Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

"Mm..." Alex stretched his arms as he woke up from his slumber.

His new daily routine doesn't allow Alex to take a nap after sunrise; however, because constant traveling, first from the beast realm to Chainedvale, then to the Capital, just wore him out.

As he has said a few times before, fighting for a day-long is much easier than traveling lazily for days.

Moving his head from side to side, he looked around the room and found he was sleeping in a guest room.

Celestria invited him to her room, but Ryan was around at that time, so he showed modesty and chose to stay in this room.

It might be a simple room in the eyes of other members of the royal family, but in Alex's eyes, this room was also quite grand.

"Woke up?" A familiar voice reached him before Alex hummed and turned towards the door.

Celestria stepped inside while holding a tray, a cup, and a glass on top of it.

"What about others?" Alex asked as he took the glass of slightly warm water first and provided his dry throat some much-needed moisture.

Celestria informed him, "Rebecca and Natasha have gone out to hunt ..or so they said. Sarah is still sleeping with Alice." Celestria didn't ask where the two Vampires were going since they seemed quite bored in the morning. And since nothing was interesting to do at the palace, Celestria rather encouraged them to look around a bit.

"Is your father home?" Alex asked, thinking of meeting him in the evening.

"He has gone to meet the Duke and possibly will return by afternoon."

Alex nodded, as he picked up the other cup of green tea.

Just half a teaspoon of honey, a few droplets of lemon, and the right amount of fresh tea leaves.

"Haah~So relaxing." Alex heaved a sigh of relief as his shoulder lost their strength.

Celestria smiled—glad that he liked it.

She climbed the bed and knelt behind him before her fingers wrapped on his collar, and slowly, she started massaging him.

Even more relaxation. He was in heaven.

Celestria softly whispered, "Thank you, Alex...for us, you are tiring yourself out so much. You even made some time from your training."

Alex didn't open his eyes but just held her hand over his shoulder and spoke in a delicate tone, "Whatever I do is to make you all happy. And it's not like I am not enjoying some peaceful time."

Training was important, yes. But pushing himself to the point where his mind always remains surrounded by blood and battle would be self-harming.

That's why, more than a wish fulfillment, this trip was a necessity.

A few moments passed before Celestria called out, "Alex...I heard from brother...it seems they have merged Frostbane with the other two clans."

Alex frowned as he opened his eyes and hummed in questioning.

Celestria continued, "After Frostbane's ruler was executed the clan was without any Patriarch. Many ministers left the clan and some betrayed them. In the end, the other two clans, especially Swortine, forced the judgment to merge Frostbane with the other two clans."

Not so long ago, Frostbane held complete dominance in the North. The other two clans couldn't put up a challenge even if they teamed up.

And all of a sudden, when the Patriarch fell, his own son slaughtered him, the clan scattered, and those who had been waiting to devour Frostbane showed up instantly and swallowed the clan completely.

Alex heaved a sigh as he held her hand and brought her forward.

Making her sit on his lap, he rested his head on her bosom and hugged her waist.

Celestria softly ran her fingers through his hair as she heard him saying, "I don't care about those people. The only person who was a bridge between me and Frostbane is at a better place now. So don't sound gloomy since I can never be sad about their downfall."

Alex loved his mother.

Hated his father.

Both of them have left this world.

So he doesn't care about the clan anymore.

°°°°°°°°°

By afternoon, Sarah woke up and so did Alice. Natasha and Rebecca haven't returned yet that's why Alice was with Sarah as they gathered at the dining table.

The head seat was currently occupied by the man who held the highest authority in Grimland.

The King.

"It has been a while. Thank you for bringing my daughter back." Adolf joked, much to Celestria's embarrassment, as she glared at him.

Adolf chuckled, and Alex also flashed a soft smile as he said, "We decided that a vacation is much needed."

"Indeed. I have heard that you all have been training rigorously for the past few weeks. Hard work will only bring you victory if you can maintain a proper form at the starting line."

Alex nodded in understanding as he picked up the spoon and scooped some soup.

It was delicious

The King turned towards the Saintess before asking, "I hope you are having a comfortable time here, Your Holiness."

"Yes, I had a great rest," Sarah responded with a soft nod.

She wasn't wearing a veil which has created a difficult situation for the maids and butlers. They could barely keep their eyes away from the Saintess.

Alex was thinking about how he should initiate the conversation and declare his relationship with Celestria to her father, when suddenly,

"Alex, I want you and Cela to get engaged. If possible, tomorrow." Adolf suddenly voiced something completely out of the blue

Everyone at the table, except for Ryan—who was already aware of it—paused at once.

Celestria looked at her father with her eyes widened, but Adolf kept looking at Alex and said, "I am aware that I might be pushing things on you...but things have changed, Alex. We don't know if we will survive to see a new year."

His following words brought him back to his senses as Alex realized the reason for the sudden suggestion.

He wasn't sure if their world would survive. That's why he wanted to see his daughter getting engaged.

Alex didn't make him wait for long, "If that's what you want, then I have no problem."

Celestria's expression brightened upon hearing his response.

Sarah, who was just beside her, patted her thigh with a soft smile on her face.

There was not much to talk about so they returned to their rooms not so long after.

.....

Alex returned to his room and went to take a bath. It was hot today and he hasn't bathed ever since he left the campsite.

As he stripped off his clothes he thought about Adolf and his insecurities.

He wanted his daughter to be in safe hands before the world's possible end.

Then ...surely, Rebecca and Sarah's father also must be having the same thought.

Sarah's father was even against their relationship the first time they met. He believed that Sarah was making a rash decision and that she must think this through.

He believed Sarah and Alex had met recently and the Saintess took an impulsive decision....but that wasn't the case at all.

'Should I just ..'

[Alex.]

The Curse called out suddenly, breaking his daze.

His voice sounded hurried.

"Yeah?"

[I have sensed several immortal beings entering the lower lands.]

Alex's eyes widened, "The deities?!"

[No, they are their servants. However, they are quite strong.]

Alex clenched his fist as he asked, 'You said they can't enter this world because of some rules?'

[Yes, but it seems someone found a loophole—a Gate created hundreds of years ago, and that was utilized to send them here.]

Alex took a deep breath and calmed himself down first. There was no point in panicking here.

After a bit of pause, he asked, "How many of them?"

[There are three I have sensed and they all are going to attack you anytime soon.]

Another question, "How strong are they?"

[Possibly stronger than the beast who attacked your friends during the tournament.]

Alex hasn't forgotten about that feral beast who was inches away from killing his friends. At that time, Alex lost control over his emotions, and his body was ruled by the Curse.

However, things have changed. Not only are there stronger foes, Alex can no longer ask the Curse to take care of things because of his Soul.

Then the only thing remains—he has to take care of them, one by one.

[They are searching for you...but unless you don't use my powers, they won't reach you.]

"Hmm, got it. I will inform others and—"

Alex paused as suddenly a certain blond Princess stepped inside the bathroom—with only a bath towel covering her front.

"—let's talk later. I have something better to deal with." Alex got out of the bathing pool and approached his lover.

[...]

There are hundreds of dangers Alex needs to deal with but he can't let a beautiful lady wait for him~

°°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Speeding up the plot a little. Thank you for being a part of this journey until now.