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Chapter 65:

Arthur's Point of View

Lestrania Capital

"And so, we now stand before King Elias!" Aerowyn announced at the banquet after his crowning and was giving a speech. "The new ruler of Klasteris!"

Given that we couldn't just call his new kingdom the Floating Stone Forest, he decided to ask me for some ideas for names. Something powerful that would fit for his new nation. Upon offering Klasteris, he liked it, and so it was decided he would rule as King over the Kingdom of Klasteris.

"Now is a time for celebration before the new king begins his role as ruler! Enjoy!" She continued, and music started as soon as Aerowyn finished.

We were in a throne room that was made specifically for me. Rudnurth had banished himself to his room and refused to show himself to anyone. Aydan had checked several times to make sure he was alive and well, which he was, but his self-exile was enough of a reason for people to move on. So, I was declared their king, but I have refused to take part in any ceremony.

Whispers still reach my ears about how I should rule indefinitely, and Aydan agrees. I'm starting to wonder if he is even working on a way for me to return to the future. Asshole might just be trying to keep me trapped here, but who knows anymore. Maybe Mara paid him off, or they're working together. However, much like all the people here, I do enjoy my position. That isn't something I ever thought I'd hear myself say.

As I sat on my throne and watched the festivities underway, Elias made his way over to me. "I wanted to thank you, Mordred." He told me as he stepped beside me, and I looked up at him. "When you first arrived, I feared you were an enemy and had taken control of Lestrania through sheer overwhelming power alone."

"I mean..." I began as I turned my attention back to all the guests. "You're not wrong. To you, I was an enemy, and my power was overwhelming."

"True, but I see things differently now. I see a man who is invested in the betterment of this world and took a place of power to make it happen. While I do not know why you chose Lestrania, I would like to thank you for all you have done for me over the last year." He smiled at me and put a hand on my shoulder. "I never thought I would rule and resigned myself to a place at my brother's side. To me, the crown always seemed like a burden I could never hope to carry."

Pausing for a moment, I stood and moved in front of him as I placed both my hands on his shoulders. "When good men do not want the crown that others so desperately crave, it is usually a good indicator that it is to them that it should be bestowed. Much like me, you did not want to be king, and while I even refuse to wear a crown, the people tend to see me with one regardless of whether or not it's there."

Moving next to him, I draped my arm across his shoulders. "But I did want the crown at one point in time. That is until I realized the burden that comes with it." Elias replied.

Chuckling, I shook him slightly. "I know. It is why you didn't accept my offer right away when I spoke of starting a new kingdom. You took a moment to truly think about it and even questioned my decision to offer you this. A crown does not make someone a king. How he treats his people and how they view him is what makes him king." Then my arm slid off his back. "Otherwise, you'd have what happened to Rudnurth happen to you. A king is not infallible and are easy to replace."

"I realize that." He replied and smirked at me. "A friend taught me that."

"Then take another lesson and go dance with your new allies." I told him and gestured to the section of the room that was dancing.

"Will you join me?"

"I like you, Elias, but not enough to dance with you."

He quirked an eyebrow at that as he gave me an amused look. "Would you dance with Aydan?"

I scoffed. "Maybe in his wildest dreams."

Chuckling, Elias patted me on the back. "Very well. I hope you will join us later on though."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mara looking at me from across the room. "Of that, I have no doubt."

As I watched him walk off, I was impressed at how inspiring he could be. Building a new kingdom from scratch in the entirety of a year was not easy. However, it wasn't finished, and he knew that. The royal palace was finished, as were several homes, shops, and farms, but there was still a lot of work to be done. Work that would take several more years to come. Although, it was something I was looking forward to with a smile.

Although, when I moved back to my throne to sit down, I looked to see someone already sitting there. A few chuckles could be heard around the room when I turned and saw her sitting there. No doubt my sudden pause just made the situation funnier. In response to me staring at her, Elincia looked up at me with a bored expression as she sat in the chair that was clearly too big for her.

"Enjoying yourself, Princess?" I inquired.

"Perhaps she hopes that you will select her to rule one day as well." Arceana commented as she stepped next to her younger sister. "Or maybe she just seeks your attention."

Moving in front of Elincia and picking her up from under her arms, I lifted her up to stare directly at her. "Is that why you've taken my seat? You wish to rule?" I asked her.

