The Truth

Chapter 17

"Because he is my brother." I stated, pushing back his hood before pulling down the black cloth over his mouth and nose, exposing his face completely. Gasps echoed throughout the room, but no one was more shocked than my father, who had tears welling up in his eyes.

"Hunter?" He whispered out, standing up from his throne before quickly walking up to my brother, placing his hands on his shoulders. "Is that really you son?" My father asked in almost a whisper, looking at Hunter up and down. My brother looked towards the ground, not making eye contact, his shoulders slumping in guilt. "Look at me son." My father insisted, a stray tear running down his cheek.

Hunter kept his eyes trained on the ground a few moments longer, before reaching up his hand grabbing hold of the black mask that laid around his neck, fiddling with it nervously before looking up into Atlantis's eyes. Hunter held a look of guilt and relief, a nervous smile spreading across his features. "H-Hey ... dad." Hunter stuttered out, placing his own hand on dad's shoulder hesitantly.

My father then pulled Hunter into a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around him in a warm embrace. "It's a miracle." My father mumbled as tears streamed down his cheeks, I smiled softly at the exchange, my heart filling up with warmth.

Isla walked over to me cautiously, keeping her gaze on the two as she kept her head bent allowing me to reach out and place a hand on her snout. "Finally the family has been reunited." I say, Isla glances over at me before looking back towards the two.

My father then laughed joyously, "My son has returned!" Around us the people clapped and smiled with joy, some were still a bit hesitant but eventually clapped anyway. The trial ended just as quickly as it began, everyone parting ways to continue doing their daily tasks around the castle.

I walked over to the countries who were standing there shocked, leaving my brother and father to catch up. "Now I know why you changed Hugo's name." Canada stated, seeming to slowly take everything in.

"Why didn't you tell us!?" South questioned, grabbing my shoulders as he began shaking me back and forth violently.

"South, she can't speak when you're doing that." North pointed out calmly, separating his brother from me, as I staggered a bit, blinking away the dizziness.

I rubbed my forehead with my fingers, "I didn't tell you because my brother didn't want anyone to know. He lost his memories no thanks to our mother, so the only thing he remembered was me being his sister and Atlantis being our father." I explained, looking at them with a calm expression.

America hit South upside the head before saying, "You didn't have to tell us anything (Y/N), it is your family after all. Besides you were keeping a promise for your sibling I can definitely relate to that."

Canada looked at America with a glare, "What do you mean? I was the one that always took the blame!"

"I'm saying that I can keep a secret for you guys! Which is something you could never do!" America snapped back, crossing his arms as he glared at Canada. 

"I-I can keep a secret." Canada defended, crossing his arms.

"Yeah, whatever ya say mate." Australia chuckled, slapping his hand on Canada's shoulder causing him to stumble forward a bit. "Kiwi can keep a secret longer than you." Aussie added with a sly grin.

I shake my head, giggling lightly as the brothers begin pickering among each other, South struggling to get out from the middle of the bickering brothers. I then noticed movement in the corner of my eye, I looked over seeing Britain walking away from the group, a frown falling over my lips.

I walked away from the group making my way towards Britain, trailing behind him as he walked down the hallway, putting distance between him and the throne room. Once we were out of sight I picked up my pace, "Britain!" I call out to him, causing him to freeze in place, as if he was caught doing something wrong. "Britain are you ok?" I questioned, looking at him with a worried expression, placing a hand on his arm before bringing the hand to my chest quickly, feeling him flinch under my touch. "Britain?"