Chapter 109

The carriage cruises along gently with Uncle Regulus on the leash. Windson sat with him while I sat back on my carriage's comfortable seat.

Olivia and I had an emotional farewell. She had grown extremely fond of me, especially after these three days.

To say I hadn't grown attached… would be lying. But, unlike her, I still have doubts about all of this.

"Hey, Windson.." I softly groaned out of the carriage. "Brief me on Artorius' situation…"

"Sir Felix and Sir Vincent have reportedly gone to the camp," Windson reports from outside. "There are also rumours going around that his majesty, Emperor Amadeus has also gone."

I sprang to action as soon as he finished his briefing. "WHAT!?" I exclaimed. "FELIX AND AMADEUS!?"

"Yes, you heard me right, young master," He turned with a gentle smile. "It seems that they are awaiting for Artorius,"

"Finally!"

With his return, we can get on with our second stage.

Which is my marriage…

Perhaps he has other ideas after a week…

With the thought of my unwanted marriage, I fall back into despair. Uncle Regulus realises my sudden drop in energy.

"What's with him? He looked so excited a second ago," He said with a worrisome face.

"A man gets agitated when he is going to get married," Windson spoke his wisdom. "Perhaps the thought of being married and not being able to woo others,"

"Damn it, Windson!" I shouted. "It's nothing like that!"

"Your face would prove otherwise, young master," His witty eyes looked at me, gleaming seeing my face red as tomatoes.

"Ugh… Forget it," I gave in and put my head down on the table.

"Oh~ Alexander is getting married," Uncle Regulus spoke with a snarky voice. "How could I forget! Silly me!"

"The news arrived, right?" I asked him out of curiosity.

"Your family is delighted!"

As they should be.

"As they should be," Windson spoke my mind.

Uncle Regulus let out a hearty laugh, being amused by the chemistry between Windson and me. Also, Windson's witty remarks are getting infuriating.

"Though, I must say," Uncle Regulus' tone becomes rather serious. "The marriage between Young Master and her highness is amazing news,"

"It sure is!" Windson replied. "This must mean we are getting priority, right~?"

He once again turned to me, looking at me with eyes speaking malicious intent. Feeling disgusted, I wrinkle my nose and give him a stern gaze.

"Who knows," I shrugged. "Perhaps we will just be used even more,"

"Which also means we are getting priority,"

"Yeah, yeah, say whatever you want,"

"Ahem, though I have a question about all of this," Uncle Regulus voiced. "How do you feel about this?"

His question struck a nerve in me. "W-well, I can't say I'm not happy," I awkwardly laughed. "But, there's a slight doubt in my mind,"

"Doubt? Of what?" He took his attention away from the road.

"It's just… I'm not sure if I would have the freedom I used to have,"

The two didn't speak. Their silence added extra suspense that I hadn't wished for.

"Oi… Speak!" I cry out. "Don't make me more stressed than I already am!"

"Ahh, I lost myself for a moment," Regulus spoke again.

"What do you think!? Will I have the freedom!?"

The two looked at each other, hoping for the other to answer. In the end, Windson turned to me with a suppressed smile.

"There will be restrictions. But in the long run, not much will change,"

ARTORIUS' POV

Felix and Vincent became tired and terrified of searching the library. They grew hungry and wished to eat.

All I could offer to the two rescuers were stale bread and water, which is what I have eaten for days.

I thought I could have meat on the menu again, so I decided not to cut apart any more wolves. The meat was bland and too chewy for my liking.

Amelia, however, desired meat. She went out to clear out the mess we both had created, gobbling up the corpses.

Hearing her describe the taste of the centipedes and ants was not adding to my already low appetite.

"Damn, you eat this!?" Vincent complained. "I can barely eat this… mush,"

"Bread is a staple that does not spoil quickly. Meat also attracts predators like wolves,"

"Speaking of wolv-" Felix said before choking on bread.

Vincent rushed to help him, handing him a jar of water and patting him on the back. I laid my back on the desk and watched as my two assistants had a bonding moment.

"Careful, old man," Vincent sat down closer to Vincent. "Drink your water with ease,"

"Calling me old now, are we," Vincent smiled and spoke in a raspy voice. "We're two years apart,"

"While I look like a mature man, you look like a war veteran!"

