My Legacy, My Decree, My Will (BNHA x AOT)

The Queen grabbed him by the hand once again and led him through the palace, heading straight for the royal gardens. As soon as they stepped outside, Aiden felt the warmth of the sun on his face, the vibrant flowers and greenery surrounding him like a scene from a storybook.

"What are we doing here, Mum?" Aiden asked, watching as his mother started skipping along the garden paths.

"We're going to have a treasure hunt!" she announced, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"A… treasure hunt?"

"Yes! I've hidden little treasures all around the garden. You have to find them!" She wiggled her fingers dramatically, as if the treasures were hidden by some magical force. "Who knows what kinds of wonders you'll discover?"

Aiden couldn't help but chuckle. This was so typical of his mother—creating fun out of thin air, even in the middle of their royal duties. For a moment, he felt a pang of guilt. He hadn't spent much time with her lately, not since all the talk about quirks, powers, and being a prince had taken over his life. Today, though, she was determined to make him feel like a kid again.

And so, the treasure hunt began.

Aiden darted around the garden, poking through bushes and peering behind statues, all while his mother cheered him on. He found small trinkets hidden in the most unusual places: a shiny stone tucked inside a flowerpot, a tiny carved wooden bird perched on a tree branch, and even a bright red ball buried under some leaves. With each discovery, his mother clapped her hands, beaming with pride.

"You're doing amazing, darling!" she called out as Aiden found yet another hidden object—a tiny crown made of twigs. "Maybe you'll find the ultimate treasure soon!"

"The ultimate treasure?" Aiden asked, intrigued. He held the twig crown in his hands, examining it.

Elara giggled, twirling around in the sunlight. "Oh, yes! It's hidden somewhere in the garden. But you'll have to keep looking!"

For the next hour, Aiden ran around the garden, completely absorbed in the game. For the first time in a long while, he felt like a normal boy his age, laughing and playing without a care in the world. His mother's infectious joy was contagious, and for a while, he forgot about the weight of his newfound powers and responsibilities.

Finally, as the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Aiden found the "ultimate treasure" nestled in the branches of an ancient oak tree. It was a beautiful, golden locket shaped like a heart. He plucked it from the tree and ran back to his mother, breathless and grinning.

"I found it!" he said, holding the locket out to her.

Elara gasped dramatically. "You did! Oh, Aiden, you're amazing!" She took the locket from him and opened it, revealing a tiny portrait inside—one of their family, all smiling together. "This is a special treasure," she said softly, her voice full of warmth. "It's a reminder of what really matters—family."

Aiden stared at the locket, his heart swelling with emotion. Despite everything that had happened—despite all the questions and fears about his powers, his responsibilities, and the strange new world he'd been thrown into—this moment, right here, felt real. It felt safe.

He looked up at his mother, who was watching him with that same gentle smile she always wore. "Mum… thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Elara pulled him into a tight hug, resting her chin on his head. "Anytime, my little Aiden. Anytime."

For the rest of the afternoon, they played together in the garden, chasing each other around and laughing like they had all the time in the world. Aiden felt light, free from the burdens of being a prince, and just… happy.

As the day drew to a close, they sat together on the garden bench, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and pink. Aiden leaned against his mother's shoulder, feeling sleepy and content.

"Mum?" he asked, his eyes half-closed.

"Yes, dear?"

"Do you think… I'll be able to enjoy life as you and Dad do? Love everyone as much as you guys do?"

Elara didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stroked his hair gently and kissed the top of his head. "You've got a big heart, Aiden. You'll find love and happiness here, I know it. You just have to give it time."

Aiden smiled softly, feeling the weight of her words settle into his heart. Maybe she was right. Maybe, in time, he'd be able to accept this new life and the new family that came with it.

For now, though, he was just happy to be here, in this moment, with his mother by his side.

---

As the months passed, Aiden grew more accustomed to his life in the royal palace of Paradis. He discovered more about his family, and their quirks—both in powers and personalities—became more apparent.

