NOVGO.NET Chapter 1831: Families
Chapter 1831: Families
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Justicio’s mother giggled softly, touched by her husband’s earlier words, and gently patted his bald head with her large, tender hands. Her affection lingered as she watched their son walk farther and farther away.
His father groaned, insisting that he had said all he needed to say to “that brat,” though his expression betrayed him. As he watched Justicio disappear into the distance, a proud smile spread across his face. He was deeply happy to call the boy his son.
His wife teased him playfully, suggesting that he might find himself happy again soon. He turned to her, confused, demanding to know what she meant, until his eyes widened in sudden realization. She was rubbing her belly.
She hinted that Justicio might soon have a younger sibling.
His face lit up with surprise and concern. He stammered, wondering aloud what would happen if the baby turned out like him, his voice tinged with vulnerability.
“It doesn’t matter to me. It really doesn’t matter! Let’s have a big family together, dear! I don’t care about the village. I only care that I have you and our son… You know that I’m happy with you. I’ve always been, ever since the moment you defended me from those bullies who mocked me for being blind and stood up for me…!”
But she dismissed his worry with warmth and conviction. She wanted a big family, she said, and didn’t care what the village thought. All that mattered was having him and their son by her side. She had been happy with him ever since the day he defended her from the bullies who mocked her blindness.
“My dear wife…”
Justicio’s mother always kept her eyes closed, but when she opened them, she revealed they were gray. She moved so effortlessly that no one could guess she was born blind. Her magical aura helped her visualize the world in her mind, scanning her surroundings.
“Thank you… for loving someone like me,” he said.
“There’s nothing to be sad about! It might have been destiny,” his wife giggled, kissing him lovingly. “Shall we prepare lunch now? Oh, right, a nice dinner for our son when he returns as well!”
“Sure thing! I’ve got plenty of meat I hunted ready. It might be from weak monsters, but… that has never bothered us, right?” he laughed.
“Indeed!” his wife nodded.
Many would often claim that the world was unjust, and most of the time, they were not entirely wrong.
But that didn’t mean that was all there was to it. An unjust world called for people to work together to change it.
From the love between two people shunned by prejudice, an incredible young man was born, someone who fought a literal god and triumphed alongside his friends, now celebrated as a remarkable young hero.
The son of a blind mother and a father with dwarfism.
Born without their physical challenges, a “miracle child,” as some called him.
Justicio was now forging his own path, determined to show the world and the village even more of what he was capable of.
“Feeling better now?” Aquarina asked, patting his shoulders.
“A-Ah? Yeah…” Justicio nodded, having calmed down after walking for a while.
“That was nice of your parents to say, Justicio,” Pyuku said. “I wish I could’ve met mine… you’re lucky to have parents!”
“Is that so… I guess I am,” Justicio nodded. Despite their flaws, they were his parents, and as Pyuku said, some people never had the chance to meet theirs.
“Haha, I suppose that’s what we have in common, Pyuku,” Nepheline laughed. “I was an orphan too.”
“Hm…” Shade nodded. “But perhaps because of that, we’ve tried our best to be good parents for Aquarina. We’re… very happy that she was able to grow up with a normal family, or as normal as we can make it. That she enjoyed a childhood and… despite all the problems we’ve faced, that she has been happy.”
“Yeah, we’ve strived to give her everything we couldn’t have,” Nepheline nodded. “But maybe, I fear, we’ve made her a little too spoiled!”
“S-Spoiled?! I’m not spoiled!” Aquarina said, blushing slightly. “I’m really grounded! Right, Justicio?”
“Uuuhh, I mean, yeah, you’ve gotten better now…” Justicio nodded.
“Wait, only now?!” Aquarina asked angrily.
“I mean…” Justicio muttered. “Never mind.”
“J-Justicio, just say it! What were you going to say? Speak!”
“Nothing! Nothing! I’m sorry! Don’t shake meeeee!”
Aquarina kept teasing him, as her parents and Pyuku giggled, and even Undine let out a small chuckle while flying around them.
Like that, they made their way to Silvia’s home, where, just like Justicio, she was with her parents, who resembled her in their striking beauty.
Unlike most Everstonians, they were rather slender, less muscular than the rest. They specialized in running swiftly rather than relying on pure brute force.
Her mother had dark blonde hair, while her father had light brown hair. Both had golden eyes, gentle smiles, and a laid-back demeanor.
Their arms and chests bore white tattoos similar to those Silvia had.
“Aquarina! Justicio! You came! Hehehe! Last time you didn’t meet my parents, but here they are! This is my mom, and this is my dad!”
“Hello, nice to meet you! Silvia has told us so much about you two!”
“Indeed! The heroes? It’s an honor!”
Her laid-back parents greeted everyone with carefree smiles and warm greetings. They were truly “relaxed parents” who let their troublemaking daughter get away with almost anything because they loved her deeply and believed she couldn’t harm a fly.
“It’s good to meet you. Your daughter is an exceptional young warrior,” Nepheline said. “I don’t know if anyone has told you before, but she has a very strong and vibrant soul. I was wondering if this is part of your bloodline?”
“Her soul?” her mother wondered. “Ah… Well… Um, I suppose…?”
“Huh?” Aquarina looked at Silvia’s parents with a confused expression, as her friend ran to hug her.
“Aquarina! How are you? Ready for the trial?” Silvia asked.
“Ah, yeah!” Aquarina nodded. “And you?”
“Sure thing, I’m ready! We’ve been training nonstop with Khepri!” Silvia said.
“Indeed!” Khepri said. “Bring it on!”
“Well, I’m glad you’re so eager,” Aquarina giggled.
As she talked with her friends, she overheard her parents speaking with Silvia’s parents.
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