Emperor Alex's gaze bore into Arthur's, the atmosphere in the room undergoing a palpable shift.
"Arthur, do you aspire to become the unchallenged ruler of the South?" The question hung in the air, laden with a weighty gravity.
Arthur's initial reaction was one of surprise, his brows furrowing as he sought clarity.
"What are you implying, Emperor Alex?" Arthur's inquiry was tinged with an air of detachment; his posture was rigid as he addressed the question head-on.
Emperor Alex, undeterred by Arthur's demeanor, maintained a composed smile, crossing his legs casually.
"I'll rephrase my question: Do you harbor aspirations of becoming the uncontestable ruler of the southern territories?" Emperor Alex held Arthur's gaze steadily, his words resolute.
He continued, his tone infused with a wry amusement, "I know you to be astute and contemplative. It stands to reason that you comprehend my implication, doesn't it?"
A faint smile graced Emperor Alex's lips, a cryptic undertone underscoring his words.
Observing Emperor Alex's demeanor, Arthur's thoughts swirled within him, a subtle sigh escaping him as he acknowledged, "This man's unpredictability remains unwavering."
Arthur discerned Emperor Alex's underlying intentions, a scheme aimed at facilitating his ascent to power as the unchallenged ruler of the southern lands.
The plan, no doubt, hinged on removing David, who was currently embroiled in active warfare.
It was a shrewd and potent strategy with deadly implications.
However, Arthur's perspicacity didn't allow him to be deceived by the surface motives.
He recognized the ulterior motive—Emperor Alex's plan to manipulate him into a puppet ruler who would confront David directly.
The underlying motivation was transparent: if David was vanquished, that would indeed be fortuitous.
Yet the question loomed—what if David didn't fall?
What if he survived and turned his ire toward Arthur for rebelling?
Emperor Alex remained the puppeteer, a spectator to a potential clash between Arthur and David.
This scheme's predictability was not lost on Arthur, who regarded Emperor Alex with a knowing look.
He couldn't help but admire Emperor Alex's perceptiveness; he saw through the veil of Arthur's thoughts, even though Arthur had attempted to obscure them.
Swiftly, Arthur shook his head, his expression becoming resolute and unyielding.
"I'm afraid I must apologize, Emperor, for I fail to grasp the nuances of your inquiry." Arthur feigned a sigh, his head shaking slightly.
"In truth, such intentions lie beyond my considerations. With my father currently embroiled in a war, I find it inconceivable to entertain such devious notions," Arthur continued, gradually rising from his seat.
"If that concludes our discourse, I offer my apologies and will take my leave promptly."
He inclined his head in a courteous nod, not waiting for Emperor Alex's response.
Without hesitation, he departed from the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Throughout the exchange, Emperor Alex maintained silence, a faint smile gracing his lips as he observed Arthur's cautious responses.
His gaze followed Arthur's departure, a moment of contemplation preceding the closure of his eyes.
"He possesses an extraordinary mind, capable of concealing his emotions with precision," Emperor Alex mused, his eyes reopening as he reflected on Arthur's composed demeanor and carefully chosen words.
The fa?ade Arthur presented appeared sincere, yet the depth behind his expressions was undeniable.
"A son like him can either be a boon or a bane to David," Emperor Alex murmured to himself with a sardonic smile, rising briskly from his seat as he dismissed his contemplation.
"Butler!" Emperor Alex's voice, devoid of inflection, rang out, summoning an elderly man into his presence.
"Is there a matter you require, Emperor?" The butler inquired respectfully.
Meeting the butler's gaze with a chilly demeanor, Emperor Alex posed his question.
"Is it true that the Light Eater organization, which vanished hundreds of years ago, has infiltrated the Savaran Empire?" His inquiry brimmed with lethal intent.
The butler, undeterred by the severity of Emperor Alex's tone, affirmed the veracity of the information.
"Yes, Your Highness. However, it appears the Savaran Empire is making efforts to bury this revelation deeply. Regrettably, our operatives managed to uncover the truth amidst their veil of secrecy," the butler conveyed with meticulous precision.
Emperor Alex's acknowledgment was accompanied by a slight inhalation, his expression taking on a subtle chill.
"Continue to surveil the Northern region, bolster our troops there, and provide reinforcement as needed. Additionally, maintain a vigilant watch over the Western territories, anticipating potential covert strikes. Emperor Alex issued unwavering directives, leaving no room for dissent.
"Understood! Your orders will be carried out without delay," the butler responded with deference before promptly retreating from the room, leaving Emperor Alex in solitude.
With the room now empty, Emperor Alex's eyelids lowered and his words softened.
"All is proceeding as planned. May unforeseen challenges remain at bay," he murmured, a contemplative expression gracing his features.
Gradually, his eyes opened once more before he vanished from the room, his presence fading into the corridors beyond.
