Arthur's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

I tried not to show my irritation. A few days had passed, and things were finally starting to get back on track. Alwin was getting better slowly but surely. Cassidy would be fine in a few more days given how much she was starting to bother me. The others were all doing their own thing, which left me a little miffed that none of them felt the need to warn me about our guest.

“Hello, Arthur.” Elincia greeted me as she sat behind my desk.

At those words, my irritation grew as I turned around to see who let her in my office. “Oh, all of you will pay.” I muttered as no one looked at me before I entered the room. “Elincia,” I greeted with a winning smile. “To what do I owe the surprise?”

Closing the door behind me, she spoke. “In my many years of ruling, never before have I had to deal with issue after issue concerning one individual time and time again.”

“I’m honored that I’ve made history.” I moved through the room and sat on the side of the desk facing away from her. “Had to leave my mark somehow.”

Elincia likely sneered at that. “Annoying a Priestess does not leave you mark on history. Merely her memory. Many of your other feats will go down in history, though.”

I hummed at that. “Hmm…” Crossing my arms, my eyes looked up at the ceiling. “What are you doing here, Elincia?”

“Well, I did come to speak to you about news you would likely find important. However, as I entered your home, imagine my surprise from all that I found.” Elincia spoke testily. “Succubae are running about as servants, Alwin is bedridden, and you have creatures similar to spirits roaming about.”

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“Welcome to my life. Shit doesn’t make much sense to me, and I was present as it all happened.”

“Do you see my concern?”

“At the moment I see the ceiling.” Was my bland response.

It sounded as if her hands slapped my desk. “Arthur!” She scolded. “The same people who were responsible for so many deaths are now under you! Do you know how that looks?!”

Turning to her, she froze at my icy gaze. “I’m well aware.” I replied coldly. “It wasn’t my decision. Lucia was the one who decided to forgive them and give them a chance. I don’t like it any more than you do.” Elincia calmed down at my look of disgust. “Given that she wanted to help them, there was little else I could do aside from take them in. Despite it looking like they’re essentially slaves, I’m doing my best to limit my interactions with them. Especially Freya.”

“Who is Freya?” Elincia asked after a moment.

“Princess of the Succubae. Well, she’s probably the Queen now, but when you’re Queen of only a few dozen subjects, does it matter?”

Her wings ruffled slightly at that. “I can see you are not happy about this situation.”

“Not one bit.” I replied, dryly.

“Are you able to care for them?”

I sighed. “Ayda’s been helping with her mother. They’ve figured out a way where I can sustain them with my energy.”

Her lips tightened at that. “Should you be doing that right now?” At my look, she explained further as she leaned back in my chair. “You were poisoned, and your energy was rather low.”

Turning away from her, I looked down. “I’m doing much better now. Like you saw last time, my mind isn’t as cloudy as it was.”

“Last time you wished to see Rudnurth, and I was forcefully removed from his prison. When I went back down there, he was badly wounded.” Elincia said. “Although, given your lack of reaction, I assume it was your handiwork.” I didn’t reply to that. “Rudnurth refused to speak to me either.”

“Maybe he finally realizes how much he fucked up, but I doubt it. Given his obvious lack of regret or guilt, I’d say he feels justified.”

“What justification is there in making Arceana and I forget about our other sister?” Elincia inquired miserably. My head whipped to her in surprise, and she seemed to be waiting for my reaction. “So, it is true then? He really did manipulate our memories to such a point?”

“Kheri told me what he said. I’m surprised you remember that. Given what happened as things started to escalate with Rudnurth and you began to have a mental breakdown.” My hands went to the desk as I leaned back. “Part of me expected you to forget about that.”

Elincia’s reply surprised me. “Do you wish I had forgotten?” I turned my head slightly to look at her out of the corner of my eye. “About my other sister whose name I can only speculate is Mara? Why you were always so sensitive about her name? How you call out her name sometimes in your sleep?” Then she carefully reached for my hand and touched Aydan’s ring. “How my father’s ring suddenly came into your possession?”