Chapter 122: 122 – Raising A Toast (2)

Next, General Aquila and Crown Princess Pica stood up together, with big smiles on their faces.

General Aquila raised his glass. "My little Raven…he's grown up so much and even has such a brilliant fiancée now," he said. "This gap of ten years in my memory is quite annoying – I remember Raven as a little baby that could barely stand, but was rather sweet and obedient – he's always been beautiful, even as a baby – always smiled at me and waved his tiny arms whenever he saw me, and he'd giggle so happily when I picked him up and swung him around, and ate happily when I fed him, too, and never peed here and there – totally unlike Rook, who was determined to aim at my nose whenever I was changing his diapers. Raven never did that, and I used to wish that Rook would be as well behaved as his Big Brother Raven when he grew up…" He paused for a moment.

Laughter broke out amidst the crowd at General Aquila's words, and both Raven and Rook flushed, embarrassed.

General Aquila chuckled and continued, "Back then, I used to put the two of them side by side, and Raven, all of two years old, used to share everything I gave him with the baby Rook, and Rook would always try to roll towards his Big Brother. I see that he's still doing it now…but then, he should definitely learn from his Big Brother, shouldn't he?"

Prince Rook nodded vigorously.

General Aquila shook his head and resumed his speech. "And that's the image of my two sons in my mind…a little baby of two, actively trying to protect his little brother. The last time I saw them before I fell into the sea and lost ten years…it was this scene. The window was open and it was raining, and Raven had crawled over to protect Rook from getting drenched by blocking the rain for him…and ended up sick himself. I was leaving on a mission at the time, and I could only quickly give him some medicine…and it was also the first time he cried miserably and didn't want to let me go. I really should have listened to you, son. Perhaps I wouldn't have lost ten years if I had stayed back to look after you."

Raven didn't remember too much about all this, so he listened very carefully.  General Aquila beamed at him, his face shining with pride and joy.

General Aquila continued, "And then, just yesterday, Prince Raven suddenly appeared and pulled my memories out of the abyss that they were stuck in. And I realised that the little baby whose diapers I used to change has grown into this magnificent young boy with so many achievements under his belt, and I'm so proud and yet astounded – could this really be my little Raven? That little baby that used to gurgle in my arms? And yet, he is, and my only regret it that I have missed his growth for ten years. I wasn't there when he walked for the first time, or when he learnt to use a sword…thankfully, because Raven is so clever, my one claim to fame as his Father Aqi would be that I taught him to read and he was already reading books that were as big as him before he could walk!"

Impressed murmurs broke out in the hall.

General Aquila suddenly bowed. "So, Prince Raven – let me take this opportunity to thank you – thank you for being my son, thank you for teaching me to be a father, thank you for being my saviour and thank you for restoring my memories and reuniting me with my family. I can only apologise for not being present during your growing years, and in this, I have failed both you and Rook. However, now that your Father Aqi is back, I can promise that you won't have any reason to complain in the future!"

Raven hurried to General Aquila's side and pulled him up. "Father Aqi – you don't have to bow to me!" he said frantically.

General Aquila chuckled and ruffled Raven's hair. "I bow to you not just as my son, but also as my king," he whispered in Raven's ear, so only Raven could hear him.

Raven froze for a moment, then nodded.

General Aquila raised his glass again, this time to Mana, as Raven quickly returned to his own seat.

"Princess Mana of the Emerald Kingdom, now it's my turn to thank you – I must say, I am as happy as King Jaren that our little Raven found a rare gem like yourself, someone that can match his extraordinary abilities and accompany him on his rise to greatness, step by step! Thank you for finding our little Raven, thank you for loving and cherishing him, and thank you for putting up with all of us on his behalf – I know we're not an easy bunch to deal with!"

Laughter broke out in the hall again. General Aquila laughed as well, but his eyes were serious as he looked at Mana.

Mana had to admit that this big man was as impressive as her dear Papa.

"It is my good fortune and privilege to have Raven in my life, Father Aqi," Mana replied. "You don't have to thank me for it. I would be the greatest fool on earth if I didn't realise how precious Raven is."

General Aquila beamed at Mana, and so did King Jaren. Raven flushed.

"I should be the one saying that, Mana," Raven said quietly, but his voice was audible throughout the hall very clearly.

Mana grinned happily and took his hand.

General Aquila glanced at Crown Princess Pica. She smiled and raised her glass.

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"Everything I would have wanted to say has been already said by Aqi. Prince Raven of the Obsidian Kingdom and Princess Mana of the Emerald Kingdom – you two make me so proud, and Mana, I must thank you as Raven's mother to make my son bloom into his own magnificence. I look at the two of you now and I can already see how great you two are going to be in the future! You two make my heart sing! And now, without further ado, to Mana and Raven!" she announced.

"Hear, hear!" Thunderous applause roared through the hall.

Mana and Raven bowed.

King Jaren smiled at them and patted Azar's head. The little dragon was still sticking to his Grandpapa.

"Now, to the youngest member of our family and the greatest treasure granted to us by the heavens – Royal Dragon Prince Azar of the Emerald Kingdom," he announced.

Azar preened and nuzzled King Jaren's face affectionately.

"Anything you'd like to say, little Azar?" King Jaren asked.

"Grandpapa, hungry," Azar complained – and many people laughed.

King Jaren laughed as well. "Yes, little one," he said fondly. "We'll be starting on the main course soon, all right?"

"Yes, Grandpapa," Azar said happily.

King Jaren tickled the little dragon's chin and turned back to the crowd.

"As Azar said, I shouldn't keep my guests hungry for too long – I trust the entrée has been digested by now," he joked, and laughter broke out in the hall. "So, I will now invite King Corvus of the Obsidian Kingdom to raise the toast to our Raven and Mana."

King Corvus smiled wryly and stood up. "Can't keep my little great-grandson the Royal Dragon Prince Azar hungry," he said. "Royal Dragon Prince Azar is not only the Royal Dragon Prince Azar of the Emerald Kingdom, but also the Royal Dragon Prince Azar of the Obsidian Kingdom. After all, he is our Prince Raven's dragon child, too, and Princess Mana is now also a part of the royal family of the Obsidian Kingdom through our little Raven. We place all our hopes for the future on to the young shoulders of these children – so, to Prince Raven, Princess Mana and Royal Dragon Prince Azar, may all your hopes and dreams come true!"

Once again, loud applause greeted his words.

Mana, Raven and Azar all bowed politely.

Then Azar turned to King Jaren and asked innocently, "Grandpapa, eat now?"

Everyone laughed.

"Yes, little one," King Jaren said, rubbing his head. Then he carried Azar over to the baby seat set up for him next to Mana, and helped the little dragon settle into his seat.

Within minutes, the main course was served to all the guests.

Azar, along with everyone else, dug into the delicious meal, and immediately lost all their other concerns and were left with only one thought – how could it taste so good?! And then it branched on to further questions as they continued through the meal: What miracle food was this? Where had King Jaren managed to find the chefs and where had they found all these recipes and ingredients? Was there some new magic called food magic which the Emerald Kingdom had somehow discovered? How else was it possible to have food of this quality?!

And, most importantly, could they get second helpings?!

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