Chapter 45

All the work that I did today was to make Kathlyn comfortable with me to come on such a long journey that includes a risk that I wished to avoid. Sadly I couldn't avoid it but I made her comfortable enough to come with me. Now all I had to do was talk to Alexander.

"Hey, Atlas. Long time no see." I told him as I entered the room. He seemed to be quite distasteful of me but I took no offense. "What is it?"

"I have to make a call to the Damian family," I told him nicely. He seemed like he was not in the mood but clicked his tongue before starting to work on making the connection between us and the Damian family.

While he worked away at the orb I took my seat and sat cross-armed, watching intensely as he tried to make the connection.

Something clicked in my mind as he tinkered away at the orb. Something that I should've done earlier.

"Oh, by the way. Can I also have a talk with King Alaric?" I asked him. He looked at me with fear in his eyes. "K-king Alaric? If you don't spend too much time with the Damian family we can make a connection for the remainder of the time." He replied.

"Perfect! I didn't mean to have a long talk anyways."

I had to let Alaric know how many people I would be bringing to the party. Alyssa had invited Vincent but he was coming with me so I would have to explain it to him about it as well.

"Please place your hand here as usual," Atlas said as he stood up from the ground. I placed my hand without hesitation and let it suck out the mana from my mana core.

As usual, the orb shined brightly and blinded my vision for a moment. It slowly started to dim down and become clear once more.

"The connection is made. Wait for the opposite end to pick up." Atlas said as turned around to take his leave.

I waited for a few minutes till I heard the static from the orb. The static cuts off abruptly, meaning that he had picked up.

"Artorius~! How has it been?" Alexander's joyful voice rings out through the orb. Hearing his excited voice made me smile in return. "Pretty good. What about you? How is the project going?"

"It's all smooth sailing! We already began laying down the tracks. The first concept vehicle is already made and we are planning on testing it in two weeks! I wish you could be there to see it."

"I might be. Well, more importantly, you're still coming to the party, right?" I asked him, hoping for his answer staying the same. "Of course! I want to get some investors! I really don't want to fund this project."

"Good, I don't want to either," I said, sounding tired and slightly annoyed. "I heard you were bringing another person over. Is it Vincent?" He said, sounding curious.

"Well… Vincent is coming but I didn't invite him. He was invited by Alyssa." I explained to him, hoping to push the "other person" topic away.

"Wow, that's nice of her. But who is this other person?"

Damn it.

"You know them, I think. Well, anyways I have to go because I have to report to Alaric about the people going." I said in a rush. "Oi! Answer me!"

"Ugh, fine. It's Kathlyn I'm bringing along. She's the only other person I knew and I didn't want to be suspicious in front of Alaric." I explained to him, scratching the back of my head and trying to think of a way out of this situation.

"Ah~ who else other than Lady Kathlyn." Alexander teased. "Well, I have no reports to give to you here. I assume you got a more in-depth report in the mail a few days ago. I also need to have dinner so I'll talk to you at the party."

"Yeah sure. I'll see you at the party as well. Remember, the party is the perfect opportunity for finding investors. The entire castle will be a noble's playground. The opportunities are endless because three-fourths of the kingdom's money is going to be in the room."

"What a way to put it! I can't wait to be able to pay off this project without wasting a dime." He said, laughing hysterically as he planned something devious.

"Good night then, Alexander. Don't fall ill." I told him, giving him my final goodbyes. "You too. I'll see you soon then!"

The orb turns off and a clicking sound comes out from it, ending the call. I called for Atlas to come back inside to reset the orb so that I can talk to Alaric this time.

Atlas enters the room, looking unenthusiastic as usual and starts to set up the orb once more.

"You seem quite unhinged today, is everything going fine?" I asked him, hoping to find clues to his anger.

"I do? I'm acting as I always was. What do you mean unhinged?" He asked me in a rude tone. "Are you sure?" I asked him once more.

"Ugh, I'm just getting tired of sitting in this room all day, every day just because you might occasionally call or get a call from someone. I can't take a break and meet my family. Do you know when I last met them?"

I didn't know his issues were that deep.

