Chapter 79: Finding My Past
The grand ballroom was transformed into a dazzling display of luxury, the ornate chandeliers casting a soft, golden glow over the room. As the newly crowned King of Poland, King Leo stood tall at the entrance, his heart filled with pride and anticipation. Will he see his Portia tonight? Will she run away again, or will she come to him? What if she does not recognise him as her Fated Mate and his Queen?
In his tailored black suit, Leo felt a surge of confidence as he introduced his twin sister, Beatrice, to the jubilant crowd. Radiant in her blue gown, Bea held the arm of her fiancé, Prince Tanner of Norwegia, and a smile graced her lips. Next, he introduced his beautiful Mother, Bonnie. She looks more like the twins' sister than their mom. His handsome daddy, Brian. They could have been carved from the same mould as they looked identical. Next, he introduced the Triplets, Barabara, Bruce and Brandon. He called his grandparents. Princess Roseann and Duke Jacob. Finally, his dad, King Ferb, came forward. They made a handsome group of people while everyone cheered.
Leo's gaze wandered through the crowd, searching for a familiar face, and then he saw her. Portia, dressed in an elegant red gown, gracefully swayed across the dance floor, her laughter floating through the air. His heart pounded within his chest, and a current of electricity seemed to course through his veins. He knew she was his Fated Mate, his one true love, but Portia had yet to realise the depth of their connection. According to the legends, she needed to morph or shift into her Wolf form before the truth would be revealed.
Driven by an irresistible pull, Leo approached Portia and the knight she danced with. As he reached them, he extended his hand towards her, his voice barely a whisper. "May I have this dance?" Portia paused, her eyes locked with Leo's, and a hint of recognition flickered in her gaze. She hesitated, then cautiously reached out and touched his hand. A surge of electricity pulsed between them, their connection igniting with undeniable intensity. She quickly pulled her hand away, a look of confusion mingling with curiosity on her face. Leo, determined to seize this moment, took a step closer, gently grasping her hands in his own. With a confident smile, he led her to the centre of the ballroom.
As they danced, Leo felt a profound sense of belonging, as if he had finally found a missing piece of his soul. Portia's eyes, still locked with his, held a mixture of wonder and apprehension. He knew that she needed time to process the undeniable bond they shared. Everyone looking on knew she was the one for him. They could see the chemistry between them intensify.
The music swelled around them, the rhythm matching the rapid beat of Leo's heart. Whispers of love, destiny, and untold secrets filled the air, but the world shrank to just the two of them now. At this moment, Leo couldn't help but believe in a future where he and Portia could embrace their destiny together.
But the night was still young, and many obstacles and challenges lay ahead. Leo was determined to navigate them with strength, courage, and the unwavering support of his newfound family. As the dance ended, Leo reluctantly released Portia's hands, his eyes still locked with hers. He knew their journey was beginning, and truths were yet to be discovered. The crows cheered, and before he knew it, Portia evaporated.
The ballroom buzzed with excitement and joy, the celebration of Leo's coronation mingling with the anticipation of what lay ahead. With a deep breath, Leo prepared himself for the chapters yet to be written, ready to face the mysteries and challenges that awaited him. For now, he had glimpsed a future intertwined with Portia, his Fated Mate, and that was enough to fill his heart with hope and determination.
The invitation to visit New York with his newfound family sent waves of excitement through him. It was an opportunity to explore his roots, regain lost memories, and create new ones with those who shared his blood. Grandma Roseann, the best event planner in New York, planned a special family dinner at the iconic Rockefeller Centre, a place that held significance for their family.
The next destination to help him remember was in the Caribbean. As the family jet touched down in the Cayman Islands, Leo couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and anticipation. This beautiful paradise was meant to jog his memories, to bring back fragments of his past. Walking along the pristine white beaches, with the warm sand beneath his feet, he tried to recall moments from his childhood. It was as if the memories were just out of reach, teasing him from the depths of his mind. They spent the weekend on the islands. He recognised the blue giant iguanas on Little Cayman, but that was as much as he could remember.
Then, the next stop was returning to Edinburgh; this place had more significance than Tanner attending university. He met Nanna Azalea and Grand-Pop Douglas, two people who held cherished memories of his early years. With her warm smile and twinkling eyes, Nanna took him and his twin sister, Bea, on a bus trip to all the national sites. It was a journey through time, filled with stories and laughter.
One particular stop stood out among the rest - Edinburgh Castle. As he stood still within its ancient walls, memories began to surface, albeit faintly. This was where his fascination with sword fighting first took root, where he felt a connection to a forgotten part of himself. It was a small but significant memory, a glimpse of who he once was.
After their time in Scotland, they hopped back on his dad's private jet and flew back to New York. He was met with warm embraces from Uncle Nate, Uncle Callum, and the rest of my extended family there. Each hug, each interaction, sparked something within him. He had another flash of memory with Uncle Callum - Callum teaching him how to swim in the warm, clear Caribbean Sea. It was a moment of pure joy, a bonding experience that now had more significant meaning.
Throughout the trip, one person remained a constant source of comfort and love - his mom, Bonnie. There was an unspoken bond between them, a connection beyond blood. He found himself gravitating towards her whenever she was near him, hanging on to her presence. She was his Mommy, and he loved her with all my heart. That was precisely how it was when he was younger.
But as their time in New York drew to a close, he couldn't escape the bittersweet feeling that lingered. He knew returning to Poland would mean leaving his biological family again. It was a heart-wrenching decision, but he knew deep down that his place was with my siblings, my newfound family, but duty called, and he had to obey that call to become a king.
As their plane soared through the clouds, carrying his entourage back to Poland, he couldn't help but reflect on his journey. He had unearthed fragments of his past, reconnected with loved ones, and discovered a new sense of belonging. But there were still mysteries to unravel, challenges to face, and a kingdom to reign over.
The story was far from over, and he was ready to face whatever lay ahead, armed with the strength of his family and the memories that slowly but surely were finding their way back to him.
My Beloved Readers,
Leo's/Brady's family loved and missed him immensely, but they had to let him return to do his duty. What does that mean for Leo? Will he include romance in his new life as a King, or will his dad, King Ferb, choose a wife for him? Read on to find out.
Love always,
Your author.