There was still much to prepare before the secret realm opened.
---
That evening, Arthur received a report from Helia. Freya had settled in well. She’d t most of the key servants. Explored her quarters. Even managed to eat a proper al despite her nervousness.
"She’s lovely," Helia reported. "A bit shy and uncertain, but that’s understandable given her circumstances and what you’ve already told . I think with ti she’ll flourish here."
Arthur had later told Helia the real truth about Freya’s true identity. This made Helia pity her and feel like helping her with all her might.
"Good," Arthur replied. "Continue supporting her. Make sure she knows she can co to you with any problems or questions."
"Of course, Your Highness," Helia said. Then she hesitated. "May I ask... what Freya said earlier about your destiny. Was that true? Can she really not see your fate?"
Arthur studied Helia’s face. She was curious but not fearful. Just genuinely interested.
"It appears so," Arthur confird. "Though I don’t fully understand it myself."
"That’s incredible," Helia breathed. "To exist outside of fate. That’s like sothing from legends."
"Or curses," Arthur countered with a slight smile. "Depending on your perspective."
Helia laughed. "I suppose that’s true. But knowing you, Your Highness, I’m sure you’ll turn it to your advantage sohow."
"After all, you always called yourself the protagonist of the world, hehehe." She chuckled as though she recalled so fond mories.
Arthur cringed a bit when he recalled his last actions from years ago, ’I really let those thoughts win.’
"Co on those days are past....I was rely playing around with those words," Arthur played it off.
"Really, Master? You no longer believe you are the protagonist of the universe?" Helia tilted her head.
Arthur laughed and didn’t answer her directly.
"We’ll see," Arthur replied. "For now, focus on helping Freya. She’s going to be important."
"I will," Helia promised. She bowed and took her leave.
Arthur sat back in his chair. The pieces were falling into place. Freya was settled and protected. Her abilities would develop with proper guidance and resources. And having soone with the Divine Fate Physique loyal to him could provide strategic advantages in the future.
’Though I’ll need to be careful about how much she discovers,’ Arthur thought. ’Her ability to perceive fate threads makes her both valuable and potentially dangerous if she ever turns on .’
’Due to her connection with the Spirit Empress whom I don’t want to make an enemy of, I might have had her soul bound.’
’But still....my possession of the Fate Gem allows so destiny manipulation over things. Even if she has the legendary Divine Fate Physique.’
But that was a problem for another day. For now, he had secured another valuable piece on the board.
The secret realm would open in a few weeks. And when it did, Arthur would be ready.
---
Late that night, Arthur made one final check on Freya. He found her standing on the balcony of her new quarters, looking up at the stars.
She turned when she sensed his approach. "Your Highness. I didn’t expect to see you again today."
"I wanted to make sure everything was satisfactory," Arthur said.
Freya smiled. It was a genuine smile, soft and grateful. "It’s more than satisfactory. It’s wonderful. I feel like I’m dreaming."
"It’s not a dream," Arthur assured her. "This is your new reality. Make the most of it."
"I will," Freya promised. Then her expression turned more serious. "May I ask you sothing?"
"Go ahead," Arthur said.
"Why did you really help ?" Freya asked. "I know you gave reasons before. But I can’t shake the feeling there’s sothing more."
Arthur was quiet for a mont. Then he spoke honestly. "Because we’re both branded by the heavens. Both seen as threats to the natural order. In this world, people like us need to stand together."
Freya’s eyes glistened. "You really see it that way?"
"I do," Arthur confird. "Your existence is a defiance against the Grand Dao. Mine is similar in ways I can’t fully explain. We’re kindred spirits in that sense."
"Kindred spirits," Freya repeated softly. She smiled again, this ti with warmth and understanding. "I like that."
She looked back up at the stars. "You know, when I was first sealed, I was terrified. I thought I would be trapped forever in darkness. But now..."
"Now?" Arthur prompted.
"Now I think maybe it was all leading to this mont," Freya said. "eting you. Being given this chance. Maybe fate isn’t entirely cruel after all."
"Or maybe you’re making your own fate," Arthur suggested. "Choosing to see opportunity where others would see only misfortune."
Freya looked at him with those pale blue eyes. "Maybe you’re right. Maybe that’s what it ans to be enemies of heaven. We don’t accept the destiny given to us. We forge our own."
"Exactly," Arthur replied.
They stood in comfortable silence for a while, both gazing at the stars above.
Finally, Arthur spoke. "Get so rest. Tomorrow you’ll begin your cultivation training properly. It won’t be easy, but I know you can handle it."
Getting her body rebuilt to cultivate properly will be a painful process. Especially after the boost she received the last ti in her cultivation in the ti the Heavenly Phenonon was unexpectedly triggered.
"I’ll work hard," Freya promised. "I won’t let you down."
"I know," Arthur said simply.
He turned to leave but paused at the doorway. "Freya?"
"Yes?"
"Welco to your new ho," Arthur said.
Tears sprang to Freya’s eyes. She nodded, unable to speak.
Arthur left her there under the stars, a young girl who had been lost for thousands of years finally finding a place to belong.
And as he walked back to his own quarters, Arthur felt satisfied. The pieces were in motion. The players were positioned. And when the ti ca, he would be ready for whatever challenges awaited.
The secret realm would be just the beginning.
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