"Damn, I thought you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Well, I'll be going away on the 39th and most if not all the nobles and kings will be absent from their estates and palaces. You can take a few days off and meet your family." I told him, hoping to make him happy.

"Really!? I'm allowed to leave for once!? Thank you, Lord Ignis!" He exclaimed in excitement. "Yeah yeah, go and have fun with your family."

His frown had turned upside down knowing that he will get a break for once. I didn't know how long he spent in this room but anyone would be going insane if they were doing the same job every day for years on end.

It didn't take long for him to set up the orb this time. It was up and running in an instant and I placed my hand once more. The orb did its usual thing and sucked my mana dry and Atlas just smiled gladly.

"The connection is made. Have a great chat~!" He said excitedly as he took his leave once more.

I sigh and smile from seeing his happiness. "Strange man…" I muttered softly.

It didn't take long for Alaric to pick up. But instead of it usually being the person I asked for, it was someone else.

"H-hello? Artorius? Is that you?" A familiar voice came from the orb. It wasn't an old and hoarse voice but rather young and slightly high-pitched.

"Prince Amadeus? Good evening! I didn't expect to talk to you here." I said, surprised that he would pick up.

"Oh, you wanted to talk to my father? Please wait since he's on his way." He replied to me.

Feeling awkward about the silence in the call I tried to make some small talk. "Well, your birthday is coming up," I told him, trying to start a conversation. "Yeah. You're coming, right!?" He asked enthusiastically.

"Yes, I am. I'll be bringing gifts too. Though I'm not sure if they are to your liking so I'll try to bring something that you could use." I told him, hinting at books.

"Really!? I can't wait!" He exclaimed in excitement. "Oh, I think father arrived. I'll leave the two of you here then, goodbye!" He said as he took his leave.

I heard a door open and some inaudible background chatter that I couldn't make out. The door closes and it goes silent for a moment.

"Artorius, it's been a while." That familiar old voice rang out. "It has, your majesty. Good evening."

"So, I assume you're here to tell me about who is coming to the party?" Alaric asked me, sounding pretty happy himself for someone planning to spy on me.

"Yes, I've picked my two guests," I told him as I took a more laid-back position on the sofa. "Who are they? I just need to know the names."

"Alexander Damian, the one that accompanied me to the capital when we met, and a close friend of mine, Kathlyn Watson."

"Hmm, I was wondering when I would meet you and Alexander again. I wanted to talk more about the project."

"I also wanted to talk more. You seem quite interested in the project yourself." I said with a gentle voice. I could visualise his smile through the call.

"I am! I've heard about the progress and seen newspaper articles about it. You're all over the news you know?"

"Yeah, I read it daily. All the pages always have me in their story. I became quite the notorious king."

He chuckles from my jab at myself. "Not only for that! Your relationship status is also quite disputed, isn't it?"

Damn it.

"Yeah, it is. These journalists can get annoying too." I replied to him, unashamed of the stories now.

"I also assume that Kathlyn Watson is the one they are talking about in the papers?"

"Yes."

Alaric goes silent for a moment, leaving me hanging for a moment. "Well, Artorius. I have something important I need to tell you."

His words caught my curiosity. I was really curious about what he was talking about. "What is it?"

"I'll tell you after the party. It's something I want to tell you face to face."

I scoff at him trying to hide it from me. "Hm, alright. I'll talk to you at the party then. Have a pleasant evening, your majesty." I gave him my farewells. "You too, Artorius."

The orb turns off and I can finally leave the room. I sigh a deep breath of relief and get ready to take my leave of this room.

Atlas enters the room and smiles at me as I leave. I closed the door behind me and walked through the hallway.

"Hey, Amelia. Where are you?" I asked Amelia through telepathy. She didn't answer for a few minutes and made me think she was still asleep. "Huh…? Oh! Hello! I'm with mama in her room! I didn't know till you woke me up."

I chuckled from her reaction and made my way over to Kathlyn's room. "Alright, I'll be there in a minute," I told her as I picked up the pace. "Okay~!"

Amelia kept talking to me as I made my way over to Kathlyn's room. She told me about how Kathlyn was treating her and talking with a few of the maids in her room. I didn't want to disturb her while she talked with them but the other half of me just wanted to talk to her more.

