(Michael's POV)
After the tension.
The house returns to a celebrating mood.
As the dining table was absolutely covered in food. It's so much food that it was almost ridiculous.
Mom and Charlotte had already prepared a feast from roasted meats, casseroles, salads, breads, desserts of different varieties and from different countries.
But then Grandma Vivienne and Nonna arrived and brought her own dishes.
Homemade French, Italian and English delicacies, additional pastries, roasted vegetables,and a whole glazed ham.
Nonna meanwhile brought a whole tiramisu.
The table was literally overflowing.
We could have feed an army, and it would give a 500% morale boost for any soldiers eating it due to most military food is horrible to ok at best.
While they do get good things like steak and lobster on occasion but that's because it's either they're going to war or their deployment being extended or it's because of them celebrating something.
I sat at the table, happily eating a slice of pizza Mom had made.
it was so good. The pizza i was eating was the margarita, mom made.
And mom's pizza is amazing.
Beside me, Jeanne was stuffing pastries into her mouth from cookies, croissants, tarts like she hadn't eaten in days. Leaving a lot of crumbs in her plate.
Classic Jeanne.
Lavi meanwhile sat across from me, twirling spaghetti on her fork, looking content and happy.
As she then took a bite.
She looks... at peace. Enjoying the food.
Dad was at the head of the table, wine glass in hand (as always), looking completely relaxed.
Mom was standing near the kitchen, talking animatedly with Nonna, Charlotte, and Grandma,all four women laughing and chatting like old friends.
The ladies have formed an alliance.
That's terrifying.
Nonno and Grandpa Edgar were sitting together, discussing something in low voices probably business, or history, or whatever old men talk about.
Gerald,Jeanne's dad meanwhile sat nearby, eating and smiling, clearly enjoying the party.
But I noticed something.
He kept glancing toward the back of the room.
Specifically, toward the area where Lavinia's ice doll was.
The massive, three-meter-tall ice construct stood silently near the wall, six hollow eyes watching, thorns glinting faintly in the light.
Considering that most people can't see it.
But... With the way Gerald occasionally looking back and forth can Gerald see it?
I watched him carefully.
He looked... uncertain. Wary.
Like he knew something was there but wasn't sure what.
(Gerald's POV)
Okay.
Why is there a giant ice statue in the room ?
Gerald took another bite of his food, trying to act casual.
No one else seems to notice it.
Edward's family is completely calm,same for his wife family too.
So either I'm going crazy/I'm the only that can see it...
Or they somehow know about it.
He glanced at the statue again.
It was three meters tall,humanoid looking and was practically made of ice.
And it's clearly not normal.
As a Knight of the Hospitaller, Gerald had been trained to recognize and combat supernatural threats.
Demons,spirits, rogue magicians.
And this thing whatever it was setting off every alarm bell in his head.
But it's not attacking any of us.
It's just... standing there.
Watching.
i glanced at Edward, who was calmly sipping wine, completely unbothered.
Does he know?
Does his family know?
Gerald decided to stay alert but not act.
If it was a threat, they'd be reacting which also means they can see it.
So for now... I'll just watch.
(Antonio's POV)
Antonio,Giulia's father sat across from Edgar, eating slowly, but his sharp eyes had noticed the thing inside the room.
The ice construct.
He'd seen it the moment he walked into the room.
And immediately begin thinking if it's a spirit or a guardian. Or something else entirely.
But Edgar and his family were completely calm.
So they likely know.
Antonio had known for years that Edgar's family,the de Montforts were descendants of Templar Knights and magicians more specifically Nimue,claimed to be the most powerful female magician to ever exist.
Giulia had told him when she'd first started dating Edward.
"His family is... special, Papà. They know about the supernatural as well, they're part of it."
Antonio had accepted it.
His own family,the Valentini and his wife the medici had their own history with the supernatural world. Northern Italian knights who'd fought alongside the Church against demons and dark forces.
We're not magicians.
But we know.
We've always known.
