"Annexing the southern region..."
The thought raced through her mind, sending shivers down her spine.
"Damn it! That guy is incredibly dedicated!" Arthur cursed under his breath.
David had reached the border region, fully committed to the war that would happen.
However, as a temporary replacement, his power lacked the stability and strength of the original David.
Emperor Alex had recognized this vulnerability long before, and through his engagement to Lucia, he would effortlessly gain control over the southern region once the war concluded.
After all, it was the southern region that bore the brunt of the war's impact.
"Quite a profound notion..." Arthur's eyes narrowed, deep in thought.
"Nevertheless, it won't be so simple because maybe you've underestimated me, huh?" He smiled icily, realizing the gravity of the situation and the need for precautionary measures.
Despite the urgency, Arthur believed he could handle it, and his confidence soared.
He turned to Vivian, a smile playing on his lips, and reassured her. "Mother, there's no need for you to dwell on this any longer," Arthur declared.
Vivian, taken aback by Arthur's response, felt a mix of surprise and confusion.
She wanted to inquire further but hesitated when she caught sight of his reassuring smile.
Then she nodded and tenderly ran her fingers through Arthur's hair. "Alright, I trust you," she said, her voice filled with affection.
Over the course of their ten-year relationship, a silent understanding developed between them.
Vivian knew that if Arthur gave his approval and remained composed, he would find a solution.
As the person closest to Arthur, she needed to have faith in him and believe in his abilities.
"Thank you, Mother." Arthur briefly closed his eyes, expressing his gratitude to Vivian.
These moments alone with Vivian, who was intelligent and understanding, were his favorites.
"By the way, are we departing for Arkham tomorrow?" Arthur opened his eyes and inquired.
They had planned to leave for Arkham either today or tomorrow, but it was up to Vivian to decide their schedule.
Upon hearing this, Vivian rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.
"We'll leave tomorrow, my dear," Vivian replied, her gaze fixed on Arthur.
Arthur nodded, aware that he still had time to take precautions against Emperor Alex or fulfill his promise to Runa.
They continued their conversation until Arthur finally bid farewell and prepared to depart.
"Very well, there's something I need to attend to, Mother," Arthur said, intending to rise from the bed and leave.
"Wait!" Vivian exclaimed, preventing him from getting up and gripping his arm, which puzzled Arthur.
"Is there something else you wish to discuss, Mother?" Arthur asked, perplexed.
Vivian took a deep breath and inquired, "If... if your engagement to Lucia does come to pass... do you genuinely wish to be engaged to her?
Taken aback by Vivian's question, Arthur fell into a momentary silence, his thoughts racing.
Caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, Arthur struggled to find a clear answer.
While Lucia held a special place in his heart, Emperor Alex's hidden agenda behind the engagement left him uncertain.
He gazed at Vivian, his expression searching, and finally responded, "At the moment, I cannot provide a definite answer to your question."
"However, please know that I bear no ill will towards Lucia, Mother." His words were meant to reassure Vivian and alleviate her concerns.
"Very well, I have faith in you. Don't worry, my dear, because no matter what decision you make, I will support you," Vivian said with a gentle smile, releasing her grip on his arm.
Arthur nodded, a soft smile forming on his lips. "Thank you, Mother."
With that, he stepped down from Vivian's bed, bid her farewell, and made his exit.
Observing his departure, Vivian placed a hand over her heart and let out a soft sigh.
...
Morning, Rozen
"I apologize for interrupting you, young master," Runa said, her voice tinged with guilt as she realized her wish may have been burdensome.
She glanced at Arthur, noticing his preoccupied state, which only intensified her remorse.
Arthur, taken aback by her apology, turned his attention to Runa, who stood beside him.
Today, Runa was dressed in a stunning outfit that accentuated her growing beauty.
Her face exuded an extraordinary charm, further enhanced by her elegant attire.
"Don't apologize, Runa." Arthur shook his head, feeling guilty that his own thoughts had caused him to disrupt their dating.
The weight of Emperor Alex's predicament had preoccupied his mind, prompting him to seek preventative solutions absentmindedly.
"Let go of any worries, as it's my fault." Arthur smiled warmly.
Without hesitation, he took hold of Runa's hand and guided her towards the heart of Rozen.
"Young master!" Runa gasped in surprise at Arthur's sudden action, but she didn't resist and allowed Arthur to lead her.
Soon, the duo arrived at a renowned clothing store in Rozen named "Emerald Light."
This establishment was rapidly gaining popularity due to the exceptional quality of the garments and accessories it offered.
