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Chapter 498:

Arthur's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

Dawn was approaching fast. Tossing and turning all night left me feeling more tired than when I went to bed. Sure, I got some sleep, but it wasn't enough. Then again, until I'm put six feet under, I doubt it'll ever be enough. The sound of my door opening got my eyes to open as I stared at the ceiling.

"Sir?" Greigh called out.

A sigh left my lips. "Yeah?"

The door shut as he spoke. "Can I speak to you?"

"It's a little early in the morning-" I stopped myself as I sat up. "Fuck it." Getting out of bed, Greigh averted his gaze at my nude form as I grabbed some clothes. "I wasn't sleeping anyway. Give me a minute." As I was going through my morning routine, I called out to him. "So, what brought you here so early in the morning?"

"How should we proceed?"

I quirked a brow at that and poked my head out of the bathroom. "What do you mean?"

Greigh quickly answered. "Are you planning on taking control of Lestrania?"

I snorted at the thought. "Yeah, no. Fuck that." Was my blasé response. After finishing up, I returned to my room to address him properly. "While things cannot continue as they have been, I have no plans on ruling." Then I shrugged. "But I'm also not planning on staying a knight. There are no benefits besides giving out the random order to you or random guards."

"You say that, but at this point, Ziah and I would follow your orders regardless."

I shrugged. "That's your choice."

"Don't you think it would be a little irresponsible to leave your position now if you're not going to press for the throne?"

"The throne is just a chair, Greigh. One that takes more time in dealing with dull issues instead of real problems. Sure, it has its pros and cons, but nothing good enough to go through the trouble of convincing all of Lestrania to turn their backs on Arceana and Elincia." I told him honestly.

Greigh looked thoughtful. "Then what is your plan? People are dead from General Farro's expedition, and Priestess Arceana is likely recovering from your assault. Word will have spread."

"So?"

"You don't care?"

A sigh left my lips. "Do you think any of your guards or the Priestesses can do anything to me?" He was quiet at that. "I'm not trying to be unsympathetic to your situation, but there are bigger issues to address."

He nodded. "Understandable. With your new guardians, I doubt you even need to worry about this place coming under attack."

"Or having someone cut my body into pieces and separate them." I chuckled at that. "Whoever said that deserves a raise. That's some dark shit right there. If they were willing to go through with it to protect the Priestesses, good for them. Not that it would work. I'm not some evil spirit."

Greigh looked uneasy about that as he quickly changed the subject. "What do we do about Kine? He was one of the Priestesses' students and was being groomed into an officer's position. Word of his death will spread."

Crossing my arms, I looked down as I leaned back against one of my dressers. "I don't know. Kine didn't mean anything to me. Only reason I shared his demise was because I knew Cass and him were friends. It's amusing that his death is the most important when so many others died as well." Then I looked back at Greigh. "But I doubt word would spread of Alwin and Lucia almost being killed."

The Zugal was becoming more frustrated. "Then what do you plan on doing? I'd like to know our plans moving forward. You deserve more than just to hide away here."

Our eyes met, and I spoke honestly, "There are many things I deserve, Greigh. A gruesome death and a shallow grave are at the top of that list."

"How could you say that?" A new voice pitched in as my door opened. Lucia and Aydalia came in with worried expressions. "None of us think that, Arthur." The High Elf told me.

"Until I do something that changes your mind." My shoulders slumped. "I'm trying to do what I think is best. War is on the horizon, and our forces are split." I then gestured to myself. "I am not one who should lead. Many of my recent decisions are evidence of that."

"You were poisoned." Greigh immediately said.

"And you were emotionally distraught." Aydalia added.

"Was your energy also not low, which results in your mind becoming hazy?" Lucia asked next.

"Do you want a leader who, every time he gets tired, becomes unpredictable?" I questioned back.

Lucia quickly shot back. "That could be said of every leader. No one is above fatigue, Arthur." She crossed her arms as she practically mimicked me. "Now, what did you want to discuss about the Succubae?"

I chuckled at that. "Fine. Don't give me any time to wallow in self-pity."

She shrugged as she leaned against the door. "Oh, I'm sorry. Was I supposed to?" Both Aydalia and Greigh looked at her in surprise at the blatant response. "As long as I'm here, you won't be able to." Lucia said bluntly, and I nodded at that.

"Fair enough."

"So, what about the Succubae?" Lucia pressed.