Lucia's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

To my surprise, a smirk came to his lips. “You’ve grown bolder these past few days. Did ruling Lestrania by yourself boost your confidence?” Arthur’s smirk grew into a smile as he patted my head. “That’s good!”

“This is serious, Arthur! You cannot ignore everything you find irritating to talk about!”

He just leaned in suddenly and said, “Have I told you how proud I am of you?” Needless to say, I was stunned by the surprise praise. “To me, you are the most important person in all of Lestrania, Lucia.” Then I suddenly started floating, and I looked to see a portal below me. “But I’m still not going to explain myself to you.” He dropped me in the portal without warning.

Arthur's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

“Keep kicking those legs, Ty! Otherwise, I’ll make this even harder.” I shouted off to the side before turning back to Greigh and the Dwarf Queen. “So, where were we?”

“Are you sure that was wise, Sir?” Greigh asked me as he gestured to where Lucia was.

I shrugged. “Who can say?”

Things were a mess. My own thoughts were in chaos from everything that had happened. The throbbing on my nub was a constant reminder that the Star Creature would bring me back to life but wouldn’t restore the condition in which I came back. Were the Elves right when they declared me dead or was it merely a loss of blood that merely fooled them? A room full of stars while I was unconscious just puts me more and more on edge.

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Not to mention the mass of Demon Lords that just gathered, and that wasn’t even all of them. I would’ve been more prepared if I had not spent so much energy dragging out the fight with Elincia’s doppelganger. Yet, I can’t help but think of how impossible the odds were either way. Even with transforming, to send away five different Demon Lords simultaneously…

Soon enough, my wits came back as I shifted my gaze to the Dwarven Queen. “I must say, I was unaware you had awakened, but I’m glad you seem to be doing well enough.”

She nodded slowly. “Thank you. I wish the same could be said of you.” Was her reply.

My brows furrowed before I looked over to my arm and chuckled before wiggling my nub. “Not exactly the grandest sight, is it?” Then I shrugged. “However, I doubt you stayed here to inquire about my injuries. How can I help you?”

“No introductions? No formalities?” She pondered out loud, but her face took a dip at my response.

Grinning, I questioned her back. “You already know who I am, but if you would like a formal introduction, I suppose that could be arranged. Would you perhaps care to give me another chance?”

Frowning, she answered. “I’m not sure I would like to continue this conversation at all. Not many would dismiss Lady Lucia as you did and certainly nowhere nears as disrespectfully.” Taking a step back, Ventari gave a small nod. “I think I shall take my leave here.”

Before she could move, she found herself being held in place. “I can’t just send you away after waiting for me to finish my conversation with Lucia.” I commented as I moved around in front of her, where she was frozen in place. “The odds of me killing you are astronomically low. So, if you’re worried about offending me, don’t be.”

Her eyes flickered to my hands and me before she looked confused as she could suddenly move. “What did you just do to me?” Naturally, she seemed slightly afraid.

“That sounds very inappropriate and accusatory.” Holding up my clothes, I continued. “I would never do something so based when we’re wearing matching clothes! So, my fellow member of the Elven cloth, why are you here?”

“When I had first heard about the rumors surrounding Arthur Pendragon, I thought many of them had to be exaggerated.” The Queen spoke evenly. “Why would the Priestesses of Lestrania let such a dangerous and wild man run amok in their kingdom? It made no sense.”

My eyes were focused solely on her, which seemed to make her uneasy. “Oh? Do go on.”

“Then I arrived here and immediately being overhearing about you once more. Except this time, it was after some grand battle and that you had been horribly injured.” A forced smirk made its way to her lips as she looked up at me. “I had thought you a warrior. A champion that was proud of himself and respected others with fighting spirit. Part of me even expected that we would be similar. After all, my people are warriors of the desert and all its riches.”

“And?”

“You seem more like a monster to me than anything.” The Queen stated shakily.

Backing away slightly, I replied. “Well… You’re not wrong.”