I couldn't help but chuckle at the two quarrellings. Though only two months ago, they were on opposite sides of a civil war, they have bonded well.

"Papa. what do we do with Asam?" Amelia spoke to me through telepathy.

"Asa- you mean Asim?" I asked back. "Keep him there,"

The two hadn't realised Asim's dead body laying right next to the mountain. All of Asim's troops dissolved or disappeared. How? I could not make out.

Perhaps it was his magic that withered away with him

Asim must've been a necromancer then.

"Oh, Artorius," Felix turned his attention from Vincent. "I was going to ask you something,"

"What is it?" I nodded.

"When did you last sleep?"

"About two days ago, I think,"

Felix smiled and looked away. "Ah, as expected,"

He must've seen the dark circles under my eyes.

It had been a while since I took a look at myself in the mirror. I can tell my clothes are stained and better off as rags. All I have are bloodied rags on me.

But, I expected nothing less. To be honest, I expected worse.

"By the way, Artorius," Felix brings my attention back. "I need to let you know of something,"

"Speak on,"

"I had talked to the priest you introduced to us,"

"Sven?" I recalled his name. "That young boy?"

"Yes, Sven," Felix snapped his finger. "He had an interesting tale to tell me,"

"I'm listening,"

Felix began to run me down the story he had heard from Sven. Religion plays a big part in this world.

Unlike in my old world, religion still holds a massive stake in politics. Everyone believes in the Gods of the six elements and the Primordial God. Those who don't are either cultists or worshippers or lesser deities.

Felix told me about the history of this world. It was valuable knowledge that I hadn't learnt in these books, The knowledge came from texts that were translated from the old language.

It was all written in the codex that only priests are allowed to read. To know of the past, you must have links to high-class nobility or become a priest.

Which is why this knowledge is sought out by all.

But I have it at my fingertips.

"He said he would come a day after I arrive,"

"For what?" I jumped up.

"He wishes to meet you once again, urgently,"

"Hmm, I see,"

If he is to come today, I should get out of the cave.

SVEN'S POV

"The preparations are all finished, Father," A blonde boy brought forth the news.

"I will be outside within a minute," I told the boy with a smile.

The young boy left in a hurry, dragging his loose robe on the ground as he ran down the church floor.

Suddenly, I was approached by a nun wearing white robes and a black veil.

"Father Sven, a woman would like to meet you," She spoke in a low voice.

"Who is it?" I answered with my usual smile. "I am in a hurry,"

"She says its urgent, Father,"

"Hmm, I see," I held my chin. "Did she say why?"

"She said it's not a confession, she just wished to talk to you,"

A peculiar situation.

"I see. Let her in at once,"

"As you say, Father,"

Whenever someone wishes to meet me, it would usually be for a confession. But, it seems this unknown woman wishes to speak casually.

She left at a speedy pace, opening the doors to the church. At the end of the doorway, I noticed a woman wearing fine clothing standing at the door.

The sister spoke to her and granted entry. I stood at the altar, waiting for her.

She came in a hurry, dragging her white gown along the floor.

"Peace be upon you, sister!" I greeted her "Why do you come to me in such a hurry?"

"Father! I have to talk to you urgently!" She voiced loudly.

I walked down from the altar with grace. She stopped only a few feet away. Her wavy brunette hair flowed just past her shoulders.

"Speak, please,"

"Can you take me to the camp with you?" She asked, sounding panicked and out of breath.

I was stunned by her request. "Do you have a reason?" I asked her. "Why would a young maiden like you wish to go to a dirty and dangerous camp?"

"Please, father! I need to speak with Artorius!" She cried out, her eyes speaking more than her mouth.

"I would reckon a king would not wish to meet commoners at the moment,"

"I'm no commoner!" Her voice cracked. "I'm Kathlyn! Artorius and I have been friends since we were children!"

"Kath-"

My mind clicked as soon as I heard the name.

She was mentioned in the news a few months prior. I couldn't remember for what reason but I remember her name along with Artorius' name in the same headline.

"My sincerest apologies!" I exclaim in horror. "I hadn't recognized you!"

"Will you please take me?" She asked, grabbing hold of herself.

"Certainly, yes," I replied in a hurry. "Please, follow me to the carriage. The train will leave soon,"