"Oh, Artorius. Dinner is being made soon." Felix says as our eyes meet. He was walking down the stairs as I was about to walk upstairs. "What's the time!?" I exclaimed in shock. "It's past ten already."

I checked my watch and sure enough, it was past ten. "Ah~ I guess I didn't check the time," I said before walking rushing upstairs.

Felix and I hadn't talked much today, especially after I had left the palace in the morning. I only had a few small talks with him but I felt like I was becoming more distant.

"By the way, Felix. Can we have a small sparring session? I feel rusty." I asked him, hoping he would agree. He stopped on the spot and turned around at the end of the staircase. "Sure. Though I think I wouldn't even last a minute."

"Who said you're the only one I'll be sparing with?" I told him with a devilish smile. He realised what I meant and nodded in approval. "Oh~ I see. How many then?"

"At least ten more."

He continued walking away and I did too. Seems like we still haven't lost the chemistry we had. He was still the same old Felix that I knew since I was transmigrated here.

"Papa, where are you?" Amelia asked me suddenly. "I'm coming. I was just talking to Felix for a minute." I told her.

I picked up more pace as I walked down the long hallway across the palace. "I'm getting bored here without you~ Come quickly!"

"Yeah yeah. Try walking halfway across the palace." I told her, annoyed by her wish to meet me even though she has Kathlyn. "Dinner is being prepared, so we won't spend much time here," I told her as I turned the final corner.

I stopped right outside the door of Kathlyn's room. I could hear the maids and Kathlyn talk about arbitrary things and I felt an urge to not enter. But I still had to because I had to let her know about dinner.

"Haa~ Whatever," I said as I let out a deep breath. I knocked on the door to let her know before I came in.

"Kathlyn, it's me. Dinner is being prepared." I said loudly, enough to be heard through the door. "O-oh! Alright! I'm coming!" She said in a rush.

Instead of having her open the door I opened it and walked into the room. She was sitting on her bed with her legs tucked up to her chest with about three maids in the room who saw me and became nervous.

"Sorry for the intrusion." I apologised as I opened the door.

Though Kathlyn wasn't the only one who was sitting on the bed. Vincent's wife was also in the room with her daughter. It seems that they have bonded well together.

"Oh, good evening, my lord." Vincent's wife said as she saw me. "Good evening, Miss Wikes. I didn't expect you to be here."

She takes a look at Kathlyn who was holding onto Amelia and swaying left and right. "Kathlyn and I were talking more. We both figured that we have a lot in common!" She said excitedly.

"Is that so?" I replied while leaning my shoulder on the doorway. "It's nice that you found someone that shares an interest in the palace then!"

The both of them laugh and slowly get up from the bed. "Mhm! Miss Emma is really fun to talk with!" Kathlyn chimed in with the same enthusiasm that Vincent's wife showed.

"I see. Well, you both can come at your own time. I'll be going then."

Amelia jumped out from Kathlyn's possession and came up to me. She squealed in happiness as she saw me and walked around my legs, rubbing her body against me in a show of affection.

I picked her up and let her jump onto my shoulder. "Seems like you really haven't forgotten me after all."

"Of course I haven't! How could I!?" She exclaimed in disbelief. Without wasting another minute I walked outside and towards a staircase that would lead down.

"What do we have for dinner?" Amelia asked, excited for food as always. "Probably steak as usual."

"Are you going to limit your alcohol from now on?"

Her question caught me completely off guard. "W-what do you mean?" I asked her, stuttering in between my words.

"I told you to limit it. Will you?" She asked again. "B-but why?"

"It's not good for your health. Sure you can have it at parties but, isn't it better if you don't have it for a few days from now?"

"Well true… But it will take more than just you asking for it."

She sighs from disappointment as I told her no. "Ugh, at least control it, okay?"

"Fine~"

ALARIC'S POV

I had finished reviewing the daily reports that Sylas had given to me. Seems like Artorius has really become laid back. Going on a date and spoiling his newly found special someone.

"Preparations for the mission are ready. Zenith has returned to the palace and is living in the barracks as usual." Sylas said as an extra bit of information. "Good. Honestly, I'm beginning to realise that this mission is just me overthinking it."