Aiden's father, King Maximilian Otto Fritz, was an imposing and regal figure. With his strong build, booming voice, and prideful nature, he commanded respect from everyone around him. Yet, beneath that kingly façade, Max was kind-hearted and playful. He would frequently turn formal royal lessons into spontaneous wrestling matches in the throne room, much to the shock of the palace staff.

"Father, is this really necessary?" Aiden would ask, half-laughing, half-annoyed as Max effortlessly pinned him down, chuckling all the while.

"Of course it is!" Max would bellow, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "Every great ruler must know how to grapple with the unexpected!" With a grin, he'd add, "And besides, you need to be prepared to beat me one day."

Aiden's mother, Queen Eleanor Amalia Fritz, was the very picture of sweetness and energy. She brought a whirlwind of joy wherever she went, filling the palace with laughter. Every evening, she insisted on baking cookies with Aiden, despite the protestations of the palace chefs.

"Mother, we don't need to do this every night," Aiden would say with a smile as she tossed flour into the air, coating them both in a fine white dust.

"Nonsense!" Eleanor would reply, giggling. "This is the best part of the day!" She'd often joke about how royal decrees should be written on cookies. "Who could refuse an alliance when it's signed in chocolate chips?"

Seraphina, Aiden's older sister by four years, was every bit the responsible and elegant princess. She handled royal duties with grace, always presenting herself with poise in front of their subjects. But behind closed doors, she was mischievous, often teasing Aiden whenever she could.

"Gotcha again, little brother!" Seraphina would say, tackling him to the ground in the gardens.

Aiden would groan. "You're supposed to be a dignified princess, Seraphina."

"And you're supposed to be a mighty prince," she'd retort with a smirk, helping him up. "We can't be dignified all the time."

Despite her teasing, Seraphina and Aiden shared a close bond. Her playful nature reminded him of the sibling connection he had always wished for but never got the chance to experience before.

As Aiden's fourth birthday approached, his relationship with his new family had blossomed into something he hadn't expected. They were quirky and unconventional, but they were also loving and genuine. Aiden, who had once worried if he could ever love his new family like he had his previous parents, now found himself more at peace. Though his past still lingered in the back of his mind, his heart began to open up to his new life.

On the morning of his fourth birthday, Aiden woke to the familiar sight of his father, King Max, bursting into his room, full of excitement.

"Happy birthday, son!" Max boomed, his voice shaking the walls. "Today's a special day!"

Aiden, still half-asleep, groaned and tried to bury himself under the blankets. "Dad, it's too early."

"Nonsense!" Max laughed, pulling the covers off Aiden in one swift motion and scooping him up into his arms. "We have a grand day ahead of us! Your mother has something special planned."

Aiden couldn't help but smile. As exhausting as his father's energy could be, he appreciated how much Max genuinely cared about making every moment memorable.

Later, as Aiden entered the grand dining hall, he was greeted by the sight of a massive birthday cake sitting at the centre of a table decorated with colourful banners. Queen Eleanor stood beside it, her apron dusted with flour, beaming with pride.

"Happy birthday, my sweet Aiden!" she said, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Did you make all of this?" Aiden asked, grinning at his mother's handiwork.

"Of course I did!" Eleanor replied with a wink. "With a little help from the chefs, but I did most of the decorating myself. And maybe sampled a bit of the frosting."

Seraphina appeared moments later, carrying a brightly wrapped gift. "Here, little brother," she said, handing it to him with a playful smirk. "I picked it out myself. Try not to break it."

Aiden tore open the wrapping to reveal a beautifully carved wooden knight. "Wow… this is amazing," Aiden said, admiring the intricate details. He looked up at Seraphina, his expression softening. "Thanks, Sera."

The rest of the day was filled with laughter, food, and games. As the sun began to set, Aiden found himself standing on the palace balcony, watching the colours of the sky fade into dusk. He thought about the family he had lost and the family he now had. There was still a sense of loss, but for the first time, he also felt a sense of belonging.

This new life, as strange and comedic as it sometimes was, had its moments of joy. 

=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=