a moment. Enjoy the day with your friends,” she grinned to casually engage Lady Yuki and her gloomy husband. The prior incident had yet to be forgotten. Being reprimanded so thoroughly and witnessing such heavy bloodshed, left not much to be desired.
*Click,* opened the back-door, Lady Syndra took the lead and greeted the still resting Joe. They made their way to the main hall where a single table held multiple plates of the food being served outside.
”Lady Yuki wanted us to have meals readied for the guests.”
”Madia,” cried he in surprise, ”-didn't think I'd see you again.”
”I'm sorry,” she bowed,”-I heard all about the-”
”-Shh,” whispered to stop, ”-water under the bridge,” thus, Group C sat in the company of Syndra. The singular lighting of the chandelier overhead came across as eerie, the same feeling associated with an interrogation room. Save it didn't hail from the actual décor or the layout – the strenuous silence of wanting to speak. Words laid at tongue's end; no noise spawned apart from the mundane semi-mute chewing paired against the ringing of cutlery against plates.
”This is hard,” exclaimed Rena, ”-please, Igna, I need answers,” she gestured towards Leonard and Jen, ”-rather, we need answers.”
”Yeah, you haven't replied to my question on the 'lady mother' mentioning earlier,” gawked Jen.
”Fine,” he sighed to use a handkerchief, ”-the lady with wife's hair is my mother. I found out per a certain dangerous situation,” Syndra gasped, ”-I didn't know at first. Honestly, I figured I'd come here to help and make some additional money. There's not much use for it now. It was pretty weird; the queerness of speech and mannerism threw me at odd's end. We met, rather suddenly, and was rendered stun at her proclamation. Imagine being called '-son,' when you have no memories nor anything linking to her past. She showed me a photo and further proof. What I hold dear is mine, and what she holds dear is hers, that's the way I see it,” dried from speaking, a sip of water and the tale resumed. ”Allbeit I was cautious at first… it only lasted a few hours. I was happy to know I had a family, I found my mother, and she gave sufficient reassurance. Lady Courtney Haggard, my very young-looking mother, she's older than she looks and is more refined as far as I can tell.”
”You speaking of me?” approached a redundant clopping, ”-Igna, what's wrong with you?” she cheerfully held his shoulder,”-I'm thy mother, not a lady, please, bear it in mind,” turned to Leonard, ”-you the son of lady Goldberg?”
”Yes,” he gulped, ”-Leonard Goldberg.”
”Drop the formalities,” she laughed, ”-I sense you have understood the standing my son has now, do you not?”
”Yes,” he nodded slowly,”-the Haggard's are one of the more, if not, the most prominent family in the entirety of Hidros. They own Phantom, which in itself has defused into other business ventures and even joined with the ever-fortunate Elon Empire.”
”Hold on,” interjected Lampard, ”-are you referring to the royal family of Arda, the founder of the Federation… those Haggard?”
”Yes,” they all but turned face, ”-my lady, please, what's Igna's standing?”
”Fret not,” a laugh escaped, ”-Igna isn't that special. He bears the Haggard name, that's about it. I'm afraid he's cousins don't even know of him existing. After all, this boy here was the product of my many romantic ventures. He came to the world when I was confused, I regret my actions and the family was rather intent on being pure. Thus, we had to separate. He was entrusted to a now-destroyed monastery not far off the Azure Walls. I found no records of him growing, and after many years, we meet per fate's providence. My long-lost son.”
”What about you, my lady,” voiced Jen, ”-who are you?”
”Courtney Haggard, the older sister of the Blood-King of Arda, Staxius Haggard.”
”So close,” glared Leonard, ”-this means he has a direct blood connection to the Hero-King.”
”Please,” added Igna, ”-my family line doesn't matter. Mother said I won't be involved in politics and for that, I couldn't be more grateful. I've decided to forge my path as Lyoko Igna, though my given name is Igna Haggard.”
”The Kinless adventuring name…”
”A part of me, Kinless will always be my nickname.” On that, the long conversation continued further with Syndra and Rena adding their thoughts. Lady Courtney left midway after an important phone call. They laughed until Chef Joe stomped into the room.
”Igna, it's time to get ready,” said he tying his apron.
”Yes, Chef.”
”You going already?” asked Jen holding Leonard's hand.
”Yes, it's time for my shift to begin. Everyone, thank you for visiting. I'll return to the academy after the Winter Festival. On another note, what of the message, the Dungeon. Anyone going?”
”No, I don't think so,” added Rena ignorant of the other's feeling, ”-go to work already, we'll leave.” Thus, they parted ways, Igona, Emma, and Emmy returned holding a full-filled expression. The stations changed to Lady Yuki, Igna, and Chef Joe. The flame blazed and the food readied, the crowd increased and the music played.
”Look at him,” whispered Leonard, ”-Igna's awesome, don't you think?”
”In what way?” added Rena not impressed.
”He was abandoned as a child to then find the original parents. I'd be fuming and ready to curse out her actions. Not him, he's calm and collected, accepting the fate and moving forward. We ought to take an example.”
”I guess,” mumbled a reluctant Lampard. One person noticed his demeanor, he'd been going through a tough time ever-since coming here. Doubt, stress, none knew. Rena contented on watching from a distance, the sullen expression of he who she cherished was painful.
The sunset ambered into the idyllic expression of the guests. Sweat and tears flowed off the singers on stage, the merchants were hard at trading. Group C headed to the mansion, the heavy load of the affairs of the heart took its toll. Meanwhile, as lights flickered to aid in sparkling the night; Loron graciously added lanterns to the décor, the overall esthetic was pleasant and comfortable. A step back from the noisy center of town. Orders came without rest, Jola swapped for Igona.