Arthur's Point of View

Temple

Luthi was the one who replied as she moved beside me. “We want nothing from you. Quite the opposite, in fact.”

Hanging my head at the words, part of me assumed it was just more noble bullshit. “Aien came to us a few days ago.” Drewes continued before he gestured around the area. “Before all of this.”

My eyes flickered to Drewes, who was now standing beside the bed. “What does that have to do with me?”

The duke adjusted himself. “He came with word from Lady Aydalia.” Both became nervous when my grip tightened on the rail so hard it bent the metal to the point of warping the bars. “Begging, pleading if you will, to support you.” My breath caught in my throat. “To back you over anyone else should push come to shove.”

His wife continued for him. “We may not know each other well, but Aien was adamant.” She then gestured to Mamma Farro. “Aydalia was beside herself with supporting you.” Luthi shook her head as if trying to gather her thoughts. “We had discussed you before, but this was different. It was urgent yet passionate. Desperation and determination. He refused to leave until we agreed with his wife.”

Drewes looked at Aydalia in her horrid state with a frown. “We just want to know why. Why did she do that when she has never done anything of the sort?” He turned to me. “Did she know this was going to happen and wanted to warn us? What could have changed that possibly drove her to such extreme lengths to win over this entire mountain so suddenly? All for you.”

“I understand you two are the highest-ranking Nobles on this mountain. Aside from the Priestesses and Lucia, you two are likely next in rank and would rule should something occur.” My head turned to Luthi Leiflan. “That being said, I do not trust you.” I then shifted to Drewes. “Either of you.”

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The two Elves were disappointed at that. “I suppose you would have no reason to believe us.” Drewes commented.

Gesturing to Aydalia, I replied. “The last Elf I trusted is the one laying before you. In my time of weakness, she entered my mind and went through my memories. Without consent and even without my knowledge until Augustus informed of what she had done.” Both Elves were looking at me in surprise and small amounts of disgust toward Aydalia. “So, no. I don’t believe either of you. Whatever memories she saw, and however that affected her, are completely unknown to me.”

“If that is the case, why save her?” Drewes questioned me in a confused manner. “While I never thought Aydalia would do something like that to someone of your station, I cannot imagine why you would pass on such an easy opportunity to be rid of her. There would be no pressure from her son, General Alwin, her former teachers, the Priestesses, and the Nobles. It would be, in all sense of the word, clean.”

The Elves studied me as they looked lost as to why I would go out of my way to save the same person I was accusing of a horrible crime. It truly was too. Lestranian law was rather clear on forcibly attaining memories. For a Noble to be caught doing so could lead to a possible scandal. Including the removal of titles. Not that I would expect it to stick. Given how confident she must’ve felt, it probably wasn’t her first time doing that either.

“Because I knew her ancestor when he was alive. He was a good man, and despite overstepping her bounds, she has helped me before. Besides, I wasn’t going to just let her die.” Moving to the side of the bed, Drewes moved out of my way so I could sit down.

“I know you said you were older than you look, but are you truly that old? Old enough to know the ancestor of an Elf?” Luthi inquired, and I just gave a simple nod in return. “And just for that, you let such a personal crime against you go overlooked?”

“Her ancestor gave me everything that I believe in. Loyalty, trust in my companions, protecting the kingdom together, and he fought to his last breath saving my life without retreating. Without fear and without any hesitation. He chose my life over his.” That got me to gesture to Aydalia. “That is why I overlooked such a crime. Because without him…”

Drewes frowned as I became quiet. “I see. Then we shall leave the two of you alone. Given what you just said, I have no doubt she is in safe hands.” He moved by my side and placed a hand on my shoulder. “I do hope that you will one day give my wife and I a chance.”

Looking at him out of the corner of my eye, I saw him smiling slightly. “Why would I do that?”

“Because I trust my wife,” The duke responded. “And my wife trusts Aydalia. So, whenever you need us, the nobles of Lestrania will be there to aid you.”

Luthi giggled. “It wasn’t too difficult when you realize most of them were terrified of you. After all, you killed two of them essentially in cold blood. Glorious.”

Chuckling at that, Drewes shook me slightly. “This mountain is yours if you want it, Arthur. Whenever you need proof, you only need to ask.”

“…” I gave no response to that, which they seemed to expect.

The two quickly left, and I was left alone with Aydalia.