A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 5 (Part 3)

     Oliver and Sophia never saw who was coming. Nevertheless, they obeyed Gregory and bowed down while facing Gregory's direction. While lightly nodding their heads, Oliver glanced forward and saw someone that widened his eyes.

     In front of Oliver, Sophia, and Gregory stands none other than the respectable but humble mayor, Frederick, re-elected to serve Asbranne. As time flies, Frederick's hair turns lighter like snow, and wrinkles cover more of his skin. But his benevolent smile remains the same throughout the years.

     Frederick wears a black tailcoat with white buttons and ruffled sleeves under a blue waistcoat. He equips a blue sash across his shoulder with a contrasting red belt on his waist and a white cravat tie. Finishing his lower half, Frederick pairs his charcoal-black trousers with knee-length boots.

"Good evening, Mr Mayor..." Gregory bowed his head lightly, resting his eyes as he placed his palm on his chest.

"Good evening," Sophia greeted and bowed with a hand on her chest.

"Oh, to you, too, kind lady and gentleman!" the mayor, Frederick, replied in glee.

"G-good evening," Oliver bowed, accidentally stuttering his words.

"Heh, thank you," Frederick smirked. "That stutter reminds me of someone like a decade ago... although, I have never seen him after."

Timid to reply, Oliver smiled back.

"Interesting..." Gregory whispered to Sophia.

"...Pardon me for my opinion. But, what a gorgeous gentleman you are," Frederick told Oliver, slightly squinting at him. "You look like Albert Podeshire."

Oliver glanced at Sophia and Gregory.

"Hehe..." Sophia giggled and placed her palm on her mouth as she looked at Oliver.

"...You're not wrong, Mr Mayor. I do look like Albert," Oliver looked back at Frederick and lowered his eyes.

Frederick squinted and slowly scanned Oliver from the tip of his hair to the bottom of his feet. "...Wait... are you...?"

"Oliver Podeshire. Yes, I am. It's me," he said bashfully.

"Wow. I- I have never seen you in years!" Frederick's eyes rose upon meeting Oliver, now grown up. "Do you still live in the adoption centre?"

"Oh, not anymore," Oliver answered with a shy smile.

"That means somebody has already adopted you, correct?" Frederick grinned as he raised a brow.

"Yes," Oliver responded.

"How're your new parents, then?" Frederick asked while beaming at Oliver.

"...They're... uhm... they're fine," Oliver answered.

"Oh..." Frederick then looked at Sophia and Gregory. "Are these your friends?" he smiled as his palm pointed at them.

"Oh, yes, Mr Mayor. This is Gregory, a friend I met a few nights ago. And this is Sophia, my fiancée," Oliver introduced Sophia and Gregory as he placed his palms on their shoulder, slowly gaining his confidence as he smiled.

Shocked, Frederick's eyes quickly grew wide. "F-f-fiancée??"

Oliver nodded. "Mhm."

"That's wonderful news!" Frederick stated. "For the past century, the Podeshires struggled to populate. It'll be your job to multiply your kind!"

Oliver raised a brow and tightened his lips, scorning the idea as he looked away. "Hmm..."

"Do you all have spare time?" Frederick inquired.

"I think I..." Oliver gazed at the moon. "Eh... I think..." He then looked at Sophia. "Yes, we have spare time," he smiled at Frederick.

"Well, then. Shall we have a small meeting in the City Hall?" Frederick raised his chin and crossed his arms.

Oliver looked at Sophia.

"Hm," Sophia nodded at Oliver.

"If you insist, Mr Mayor, we shall," Oliver responded, looking at Frederick with a soft gaze.

Gregory suddenly stepped between the others and interrupted their conversation. "Oh, I... I apologise, everyone. I have to go now..." Gregory bid his farewell as he sprinted in their opposite direction.

"...Hey, Greg! Let's meet up again tomorrow afternoon!" Oliver raised his voice as he waved at Gregory.

"Great idea!" Gregory replied from the horizon as he waved his hands.

Frederick glanced at Oliver. "Oliver, before we dive into our conversation, I don't want to be fooled by someone else..." Frederick said. "Do you have any proof you're Oliver Podeshire?"

Oliver glanced at Sophia. Oliver then answered the mayor as he swung his hand, summoning a floating ball of fire. "Yes."

"Amazing! Alright, let's head to the City Hall!" Frederick turned around as he flapped his hand towards him, gesturing Oliver and Sophia to follow.

     Oliver watched Gregory disappear from the horizon. Frederick then placed a palm on Oliver's shoulder and smiled at him. Later, Oliver, Sophia and Frederick reached the City Hall. They entered a corridor and walked down the hallway glistening in gold and silver.

     Frederick cut to his right and grabbed a keychain from his pocket. The keys rang as he unlocked a door. Then, he swung the doorway open and stepped aside to allow Oliver and Sophia to enter first.

     As they entered, Frederick immediately sat on his chair on his office desk. Oliver and Sophia timidly stepped forward and took their seats facing Frederick. Then, they smiled at each other and began a conversation.

"So... Oliver Podeshire, how come you never shown yourself in public?" Frederick asked curiously.

"Oh, uhmm..." Oliver felt startled to answer. His eyes jolted around before glancing at Sophia. "It's... because... heh, Mr Mayor—"

"Fred," Frederick placed his palm above Oliver's hand. "Didn't I give you the right to call me that before? Hehe."