The first one to arrive that evening was Samantha and Kate. The two among the group with the least shocking expression to meet Phoenix's family. Especially his father.
All of the Dragonheart family members welcomed the new arrivals with warm smile. The two girls were sweating hard. Not because it was hot. But, the presence of their hero, Simon Dragonheart made it hard for them not to be in awe. His presence alone mad them feel slightly suffocating.
"Princess Samanta, it's been quite a while since I last saw you. You were just a child then. Look at you now!" He tousled her hair after an incline of his head as a greeting."
Samantha simply looked at him beaming. Eyes filled with tear, unable to speak.
Kate, usually a chatty girl was unusually stuttering to find words. After failing to form a coherent sentence, she gave up on speaking and bowed down to Simon and his family.
"Ah, Lady Kate, it's nice to see you too. Your parents had send their wishes to you. Infact...." Simin took out two sealed envelopes and handed over one each to Samantha and Kate. "It's from your father's. I was able to meet them near your Kingdom a few weeks ago. After knowing my plan to Visit Phoenix here, both your father's requests me to handover these to you. They wish you all the very best for the next couple pf years."
" They had also send gold for your next year's expenses. I will hand it over to you after dinner."
Both girls, after reading the letter smiled but there was a longing in their eyes. Longing to meet their parents. Longing to go to their home.
"Don't feel low girls. You can come here whenever you feel like..." Martha waved here hand in a welcoming gesture to both of them.
At that time all the other group members started to enter the Inn one after the other.
Everyone of them were shocked to know that Phoenix was the son of the Nation's hero. Sir. Simon Dragonheart. They bowed deeply, stammered while addressing and sweat a lot. A lot.
"You jerk. Why did you hide the fact that you were aaaa..... A Dragonheart." Fred hissed at Phoenix's ear looking timidly at Simon and Wesley.
"You know the academy rules. No using your family name when you are inside the Academy. Beside have you told about your family background?" Phoenix asked back with a sly smile.
"No..... I didn't. Ah..... Forget it." Fred waved a dismissive hand.
"Hey why are you trying to escape it Fred? I also want to know your Family background!" Niki asked him with genuine curiosity.
Fred noticed that all of his group members were looking at him curiously.
"I... I am..... My Father is ..." Fred stammered. Fortunately, Simon came to his rescue.
"He is the son of Gavin Richards. The person incharge of the Richards Weapons Store."
After a long silence, A shouting started.
Victor, Henna, Nikki all were about to murder Fred when Phoenix stepped infront of them and calmed them down.
"This jerk came along with us when we went to Richards to buy our weapons. He didn't even helped us to get a discount. Not even a Copper worth of discount, Nic. Not even one copper coin." Victor was glaring while explaining.
Everyone else started to laugh. The loudest of them were Simon. "Unless I am mistaken, my friend may have threatened poor Fred to disown him if he discloses his Identity. Am I wrong my boy?"
"You are absolutely spot on my Friend. As always. Heck, I totally forgot how it feels like to be with friends." A tall middle aged man walked towards Simon and they hugged with a broad smile.
"Hello childern I am Gavin Richards, Fred's father. And yes I was the one who forbade him not to releave his Identity. Don't take it to hearts.
"Gavin, you look the same. Is that a few grey hairs on your temple?!" Martha looked amused and hugged him with warm smile.
"Ha ha ha..... Martha Dear, unlike me, you still look the same as when we were in the academy." Gavin smiled back.
He then bowed deeply to Wesley and his wife. "Hello uncle, aunt. How are you doing. It's been a while since we met." Gavin enquired.
"Gavin my boy. It's great to see you. It's great. How is that old rascal doing?"
"He is as sharp as ever uncle. Infact he will be here next week. What a timing!" Gavin grinned broadly.
"Mother, did you also studied at the academy?" Fiona asked in shock.
"Yes my dear child, she was the most beautiful girl in the academy at that time. And she was my House partner....." Before Gavin could say anything further, almost all the kids exclaimed in utter disbelief.
" I know, It would have been me, who would have wooed her down and marry her if not for this freak." Gavin jerked his thumb towards Simon who was grinning goofily.
Martha swatted his shoulder playfully. "Shut up You....." And a blush was visible on her cheeks.
"What?!!!! Am I wrong? I was such a gentleman. Well behaved, handsome, strong. Not as much as Simon of course. But I was a dashing and charming guy then." Gavin said with a distant expression and a small smile.
"Alas, I propsed her first and got rejected ruthlessly." Simon told with a sheepish grin
"Ha.... Mom rejected you?!" Phoenix asked incredulously.
"Not only that, she even used Gavin as a shied against me for the first six months. That almost made us mortal enemies. In the end, my persistence won. She accepted my love and we got married once my adventurers days were over."
"Didn't..... Didn't it made it awkward to both my Father's and your relationship?" Fred asked incredulously.
"It would have, if Martha didn't opened up about her feeling towards this jerk after her first rejection itself. She infact had fallen to Simon at first sight itself. Somehow she figured out that he was a Dragonheart which made her reject his proposal again and again due to his family status. Afraid of people thinking her as someone who goes behind the fame and riches "
"Begrudgingly I agreed to be her shield against Simon although I had a crush on her. And to my utter embarrassment, both Simon and Martha was aware of it."
"Luckily, after the first six months, I gained a great friend. A brother more than a friend infact and a sweet sister for life."
"It's so romantic..... How sweet....." All the girls were sighing with distant looks.