CHAPTER 20: IMPORTANCE OF CHILDHOOD

The trip to the garden was long because of his small legs, but Aegon didn’t even feel like the journey was long. Elara and the others didn’t let him feel that way.

Even though they were kids, Aegon didn’t feel like it. They were like his new friends who kept talking and made him smile so much that his cheeks might actually start to hurt.

They were a bit awkward with each other since it was the first time they had met, but kids were kids. All of them quickly blended together, and before long, they were having fun together.

Aside from Elara and Aegon, there were the three prince and princesses of the Moonrise Kingdom, the children of King Bailish. Two of them were girls a little older than Elara, and the youngest prince was also around four years old.

Aegon was the youngest of them, so they treated him like that, patiently waiting for him to walk on his small legs while also making sure he didn’t step on anything wrong.

They were like elder siblings who were willing to spoil their little brother.

The elder sisters were twins named Calista and Lunara, though they called themselves Cali and Luna. The young prince was Xavier Randle, who seemed rather like a chatterbox even though he was just four.

"Oh! This flower is so beautiful!" Luna exclaimed as she stared at a blooming red flower. "What is this?"

"It’s called Dragonfly for some reason. Opa didn’t tell me why," Aegon explained. "You’re in luck as it only blooms once every six months. I’m also seeing it only for the second time."

"You really know a lot," Elara said, and then she pointed at a pinkish flower that was bigger than her face. "Then, what is this?"

Just like that, Aegon answered their questions and also played along when they wanted to change certain flower names.

All of them played around for an hour in the garden, but they were careful not to damage any flowers. Not because they were warned, but because they found them too beautiful to pluck away.

For the first time in both of his lives, Aegon felt like a kid, running around with his friends while laughing and arguing along the way. Their arguments were silly, and they forgot them soon after, laughing about it again.

’So, this is what being a kid feels like!’ Aegon smiled, as all of them crouched near a sprouting plant. ’I really missed out on a lot in my previous life. But I won’t let it slip away again. I’ll enjoy my childhood.’

All of a sudden, he smiled and said without even realizing, "I hope we can play like this often."

"You also feel that? Me too!" Luna’s wide smile was contagious, and all of them ended up laughing.

"Me too! I have lots of toys back at home. I can bring them here and we can play with them," Calista said in her bubbly voice.

"But Mom won’t let us come," Xavier spoke sadly.

"My mom says that people can use us to harm our parents and family because we are innocent," Elara explained like a wise sage, though Aegon certainly found her cute in that look. "That is why your mom probably doesn’t want you to play with outsiders."

The other kids nodded their heads in understanding as their eyes shone like stars towards Elara. They seemed to have taken her as their leader, and Aegon could see that even though Elara was embarrassed, she was trying her best not to show it on her face.

She even rubbed under her nose and said, "But we are different. She’ll let us play together because we come from the same circle. You can ask your mother later. Mine will definitely agree because Aunt Xiu and Mom are best friends."

"I’ll ask too!"

Aegon wondered if it was a good idea to teach children of their status about such things from such a young age. It would just create a mindset that they were superior to others, and that wasn’t good.

But he also understood their parents’ words. They had been raised in this world at a higher status, so they would know the dangers well.

’They are Xiu’s friends, so they definitely wouldn’t teach their kids like that. Besides, they are so innocent and sweet. Maybe I’m just overthinking because of the novels I’ve read.’

Even if they did develop a bad mindset, he hoped they would listen to him. Shaking his thoughts off, he said, "We’ll talk with our parents later on about this."

"That reminds me, where are your parents?" Xavier asked in confusion, which earned him a light knock on his head from his elder sisters.

"Xiu is my parent," Aegon replied without a change in expression.

"Isn’t she your aunt?" Xavier was still confused.

"Yes."

"Then, how come she’s your parent?"

"Because she’s my everything. She plays every role I need in my life," Aegon replied calmly.

Xavier was still confused, but his sisters stopped him from continuing his questions and changed the topic back to their conversation about flowers.

Aegon smiled at them and made a decision.

’Development can go to hell! I already missed my childhood last time. I won’t let it happen again. Until I awaken, my focus shall be enjoying my childhood.’

He would still sign in daily, but he decided to put the inventions plan aside for later. He decided to focus on his childhood as he was a child and have fun.

After all, in just one hour or so, he had so much fun that he couldn’t even describe it. It was a first for him to actually feel this way, since they were the first friends he had made in both lifetimes.

"Woah! A firefly! Let’s catch it!"

Then, the five of them ran behind a firefly with heartfelt, innocent smiles on their faces.

...

The banquet was in full boom as the guests mingled with each other and some even offered a toast to Arnold. Nobody tried to do that with Xiu because of her reputation.

She was standing alone on the sides when the shadow underneath her ear grew darker, and she smiled all of a sudden. She then sipped her wine and went towards Arnold, since Bailish, his family, and the Elves had taken their seats together.

When they turned towards her, she said in suppressed excitement, "My plan is successful!"