...
Vivian and Lucia strolled toward the imperial garden, settling into chairs amidst the tranquil environment.
"Auntie, what's on your mind?" Lucia regarded Vivian with a puzzled expression, her brows slightly furrowed.
Observing Lucia, Vivian sensed a subtle shift in her niece's demeanor, an alteration that intrigued her.
With a steadying breath, Vivian shifted her gaze to Lucia, her expression growing serious.
"Lucia, tell me, do you truly love Arthur?" Vivian's question was unexpected, causing Lucia to startle slightly.
Yet Lucia's surprise quickly gave way to a radiant smile as she responded fervently.
"Absolutely! I adore Arthur more than words can express. My heart skips a beat whenever I see him." Lucia's words flowed with sincerity, her demeanor shedding its prior veneer of poise for an unabashed enthusiasm.
Vivian observed her niece's reactions and sensed the authenticity of Lucia's affection for Arthur.
Curiously, she posed a question that altered Lucia's expression, replacing the warmth in her smile with a chill.
"What if Arthur's feelings aren't reciprocated?" Vivian's question cut through the air, prompting Lucia's smile to falter and eventually vanish.
Lucia regarded Vivian with eyes that seemed to have turned colder, a stark departure from her earlier demeanor.
Vivian, detecting Lucia's abrupt transformation, experienced her own surprise, recognizing the undercurrent of hostility emanating from Lucia.
"I only meant it as a hypothetical scenario, Lucia. I didn't intend to imply Arthur's sentiments toward you," Vivian clarified, her countenance unperturbed and unwavering.
Lucia gradually regained her composure, offering a small nod in response.
"Auntie, you've misunderstood. Arthur unquestionably loves me," Lucia asserted, her visage illuminated with a joyous assurance.
As Vivian studied Lucia, a multitude of thoughts swirled within her.
However, she concealed them behind a composed smile and a nod.
"I wish for your aspirations to be fulfilled," Vivian responded casually, concealing her inner reflections.
She harbored a desire to hasten and discuss this matter with Arthur without delay.
...
"Arthasia, are you present?" Seated on his bed, Arthur stroked his slumbering white fox, his thoughts directed towards communicating with the Arthasia in his mind.
However, despite his call, Arthasia remained absent, deepening Arthur's perplexity and concern.
"Why has she become so elusive?" Arthur furrowed his brows, a sense of bewilderment taking root.
A sigh escaped him as he gazed at the peaceful fox cradled in his arms, its constant slumber raising suspicions.
"Is there something amiss with you, little one? You've been asleep more than usual," Arthur murmured as his fingers tenderly brushed over the fox's fur.
Engrossed in his contemplation, Arthur's concentration was interrupted by the sudden intrusion of footsteps from beyond his room.
A gentle knock sounded on the door, followed by a familiar voice piercing the silence.
"Arthur, are you in there?" The voice, unmistakably Vivian's, floated into the room.
Arthur, guided by the sound, gently lowered the slumbering fox onto the bed and approached the entrance, subsequently swinging the door open.
"Mom?" Arthur's lips curled into a smile as he greeted her.
Vivian returned the smile, her fingers tenderly grazing his cheek in an affectionate gesture.
"Arthur, I apologize for disturbing you, but there's something I'd like to discuss." Vivian's words hinted at a matter of significance, piquing Arthur's curiosity.
"Certainly, please come in." Arthur's nod invited her inside, and she stepped across the threshold into his room.
Seated upon the sofa, Arthur and Vivian engaged in conversation, their attention momentarily captured by the white fox nestled upon the bed.
"Is that your companion?" A curiosity-fueled question tumbled from Vivian's lips, her gaze drifting to the sleeping creature.
A soft chuckle accompanied Arthur's nod, his features illuminated by a fond smile.
"Yes, indeed. This little one is my companion," Arthur responded, the warmth in his voice reflecting his sentiment towards the fox.
Vivian absorbed the information, her attention subsequently returning to Arthur as their exchange continued.
"Arthur, during my conversation with Lucia, I noticed a peculiar shift in her behavior that left me somewhat perplexed," Vivian began, addressing the topic she had in mind.
Her words piqued Arthur's interest, a genuine curiosity etching his features.
He hadn't anticipated that Vivian would raise such an issue.
Presenting an air of innocence, Arthur leaned forward slightly, his gaze attentive as he inquired, "Could you provide an example?"
Vivian's response, however, briefly caught Arthur off guard, her words signaling a direction he hadn't anticipated.
Vivian's contemplative pause was palpable; her gaze lowered as she seemed to mull over her thoughts.
Eventually, her gaze lifted, finding Arthur's eyes with a serious expression.
"I can't help but feel that Lucia has undergone a transformation, as if she's someone entirely different."
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