"What the hell are you talking about?" I said to the king.

"As you heard, the hero is one of the candidates for Fate's hand," he said bluntly.

Shit, it's only been two months and he's already here? Dammit!

"So he's here... waiting in the room?" Fate asked her father, her voice calm but tinged with worry.

He nodded.

I tried to think of a plan to convince this hero to give up on her. Think, Artorian, think!

I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning around, Fate gave me a reassuring smile. "Hey, we are in this together!" she said cheerfully.

With renewed determination, we walked to the room where the hero was waiting. As we entered, I saw him sitting on a chair, and next to him was a pregnant woman. Is she with him?

We took our seats, with Fate beside me. The hero looked at us, his expression serious.

"Thank you for meeting with us," I began, trying to keep my tone steady. "I understand you're here as a candidate for Fate's hand."

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He nodded. "Yes, I am. My name is Aric." He gestured to the woman beside him. "And this is my wife, Elara."

I blinked in surprise. "Your wife?"

Elara smiled warmly. "Yes, we've been married for a year now. I'm here to support Aric."

Fate and I exchanged glances. This could work to our advantage.

"Aric, Elara," I said, addressing them both, "Fate and I have an arrangement that suits both of our needs. We intend to maintain our engagement to benefit our respective goals. I believe this could be a mutually beneficial situation."

Aric leaned forward. "And how does that work, exactly?"

Fate took a deep breath. "Our engagement is more of a political alliance. It allows us to pursue our individual ambitions while presenting a united front. If you're here to support me, then you should know that this arrangement is what's best for me."

Elara looked thoughtful. "It sounds like you two have a good understanding. But what about love and happiness? Those are important, too."

I nodded. "You're right. And that's why our arrangement is flexible. It allows Fate and me to find happiness in our own ways, without being forced into something neither of us wants."

Aric considered this, his expression hardened. "Ah, but I need Fate for my quest, you see... if we had a child, it would help."

"Help?" I said, crossing my arms.

He nodded. "Yes, if we—"

Fate loudly interrupted. "Ah, so you want me in bed, I see!"

"No, it's not that, she—"

"And bringing your wife here, oh, does it sting? Knowing your husband wants to fuck another woman?" she said sarcastically to Elara.

Elara looked away as she rubbed her belly. "Hehe, what kind of husband are you!?"

Aric's expression hardened as he tried to explain. "It's not like that. This is about destiny and fulfilling our quest. Fate's power and our potential child could be crucial to saving our world."

Fate scoffed, her eyes flashing with anger. "So, you think I'm just some tool for your quest? And you bring your pregnant wife here to support this absurd plan?"

"Go ahead! Tell your little wife how much to desire this body of mine" she said.

He was quite for a bit. Now that I get a good look on him he looks young... is he really 16? Maybe other worlders look younger since they don't have that much stress then in this world.

"Fate that's enough" she crossed her arms and looked away pouting.

My next task is to kill him so I could just convince him to wait for another meeting in the week.

"Well it seems like she doesn't want to agree to it now, but your more then welcome to try again within the week" he nodded.

"That's good, he left defeated... I have to end him by tonight." I whispered to myself.