Not to mention before the marriage,he had met Edgar and Vivienne which he recognised them as good people, with the only thing that he still somewhat disagree was Edward, even though he knows Edward is a talented person.
With them making a deal between families to help together in different things, with the de Montfort providing security, and connection that are deep in the supernatural world,and them getting deep deep pockets of the Valentini family that inherited the medici remaining assets. And also additional influence for anything in Italy.
He glanced at the ice construct again, then at Edgar.
I'll ask him later, after the party for him to explain.
(Jeanne's POV)
I was happily eating a chocolate éclair when I noticed something.
Wait... I froze, pastry halfway to my mouth.
What is THAT?
I turned my head slowly.
There, standing near the wall, was a monster.
A giant, three-meter-tall thing made of ice.
Four arms. Six eyes. Thorns covering one side of its face.
WHAT.
WHAT IS THAT.
WHY IS NO ONE ELSE FREAKING OUT!?
I looked around the room.
Everyone was eating, talking,and laughing.
Like there wasn't a giant ice monster standing right there.
Am I the only one who can see it !?
Then I remembered about what Dad told me.
About the supernatural.
About his work as a Knight of the Hospitaller.
So this is... A devil or something
I swallowed hard and looked at Mikey.
Does he see it?
Does he know?
(Back to Michael's POV)
Lavinia looked at me, smiling. "Michael, do you want some of my spaghetti?"
I blinked. "Huh?"
"You keep staring at your pizza. Want to try something else?"
"Oh. Uh... sure."
She twirled some spaghetti onto her fork and held it out to me.
I leaned forward and ate it.
It's good.
Really good.
"Thanks, Lavi."
She beamed. "You're welcome!"
(Edward's POV)
I took another sip of wine, leaning back in my chair, feeling completely content.
This is a perfect day, everyone is gathered
Enjoying the celebrations with good food.
No one's fighting.
No supernatural threats for me to handle.
Meaning no chaos.
I smiled to myself, what a lovely day.
Especially on Christmas.
Back with Michael
------
(Michael's POV)
Jeanne suddenly stood up from her seat and walked over to her dad, leaning close and whispering something in his ear.
I couldn't hear what she said, but Jeanne dad expression shifted slightly,concern mixed with confusion.
He whispered back to her, and she nodded.
What are they talking about?
(Gerald's POV)
"Dad," Jeanne whispered urgently, "do you see that thing next to Mikey?"
Gerald's eyes flicked toward the ice construct.
"I do," he whispered back. "But I don't know what it is."
Jeanne looked worried. "Is it dangerous?"
"I don't know," Gerald admitted. "But no one else seems concerned, so... We'll stay alert. Don't do anything rash. Your mom seems to notice it as well"
Jeanne nodded, but she still looked uneasy.
Meanwhile - Edward and Antonio
Edward sat at the table, wine glass in hand, deliberately not making eye contact with Antonio.
Please don't talk to me.
Please don't talk to me.
God please help me.
Antonio was sitting across from Edgar, but Edward could feel his father-in-law's gaze occasionally drifting toward him.
Clearly judging him.
And he can feel it.
When Giulia had first told Antonio she was dating Edward, Antonio had been... less than thrilled.
Not because Edward was a bad or evil person.
But because Edward was at the time a notorious skirt-chaser who'd dropped out of magical training to travel Europe flirting with women.
Not exactly the ideal son-in-law material.
And even now, Antonio wasn't fully happy that Edward had stopped doing sword training.
Edgar, sensing the tension, spoke up. "Antonio, spare my son. He's doing fine."
Antonio raised an eyebrow. "Is he?"
"His magical ability nearly rivals Vivienne,"
Edgar said calmly. "And as long as he's not lazy and not chasing skirts again, he's perfectly capable."
Edward straightened slightly. "I'm married, Dad. I'm not going to chase anyone else."
Except my wife when she's mad at me.
Which is often.
He took another sip of wine, silently vowing:
I would never cheat on Giulia.
Never,cause that is stupid,not to mention immoral, while i was a skirt chaser, I'm not someone who would kill if i get rejected or break someone heart.
