A week had passed since the fall of Ravenholt.
The fires were gone, replaced by the steady rhythm of rebuilding.
Levi tightened his grip on the rope, pulling alongside a group of soldiers as they lifted a broken beam from the rubble.
Sweat ran down his back, breathing heavy.
Around him, no one spoke of the battle anymore. Only the work remained.
a soldier spoke out "You don't have to do that, sir."
Levi shook his head. "I want to help, after all I caused some of the rubbles here." he smiled at the soldier, determined to still help fix the rubble regardless of his Title as a Prince.
"Levi."
He looked up at the voice.
A royal knight stood at the edge of the courtyard, his armor clean untouched by the dust and labor around him.
Around Levi, the steady sounds of rebuilding continued, though a few soldiers had begun to slow, watching.
"His Majesty has summoned you" the knight said.
Levi brushed the dust from his hands, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Now?"
The knight gave a short nod.
"There are matters to discuss. Concerning Ravenholt."
Levi paused at that.
His gaze drifted briefly across the ruined courtyard the broken stone, the men working,
"…I see. wait for me here then"
Without another word, he stepped away from the rubble. Levi heads back to the Tent
after a few minutes he arrives and enters the tent
Altharion notices him "where you heading?"
Levi looks over "the King has summoned me" picking up his armor and wearing it
Altharion Sighs "already? are we asked to head there aswell besides you?"
Levi shrugs "Nope just me" he wears his helmet
Valerie walks in the tent "Oh where are you headed?"
Altharion answered "Back to Ashford, the King has summoned him"
Valerie moves aside the tents entrance / exit "get going then"
Levi heading off towards before looking back "thank you both" he then leaves he went back to where the Royal Knight was waiting
The royal knight steps aside to show the Carriage he's gonna go to Ashford in.
Levi seeing the Carriage suprised "Too flashy, and would take too long"
The royal knight shocked by the Prince's reply
"But sir, the King prepared this to-"
Levi cuts him off "I said what i said, too long too flashy" he rides his horse he rode to battle
Levi rides off to the direction of Ashford
Ravenholt was a day's journey from Ashford by carriage.
By nightfall, he was already halfway there.
Levi looks over at the Setting sun while Riding fast "its getting dark isn't it" patting the horse "lets get there quickly"
3 more hours went by and he arrived at the gates of Ashford he takes off his helmet
the guard notices who he is and bows "we greet the Prince" the gate opens allowing Levi to enter, he enters inside Ashford slowly, looking around seeing the festivity of the people, he looked up and sees the bunting (the triangle multicolored hanged during celebrations or event) he smiles thinking to himself "I am glad the peace here wasnt destroyed"
The citizens one by one looks at him and one breaks the silence and yells "It's Levi Ashbourne!" The people start cheering and offering him food and beer, asking him to join
Levi pushed the offering gently aside, bowing his head in thanks. "I must refuse, as much as I want to eat actual food, theres something i need to attend to first"
Then a Kid yells out "Then i-if You've finished your b-business can you join?"
Levi chuckles and smiles at the kid "I'll try"
The citizens makes way while cheering and screaming the name "Levi Ashbourne" alongside calling him a Hero
Levi smiles as he rides his horse towards the castle
Levi arrives at the castle gates and enters it, heading towards the throne room
Levi opens the door to the throne room, he kneels on one foot and bows "I greet your Highness"
King Maverick seeing he arrived earlier than he expected "enough with the formalities son, You're strong stand proud, I am proud you had the courage to even head to battlefield, fighting alongside soldiers, some kids of other nobles wouldnt dare" he chuckles "And im even more proud you defeated Corvin Noctis"
Levi smiles and raises his head and stands again "thank you father, i tried my best, even I didn't expect to defeat King Corvin, I only tried to hold him back till General arrived but, i manage to land a lucky attack"
King Maverick chuckles even more "you're too humble son, you deserve a reward"
Levi waves his hand in a no, no, no, manner
"There's no need to go to that extent father, I am pleased enough with receiving praise from you"
King Maverick Smirks "I'll still hand it to you, son, since I love you so so so much" smiles wider "So the reward is, you will handle Ravenholts workload for me, ill give money to Ravenholt think of it as the monthly budget"
Levi smiles fade off and a blank and empty look, a face hoping what he just heard is bullshit "Father, Is that to avoid extra work, and an excuse of being laziness"
King Maverick caught in the act "Precisely- i mean" he coughs in his hand "You're the heir of Ashbourne, the second in line to this kingdom, it wouldnt be bad to have extra experience when i hand this kingdom over to you, you must learn to handle one, before you handle two"
Levi seeing he makes a good point "Fine, I'll handle Ravenholt in your stead"
King Maverick smiles wide and jumping in excitement seeing that his work will not be doubled "there we go" he puts his hand over Levi and chuckles "head back to Ravenholt tomorrow morning, and visit your Mom first"
The throne room door open, and infront of it stood his Mother
King Maverick goes towards Aurelia with open arms wide "My wifeeeeee" he then gets pushed aside
Aurelia Ashbourne hugs Levi while having tears of happiness "Im so proud of you, you defeated that bastar- i mean Corvin, either way you're growing so fast" patting his head
"it felt like yesterday when you were still in my arms as an infant"
Levi smiling "Thank you, mom"
King Maverick join in and pulls the two into a tight hug while laughing loudly
the throne room is filled with laughter and Levi telling the story of what happened during and what he was up to. showing even a royal family, is still a family at the end of the day