Arthur's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

Escorting the disposables through the portal, we appeared back at my mansion, where Lucia and the others welcomed the children Succubae. Her eyes shot up in surprise when she saw me escorting her look-alike through. If their Queen was a clone of Mara, and they both had daughters, would they be sisters or cousins? Did they even count as family?

One of the children spoke as the Succubae Princess moved next to the several dozen children. “Why are we here?”

Lucia hummed out in a stumped manner. “Well…” She trailed off before looking at me. “Arthur?”

I sighed as the children were all pooled up in the entryway. “Alrighty, kids, here’s the truth.” All of them looked at me. “Your Queen kidnapped my daughter and her boytoy. She also killed dozens of guards-“

“Hundreds.” Greigh corrected.

“Hundreds of guards and a close friend of a friend of mine. In return, I killed her and almost everyone else aside from those you see here.”

“Arthur!” Aydalia let out in a chastising manner.

“Your Queen’s dead, your parents are dead, and your people kind of brought this on themselves. It’s a miracle any of you are alive after your kind tortured Lucia.”

“Arthur!” Lucia also said in a disapproving manner.

“Thank her for still being alive, and thank your princess for stopping me for just enough time-“

“Arthur!!!” My head turned to Lucia, who was glaring at me.

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I shrugged. “What? It’s true.” Then I gestured to their Princess. “Thank…” My eyes then met hers. “What’s your name again?”

The Princess answered. “Freya.”

My brow rose at the familiar name, but I refrained from commenting. “Thank Freya that you’re here and alive.”

“Thank you, Princess.” Many of the children let out almost simultaneously in chorus.

“Wow. That almost sounded rehearsed.”

Freya looked up at me nervously. “What are you planning on doing with us?”

Turning to Lucia, she merely gestured to them with her head, and I rolled my eyes. “It was heavily suggested that you all stay here and work for me.” I crossed my arms and shrugged. “Not the ideal situation given that I’m directly responsible for slaughtering your people, but hey, you’re not exactly in a position to be picky.”

Her royal highness looked surprised at that. “You’re offering us a place to stay?”

“Don’t look at me.” I told her as I used a finger to point at Lucia. “She’s the one who wants to give you a chance. Not that any of you deserve it.”

Freya turned to Lucia, and it almost appeared as if sisters were staring at one another. “Why would you do this for us? After what we did to you…” The Princess trailed off.

“She doesn’t remember what you did.” I quickly corrected. “I took her memories and the pain that came with them. Everything you did to her is still fresh in my mind, so I suggest you remember that moving forward.” My fingers dug into my arms slightly as I continued. “That means I also saw that you were constantly questioning your mother and asking for them to be let go.”

My lovely daughter decided to cut in at that point. “I know this is not ideal for you or your people.” Freya looked back at her. “However, we can help you. The children will not worry about having a home or being fed.”

Freya looked down as she gently placed a hand on one of the kid’s shoulders. “They need magic to survive as well, and we cannot generate that ourselves. I-I-I can look out for myself, but they are young.”

Aydalia then spoke up as she looked down at the Princess. “Alwin, my son, was imprisoned and tortured along with Lucia. While I do not like the idea, Arthur is more than capable of taking care of a few dozen children. His ‘magic’ is very potent.” She explained. “We were thinking of using some manner of catalyst that he can pour his ‘magic’ into, to have you and the children use that on a day-to-day basis. My daughter is currently looking into possible solutions.”

Lucia picked back up. “You, and your people, will be taken care of.” Freya looked like she wanted to cry. “But you will be expected to work. Much of this place has been closed off, and gone unused. Clothes, food, a roof over your head, and so much more will be provided.” She then glanced over at me. “It was about time he had proper help anyway to keep this place in order.”

I rolled my eyes at that as one of the kids looked to me. “Can we really stay here?” A young girl asked.

My fingers sunk into the skin on my arm whereas a red mist started to appear as I spoke through clenched teeth. “Of course!” I forced out. “It’d be impossible to say no!” A pointed look at Lucia got my message through. “However, there are a few apologies to be made. Although,” Turning my attention to Freya, I continued. “That will be more for Freya to see through than you kids. For now, I guess, Ziah and Aydalia will help you all settle in.”

“Of course, Sir.” Ziah said as Aydalia nodded.

“Then get to it. Well, after this.” Going through and putting a hand on the kids one by one, I gave them some of my energy. This immediately took effect as they all seemed far more chipper. “This will be a one-time thing unless there’s an emergency.”

The Zugal and Elf herded the new disposables away as my attention turned back to Freya. “Thank you.” She said as she looked up at me.

“That’s not something I expected to hear. You know… Since I murdered your mom.” Lucia smacked me for that one.