Antonio studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Good."
Thank God.
Crisis averted.
(Lavinia's POV)
I sat at the table, finishing my spaghetti, feeling warm and happy.
This is my family now Michael's family is also My family now.
I glanced around the room everyone talking, laughing, enjoying themselves.
I wonder what my room looks like.
I'll ask later, since i don't want to interrupt the party.
The ice doll stood behind me,and Michael as always. I could feel her calm, protective presence, watching.
Her eyes shifted slightly, responding to my emotions.
She's always with me.
Always.
(Jeanne's POV)
I stood near my dad, trying to stay calm.
The monster is right there.
Next to Mikey, and he doesn't even notice.
I took a step forward, intending to move closer to Michael.
The ice doll's eyes moved.
All six of them, shifting.
I froze.
Completely.
My breath caught in my throat.
Then suddenly it's eyes turned towards me.
It sees me, it KNOWS I see it.
(Michael's POV)
"Jeanne?" I called, noticing she'd stopped moving. "You okay?"
She didn't respond.
Just stood there, staring at something above me.
What's she looking at?
I tilted my head back and looked up.
And....oh, the ice doll is here.
Right, I forgot she was there.
The doll's head was directly above me, her six hollow eyes gazing.
She's been there the whole time.
I just... got used to it.
Then turned my eyes back towards Jeanne
(Jeanne's POV)
MIKEY DOESN'T NOTICE?!
HOW?!
IT'S RIGHT ABOVE HIM!
I couldn't take it anymore.
"MICKEY LOOK OUT THERE'S A MONSTER!" I screamed, pointing at the ice doll.
Everyone in that moment paused on what they're doing, and the entire room went silent, with all conversation stopped.
Everyone Turned their head towards Jeanne,and then followed her finger.
To the ice doll.
It causes everyone to more, complete, utter silence.
Edward froze, wine glass halfway to his lips.
Giulia blinked.
Edgar sighed.
Antonio's eyes narrowed.
Gerald tensed.
Charlotte looked confused. "What..?"
Vivienne closed her eyes and muttered, "Merde."
Nonna tilted her head, staring at the doll with interest.
And i looked up at the ice doll, then back at everyone, then back at the doll.
Oh.
Oh no.
Everyone can see her.
And everyone just realized that everyone ELSE can see her.
Edward set down his wine glass slowly.
"Well," he said awkwardly. "This is... awkward."
Gerald cleared his throat. "Yeah. Very."
(Michael's POV)
The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity.
Everyone stared at the ice doll.
The ice doll stared back.
Then Dad spoke, breaking the awkward tension.
"So..." He looked at Gerald and Charlotte.
"Can you two... see it?"
Gerald nodded slowly. "Yeah. We can see it."
Charlotte looked between Gerald and the doll, clearly trying to process. "I... yes, I can see it."
Dad set down his wine glass. "And you know about the supernatural?"
"We do," Gerald confirmed.
There was another pause.
Then everyone seemed to realize at the same time:
We all know. And the other know about the supernatural.
And none of us knew the OTHERS knew.
Edward blinked. "Wait. You knew?"
"We knew," Gerald said. "Did you know?"
"We knew."
"We didn't know you knew."
"We didn't know you knew either."
They stared at each other.
Then Edward rubbed his temples. "This is a doozy."
Gerald nodded. "Agreed."
Edward shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you guys also know about the supernatural. I just... I had no idea."
"Same here," Gerald said. "I didn't think you were involved in this world at all."
Edward gestured vaguely. "Well, here we are."
"Here we are."
Then Gerald straightened, his expression growing more serious.
"After all," he said, "my job is as a Hospitaller Knight."
Pause.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Dad's eyes widened slightly. "You're a Hospitaller?"
"I am."
There was a beat of silence.
Then Dad said, almost automatically:
"I'm a Templar Knight."
There was a complete utter pause and silence.
Gerald stared at Edward.
Edward stared back.
Both men just... stood there.