The store had garnered widespread acclaim for its exquisite aesthetics and outstanding craftsmanship, fueling Arthur's curiosity.
As an observer, he yearned to verify whether the accolades bestowed upon this shop were genuine or simply part of a marketing strategy.
"Welcome, valued customers," greeted a well-dressed woman, who served as the shop's assistant, as soon as Arthur and Runa stepped inside.
Arthur responded with a smile and a nod, his eyes sweeping around the store in anticipation.
The neatly arranged clothing caught Arthur's attention, along with the numerous customers browsing through the garments.
Runa, too, found herself pleasantly surprised by her young master's choice of this particular store.
She had always been curious about it and had hoped to visit someday when she had the opportunity.
Unfortunately, with Arthur's responsibilities and his impending departure to Celestria, Runa hadn't found the time to explore the store on her own.
"Young master... why?" Runa looked at Arthur, a mix of confusion and curiosity evident in her eyes.
Arthur turned his gaze towards Runa, a playful smile playing on his lips.
"I wanted to bring you here to shop for clothes," he explained with a brief explanation, causing a delighted smile to spread across Runa's face.
The shop assistant, realizing this was a prime opportunity to showcase the shop's offerings, approached them with kindness and excitement.
"Absolutely, sir!"
"Our shop has earned its fame, and we don't rely solely on promotional tactics!" the shop assistant declared with a beaming smile.
Arthur couldn't suppress a chuckle, recognizing the truth in the shop assistant's confident claim as he observed the bustling store and the multitude of customers present.
"Well, if that's the case, could you assist me in selecting a beautiful dress and clothes for my girlfriend?" Arthur smiled warmly at the shop assistant, causing Runa's eyes to widen in astonishment.
"You..." Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she wanted to say something, but Arthur winked at her, causing her words to catch in her throat.
The shop assistant couldn't help but giggle, witnessing the interaction between Arthur and Runa.
While she couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy, she was captivated by Arthur's attentiveness towards Runa and mesmerized by his striking appearance.
However, Arthur's clever disguise concealed his true identity, preventing the shop assistant from fully recognizing him and sparing her from being completely enthralled.
"Please follow me upstairs, as our finest products are showcased there." The shop assistant smiled warmly, swiftly guiding Arthur and Runa to the second floor.
Arthur nodded and gently took hold of Runa's hand, leading her upstairs in tandem with the shop assistant.
As they reached the second floor, a breathtaking sight unfolded before them—rows upon rows of exquisite, high-quality garments adorned the space.
Noticing the relatively smaller number of customers on the second floor, Arthur speculated that it could be due to the price range being higher.
The shop assistant, eager to assist, proceeded to the end of the display and retrieved a white dress.
"What do you think, sir? Do you find it appealing?" The shop assistant inquired with a smile, extending the dress towards Arthur.
Arthur accepted the dress and carefully examined it.
Indeed, the dress exuded a remarkable quality, evident in the feel of the fabric against Arthur's fingers.
The displayed pattern featured a delicate flower design known as "Moonlight," symbolizing love in this world.
Satisfied with his choice, Arthur promptly handed the dress to Runa with a gentle smile.
"Alright, dear, please try this on," he said affectionately, using the changed nickname that inevitably caused Runa to blush with embarrassment.
Yet, alongside the embarrassment, a profound happiness washed over her whenever Arthur referred to her in such a way, resulting in a radiant smile gracing her lips.
"Alright, I'll be right here." Runa nodded eagerly and took the dress to try it on in the dressing room.
Observing the interaction, the assistant maid couldn't help but feel a surge of envy within her.
Regrettably, due to their age difference, she knew her chances were slim.
She stole a quick glance at Arthur, and her face flushed as her heart raced.
Sensing the shop assistant's gaze, Arthur turned his attention towards her and smiled warmly.
"Is there something wrong with my face?" Arthur furrowed his brow and asked, confused by the shop assistant's demeanor.
Caught off guard, the shop assistant felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, and she coughed awkwardly.
"Cough! No, it's just that I was contemplating whether you'd like me to suggest another dress similar to that one," the shop assistant replied, attempting to maintain composure despite her reddened cheeks.
Arthur chuckled, recognizing the underlying flustered state of the shop assistant, and nodded in response. "Sure, please go ahead."
However, just as the shop assistant was about to retrieve another dress, the dressing room door swung open, catching both Arthur and the shop assistant off guard.
Arthur and the shop assistant exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected interruption.
"This..."
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