Chapter Text
The war was finally over.
These five words echoed in Laslow's brain as he paced Xander's chambers. Nohr and Hoshido forged a treaty to ensure lasting peace--even going as far as having Princess Camilla marry High Prince Ryoma to permanently seal the deal. A bit excessive in Laslow's opinion, but she seemed to enjoy Ryoma's company. He wondered what would have happened if he and Camilla didn't break up. Would Princess Elise have had to marry Prince Takumi? Perhaps Kamui would have gotten involved--
"Laslow, do you need something from me?"
Laslow startled, digging his nails into his palm until they bled. "My apologies, milord. I do need your permission for something."
"Please present it then. Don't be idle, Laslow." Xander commented as he made his way to his desk. He flipped through stacks of papers and hummed lightly. "Has Charlotte received her payment yet?"
"No, milord. I was going to give it to her when I leave tomorrow."
Xander glanced up with a slightly deeper frown than Laslow was used to. "...you're returning to your home, aren't you?"
The younger man nodded solemnly, clearing his throat to prepare for his speech. "I am. It's been three years since I've left and I have business to attend to. I'm handing in my resignation and plan to leave tomorrow morning unless you need me for any last minute assignments."
"Not anything Peri can't handle...although I have a request for you." Xander's eyes softened the moment he made eye contact with Laslow. "Will you honor me with your real name?"
Laslow shuffled his feet against the red rug on the floor. There was no reason not to, so why did he feel like he was about to change his life?
"It's Inigo, milord."
Laslow's heart froze the second he spotted Xander's jaw clench. He'd seen it enough times to recognize it as his way of swallowing surprise. He had no idea what surprised Xander about the name except the fact that it sounds nothing like Laslow. Maybe it was the name of one of his former retainers? If only Xander would break the silent tension!
"Do you hail from Ylisse, Inigo?"
Now something was up.
"Yes, milord."
Xander gulped down the lump in his throat. "Forgive me for prying, but is your mother's name Olivia? Pink hair, extremely shy, is a wonderful dancer?"
Laslow's lungs couldn't retain air as he stared at his lord in disbelief. His eyes were wider than the plates Camilla used for her tea parties. He cracked all his knuckles in unison as he nodded. "That is her name, milord."
The crown prince crept towards Laslow, his fingers inches away from his chin as he gazed deep into his eyes. "All this time...I would have never guessed...it makes sense now. Your strength and courage, your gracefulness and agility--Dusk Dragon, I can't believe it!" Xander threw his hands up in surrender before regaining his composure. "Your name is Inigo! You are Olivia's son! You are my son!!!"
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Laslow's entire worldview spun circles around him as Xander led him to a chair. The word 'son' associated with Xander was strange, but especially when it involved him. He was the son of Crown Prince Xander...
"I'm sure you have many questions, Inigo. Please feel free to ask as many as you would like." Xander's voice snapped him out of his contemplations. He must have been a little frazzled because Xander gestured for him to settle down. Laslow couldn't help but scan his face for any resemblance. It didn't make any sense to him. He looked nothing like Xander at all. The only similar feature they shared was blond hair, but even that was loose. "I also have questions for you, but I can wait until you finish."
"All right F-F-Fath--" Laslow couldn't bring himself to finish the name. Xander didn't seem to care, so he pivoted. "Milord." He sunk into his seat with his head in his hands, racking his brain for any memories of his father. All he knew was that his father disappeared when he was two years old. Olivia rarely mentioned him ever since then, merely referring to him as a noble man with a bright future. But what kind of man abandons his partner and his child? "How did you meet my mother?"
Xander's eyes sparkled with love as he glanced up at the ceiling. A smile played on his lips as he ran his fingers down his wrist. "We met during an Outrealm fight. Our army had been whisked into a kingdom called Ylisse, far away from Nohr with no chance of returning home. I saw her on the edge of the battlefield supporting our troops with the most beautiful dance I had ever seen. Heh, she was terrified of me for the first week or so. It was only when I invited her to train with me in exchange for teaching me to dance that she warmed up to me. I was a horrible student compared to her, but I still remember all the lessons she gave me."
"Apparently she also taught you another kind of dance since I exist," Laslow stated with a smirk.
"That's enough about that though. We remained in Ylisse for six months. I had no idea she fell pregnant otherwise I wouldn't have returned to Nohr."
Laslow knew that Xander was being sincere, but it did hurt him to realize Olivia longed for a man who couldn't return. His silence prompted Xander to add, "I understand if you're mad at me--"
"I'm not mad, Lord Xander. I'm just...processing, I guess. I spent my whole life wondering who my father is only to find out I spent three years at his side. Now I can't even bring myself to call you the name children call their male parent." Laslow suddenly rose from his chair. "Oh my Naga."
"What?" Xander asked with a hint of worry lining his voice.
"I nearly married my aunt." Laslow stated before realizing his mistake.
Xander got up from his chair, leaning across the desk with a glint in his eye. "WHAT."
Laslow cracked a smile, backing up towards the door so he could bolt at the first opportunity. "Forget I mentioned it--"
"Which sister?!" Xander cried as he approached his son. "Dusk Dragon help you if you're about to say Elise--"
"It wasn't Elise, I swear! I'm not into that--!"
"Which sister, Inigo?!"
Laslow swallowed hard, the memory of the break-up stinging his brain like a thorn. "It was Camilla."
Xander gaped until his jaw physically couldn't close. Rendered speechless, he and Laslow shared an awkward stare. "...how did you survive that...?" It then suddenly hit Xander harder than the time he fell off a wyvern during training. "Hold on, are you telling me that you nearly married Camilla?! You were the bastard who broke her heart--?!?!?!"
Sighing deeply enough to empty his lungs, Laslow raised his hands up above his head. "Correction, she broke my heart. I was fully prepared to marry her, but no, Kamui couldn't be without her and she needed to stay with her. Now she's marrying Crown Prince of Hoshido and leaving Kamui behind in Valla--"
A small shake on his shoulder brought Laslow back from his rambling only to stare into Xander's void eyes. "That's it. We're calling an emergency family meeting."
"For this? Why?"
"Clearly we all need to catch up. Come along, son."
Xander grabbed Laslow by the arm, guiding him down the hallway before dumping him on the couch. "Stay there. I'm calling the rest of the family right now."
"Right now?!"
"Right now!"
To Be Continued