Processing.
Then Edward said, deadpan:
"This is getting ridiculous."
"Yeah," Gerald said, equally deadpan.
Then both men turned.
To look at us.
Me,Jeanne,and Lavinia.
More specifically Me and Jeanne
Since Jeanne had grabbed me by the shoulders and was shaking me.
"MIKEY!" she shouted. "YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SUPERNATURAL!? YOUR FAMILY ARE KNIGHTS!? SPECIFICALLY THE TEMPLAR KNIGHT WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME !?"
I tried to steady myself. "I was hiding it! I didn't know you could see the doll!"
"I CAN SEE IT! IT'S RIGHT THERE!"
"I KNOW!"
Lavinia, sitting calmly at the table, spoke up. "Um... I can explain about the doll, if that helps?"
Everyone turned to look at her.
Gerald looked back at Edward, gesturing toward the ice construct.
"What is that thing, anyway? Some kind of spirit? Guardian?"
Edward took a breath. "It's... complicated. But to put it simply, it's called a Sacred Gear."
Gerald's expression shifted. "A Sacred Gear?"
"You'know them?"
"I've heard of them," Gerald said carefully. "But I've never actually seen one. They're incredibly rare."
Antonio aka Nonno,leaned forward, his expression sharp and focused. "Sacred Gears the artifacts created by God, aren't they? Divine gifts granted to certain humans?"
Edward nodded. "Exactly. They manifest in different forms ie weapons, abilities, constructs like this one. Each one is unique to its wielder."
Isabella,Nonna looked at Lavinia with new understanding. "So the girl was given this power by God?"
"Yes," Edward confirmed.
He glanced at Lavinia, his expression softening. "But I want to make one thing clear, we didn't adopt Lavinia because of her Sacred Gear. We adopted her because she needed a family. Because she deserved one."
He looked at his parents. "Mom, Dad and Lavi you can confirm that."
Vivienne nodded firmly. "Absolutely. We brought Lavinia into this family because we care about her, the Sacred Gear is irrelevant."
Edgar crossed his arms. "She's family. That's all that matters."
Lavinia smiled and nodding eyes glistened with tears, and she looked down, clutching Mochi tightly.
Gerald studied them for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "Good. That's... good."
Charlotte smiled warmly. "You're a kind family."
Then Gerald turned back to the ice doll, his expression growing more serious.
"Still," he said slowly, "Sacred Gears are powerful. And if the wrong people find out about her..."
"We know," Edward said grimly. "Which is why we're being careful."
Antonio spoke up. "What type of Sacred Gear is it? Do you know?"
Edward hesitated.
He glanced at Vivienne, who nodded subtly.
Then he looked back at Antonio and Gerald.
"It's... a Longinus."
Silence, the moment everyone heard what Edward said it became complete, shocked silence.
Gerald's face went pale.
"Pardon....A what ??"
"A Longinus," Edward repeated.
Gerald choked.
"A LONGINUS?!"
Isabella gasped, covering her mouth.
Antonio's eyes went wide, and he stood up from his chair.
"One of the Thirteen?!" Antonio said, voice sharp. "You're certain?!"
Edward nodded. "Yes. We're certain."
Gerald stared at Lavinia, then at the ice doll, then back at Edward.
"You adopted a Longinus wielder?!" he repeated, incredulous.
"Yes."
"Do you have any idea how dangerous that is!?" Gerald's voice rose. "Longinus-class Sacred Gears are....they're god-killers! Entire factions hunt for them! Devils, Fallen Angels, human groups...everyone wants control of a Longinus!"
"We know," Vivienne said calmly. "Which is why we've taken precautions."
Antonio looked at Edgar. "Does the Church know?"
"Thankfully no," Edgar said. "And we'd like to keep it that way."
Gerald ran a hand through his hair, clearly overwhelmed. "This is... this is insane."
Charlotte looked worried. "Is Lavinia in danger?"
"She was," Vivienne said. "Someone tried to kidnap her. We stopped them. And we've been protecting her ever since."
