Chapter 152: Hidden Ploys & Truths

One of the generals, an older elf with a scar across his cheek, nodded. “A clear statement, my lady.”

“Indeed,” Arnarra said. “But statements alone are not enough. Oberon has consolidated power faster than I anticipated. And he has Aiden.”

Another general, a woman with silver braids, spoke up. “The bastard is dangerous, my lady. His power is… unnatural.”

After the war, it was only natural that tales of Aiden’s power were well known in all nine kingdoms.

“I’m aware,” Arnarra said. “Which is why we must be cautious. Direct confrontation is not an option. We only need Oberon’s head.”

She gestured to three figures in dark, fitted armor, who stood some distance away from the table.

They were elves, with twin daggers strapped to their thighs.

Arnarra looked at the who stood infront of them, apparently their leader. “You know what to do.”

“Yes, my lady.” He spoke for the group, and with that they were gone, vanishing from sight in an instant.

These were Assassins, and their duty was to claim Oberon’s life before the Coronation Day.

…

Helena and her children, Lucas and Lysandra were also in Elandria for the last month.

This was where Ursula had sent them to with her teleportation spell that day.

Right now, it was just Helena sitting alone in a room with her hands folded in her lap, her expression distant as he starred out through the windows.

Those lines of grief etched into her face had not gone ever since she was given the news of her Husband’s death

She looked over a yard, watching different elves walked past in groups. Then one of Arnarra’s daughters walked past with a group of friends.

Of all 10 daughters of Lady Arnarra, Taenyra was the youngest. She was nine years old, and had white hair with green eyes.

And each time she crossed, Helena would always stare at her for a long moment, just as she was doing now.

Something kept feeling off about this girl. She may have taken her mother’s eyes but every other thing felt different.

First, she looked more human than elf, even with the pointy ears.

Second, that white hair…

And finally, it looked like she had this striking resemblance with a young Jarius.

At first when she had seen Taenyra, it only was only a passing thought but each time she looked, the more certain she became.

That girl looked like Jarius.

Helena’s hands clenched in her lap, but she said nothing. Especially not here, and not now. But she would find out.

…

The morning in Ravens Grave was a quiet one. The main room was nearly empty.

Most of the members were either out on a mission, or in preparation for the guild games or training.

Except for Arianna.

She sat at one of the tables, idly flipping through a book. That was when Aiden stepped into the main room from the corridors.

He had a slow morning, and had even sent an avatar earlier to go to thamoryn for magic lessons in his stead.

He went to sit by Arianna. “Hey”

A smile appeared on her face. She said back, “hey”

“Where did everyone go?” Aiden asked, as he glanced around at the almost empty hall.

“Laela, Elena, Oliver and Bernard, went into the city’s food market in search of Ingredients. You can hear Kayden and Innis training upstairs..” then Arianna turned towards the Captain’s door, “and piers is currently occupied”

Although generally, it wasn’t loud but Aiden’s enhanced hearing could hear faint sounds of soft gasps, moans and giggles.

That was unmistakably the Captain’s.

At some point, Aiden heard Piers’s voice say “put them on my face you nasty succubus”

“Heh” Aiden shook his head amusingly, “they were never the subtle type.”

Then he turned towards Arianna and said, “since it’s just the two of us. Can I ask you to come with me, there’s some place I want to show you”

Arianna raised an eyebrow. “Where?”

Aiden held out his hand. “Come on.”

Without any further inquiries, she took it, and in that instant, the world shifted.

[Pocket Domain]

One moment they were in the guild. The next, they were standing in the middle of Aiden’s pocket domain.

Arianna’s eyes went wide.

The space was vast, and right now it was far larger than the last time Aiden was a Wyrm.

Floating platforms of cracked stone drifted lazily through the air, and Fragments of earth hovered like suspended islands.

The sky above was a swirl of purples, pinks, and blues, giving the entire space an otherworldly glow.

“What… is this place?” Arianna asked in amazement.

“My pocket domain,” Aiden said.

“Your what?” Arianna looked at him with a rather confused expression.

Aiden smiled, and while still holding her he said, “walk with me”

Since Laela already knew, there was no need to keep it from Arianna either, especially as she was also going to be his wife.

Laela only told Arianna about him being a dragon and his irresistible instinct, but Aiden was going further than that.

As they continued walking along the path, Aiden told her how it all began. The system and all of that it entailed so far.

She was quiet for a moment. A really long moment. Trying to process it all.

And while that happened, something had occurred to Aiden as he looked at the vast space beyond.

“System, could i perhaps shape this domain into something more to my will?” He asked this in his thoughts.

The system replied him instantly, as it understood where he was headed with the question.

[Perhaps if you asked the Dragon of Creation. Only she could give a definite structure to this space. She could turn this into a world of its own if she wanted]

“Hm..” Aiden muttered, not given anymore to the conversation, before his focused shifted to Arianna who had broken the silence.

“That was.. alot” she muttered, still unsure if she had comprehended it all

Aiden smiled, “I know”

“But why tell me all of these?” She was curious.

“You’re going to be my wife one day, best you know now” Aiden replied.

Although, he was also telling her now so that it would make more sense when he has to tell them that he would soon be leaving for the continent of Delheim.

“Aiden,” she said quietly. “Can I ask something of you?”

Aiden nodded in agreement.

She stopped and turned to face him fully.

“Do you see me as more than just a treasure that you must have?” she asked. “Or… is that all I’ll ever be to you?”

He stepped closer, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek. “Arianna…”

I need to know,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Because I love you. I’ve loved you for a long while. But sometimes I wonder if you only keep me close because of… whatever this dragon curse is. If I’ll only ever be just something you feel compelled to protect, not someone you actually want.”

Aiden stared at her for a moment his. Then he leaned in and kissed her. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers.

“You’re not just a treasure,” he said quietly. “You’re Arianna. You’re fierce and stubborn and brilliant and you make me want to be better. Yes, the curse started all of these, but i’ve grown to care about you.”

Her eyes glistened while looking into his.

He exhaled slowly. “I don’t know if I’m good at this. At loving people the way they deserve. But I’m trying. And I want you here. Not because of any curse or whatever, right now i really do want you here.”

Arianna’s breath hitched, and without warning she kissed him again, harder this time, with her hands gripping the front of his coat.

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