A New Dawn
A new dawn swept the sky with a soft orange hue as Exafanos decided to go fishing in a small river not far from his old hut. The river was hidden behind the dense forest and had always been a peaceful place for Exafanos to clear his mind. He brought a simple fishing rod he had crafted from bamboo and an old metal bucket to hold whatever fish he caught.
Upon arriving at the riverbank, Exafanos sat on a moss-covered rock, gazing at the calm water. He baited the hook of his rod and cast it gently into the center of the river with a serene motion. No grand energy, no aura of power—just a simple man fishing in the morning.
Minutes passed, and the rod began to twitch. He pulled it slowly, and a large fish broke through the water's surface, thrashing its tail fiercely. In no time, Exafanos had caught several big fish. Deciding it was enough, he returned to his hut, a faint smile on his face as he carried his catch.
At home, he cleaned the fish on a flat stone in the backyard. He prepared seasoning from wild herbs that grew in the forest, mixing them with salt and a bit of oil, then rubbed the mixture onto the cleaned fish. Soon, a delicious aroma filled the air as the fish grilled over a fire.
Exafanos sat in an old wooden chair, slowly savoring his grilled fish. His gaze swept across the beauty of the forest, filled with morning sunlight, dew still clinging to the leaves, and the calming sounds of nature providing a soothing soundtrack.
Time passed, and the tranquility was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of two familiar guests—Alice and Alexa. The two women walked calmly toward Exafanos' hut, dressed in simple yet elegant clothes. They smiled warmly upon seeing Exafanos enjoying his lunch.
"We're not disturbing you, are we?" Alice asked as she sat on a wooden bench beside Exafanos.
"Not at all," Exafanos replied calmly. He quickly served them some tea.
They chatted lightly, discussing simple matters until Alice handed Exafanos a wedding invitation.
"Alexa is marrying Xeon Leon, the prince of the Leon Kingdom. This is a VIP invitation for you," Alice said, handing him a shimmering card adorned with the royal insignia.
Exafanos accepted the invitation and nodded quietly. A few days later, the wedding day arrived. Exafanos came wearing modest attire: a worn robe made of old linen, shoes made from deer leather, and untamed hair. He stood before the grand gates of the Leonhart royal palace, where the wedding would be held.
The gate guards looked at him with suspicion. "You can't enter dressed like that."
However, Exafanos pulled out his VIP invitation. Instantly, the guards' expressions changed. They bowed deeply and immediately escorted Exafanos to the main wedding hall.
The hall was magnificent, adorned in Western-style decor with grand mirrors, hanging crystals, and a long red carpet. The guests wore formal attire, glittering jewelry, and neatly styled hair. As Exafanos entered, many eyes turned to him with curious, even scornful, looks.
Soon, Alice arrived and personally welcomed him. She even held Exafanos' hand and led him to a special seat among the family of Duke Abigail. The guests were stunned—how could a man who looked like an old farmer be seated with the highest noble family?
Whispers filled the air, but no one dared to question it. Everyone knew that if Alice or Duke Abigail acknowledged someone, they were not ordinary.
The celebration began. Delicious dishes were served across the hall: roasted meats, layered cream cakes, fresh fruits from all over the continent. Exafanos calmly enjoyed a few slices of cake, unfazed by the lingering stares.
The wedding ceremony finally commenced. Alexa looked stunning in a grand white gown adorned with diamonds, while Xeon Leon stood proudly in his royal uniform. They stood at the flower-covered altar, in front of nobles and important figures from various kingdoms.
The proceedings were solemn. As the royal priest recited the vows, the hall fell silent, only the gentle voice from the altar echoing. Exafanos sat quietly, watching the ceremony with a neutral expression.
Once the official ceremony ended, the guests stood and gave their congratulations. Then the event continued with entertainment: traditional dances by the royal maidens, violin performances, and magical light shows by court mages.
A romantic atmosphere settled in the air. Many couples began dancing on the white marble floor as soft music played. But Exafanos remained seated, calmly eating fruit and observing everything without emotion.
As the party neared its end, Duke Albert Abigail approached Exafanos personally. He shook Exafanos' hand respectfully and spoke with deep gratitude.
"If it weren't for you saving our children from pirates in the past, we might never have seen this day," he said sincerely. He handed Exafanos a small golden box containing precious items and a handwritten letter of thanks.
Exafanos accepted it wordlessly. Then, he bid farewell to Alice and Alexa, walking out of the palace with unhurried steps.
That night, the moon hung calmly in the sky. Exafanos returned to his old hut in the forest, opened the creaky wooden door, and sat once more in his wooden chair.
He brewed some tea and returned to enjoying the peace of the night, as if the outside world had never touched him.
No praise, no applause.
Only Exafanos and the silent universe—just like always.
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To be continued...