Chapter 14: First Wife (2)

Chapter 14: First Wife (2) Arthur and Amelia stood beside each other, gazing at the night sky. The day had passed rather quickly. A soft breeze drifted through the silence between them. Neither spoke for a while. Then, Arthur turned to her, his expression unreadable yet burdened with something unspoken. "Amy," he said, his voice calm yet weighty, "I’m planning on doing something very bad." Amelia blinked, her body turning slightly to face him more directly. "Bad?" He nodded slowly. "To stay alive. That’s the bad thing I’m planning. This world... the people in it... some of them will want me dead. Some will see me as a threat. Some will hate me just for existing. Despite that, I want to keep living." His hands clenched into soft fists at his sides. "I’ll climb to the peak, to a place where no one can reach me, where no one can harm the people I care about. Even if it means becoming a villain in their stories." Amelia stared, stunned and unsure of what to say. Her eyes trembled faintly. Arthur’s voice softened. "But this journey... it’s going to be long, and dark, and filled with painful memories." He turned to her. "I also know you have a crazy dream, right?" A soft smile played on his lips. "You want to see the world too, don’t you? You want to live? A life free from the chains of your family, politics, or duty. To simply be human." Her lips parted, her breath catching. "How do you—" He gently shook his head. "I can’t tell you how I know... not yet. But when the time comes, I’ll explain everything. For now... can you believe in me?" He took a step back and extended his hand to her. "Amelia Roderick Valtor, will you walk this path with me? Will you stand by my side as I fight through the darkness of this world, while I stand by yours to witness its beauty?" He smiled faintly. "Will you be my sanity in this insane world?" Amelia’s cheeks flushed a deep red. Her gaze dropped to his hand, then lifted back to meet his eyes. She hesitated, her lips parting, but her words caught in her throat. "My father," she said quietly, "was already planning to send me off to that so-called Chosen One from the Church. The one who awakened last week... From the rumors, he is also an SSS-rank... So—" Amelia couldn’t finish her words. Arthur hadn’t interrupted her, yet she didn’t know why she had stopped. Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly. He stepped closer, gently taking her hand into his. "I don’t care what your father thinks. He’ll see what I’m capable of soon enough. But right now, I only need to hear it from you." She trembled slightly at his words. "Why go so far for me? There are thousands of girls out there who would beg for you." She paused, staring into his eyes as if peering into his soul. "None of your words are lies—but why me?" Arthur wrapped an arm around her waist. "Because I want you to be mine, Amy. I don’t want to regret it when you fall into the hands of someone who doesn’t care about you." Amelia struggled to smile. "If I accept you here... would you really help me gain my freedom? Would you truly never leave my side or abandon me?" Arthur nodded without hesitation. "Yes, I promise." She sighed. No matter how she looked at him, he was being honest. And unlike the Chosen One, he didn’t seem like he was collecting women for fun. Still, she wanted to be sure of his answer. "Then I guess I won’t be the only woman walking by your side?" she asked softly. Arthur hesitated, then nodded. "I won’t lie to you." A beat passed before Amelia smiled gently. "I’m glad you’re being honest. Then I’ll have to settle for being your first wife." He paused for a moment, seemingly shocked by her reply. After some time, he said, "No matter where I go in the world or who I meet, you’ll always be my number one. You’ll always be the first person who comes to mind. And the world will know you are Arthur Arcain’s first wife." She smiled, lowering her head slightly. "Then... I’ll walk this path with you. You’ll grant me my freedom, and I’ll walk beside you through this strange, mad world." Ding 『 Amelia’s affection for you has peaked 』 『 She trusts you completely 』 『 Side Quest Status: Completed 』 They stood beneath the pale starlight, hands linked. Then Amelia added slyly, "So... who is this ’other woman’ beyond me? I should probably get to know her. Wouldn’t want the family falling apart, right?" Arthur scratched his cheek awkwardly. "You’ll meet her later. She’s... well, always with me." Amelia raised a brow but chose not to press further. ---- After their conversation, a knight arrived to inform the unawakened that the demons had been subdued with minimal casualties, and each would have to return to their respective clans and races. Three days had passed since that evening. A lot had happened within that short span, such as him telling his mom that he had made a marriage promise to Amelia, and that he also wanted Isabella. At first, his mother, Alica, thought he was speaking thoughtlessly. But when he repeated it a second time, she accepted it as sincere and quickly approved. Arthur could only assume that this was what a motherly bond truly felt like. He didn’t know how things were progressing on Amelia’s side, but he prayed they were going smoothly. In moments of difficulty, Arthur often remembered that gods might actually exist. Other times—not so much. Apart from that, Arthur had time to grow both physically and mentally, though he still hadn’t fully awakened yet. Arthur stood at the edge of his private chamber, gazing up at the icy-blue sky above Arcain Castle. Snow drifted lazily through the air. ’It’s finally time.’ Just as he had hoped, the awakening ceremonies had shifted to private sessions among families after the attempted demon incursion. That meant he was now following the story through Route Six’s lens. Arthur tightened the cloak around his shoulders, icy blue and fur-lined at the collar. The Arcain crest shimmered faintly on his chest. He turned as his mother approached. Queen Alica Arcain, draped in ceremonial robes, offered him a warm yet regal smile. "Ready, my baby?" Arthur blinked. "Mother... Can you not call me that in public?" He glanced at the rest of the unawakened and their parents, all grinning. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "You’ll always be my baby. Come quickly. It’s time." Arthur sighed softly. "Yes, Mother." They walked together through the frost-covered halls of Arcain Castle. Arthur didn’t know who cleared the Arcain grounds, but damn, they were good at their job. Not even a speck of dirt. They were so efficient that every trail they made vanished the moment they passed. ’This is the true wonder of magic.’ Arthur’s mind wandered. His gaze lifted to the sky. ’It should be about now, right?’ He took a deep breath. ’The moment Ha-Joon awakens his Authority. A god’s blessing... and two of them at that. Tch.’ His thoughts were interrupted as they arrived before a massive icy gate. Cold mist poured from its surface, and slowly, it creaked open. Standing before him were two of the four new A-ranks of the Arcain clan, and one of the three S-ranks—Sarah—all clad in heavy mana-insulated attire. He couldn’t help but feel slightly out of place. However, none of them showed him any hostility. Arthur had noticed it, not just from those with his mother, but from the entire clan: the Arcains were genuinely good people. He turned to Alica, who placed a hand on his shoulder. "Inside is the Hollow Mountain. You will have to shape your Authority. Trust yourself and your ideals completely." Arthur gave her a silent nod, his breath forming pale clouds. The gate flickered with icy blue light. He stepped forward. Beside him stood the other unawakened who had yet to receive their tethers. He shut his eyes briefly. ’After today, it all begins.’ He was one step away from the actual start of the game. ─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───