Arthur's Point of View

Lestranian Capital

"Hello, Varvara," Aydan said with a low bow and overly theatrical flair. "It is always a pleasure to see you, my Queen."

"You're majesty." I greeted Former Elven Queen, Varvara Gramie.

Despite her age, she was still very beautiful, had light brown hair with a reddish tint and deep brown eyes that held a commanding look about them. Varvara was also taller than most other Elves, which gave her a very prominent figure, which fit her Queenly visage. An Elven green dress which hooked on to her middle fingers on each hand gracefully covered her form.

A smile crept to her lips as she approached Aydan and me. "Always so quick to bow to me, my lovely Aydan. Do not linger where I cannot see those beautiful eyes of yours." As Aydan went to stand up straight, the Queen gave his beard a tug to keep him in place. "But not before I speak to Sir Mordred."

"Is there something you need from me?" I asked while crossing my arms.

"Not at all. I merely wanted to offer my congratulations on your first successful battle. With Sir Aydan here and you in the field, I am certain that the tide of this war will turn in our favor." Varvara replied.

Quirking a brow, I gestured to her. "So, you don't want to know if we were conspiring?"

She smiled and lifted Aydan's head back up with her hand ever so gently. "Conspiring only works if you have someone to conspire against. Not many would be worth even considering given your positions."

"True enough."

A woman who looked younger than Aydan, but also older than most Elves you see. "Always a pleasure to see the two of you." A few spotted wrinkles could be seen, not that she would ever confirm their existence. She was also different than I was expecting from when I first heard about her. "Surely you are on your way to the banquet, Sir Mordred?" Varvara then looked to Aydan. "After all, my dear Aydan went to such lengths to prepare it before we even heard of your victory."

"We are. Would you like to join us?" Aydan asked as he held out his hand to her.

"I would be delighted." Varvara joined us on our walk, and the two talked back and forth. "Aydan tells me that you are going to be exactly what this Kingdom needs. A unifying figure that is determined to see Lestrania thrive."

"I'm merely doing my part."

Varvara looked over at me as she walked between Aydan and me. "Will we ever know why?" The former Queen inquired. "Or are we merely to find out on our own?"

Turning towards her for a moment, I shrugged. "Who can say?" Was my playful reply. "Maybe I'll find out myself one day."

That got her to give me a curious look, but we entered the banquet hall before she could question me further. "Thank you for the escort. I shall be amongst those present should either of you need me." Varvara walked off while Aydan and I gave each other a look.

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Tapping my nose, I spoke. "Aydan, I think you got a little something on your nose."

Rolling his eyes, he walked over to someone else and ignored me. "I see you have returned victorious!" A cheerful voice came from my other side as someone latched onto my arm. "Not that I had any doubts," Mara said with a large smile when I turned to look at her. "Although, I might have been a little worried about you." Much like Varvara did to Aydan, Mara quickly took her place on my arm.

"As if there were any other outcomes, and your worry is noted, but clearly wasn't needed." I replied as we began walking further into the hall. "How were things while I was away? With Rudnurth sulking in his room, I left Elias in charge. Did he handle things well?"

"My brother handled things well." The Princess answered with an impressed nod. "Even kept your work going as best he could with the soldiers of each race. He attempted to go over some of the parchments you had left behind, but it might have been too much for him."

"He didn't ask you for help?" I inquired.

Her cheeks took on a rosy hue. "He might have." Mara answered, slightly embarrassed.

Chuckling and patting her hand on my arm, I replied. "Then I have something else to go over with both of you. Understanding what I am doing, and why, is very important for when I leave." Her grip tightened at that, but I ignored it. "Both of you will need to understand and comprehend my plans for the future if either of you are to lead."

"Wise words that I will strive to learn." Elias said from behind us, and we turned to face him. "Congratulations on a well-earned victory, Sir Mordred. Many are quickly warming up to you after these last three weeks."