Gerald looked at Lavinia this small, nine-year-old girl sitting quietly at the table and his expression softened despite his shock.
"That's... that's a heavy burden for a child."
Lavinia looked up, her voice small. "I didn't ask for it."
"I know," Gerald said gently. "But you have it. And that means you'll need protection. Training. Support."
He looked at Edward. "You're serious about this? About keeping her safe?"
"Absolutely," Edward said without hesitation.
Gerald studied him for a long moment.
Then he nodded. "Alright. If you need help and if she needs help, the Hospitallers will support you."
Edward blinked, surprised. "Really?"
"Hey We the Hospitaller while are medic were also fighters who'll protect the innocent like the templars" Gerald said simply. "That includes her."
(Michael's POV)
I stood there, completely lost.
Okay.
So....What i just heard these things call
Sacred Gears are divine artifacts created by God.
Lavinia has one.
Specifically, a "Longinus," which is apparently one of the thirteen most powerful ones.
And it can kill gods.
...
What.
I raised my hand. "Um. Can someone explain what a Longinus actually does? And why everyone's freaking out?"
Dad looked at me, then sighed. "Right. You don't know."
Grandma Vivienne stepped forward. "A Longinus is one of the thirteen most powerful Sacred Gears in existence. Each one possesses the ability to kill a god,hence the name, derived from the Lance of Longinus that pierced Christ."
Oh.
Oh, that's...
That's a lot.
"So Lavinia's ice doll can kill gods?" I asked.
"Potentially, yes," Vivienne said. "With proper training and mastery."
I looked at Lavinia.
She gave me a weak smile. "Surprise?"
I looked at the ice doll.
It stared back, unmoving.
My new sister has a god-killing ice guardian.
Cool.
Totally normal.
Jeanne was still staring, eyes wide. "That thing can kill gods?!"
Lavinia nodded hesitantly. "Apparently."
Jeanne looked at me. "Mikey."
"Yeah?"
"Your family is completely insane."
"...Yeah. I'm starting to realize that."
(Michael's POV)
I processed everything for a moment, then something clicked again.
"Wait," I said, looking at Lavinia. "Someone tried to kidnap you?"
Everyone turned to look at me.
Dad nodded. "Yeah. A few months ago, before we adopted her."
"What happened?"
"Well after a few days we left, turned out someone was watching her and the person was a witch,who was originally a friend of Your grandma,tried to kidnapped her,and your grandparents kicked the kidnapper's ass, that's basically what happened." Dad said simply.
I turned to Grandma and Grandpa.
Grandma smiled gently. "She's safe now. That's what matters."
Grandpa just shrugged. "We handled it."
I turned to Lavinia, concern written all over my face. "Are you okay?"
She nodded quickly. "I'm okay. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa."
She smiled, but I could see the hint of sadness in her eyes,the memory of being scared, alone, targeted.
She went through that.
And she's only nine.
I clenched my fists.
What the fuck kind of world am I in?
Kids getting kidnapped for having powers.
Evil witches,dragons, God-killing weapons.
This is insane.
Gerald spoke up, his tone thoughtful. "So your mother is a magician?"
Edward nodded. "Yes. My mom,Vivienne is a very skilled magician."
"And you?"
Edward raised his hand, and a small flame appeared above his palm, a bright, controlled fire spinning lazily.
"I'm a magician too."
Gerald's eyes widened. "A Templar Knight and a magician?"
"Family tradition," Edward said with a faint smile. "My son Michael is learning magic as well. And Lavinia is training too."
He gestured to us.
"They're both still beginners, but they're progressing quickly."
(Jeanne's POV)
MIKEY CAN DO MAGIC!?
I turned to him,and immediately grabbed his shoulders, and shook him again.
"YOU CAN DO MAGIC !?"
"Jeanne-!"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!"
"I WAS HIDING IT!"
"YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO TELL ME EVERYTHING!"
"I DIDN'T KNOW YOU KNEW ABOUT THE SUPERNATURAL!"
