Freya Norse wrapped her arms around her daughter, pulling her close as if afraid the very air might whisk her away. Tears glistened in her eyes, dancing between sorrow and joy. "Oh, my precious girl," she breathed, her voice trembling with emotion. "I thought... I thought I had lost you forever." A choked laugh escaped her lips, mingling with the sobs that racked her body. "Thank the heavens you’ve returned to ."
Strong arms enveloped both the mother and daughter. It was General Odin Norse. He was a general, fearless in battle, and never batted an eye, even when faced with death, but now his eyes were red.
"Father," Lara murmured.
The tears that Odin was trying to hold escaped from the corners of his eyes.
Finally, he had the two most important won in his life back in his arms. Lara’s soft voice calling him Father ward his heart.
"Ahem," three different voices—three n cleared their throats at the sa ti.
"Father, Mother, you’re hogging all of our sister’s attention," Asael whined, his voice rising with a playful nasal twang. "It’s our ti to share the spotlight now!"
Odin and Freya reluctantly let go of their daughter.
"Brother, how is your wound?" Lara asked, her voice tinged with concern as she enveloped Asael in a brief yet warm embrace. She stepped back, her eyes scanning him intently, taking in the details of his face and his body.
Asael handed her a bouquet. "I am as good as new, Sis," he said, a warm smile spreading across his face. "It’s wonderful to see you again." Asael lifted his hand and affectionately patted her head, his touch both reassuring and tender. Lara didn’t flinch; instead, she embraced the mont, relishing the comfort of their bond that wrapped around her like a cozy blanket.
"Sis, welco ho." Galahad pushed Asael out of his way. He handed his bouquet of flowers, which Lara accepted.
"Thank you, Brother," Lara said gently. She could see that Galahad was sincerely welcoming her, and when she t his eyes, they were full of longing for the sister he thought he lost, unlike the suspicious ones that regarded her the first ti they t.
Galahad grinned. The corner of his lips almost reached his ears. His sister called him brother. He wanted to lift her and spin her around, but she had grown taller and had gained so weight. Her body had matured into that of a woman, and no matter how much he wanted to, he could no longer do so.
Her sister had grown up.
To his surprise, Lara hugged her like she did to Asael.
Lara ca face to face with Percival and Peredur. Both n were dressed the sa and looked the sa.
"Welco back, Sis. We are happy to have you back. I am Peredur." One of the twins spoke, his eyes lit with mischief.
Lara narrowed her eyes. She stepped forward and hugged the man, who remained silent. "Peredur, Brother." Lara smiled.
Peredur chuckled and jabbed Percival. "Do you think our sister is easily fooled? You are an idiot, that’s why you think others are like you."
The rest of the brothers laughed. Percival was embarrassed.
"How could it be? How did you know that he is Peredur?" Percival’s brow furrowed in confusion, his thoughts swirling like autumn leaves caught in a brisk wind. "Even Father could not discern who is who." he was utterly bewildered
General Odin was speechless. It took a mont before he realized his son was looking down on him. "Brat, why bring into your failure of pranking your sister?"
"Sorry, Father." Percival apologized before turning to Lara, both his brows raised. How did you know it was not Peredur who talked to you?" He was really curious.
"You may look and dress the sa, but your aura is different, " Lara explained.
Percival: "..."
"Father, Mother," a soft, lodic voice drifted in from the courtyard just beyond the open doors. "It’s ti for to be presented... and for your speech."
Lara stiffened. Father? Mother? The words echoed in her mind, foreign and unsettling. She was their only daughter... wasn’t she? Her gaze flickered to Reya, whose eyes were wide with disbelief. Reya gave a subtle shake of her head, her expression mirroring Lara’s confusion.
Before Lara could voice her questions, Freya’s gentle voice floated through the air, warm and tender. "Mira, co over here!" she called, her tone laced with affection that stung Lara’s heart. "You haven’t yet welcod Lara back. She’s returned ho." The fondness in Freya’s voice was like a dagger wrapped in silk. Lara’s heart tightened painfully.
A woman glided through the door, adorned in an exquisite gown reminiscent of a fairytale ballroom of modern tis. The fabric swirled around her like a cascade of shimring silk, catching the light with every graceful step.
For a brief mont, a flicker of coldness flashed in her deep brown eyes, but just as quickly, that shadow vanished as a radiant smile blossod on her lips, illuminating her face and transforming her expression into one of enchanting charm.
"Sister, welco back. I am sorry I wasn’t able to co earlier. Since our parents and brothers are here, I needed to stay to entertain the guests." She spoke gently, sounding pitiful, like she felt aggrieved because her family had neglected her.
The word sister hung heavy in the air, thick with unspoken questions. Lara’s eyes darted between the woman and her parents, searching for so thread of understanding. Freya’s gaze drifted to Odin, her expression pleading, desperate for him to speak.
Odin cleared his throat, the weight of what he was about to reveal pressing down on him. "Lara," he began, his voice low and deliberate. "We... we adopted your cousin Mira. Back then, when you were gone, your mother was inconsolable." His voice wavered slightly, and his eyes clouded with the mory. "She fell ill... for a long ti. Mira ca and stayed with her, nursed her back to health. After discussing it with your brothers, we decided to adopt her. It’s been a year now," he finished, his voice barely above a whisper. "She is... she is officially our daughter now."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Freya’s eyes shone with unshed tears, her hands clasped tightly before her. The Norse brothers stood off to the side, their expressions guarded, watching Lara with anxious eyes. Odin’s hand was clenched tight, his knuckles white. He hated explaining himself, but for Freya’s sake, he had done it.
Lara remained calm. Could she bla her newfound family for their actions?
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