Somehow, she was able to shrug in response as her legs hung limply in the air. "That seems like a maybe." Arceana stated.

Chuckling at that, I held out Elincia to Arceana, who looked surprised. "Then you two are the Queens of Lestrania for the rest of the day. Enjoy." Both looked at me in surprise as I walked off. "Attention!" I called out to the room, and the music stopped as I raised my hand. "Both Princess Arceana and Princess Elincia will be in charge of Lestrania for the rest of the day, so please confer with them if there are any problems you might have."

"What!?" Arceana said, shocked at Elincia, just had a look of horror etched across her face.

Turning back to them, I gestured to the throne. "Enjoy the chair, Princesses."

With that, I walked off towards one of the tables that had many different dishes available. "Do you think that is wise?" Robert asked me.

"Wise or not, it is amusing." Aydan said from the other side of the table where they both approached from. "Just look at them."

All of us turned to see the two Princesses arguing with panicked expressions. "Best part of tonight by far." I said smugly.

"What if I could make it even better?" A new voice cut in, and all three of us turned to see Mara had snuck up behind me.

"I don't doubt it." I replied and turned to her. "The question is, how?"

"Watch and learn." Was all the oldest Princess said before walking towards her sisters.

Aydan and Robert moved around the table to stand next to me. "What do you think she is going to do?" Robert asked out loud.

I shrugged. "I've no idea."

"Probably scare her sisters to death." The Sage commented.

Sure enough, we watched as Mara urgently grabbed onto Arceana and Elincia's arms and startled them. Neither was paying attention, which allowed Mara to act as if she was telling them something horribly urgent. Both the younger Princesses looked horrified. It was amusing watching their heads turn in my direction. The young Arceana and Elincia both ran over to me quickly in a very non-lady like fashion.

"We are very sorry we sat in your seat, and thank you for the opportunity, but we have other matters to attend to from a prior engagement!" Arceana stated in a rush tone.

Mara was smiling behind them as Elincia nodded in agreement. "You made plans on your brother's coronation day?" I inquired in a disappointed tone to play my role. "I suppose I will have to let him know you had to leave."

Both Princesses frowned with a strained expression. "I am sure your brothers will understand, young Princesses." Robert started.

Aydan then continued. "If not, at least he is going to be in a different kingdom now, so he'll likely forget all about it soon."

"Or will I?" Elias questioned behind the two, startling them once more. "Come, let us talk of these prior engagements you had." He then dragged them away to their horror.

"Now that my sisters have been dealt with, may I take some of your time?" Mara inquired as she held up her hand daintily.

Robert and Aydan both nudged me forward, and I took her hand with a smile. "I would love to."

Princess Mara dragged me to the dance area, which was very slow dancing that you would expect for a fantasy banquet in a palace. She looked beautiful tonight, and after her confession several months ago, I've found it more and more difficult to keep her from my mind. Ribbons decorated her pink hair, which was stylized differently for tonight. Moonlight shined in through the windows and seemed to focus on her as she danced in my arms.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself, my King." Mara commented as I never looked away from her.

Not that she could tell. "I always do when I am in such great company, Princess." Was my reply.

Eventually, the music came to a stop as the musicians needed a break, and we separated for the first time since we started. "Would you like to get some fresh air?" She inquired with a small smile.

"I would love to."

However, before we could leave the party to walk the gardens, the doors burst open, and in came Kodnar, who had been absent from the ceremony. This was normal given that he didn't like me, nor did he agree with the creation of Klasteris, but his fearful expression and concern made everyone pause. Aydan's student made his way to me, which was surprising, but he quickly took a knee in front of me and kept his head down.

"King Mordred," Kodnar began. "The Demons have returned in full force to the West!" He announced in a serious tone.

Aydan and Elias quickly made their way to my side. "Are you sure, boy?!" The Sage pressed his student.

Kodnar nodded. "Positive! Aerowyn's scouts returned not long ago! Demons are on the move!"

The entire banquet became quiet as they looked to me. "Do we have an estimation of their numbers?" I inquired.

The blonde Elf apprentice looked up at me. "Tens of thousands, my King."

Mumbling to myself, I spoke. "Merry fucking Christmas..."