"WELL, NOW YOU KNOW I DO NOW!"
I shook him harder.
(Michael's POV)
Fuck
This is my life now.
Being a ragdoll for an angry Jeanne.
Either shaken violently or crushed by hugs.
There is no in-between.
I eventually managed to wriggle free, gasping for air.
"Jeanne.....please.....stop im getting dizzy."
She pouted. "Fine. But you owe me an explanation later."
"Deal." I take her request.
Later...
After some time, the shock wore off, and things settled back into a relatively normal rhythm.
Both sides,Edward's family and Gerald's family were friendly,open, with no hostility.
Just... mutual surprise.
And maybe a bit of awkwardness.
But it was manageable.
Gerald and Edward stood together near the Christmas tree, talking quietly.
"You know," Gerald said, "I thought the Templar Knights were disbanded centuries ago after things you know"
Edward smirked. "We were. Officially."
"But not actually." Gerald replied back
"Exactly." Edward took a sip of wine. "The Order mostly went underground, since some did go to the Hospitaller"
" True "
" While other split into smaller groups, with some families kept the traditions alive."
He gestured to himself. "Like mine."
Gerald nodded slowly. "That makes sense."
Then Edward raised an eyebrow. "And I thought the Hospitallers went from guardians back to doctors and most disappeared with a few exceptions."
Gerald snorted. "Most of us did. The Order of St. John shifted focus back to medicinal ,and became humanitarian, doing medical work,and disaster relief."
He crossed his arms. "But a few branches stayed combat-oriented. Kept the old mission alive protecting pilgrims well until it's not viable for, but we continued fighting supernatural threats, defending the innocent. Though i also picked up some medical training, when i went to trained at St. John"
"And you're one of those?"
"I am."
Edward grinned. "So we're both part of defunct medieval military orders that secretly still exist."
"Pretty much."
They clinked their glasses together.
"To outdated knight orders," Edward said.
"To outdated knight orders," Gerald echoed.
They drank.
(Michael's POV)
I watched Dad and Gerald talking, both of them looking far more relaxed now.
With dad bonding over being knights.
From rival orders.
That's... actually kind of cool.
Jeanne walked over and nudged me. "Your dad and my dad are getting along."
"Yeah. They are."
"That's good, right?"
"Yeah. It's good."
She smiled. "So... you can do magic."
"I can."
"That's so cool."
"Thanks."
She looked at me seriously. "You have to show me."
"Fine."
She grinned.
Lavinia sat nearby, watching everyone with a content expression.
The ice doll stood behind her, silent as always.
But for the first time since arriving, Lavinia looked... relaxed,and content.
Like she finally belonged somewhere.
And honestly?
That's all that matters.
Meanwhile - Antonio and Edgar
Antonio and Edgar stood off to the side, watching the younger generation with amused expressions.
"Your situation is... interesting," Antonio said.
Edgar chuckled. "Yes it is."
"Hospitallers and Templars under one roof,"
Antonio mused. "I never thought I'd see the day."
"Neither did I."
Antonio looked at him seriously. "The girl, Lavinia. She'll need protection,training, and importantly guidance and care."
"She'll have it," Edgar said firmly. "We'll make sure of it."
Antonio nodded. "Good. Because if word gets out about a Longinus wielder..."
"We know," Edgar said. "We're prepared."
Antonio studied him for a moment, then extended his hand.
"If you need support for things, the Valentini (and Medici) are willing to lent resources, manpower, intelligence of course for free,so let me know."
Edgar shook his hand firmly. "Appreciated."
____________
Yeah I'm bringing the Hospitaller to the story as well. There's no way I'm not bringing what is basically the brother/rival of the knights templar. Though their Lore about them will take a while due to the plot being a bit far. Not to mention on the role of Gerald.
And yeah the way that Jeanne and her family finding out about Michael and his family knowing about the supernatural might be cringe for some, but i felt that it's the best way to do it, and also i felt fun writing Edward and Gerald interaction in this.
Ok see ya in the next chapter 👋
- AgentByteGOC