41. Kisano

Chapter 41

Kisano

V anra and Fersen's arrival was a welcome surprise for Kisano, but he was stunned by Jaega's presence as the three entered the library. He bowed his head respectfully. "Greetings, Uncle Jaega."

"Are you well, Kisano? It has been some time since I last saw you." Jaega was usually busy with the army, so he rarely visited. While he was a fierce warrior, Kisano didn't have the same fear of him as he did his own father.

"Better than ever, actually." A blush graced Kisano's cheeks. "I have your mate and Vanra to thank for that. I have never had the pleasure of friends before."

"I am glad you found kindred spirits in them both." Jaega gave Kisano a fond squeeze on the shoulder. "I entrust them both to you while I return to the barracks."

"Entrust?" It was an odd choice of words.

"We had a run-in with Mitsuki at the training hall," Vanra said with a frown.

The mere mention of his oldest brother's name was enough to strike fear into Kisano's heart. "I understand. You will be safe here. Kizoshi made sure of that."

"And I love her for it and so much more," Jaega said with pride. He gave his mate a tender kiss on the forehead. It made Kisano ache with jealousy that he would never have that kind of relationship. "I will come for you as soon as I finish."

"Don't rush back. I'm happy here with my friends," Fersen said.

It still seemed surreal that Kisano had gone from only having his younger brother and sister for company to having two unrelated friends. After centuries of solitude, it had been a pleasant change of pace.

Once Jaega left, Kisano led them over to a sitting area with comfortable chairs to lounge on. A servant appeared to serve them drinks.

"Thank you. I'm so parched after practice," Vanra said as he accepted a goblet. He took a big drink before coughing. "Oh, I thought that was water, not wine."

"After surviving Mitsuki's wrath, we deserve it." Fersen accepted a drink and held it up in cheers as Kisano and Vanra did the same. "Here's to true friends."

"I'll gladly drink to that." Vanra laughed before they all took a sip. "Is it bad I keep hoping Kizoshi will show up and make Mitsuki leave me alone? She seems to be the only one capable of stopping him from doing anything."

"You are not wrong," Kisano said as he traced the intricate design on the lip of the goblet. "Because she is Father's favorite, she acts without fear of any real consequences."

"He really has a favorite child?" Fersen asked in shock.

Vanra shook his head. "I don't know whether I'm more surprised at that or the fact that his favorite is his daughter and not a son."

"Make no mistake. Kizoshi may be a woman, but there is not a man in the Living Realm who could stand a chance at defeating her. She can best even Uncle Jaega and Father. She is by far the best warrior out of all Father's children."

"I'd expect nothing less of a child made from a warlord and the War Power," Vanra said. "I hope she doesn't hate me. I can't deal with two people that deadly hating me."

"I do not see how she could. Kitaro and I are both fond of you, and you dislike Mitsuki. That is reason enough for her to be on your side. "

"That's a good thing because I've heard some things she's done to Mitsuki, and I'm terrified of ever pissing her off, even though I haven't met her yet."

Kisano took a sip of his Alsarian wine. "You have done nothing to earn her wrath. She will not be your enemy."

"Kizoshi was kind to me when I met her." Fersen's smile turned into a grin. "I also saw her throw Mitsuki through a wall to the outside when we were ten stories up because he disrespected me."

Vanra's jaw dropped. "Seriously?"

"I couldn't believe she did it in front of King Tatsuki, and his only reaction was to laugh and praise her."

"As I said, she is the favorite. She can do no wrong in his eyes," Kisano said.

Vanra's expression turned sympathetic. "Doesn't that bother you?"

Kisano shook his head. "Not in the least. Why would it?"

"Because parents aren't supposed to play favorites. My mother loved me and my brother equally. There was never any favoritism."

"Father is different. Kizoshi is his favorite, and Kitaro is a close second. Mitsuki is a distant third, and I am not even up for consideration."

"Which makes me so mad!" Vanra made a frustrated noise. "How does he not value you and your brilliant mind? You could do so much for him if only he'd let you. You're a million times smarter than Mitsuki."

Kisano blushed from the unaccustomed praise. "That is kind of you to say, but I understand why Father has no use for me."

"No, Vanra is right. Your father is being foolish if he cannot see all the wonderful things you could offer your family. Not everyone has to be a warrior to be worthy."

"You do in Father's eyes." It was something Kisano had come to terms with long ago.

"Well, not in mine." There was a stubborn set in Vanra's jaw. "I think you're amazing. Hopefully, one day Father sees it, too. If not, I'll make it my personal mission to change his mind."

Vanra's fierce loyalty to Kisano touched him deeply. "I thank you for that kindness, but it is unnecessary."

"You're worth it," Vanra insisted.

"I am happiest here in my library, away from all the fighting and warfare," Kisano insisted. "It is not a bad thing that Father hates me. I honestly prefer it at this point."

Vanra was silent for a moment as he tapped the rim of his goblet. "If he truly hated you, he would never let you have a library of this size, right? That means he has to care at least a little."

Kisano blinked in surprise. "I had not considered that. But it is true Father has never questioned my spending habits on expanding the library or my use of the Enchanters to make it bigger."

"Wait, you guys can do that?" Vanra asked Fersen. "Just enchant the library with magic to be bigger and have more shelves?"

"I personally have no idea how to do that, but it doesn't surprise me there are Enchanters who can do such an incredible thing," Fersen replied.

"It is an awe-inspiring thing to witness," Kisano added. He didn't understand why Vanra suddenly seemed so sad.

Vanra looked around with a wistful expression. "My brother would lose his mind at finding out there's an ever-expanding library of infinite books. This would be his very own Divine Realm. I really hope he gets to see this someday."

"He would be welcome here," Kisano told him. From everything he had heard of Vanra's younger brother, he was sure to be just as sweet and kind. It would be nice to have another friend who wasn't a relative.