Way of the Knights

Chapter 836: Catching up

—

Their reunion was sweet, intimate and very emotional. 

Luna couldn't stop her tears and hasn't let of her daughter from the moment she ran to them. Whispers of 'I miss you' and 'I love you's echoed within the hall. There's only the three of them here so they at least have some privacy. 

"Let me take a good look at you, Sweetheart." Luna pulled back and stared at her daughter's face. Raven did the same. 

Their hearts felt waves of emotion upon looking at Vanessa. Their memories were still vivid, it's as if it was just yesterday she was still a little babe, still struggling to form her words to express herself. Now she grew up into a fine young woman who carried her mother's beauty and grace while also inheriting her father's demeanor. 

"You're so big now." Luna choked on her sobs, cupping Vanessa's cheeks tenderly and removing the few strands of her hair on her face. "I can't believe that we've been separated this long. Have you been well? How's your appetite? Are you tired? Do you want to rest?"

Vanessa shook her head and held their hands. She gave them the sweetest smile she could muster and replied: 

"I'm fine. All better now that you're with me." 

Luna and Raven's heart swelled from her words. Raven couldn't help but wrap them both again in a tight hug. 

Raven couldn't help but feel relieved. He was prepared for the worst honestly. He was ready to face Vanessa's wrath and deal with it. He expected her to hold some grudges but in the end, it seems that he didn't need to worry about that. 

Would it be weird to say that Raven planned this all along? 

Would it be weird if he said that, the whole reason behind the Grand Youth Meet – aside from increasing the prestige of the Dawn Council to the public's eye, was to find an excuse to bring his daughter here all along? 

It might be selfish but Raven has all the right to be selfish, doesn't he? After all he's done for the sake of Divine Realm, he could at least do something for himself and his family right? 

Raven never told his wife nor his friends about this actually. He wanted to keep this as a surprise. They didn't get the clue when he said that the event would be broadcasted all over Divine Realm. In addition to that, they didn't know about the tickets which will transport people here. 

They probably thought that their home wouldn't be included amongst the worlds where the Grand Youth Meet would be projected yet here they were. 

The surprise should've worked judging by how Luna reacted. Ellen, Paul, Mark and Anne should be surprised as well. 

He told them to go onto the transport rooms to personally welcome the visitors, not knowing that he interfered and brought their kids in there to reunite with them. 

With a short scan of his sense, he found them at the same situation. Fussing over their child and crying in happiness. 

Raven felt relieved. He felt like he achieved something so great by doing this. 

Vanessa grew-up healthy. Raven was really thankful for that. She was tall and slim, much like her mother. Her hair was long, mostly black with violet tips. She was wearing the same colored robes which fits perfectly on her body. Her eyes were dark golden in color and she's also wearing Luna's ancestral hairpin. 

There's a puff of violet cloud wrapped on her waist. Just from a glance, Raven could tell that she nurtured this cloud for years and made it her personal mount. Raven had some ideas but he decided to keep them for later. Right now, Vanessa must be feeling tired and still dizzy from the turbulent transfer. 

"Let's get out of here and move to another room so that you can rest. We can catch-up while we wait for the Final Phase to begin." Raven suggested and took them both to Luna's office, the Sky Island. 

Raven made sure to keep things private for now. He didn't want anybody to see Vanessa not because she's ashamed of her but because it's safer that way. They still has to ask her if she wants to make a public appearance so in the mean time, he'll hide her. 

He also made sure to remind his friends about this. 

Raven wasn't really worried about introducing Vanessa to the public. At this point, his accumulated prestige was too brilliant that he's confident. No one would dare to garner some ideas about his daughter. Additionally, Raven has the qualifications to tower over most experts. If they do dare to entertain some ideas about Vanessa, he wouldn't hesitate to end their lineage once and for all. 

Still, this was up to Vanessa's decision. Whether she would like to introduce herself to the public as their child or keep her identity a secret, was her choice to make. 

After taking them to the Sky Island, he and Luna began fussing over Vanessa. Asking her if she's hungry, tired, or bored. Vanessa giggled and told them that's fine already. They asked her how she's been, what they missed and were her plans for the future. 

They spent most of their days talking just like this. Ellen, Paul, Mark and Anne did the same. They didn't even bother leaving for now since they still have time before they are needed once again. 

"Princess…I have something to ask you." 

Raven and Vanessa is currently sitting on a table, waiting for Luna to finish taking a bath and to prepare a meal for them. 

"Yes, Dad?" 

"How do you feel about making a public appearance?" 

Vanessa stilled at the question. She looked at Raven and saw that he was staring at her gently and fondly. It's as if he's telling her that it's okay, to not be pressured and just say whatever's on her mind. 

If she's being honest, Vanessa never really thought this far. Everything happened to fast, at least for her. She just realized what her parents does and just completely understood what they meant for the entirety of the Divine Realm. She just realized the prestige they held and honestly, she's still reeling about it. 

"…it depends." She replied. 

"Depends on what?" Raven asked.  action

"Will I be staying here with you or will I have to return to our home world?" Vanessa asked. 

The two of them were silent for a bit so Vanessa continued: "If I'll have to return, then I don't think they need to know. It's safer that way isn't it?"

"It's only recently that I realized what the two of you – no, the six of you meant for the entirety of the Divine Realm. What the Dawn Council meant for Humanity in general. I don't wanna be the one to hold you back even though I'm your child. In fact, because I am your child, I should be supporting you instead."

"Which is why if I can stay here, with the two of you, preferably with Richard and Jeanne, then I'm okay with it. I promise to not tarnish your reputation, I'll work hard to prove to everyone that I can share your burdens." 

"Oh, Princess." Raven expression softened with her words and declaration. 

He couldn't help but feel his heart swell with pride upon hearing that. Vanessa really grew-up well, she's sensible and wise. She talks just like Raven. Not afraid of responsibilities and can see the bigger picture. 

Raven held her hand and said: "Princess, me and your Mom would love to have you with us here. No doubts about that."

"You don't need to feel pressured about our reputation. You don't need to keep up pretenses and you certainly don't need to please anybody aside yourself. You can be your genuine self and that's perfectly okay with us."

"I only asked this question because we're in the middle of an grand event. Soon, we will have to step-out again and I don't feel comfortable leaving you all by yourself in a large place like this. That's all really." 

"Oh." Vanessa was surprised. "Well, it doesn't really change anything though. You said I can stay so I'm staying. Don't worry, Dad. I can handle this pressure. I want to be responsible too. Let me do this." 

Raven looked intently at her daughter, trying to search for any trace of hesitation in her eyes. He smiled when he saw nothing so he smiled and nodded.

"If that's what you want, sure. Remember to go at your own pace, yeah? Don't be in a hurry. You still have us to rely on so enjoy your youth to the fullest." 

Vanessa nodded. But then she got reminded of something from her past that she hasn't discussed with Raven yet and caused her to blush in embarrassment. 

"…yeah, about me enjoying my youth…uh…" 

Vanessa felt her cheeks heating up in embarrassment, she didn't really know how to say this. She can't even look at her father's eyes right now so she didn't know that Raven was wearing this sly smile on his face. 

Raven calmly took a sip of his tea and asked: 

"….is this about you ex-boyfriend?"