"I should hope so. It's been a very busy three weeks." Then I saw he was more at attention with me than usual. "You seem to be well. Hope ruling wasn't too difficult while I was away."

"Not at all. I merely had to keep the status quo while you were gone on your mission." Elias confirmed. "Something I am more than eager to do if it means securing more victories against the Demon Horde."

My silence got the two Royal's attention. "Something troubles you, Sir Mordred?" Mara asked.

Looking between the Prince and Princess, I shook my head. "Apologies. I am merely lost in thought. More victories are certain to follow."

Something was bothering me despite what I told them. No one, not even Aydan, knew who was behind the Demon Horde and who was leading them. Despite that Fire Demon appearing the same day I met the younger version of Arceana, not a single powerful Demon had been sighted since then. Was the supposed Demon Queen the one who exists now, or was someone else in charge? Demons were on the move, but not a single mention of any orders was concerning. Especially given that they were organized to do certain tasks.

"Be that as it may, something is clearly troubling you." Elias pointed out, and he reached over to one of the tables to grab a drink. "While you may not want to share for the moment, this is a celebration in your honor! Drink and enjoy the festivities! Should you need me, I will be talking with Robert!"

"You do not look like one who enjoys festivities if your dull movements are anything to go by." Mara pointed out as she continued to hold onto my arm.

"One victory is meaningless unless the war is ended with that victory. While the battle we won today was vital in moving forward as one nation and one people, it had little meaning in the grand scheme of things." I mumbled out.

Mara was quiet for a moment before she replied. "Maybe so. Although, I have no doubt the men and women who accompanied you will remember this moment for the rest of their lives."

I nodded in agreement. "And they should. There was no better place to start, and if this is to celebrate the war turning in our favor, who am I to be so serious." Patting her hand, I continued. "Shall we join the others?"

She smiled up at me. "We shall!" The Princess confirmed.

Moving through the banquet hall, a few women of all races would quickly swarm me, which was still surprising. It was happening more and more as the weeks passed, but this was the worst one yet. A large group of Zugal, Humans, and Elves all surrounded Mara and me. However, to my surprise, the Princess was quick to act as she held up her free hand and silenced them all.

"Ladies, please do not disturb Sir Mordred this night. He will be more than willing to talk later, but he wishes to celebrate with his soldiers." If that wasn't Mara lingo for 'fuck off, bitches' I don't know what it was. "For now, please enjoy the festivities with everyone else."

Naturally, not wanting to test their luck against the Princess, they all quickly dispersed. "You handled that with such grace."

"When one is a princess and raised in such an environment, a certain amount of poise is required to survive," Mara explained. "Otherwise, you will get pulled into the dullest conversations you have ever heard."

"I can imagine. However, it is amusing that anyone would think of boring you. With your skills with a blade, I'd thought most would think twice." I commented as we moved to a more esteemed seating location.

"Unfortunately, despite being a princess myself, threatening people at the edge of a blade is still frowned upon. Not that Rudnurth ever believed in such stipulations."

Sitting down, we began to grab some food. "I will deal with Rudnurth over time. Right now, he likely feels like a kid who had his favorite toy taken away from him."

Mara instantly responded with a scowl. "It is disturbing he thinks in such a way at all."

"Agreed. A crown is meant to help the people who bestowed it upon you. Not use it for your own twisted pleasure." Taking a piece of bread and breaking it apart, I ate one of the pieces. "Heavy is the head that any crown rests upon." Continuing as I looked at Mara got her to nod. "Remember that should the crown ever fall to you."

"I will!" She replied eagerly.

Unfortunately, I didn't know how much any of this mattered. This war would continue for an unforeseen amount of time, and especially since I have no idea how long I'm going to be stuck here. That, and the only two in the future who still live are Arceana and Elincia. That likely meant Rudnurth, Elias, and Mara were all dead. My eyes focused on Mara's features, and I noticed she kept glancing at me more and more. Something that filled me with dread, but I ignored it all the same.