A dull, throbbing ache ran through Ethan's body, pulsing in time with his heartbeat.
Ethan's eyes fluttered open—his vision blurry at first. Something soft beneath him. The scent of herbs in the air. A ceiling of smooth stone above. Slowly his vision cleared.
[Morning princess.]
'Where—where am I? What happened?'
[The princess saved the knight. How ironic.]
A shadow moved near him. Small hands—too small to be Anna's—tugged at his sleeve.
"Uncle… okay?"
Ethan turned his head, blinking at the worried face of the little Cyph girl. Her glowing green eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
He stretched his hands wiping her tears, slowly sitting up. His ribs screamed in protest, and he fell back with a groan.
A soft voice, melodic yet firm, cut through his haze. "You shouldn't be moving. Your body's still recovering from the mana overload."
'Mana overload huh?'
Turning to face the speaker, his jaws sagged. Slender body with emerald hair dotted by rose petals rolling down her shoulders. Her bright green eyes swirling as she smiled.
"You should get some rest you were out for two days. Mona dear, give the man some space."
"But.. mama.. uncle.."
"He's fine now Mona, give him some time to rest okay."
Mona's eyes darted between her mother and Ethan, she hesitated—then bowed slightly before stepping back. "Uncle.. rest."
Ethan frowned. 'A bow? That's, odd. Looks like their mother has been tutoring them on royal etiquette.'
"Alright get some rest Ethan."
Hearing her call his name he snapped out of his daze, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Sorry for staring too long."
[Virgin alert.]
Meryn chuckled lightly, turning her attention back to the herbs on the motar. "It's alright, I get that quite alot."
As she ground the herbs, a faint green glow pulsed around the mortar. The scent of crushed leaves grew stronger, richer—almost intoxicating.
Sighing Ethan turned back his attention to the system screen before him.
[Mission Complete...]
[Rewards sent to inbox...]
Navigating to his inbox, he saw a sack containing the gold coins, a green glowing beaker and a gift box. Which he assumed was the random seeds.
Selecting it..
[Generating...]
[Congratulations...]
[Corn, wheat, rice, soybean, pumpkin, cucumber, watermelon, oats, beans, barley]
[Wishing you a successful harvest season.]
Ethan stared at the last message in surprise. 'Help! Someone hacked my system.'
"Alright, don't move. I'm about to apply this paste on you it should help with healing your external injuries."
Ethan turned around to see Meryn standing beside him. 'Well, she's short.'
Crouching, she dipped her fingers into the mixture, spreading the paste across his ribs.
Ethan hissed, his muscles tensing. "Shit—that stings."
Meryn smirked. "That means it's working."
"You sure it's not just slow torture?"
Meryn rolled her eyes. "Your talking too much, feels like torture to me. Aren't you supposed to be a man? Tough it out."
After a few more minutes of applying the paste she stood up. Her blue gown swaying softly, turning to Ethan her brows raised, she stood akimbo.
"You done gawking? If you are then close your mouth before a fly or something flies into it."
Ethan stuttered, "O—okay." Before closing his mouth and lying down.
___________________________
By evening Ethan woke up, his eyes gazing at Mona using him as a pillow. Chuckling he glanced around the room.
By the side her brother stared at them, his tiny arms supporting his cheeks. Noticing Ethan awake.
He stood up walked out tof the room, returning minutes later with his mom. His hand clutching her gown. "Human... awake."
Meryn walked towards Ethan, picking Mona up cuddling her. "She seems awfully drawn to you. So how do you feel now?"
Ethan accessed his body, "Hmm much better."
Patting Mona on the back gently, Meryn smiled. "Told you, if it's stings it works."
Ethan grinned slowly standing up. Noticing Meryn gawking at him, he frowned. "What?"
Following her gaze down, he stared at his ripped abs, each standing out like a soldier in formation.
Gazing up he caught Meryn gulping. "Beautiful aren't they." Meryn nodded subconsciously.
Recalling her action, her face flushed. Mona's brother glared at Ethan. "Human... stop... bully... mama."
Raising his hands in surrendered Ethan smiled. "Sorry little guy."
Just as he was done talking the triplets walked in. James approached him. "How you feeling Chief?"
Ethan flexed his arms, groaning lightly. "Like a fish out of water, but I'm recovering I should be travel ready by tomorrow."
Jared cut in. "Good to hear Chief. Our rations are running low already."
Ethan turned to Meryn and her kids. "I forgot what exactly happened to you guys."
"It's complicated and long to begin explaining it maybe some other time if fate wills it and we meet again."
Titling his head Ethan stared at her, "Yeah your princely brother trying to assassinate you is complicated. Why don't you come live with us at Cross village."
James butted in, "Wait she's a princess? And I kept trying to flirt with her all day long."
Jordan snorted. "That's why she ignored you."
"Don't mind their bickering, what do you say? I'm more than happy to have you and your kids."
Meryn blinked, startled by the conviction in his voice.
"You would help us... even after all you've been through?"
He glanced at Mona, resting on Meryn,'s shoulder, then at Miro, glaring at him like he'd tear out Ethan's throat if he so much as blinked wrong.
Then he smiled faintly.
"I'm an Uncle now. Family looks out for each other right"
Meryn's lips parted slightly, surprise flickering in her eyes before she quickly masked it.
James leaned closer to Jared, whispering, "I give it two days before he tries to marry the plant lady."
Ethan turned slowly, eyes narrowing. "I will throw you into a pit trap."
Meryn chuckled softly, hiding her smile behind her hand.
[Plant Daddy strikes again.]
Ethan clenched his fists. 'I am not Plant Daddy.'
Meryn glanced at her kids, heaving a sigh, she nodded. "Fine, I'll come stay at your village."
Ethan clapped his hands. "Then it's settled, go prepare the horse you three."
James grumbled, "Wow Chief throwing us out the moment you see a beautiful lady."
Ethan's lips twitched, picking up his top. He waved it at them. "Go on, shoo." Before putting it back in, a hint of disappointment flashing in Meryn's eyes briefly.
___________________________
Ethan sat by the cave entrance, staring at the night sky. The leaves on the small lush forest surrounding the cave rustling softly.
[Batman broods again.]
'Batman? How do you know him.'
[I'm soul-bonded idiot. I know everything you know and have ever done.]
[Every...thing.]
Meryn approached, holding a small clay bowl filled with a green glowing liquid.
"Herbal tonic," she said, offering it. "For your internal injuries."
Ethan eyed the bowl suspiciously. "It's not going to make me sprout leaves, is it?"
Meryn's lips twitched. "Only if you drink too much."
He took the bowl, sipping cautiously. The liquid was bitter, but warmth spread through his chest almost instantly.
They sat in silence for a while, watching the moonlit forest.
Meryn broke the silence. "Why did you help us?"
Ethan didn't answer right away. Instead, he set the bowl down, gazing at the moon.
"Because... someone once gave me a second chance."
Meryn tilted her head. "Who?"
Ethan's smiled faintly staring at the clouds. "I haven't figured that part out yet." Peering back at the twins and triplets sitting around a campfire he smiled. 'This feels good.'