King Grey has unrivaled strength, wealth, and prestige in a world governed by martial ability. However, solitude lingers closely behind those with great power. Beneath the glamorous exterior of a powerful king lurks the shell of man, devoid of purpo...
As I lay on the ground, catching my breath after the intense session with TOBI, I watched Sylvie run off to the small pond in the training room, her excitement palpable as she splashed around. The sight brought a smile to my face, and my thoughts drifted back to the earlier conversation I had with Chloe.
Of course, I wasn't considering her offer, but it did make me think about the idea of having a romantic partner. Despite having spent twelve years in this body, acting—for the most part—my age, the memories of the nearly thirty years I'd lived in my previous life still lingered in the back of my mind.
Those memories weren't just of battles and strategy; they were also of the life I'd led before, the connections I'd made. I could still remember the children at the orphanage where I had grown up, the way they'd call me 'Uncle' whenever I visited after becoming a King.
In this life, I was still adjusting to the duality of my experiences. The weight of my past sometimes made it difficult to fully embrace the normalcy of youth. The idea of having a romantic partner—something so common for others my age—felt distant, almost foreign to me. It wasn't that I was opposed to the idea; it was just that my mind was occupied with other concerns, and the complexity of my situation didn't leave much room for anything else.
Even in my past life, aside from being a great fighter, I wasn't that impressive of a man. I had the charisma and character to appeal to the masses but when it came to interpersonal relationships, I considered myself mediocre on a good day. I grew up avoiding long-lasting relationships, seeing them as nothing more than a burden that would eventually be used against me. To be the best, I had to have no weaknesses, and having a lover would eventually lead to my demise.
I'd come to realize this even more since coming into this world. Having a family that I would happily die for reminded me of how truly weak I was. If someone were to kidnap any one of my family members, no matter how strong I personally was, I would be at their beck and call.
The thought of having a lover, someone I could truly open up to, was enticing but also terrifying. It wasn't just about the risk of losing them; it was about the realization that loving someone meant giving them the power to break you. And in a world where enemies could exploit even the slightest weakness, that was a risk I wasn't sure I was ready to take.
I shook my head, trying to clear the heavy thoughts. There was no point in dwelling on what-ifs and future worries when there were more immediate concerns to focus on. After all, future problems would be solved by future me. Perhaps, with time, I'd gain a better understanding of my emotions and be able to open myself up to someone. But for now, it was enough to keep moving forward, to keep growing stronger.
I reached down to clip back the bracelet that sealed my fire and water elemental attributes, feeling the familiar weight settle around my wrist.
With a deep breath, I left the training room along with Sylvie who fell asleep atop my head, and headed toward my next class, letting the thoughts of vulnerability and fear slip away as I focused on the tasks ahead. There was still so much to learn, so much to do. Whatever the future held, I knew I would face it head-on, just as I always had.
After the classes ended, I returned to my dorm, expecting to find Gawain there, but the room was empty. He was probably out on patrol duties for the Disciplinary Committee, which had been keeping all of us busier than usual lately.
The quietness of the room was a welcome change after a day filled with lectures, training, and the constant chatter of other students. I tossed my bag onto my bed and took a moment to just stand there, letting the silence sink in.
Sylvie hopped off my shoulder and made her way to her usual spot near the window, curling up with a contented chirp. I smiled at her before heading over to my desk, where a pile of notes and assignments awaited my attention.
As much as I wanted to unwind, there was always something to do—papers to grade, lesson plans to finalize, and my own studies to keep up with. But for now, I decided to take a few minutes to relax. I sat down on the edge of my bed, running a hand through my hair as I thought about the day.
As I sat on the edge of my bed, I couldn't help but think about tomorrow. It had been over a month since I last saw my parents and Ellie, and with Sunday being a day off, it was the perfect opportunity to visit them. But before heading home, I'd check on Claire's progress with her beast will.
With those comforting thoughts in mind, I let the quiet of the room envelope me. The anticipation of seeing my family after so long filled me with a sense of warmth and peace. I knew that tomorrow would be a much-needed respite from the demands of my duties, a day to reconnect with the people who meant the most to me.
As I lay back on the bed, the weariness of the day finally caught up with me. My thoughts slowly quieted, and I drifted off to sleep, a small smile on my face as I looked forward to what the next day would bring.
~
The next day, as I rode in the carriage toward the Helstea Mansion, the familiar sights of the city passed by in a blur. It had been too long since I last visited my family, and the anticipation of seeing them again made the journey feel longer than it actually was.
I leaned back in my seat, letting my thoughts drift. After checking on Claire's progress with her beast will this morning, it was clear she'd need a couple more days before she could fully awaken it. I made sure to inform Gawain about my plans to be away for the next two days, ensuring he could cover any urgent matters that might arise.
The gentle sway of the carriage and the rhythmic sound of the wheels on the cobblestone streets were almost soothing. Sylvie was curled up beside me, her soft breaths matching the quiet atmosphere. I glanced out the window, knowing that soon enough, I'd be at the Helstea Mansion, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of home.
Soon, the carriage came to a halt, signaling our arrival at the Helstea Mansion. The driver opened the door, and I stepped out, taking in the sight of the familiar grand entrance. The mansion hadn't changed, standing tall and imposing, yet somehow it always felt welcoming to me.
Sylvie hopped down beside me, stretching her tiny limbs before looking up at me with her usual bright eyes. I gave her a gentle pat before walking up the steps, the anticipation of seeing my family building with each step.
As I reached the door, it swung open before I could knock. The warm, familiar face of one of the household staff greeted me with a smile. "Welcome back, Young Master Arthur," she said, stepping aside to let me in.
I nodded in return, my heart already feeling lighter as I entered the mansion. The familiar scent of home washed over me, and I could hear the faint sounds of chatter coming from one of the rooms. It felt good to be back.
~~
A/N: Short Chapter, but I wanted to give a bit of Arthur thought about the people he has come to cherish in this world. The next few chapters are going to be important for the plot, so yeah vote for the chapter if you think I did a nice job portraying his feelings, and stay tuned for the latest updates. Also thanks for 5k views on Wattpad, I never thought I would have hundreds of people reading something I wrote.
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