"Your worries aren't completely baseless. He was a trash at one point. Suddenly killing an unidentified creature, fighting a war and then also starting a new project to revolutionize the transport sector all seem really… suspicious."

I leaned forwards and interlocked my hands together. "True, true. But He seems to just be a normal king who cares for his people more than anything."

Sylas stood at ease in silence as I thought to myself more. "How is Zenith?" I asked him to break the silence. "He's in perfect shape. He's going to be sleeping for a while to recover his energy. He wants to be in his prime if things get out of hand."

"Good, good. Also, my will is ready. It's in my second drawer. It has everything written on it."

Sylas' face turns pale as I tell him about my will. "I-I understand. There's only a few days left."

"About eight days I think."

"What if it's just a bluff?" He said, questioning the truth.

I sigh from disappointment, thinking he wouldn't ask such things. "It isn't. He really wants my soul."

He becomes more nervous and bites his lips. "Well, no one else knows, right?" He asked me. "Not yet. Someone else will know after the party."

"Who is it?" He asked out of curiosity and skepticism "He already knows, I assume. He's the kind of person to know everything even from the smallest hints."

Sylas nods and breathes out heavily. "I see." He simply replies.

"You are dismissed if there's nothing else for you to say."

He takes his leave without another question, closing the door behind him.

With only a week left, I didn't have much time. I had this feeling that Artorius already knew from his own sources, but I also suspect he knows nothing for now. I'm still mentally fighting him in a way.

Artorius is someone I'm beginning to trust more and more as I see his activities. He isn't an enemy, as far as I know, he's just extremely strong and cunning, but not ambitious enough to go for the crown of the high king.

Amadeus is still really shut off from the world and still isn't fit to rule, even Zenith would be a better ruler because he is really strong. It would be better to hand over the crown to Artorius but I don't want to burden him with more responsibilities. Not only that but the complications of changing families is difficult, especially because it has never been done.

I have no other option but to give Amadeus, someone who isn't worthy of the crown, the crown. It's less complex but it has massive downsides. He isn't a leader in any way. It's my fault for keeping him shut off for most of his childhood.

"Damn it! How did I mess up so badly?" I shouted at myself. I felt like I failed as a father and as a king to give the people a king that can rule after me.

The reason I asked Artorius to be Amadeus' role model is that he seems like the perfect ruler, as I've said before. He is strong, confident, charismatic and so much more that I could write a huge list on his greatness.

But just because he is the perfect man to rule a kingdom doesn't mean I trust him. I cannot trust him yet, not until I see what he does at the party.

I monologue to myself for a long time, losing myself in the long stream of thoughts that came to my mind. It was only stopped and broken off by Amadeus who entered my room with a huge smile on his face.

"Father! Did you read the newspaper today?" He said with a huge smile on his face. "Yes? What's special about it that caught your attention?" I asked him.

"Artorius might be engaged!"

Excuse me?

"W-what!? Engaged? What do you mean? I didn't see that in the stories,: I said, completely in disbelief.

"W-well… not engaged. They're just rumours. But it's still exciting! I can't wait to ask him more about it!"

Why is he so excited about Artorius' engagement?

"Actually speaking of which, he is coming with two guests to the party. He mentioned that one of them was a close friend of his, maybe it's the person that's mentioned in the newspapers."

His eyes went wide open and light up. "Woah! Really!? It will be amazing to meet them then!"

Kathlyn Watson, her father, was a three star general in the Faunus army. Well, he was supposed to be. He died just before he got the promotion. He was a close friend to Theo, Artorius' father. They both went to the same academy when they were young.

Sadly though, Kathlyn had to leave her studies and get a lower level of education. Her mother raised her using whatever her late husband left her. She started a small florist shop in the kingdom.

Theo never knew what happened to their family as they grew distant. After the funeral they never talked for fifteen years. Seems like some luck played and they found themselves again.

Amadeus talked more about how excited he was about his party and how he talked to Artorius before I got to the call room. I listened to him but also thought about Artorius and Kathlyn's past

He leaves my room swiftly, leaving me in the room alone. I checked my watch and saw it was quite late.

"I should get to bed."