Promise

The sound of the clock ticking could be heard from Serena's bedroom, Arthur was lying relaxed. Lazily, turning the key of the Compass of World, setting the coordinates of where Hugo's castle was.

Clak

"Enough like this," Arthur said while turning his head to look at the map that he had marked with great difficulty.

"Before you go, you better tell Serena first," Arthur muttered with his droopy eyes.

Arthur immediately moved towards the study there. Serena was already busy filling out all the documents that she had not finished yesterday, showing her tired face. Arthur who walked closer to Serena surprised Serena who was too focused on writing.

"Eh! You just surprised me." Serena who was surprised leaned back in her chair. "So, what's wrong?" Serena said as she stretched her muscles.

"I'll be gone for a few days, I don't think a week." Arthur looked away as he focused on thinking, with both his hands on his waist. "If you're lucky, maybe in three days I can come back... I think," Arthur said with both his arms crossed on his chest.

Serena who was a little confused looked at Arthur seriously.

"Well, it's up to you, after all you brought her here." She also looked away from Arthur remembering the incident that night. "Besides we're not a real couple," She said frankly.

But Serena was really curious about Arthur, why would a hero want to create peace? It's too hard for him to do even though he's a hero, isn't defeating the Demon King more practical? Serena thought looking at Arthur but she was reluctant to ask because Arthur would definitely avoid the question.

As someone who has the status of a hero's wife, she realized that she didn't know much about Arthur, in fact she probably knew even less about him. So there was no strong enough reason for her to care about Arthur.

"But let me emphasize a few things with you," Serena stood up from her chair and looked at Arthur with a worried look. "I want to marry you because of the magic you put on me, and don't think about telling this to mother or I'll..." Serena said with a confused face at the end not knowing what to do later.

"Don't worry, I know." Arthur looked back at Serena gently and held both of Serena's shoulders at the same time.

Serena whose face suddenly turned red moved away from Arthur and returned to her chair taking care of all the documents.

Arthur walked away from the office.

"Then, I'll go," Arthur said turning around and walking away.

"Oh one more thing." Serena called Arthur before he left the room, "are you sure about this? Stop the war and create peace?" Serena said with a worried face.

"Of course," Arthur said it confidently and left without another word leaving Serena with a never-ending pile of documents.

---

Mansion Kitchen

Arthur packed a bag containing a few clothes and a lot of food supplies stored in the bag, he was ready to leave and mother suddenly came in accidentally surprising Arthur and himself.

"Eh!" Mother was a little surprised. "Arthur where are you going to prepare so much food?" She said in a questioning tone.

"Ah I have a little business in the east mother." Arthur felt uncomfortable calling someone by his old name but in order not to worry Serena's mother Arthur had to do it.

"I see, I don't know what you're doing in the eastern continent," Mother held Arthur's head gently, "But whatever it is, please make Serena happy, I can't make her like me or her grandmother, she deserves better," said Mother who suddenly hugged Arthur.

Arthur who felt the warmth that Mother directed at Serena returned the feeling

"I promise ... I really promise," Arthur said with full attention.

The sunlight penetrated through the window creating an atmosphere that only broke the emotional nuance into a warm one. This feeling of full attention melted Arthur's heart without realizing it made Arthur promise something he didn't plan to really do.

---

Five days ago Mansion Family Room

The night when Serena fainted Arthur and Mother talked in the family room. The uncomfortable atmosphere made Arthur act erratically, he kept scratching the back of his head unconsciously.

"So ... Let me introduce myself, I'm Arthur."

"Arthur Retirt, the legal husband of your daughter." Arthur became nervous when answering questions from his mother.

"End your ridiculous words." With both hands, mother hit the table hard while standing up angrily.

"I don't know what you want, but if you ruin my daughter's happiness, I don't care how I will make you regret your choice." Mother's sharp gaze was directed at Arthur.

Arthur who realized it could only sigh knowing there was nothing

whatever the family could do to oppose it Arthur could only remain silent and not cause trouble. However Arthur understood what Serena's mother did was all for Serena.

Arthur had no intention of doing this from the start but he had no better choice than this.

"I understand how important your feelings are to Serena I also realized that before doing it," Arthur asserted his determination.

"Therefore I will also make a promise - no not a promise but an oath." Arthur raised his right hand with his fingers together indicating a life and death oath.

"I will never make Serena suffer, I swear." Arthur said firmly.

The mother who was shocked to see what Arthur did felt touched by her heart and remembered all of Serena's childhood filled with pain, all of Serena's struggles to save this city and her tears at her grandmother's funeral.

As a mother who could hardly do anything she could only hold it deep in her heart. But today a man who out of nowhere declared an oath of life and death to protect Serena moved his heart that had long been stone to outsiders now open.

"Then.. how about your relationship," Mother asked Arthur's feelings for Serena.

"I can't say I married your daughter because I liked her but one thing is for sure, I did all this to free her from suffering," He said

"That's what I can guarantee, about her feelings maybe this is not true but let me learn to love her," Arthur said even though deep down he had almost no confidence to be able to love Serena he only freed Serena because their goals were almost in line.

But who knows what will happen in the future only the creator knows.

---

Currently Mansion Kitchen

"Okay mother I'll go first." Arthur stood up then took his bag.

"Yes of course, what about the horse have you prepared? But I don't see a horse outside?" Serena's mother said confusedly crossing her arms across her chest.

"You don't need to worry, I'm not a noble or a great wizard but I have my own way to solve my problems." Arthur immediately prepared his tools, activating the magic reconstruction on the Compass of World, creating a magic circle under Arthur, which then flashed through the ceiling, blinding the mother's view with its bright light. Arthur disappeared from there.

The mother who was still shocked to see that wondered in her heart but as long as her daughter didn't suffer anymore, nothing mattered to her.

"Hopefully... hopefully your journey will go smoothly, my son-in-law."