He placed the mask on the shelf.
Valyrxa.
His gaze fixed the mirror in front of him.
'So...the king of calot is missing.'
He sighed.
'I expected him to be dead, but this works too.' Valyrxa said, using his hand to pack his black hair in a pony tail.
At first glance, he looked like your regular prince, who cared deeply for his kingdom. On the other hand, he was secretly running a sche behind the scene.
His love for Artoria was sothing he had always kept buried, at least until he heard about her supposed marriage.
This angered him even more when he heard the man she married was a random man who was nothing but a guest.
How could she have married soone who wasn't of royal bloodline.
The answer was simple. She loved him. And this didn't sit well with the prince.
Thus he began to think of ways he could run Calot to the ground, just so he could walk in and build it from the ground up, and have Artoria owe him.
It was well known that Welfor kingdom had more resources and partnership than Calot, at least until Calot began to grow at a rapid pace. If he destroys Calot, he could easily rebuild it with the kingdom's resources.
But first...
He needed to get rid of the man who would most likely get in his way. Ha Joon Pendragon, who was nicked nad, the God Tar.
Valyrxa began to build a cult, one that would be known as the Cult of Barbatos. His plan went according to how he wanted it, with phase one done, phase 2 was in place.
Making the Suldan go to war with Calot.
Ha Joon was missing, and Artoria surely wasn't what she used to be. If done well, the Suldan would definitely win the war.
Valyrxa smiled, "Checkmate."
...
(Calot kingdom, Royal capital.)
Artoria was in her room, putting on her dress while standing in front of the mirror.
rlin sat beside her.
"Are you headed sowhere?" rlin asked.
"No, the prince of Welfor kingdom wants to have a discussion, so he is coming over." Artoria replied.
rlin covered her mouth with a teasing glare, "You an the first prince? Valyrxa? The one you were engaged to as a kid?"
Artoria was quiet for a while.
She slowly veered around to look at rlin, "The engagent was cancelled, don't make the mistake of ntioning this in front of my husband."
"Sorry sorry..." rlin laughed.
Since she wasn't there when Artoria's marriage with the prince was arranged, she didn't have much to tease her on.
"Any idea what he wants to speak about?"
"I have a vague idea. The Suldan kingdom is slowly trying to start a war with us, I venture he wants to supply use with military personnel." Artoria replied.
"You think?"
"Why else will he want to see ?"
rlin looked to the side, nervously, "W.. we'll just have to see first."
Artoria was done dressing.
"Okay, I'll be on my way. Take care of the palace in my absence."
rlin sighed a bit, "I got it, just be careful."
"I will."
With that, she walked out of the room.
Leaving rlin seated on the chair, her gaze lingering towards the open window.
"I really miss you." She blurted out, her mind wondering towards the man she fell in love with.
....
anwhile, Artoria had gotten to the visitors room.
She was seated on one of the chairs, her knights, Tristan and Liora, mbers of the round table, stood behind her.
Opposite the queen, was Valyrxa and his female assistant.
"Queen Artoria, it's an honour to finally get to et you again, after so long. How are you doing?" Valyrxa asked, taking a sip of the coffee in front of him.
Artoria responded, "I've been doing great."
She wasn't one to have small talks with another man.
"Great you say, I heard your husband went missing during his battle with the demon lord. Here I thought you'd be feeling down about that." Valyrxa sipped again.
The statent itself didn't sit right with Artoria, but she was quick to brush it to the side.
"That is irrelevant to the subject at hand, is it not?"
"Actually, not really. It's pretty much related."
_pause._
"I have co to propose a marriage."
This ti it wasn't just Artoria that was shocked, even the knights mirrored the sa expression.
"What?"
"Right now, there's a very high chance the Suldan kingdom will cease their war against you, and need I add they are backed up by powerful people? The only way you'd stand a chance against them is if you partner with another kingdom."
"..."
"You can see where I'm going with this. My people will not agree to going to war for Calot for no reason. I'm sure you rember why. But if we get married, it won't be a problem, we would be one and no one can object to that."
Artoria sighed.
"As much as I appreciate your help, i refuse. You're aware I am a married wom-"
"You speak as if it's news for a woman in power to have multiple husbands."
"My husband doesn't like to share , he can be quite the jealous type when people touch what he views as his." Artoria responded.
"Your husband is missing."
"I feel sorry for you if you think that my husband is not coming back." Artoria glared a bit.
Though, Valyrxa was expecting the response.
"There's no way for to convince you to go along with this marriage?"
Artoria stood up, "Sorry, but your request is not sothing I can grant."
"I see." Valyrxa smiled, "I should apologise for the disturbance."
"It's nothing."
.....
Artoria walked out of the castle, escorting Valyrxa to his carriage, waving as he drove off with his assistant.
"Your highness, should we send so soldiers to keep an eye on them?" Asked Tristan.
"Why? Do you think the prince of Welfor will try to do sothing?" Artoria replied.
"N..o..it's just..."
"Don't fret, I thought the sa thing. If he does want to do sothing, then we can only hope it's not sothing so big that I'll have to raise my blade against him."
Tristan bowed his head.
"You're right your highness."
"Good, I'll be heading inside now, make sure you tend to the-"
"YOUR HIGHNESS!!! WE HAVE URGENT NEWS! YOUR HIGHNESS!"
A guard yelled as he raced towards Artoria, tripping and falling several tis.
Artoria was confused at first, wondering why a soldier would be panicking so much and yet, have such a wide smile on his face.
Her doubts were cleared when she spotted the white dragon Lyra in the air.
Artoria's eyes widened as she recalled the words of the dragon -
....
"As for , my position is to remain by his side always, even if I have to wait a thousand years. And if at the end the demon lord is the one to walk out victorious, I will put an end to him myself."
....
The dragon Lyra moved, which could only an one of two things.
Artoria didn't waste any ti.
She ran off.
Chasing after the dragon, her desperation evident with every step she took.
"Ha Joon..."
She called out, her voice cracking as she tried her best not to cry.
What is he did die?
What if he didn't survive the battle and the dragon only moved because she killed the demon king.
Artoria didn't want that.
A world where Ha Joon wasn't by her side was torture and nothing less.
"Please...I beg of you."
Artoria got closer to the dragon, her heart beating heavily.
If....
Just if...he managed to survive.
She took an oath in that mont. If God could bring her husband to her safely, she will never take him for granted again.
Not for breakfast.
Not for dinner.
And not even when he goes out for etings.
She would always value every second she has him in her life.
The dragon ca to a stop at the center of the castle's garden.
Panting heavily, Artoria stood at a distance.
And there she could see him.
Ha Joon.
Lying in the ground, in front of Lyra.
"Your highness, the king has returned."
Were the words of the dragon.
Artoria ran towards Ha Joon, and imdiately placed her ear on his chest, just to be sure he was really alive.
To her surprise, she could hear his heart beat.
Tears ran down her cheeks, her lips qeivering.
"Arrrrrweeeeee!"
The queen cried out loud, her head resting on Ha Joon's chest.
The relief she felt, along with the fear that she might have lost him, all ca flowing out in the form of heavy cries.
More people began to gather, those that also saw the dragon speed through the sky.
Almost everyone had a smile on their face, and most almost tearing up after seeing their queen break down.
Alas, the king of Calot has returned to his people.
...
[A\\N: That brings an end to vol 3. I hope you enjoy the book so far.
Please show your support, Gt, Ps, reviews and so on. Let's keep growing. Thank you all for reading.]
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