Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 365: The five elements (2)

'Central Celestial, huh?' Helia said still chuckling. 

'You have heard?' 

'I did. My dear lord must have reached a level of power I could never have imagined to stand tall with the Four Immortals and not only that, to defeat them in battle.' She said a little pouting. 

'Are you by any chance…. jealous?' Arial said, realizing that hint of jealously in his wife question

'Yes…. of course, I am. We might be husband and wife, but don't you remember we used to be the Four Greats in the Academy. We were always trying to outdo the others. But even when we are a child you have always been a step…no, a hundred steps ahead of us in martial arts. You might deny this, but among the Four Greats, you are actually our teacher instead of our rivals. Kyle always complained about that while Lisa always admire and look at you with reverence and awe.'

'Is that so?' Arial said clearly pleased.

'Yes, it is so.' Helia said regretting she said that

'Then why haven't you trained like usual? Surely if you train your internal energy your strength would not lose to either Kyle or Lisa' Arial asked. 

'Why should I?' Helia smile. 

'Isn't my husband the Central Celestial? The strongest of them all? Who would dare invite his wrath?' and this time Helia laugh and even Arial chuckle a bit.

'You are cheeky Helia.' 

'I learned it from you.'

Arial then take another cup of tea. 

'Have you heard any news from Lisa and West?'

'Lisa is expecting' Helia tell her husband of the happy news.

'When?' Arial said clearly happy hearing this happy news, his face lights up and his expression is jovial.

'Maybe next year if the word of the healer to be believed'

'I should send my congratulation and gifts. Surely she would like that. Oh, and some medicinal herbs to help with the birth. Lisa, since she was a child always has a weak disposition. And she is usually affected by the winter cold. Some warm properties herb can surely help her not to have any miscarriage' 

'I have been thinking about the same thing dear but to be honest I am disappointed with you, my lord

Arial chuckle remembering old days. Not hearing what his wife just said. He did not hear the tone of jealousy in her wife words or feel the rising anger that Helia is feeling now.

'It is good that Lisa marry West. West may not look like it but at least he has persuaded Lisa from entering the war. I would find it my greatest regret to see Lisa hurt in my war. She is after all my precious friend and to let her join the army again is not a chore I would like to do again. There were many near misses the last time'

'Hmph' Helia snorted. 

'Only her you are worried about? How about me?' 

'Of course I worry about you too.' Arial said began realizing the atmosphere. His wife is sulking.

'Are you? Why did you not say it more often then? You always keep me guessing. And why not show me the same care you show Lisa? Warm properties herb and winter cold. Humph' Helia said mumbling in dissatisfaction. 

Arial is scratching his head trying to figure out a way to neutralize this problem. 

'You know how I am.' Arial said trying to form an excuse.

'That couldn't always be an excuse.' 

'I know, Helia. Do forgive your husband.' Arial said jokingly. 

'Shesh' Helia said looking at the pitiful face of her husband and slowly her face softened and she chuckle a bit at herself and her husband. 

Even she feels that her behavior is a little childish. But she feels pricked by her husband concern feeling for Lisa. 

Even though Helia knows that her husband only view Lisa as a good friend she could not help but feel jealous of her husband affection for Lisa. 

Sensing that the mood is getting better Arial quickly change the topic.

'You know tomorrow I will ride to Arouen'

'Why, dear?' Helia said, not knowing about this plan of her husband.

'I will ask Adrian for aid on the war effort'

'Will he consent it?'

'I don't know. However, I thought it is prudent, to attempt to at least, conciliate Adrian favor'

'Hmm, will you go by yourself or will the Dragonguard accompany you? I will feel less worry if you brought men with you' Helia just sighed.

'This is a delicate mission and I do not want to show that I distrust him so I will entrust this task to no one but myself. Rather than to entrust it onto a deputy I think it is fitting if I go by myself.'

Helia just nodded. She knows her husband word is law. If he decided to go by himself, then he would surely go by himself. 

Still Helia feel worry about her husband.

'Helia, if he asks me who will guard my realm when I'm away I will nominate you as my regent'

'WHAT!' Helia cried out startled with this sudden announcement.

'Why are you so surprised, Helia? You are the perfect candidate. I was always absent and your talents truly lie in governing maybe more than me. It is only natural that I will choose you.'

'Wouldn't anyone object? Maybe your council lords or you vassals? Wouldn't they raise any objection?'josei

'Who would dare? And everyone knows of your intelligence. They would surely not mind taking orders from you.' Arial said.

'Fine. If you truly believe that I will accept the regency and govern Arrandy during your absence.' Arial nodded in satisfaction.

Then Arial and Helia heard the running footsteps coming to them and they both turn their backs and see a child running towards them.

'Father, mother.' The voice cried out happily 

A young child with a flowing white hair and a dazzling blue eye is running towards them with joy. Her smile is pleasant and happy.

Arial get up from his chair and embrace the kid and thrown her into the air and retrieve her safely back while the kid giggle with excitement.

'Ariadne. How is the park? See anything of interest?' 

'There is butterflies, father. It can fly' 

'HAHAHAHA' Arial laugh. 

'Did you see a butterfly?' 

'Yes, father. It was very beautiful. Liselle told me that it came from a worm, father.' 

'And what do you think?' 

'I think Liselle lie, father.'

'Oh, why do you think that?' 

'How can that beautiful flying thing come from a worm? Liselle lie. Liselle lie.' Ariadne keep yelling that while her fingers is pointing at Liselle. 

'Forgive me my lord' Liselle said bowing her head. 

'I should have explained better.' The maid said while bowing her head to the Duke and Duchess.

'It is fine Liselle.' Helia reply. 

'Ariadne is precocious like that.'

'Liselle lie mother.' 

'Hish, Ariadne. She did not lie.' 

Arial just laugh. To him, it is just cute of his daughter to misunderstand such things.

'It is fine, Liselle. Other people can teach her later.' Arial said. It's not like it is Liselle fault that his daughter misunderstands things.

'Dear, you spoil her too much.' Helia said looking at her husband who dotes on their daughter too much

'It is fine, isn't it to spoil her sometime.' 

'Yeah, father is the greatest' Ariadne said smiling an innocent smile while running to Arial to be hugged. Arial kiss his daughter cheeks and foreheads.

'It tickles father. Hehehe' Ariadne chuckles.

They spend the evening chattering about family matters, old stories, and about their friends. 

It has been a long time since Arial had a time for his family and so he feels really fulfilled that day, to spend time with his wife and daughter before continuing his unending work.

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