Arthur's Point of View

Lestrania

"Where do you need to go that is so important you would leave a crown behind?" Mara asked me in an accusatory tone. "Is someone waiting for you?"

"I have nothing and no one, Mara. Of that, I can assure you." Moving back to the map, I continued. "That's just how I want it."

"Why are you so afraid to let others in? To let me in?" She inquired as she moved next to me and tried to hold my hand. "A crown sits on your head here. Rudnurth causes no trouble, and after months of ruling, you finally have everyone backing you. Why would you leave?"

Pulling my hand away from her, I replied. "I can't stay, Mara." My tone got her to draw back slightly. "You don't need me here. Once everything is in place, Lestrania will be in the best hands after I move on. You, Elias, Arceana, and Elincia all have the makings of wonderful rulers. Your growth has been astounding."

It was true. Elias had improved greatly since I had come, and his swordsmanship was a testament to that, but so was everything else. He was truly a genius when it comes to leadership and battle. Aydan and I have spent countless hours with him to make sure he was ready for this. Not that he knew it at the time.

However, Mara was something else. Her rate of improvement was almost disturbing. The Prince was spectacular with a sword, there was no doubt, but Mara was a prodigy and sight to behold. Anything I did when training with her, she was able to copy almost instantly. Magic and spells came easy to her when she had someone to test them on. I ended up being the guinea pig most of the time, and she never held back. Every time she stepped onto the training grounds with me, there was a fire in her eyes that was hard to ignore, but ignore I did.

"Do you really not understand after all this time?" Mara placed her hands on my right shoulder as she leaned into me. "Have I truly not been rather forthcoming?"

Taking her hands, I once again returned them to her side, and I looked at her despite her inability to see my face. "You have been. Unfortunately, I cannot give you that which you seek." Shaking my head as her shoulders slumped and her eyes were cast downwards, I continued. "What you wish to give me is not a gift I could accept or ever hope to return. In more ways than one. I know you may not understand but know that I appreciate your feelings and hope you find someone more worthy of them."

This was harder than I thought. Mara was a strong-minded woman who was a force to be reckoned with in and out of battle. Her demeanor was always calm and cheerful at the worst of times, except when talking about Rudnurth. Mara had been a constant in my life while in the past, and while it pained me to say it, I was going to miss having her fawn over me. Had things been different… Well, they're not, and it wouldn't be fair to her to move forward in such a relationship.

"Why do you get to decide that you are not worthy of my feelings?" Mara asked me quietly. "After all you have done for my family, my kingdom, and my people, who else could I feel this towards?" She continued to press me as a few tears welled up in her eyes. "I know you enjoy our talks, and you often laugh when we are together."

"I'm sorry, Mara." That was all I said and left the princess alone in the council chambers.

Sighing as I exited the room, I ran into Kodnar, who glared at me. "The would-be King too good for our Princess?" Aydan's student questioned me harshly.

Having been used to this, I moved him aside. "You have it reversed," I told him. "She's far too good for someone like me."

Kodnar scoffed and left the princess to grieve while I made my way to the courtyard. Aydan's student has never forgiven me for taking his master's attention away from him. They still have their moments, but Aydan has been helping me a lot more than everyone else. His studies in magic have all been for trying to get me back to the present or figure out the spell that sent me here. It'd been months now without any real news.

Once out in the courtyard, my thoughts began to fade as I laid my eyes on the giant stone, tree, bush bear. "Kandma!" I called out, and her head popped up to look at me.

"Arthur!" She called out happily.

Moving over to her snout, I began to rub and pat it. "We've talked about this. You really need to stop growing, or else you won't be able to hang around in the courtyard here in a few years."

She huffed. "Are you going to still be here in a few years?" Kandma asked back.

"Who knows, but I don't want them to kick you out after I leave either."

"Mmh." The stone bear hummed out. "Heard quite the commotion around the castle today." Kandma stated and lifted her head back. "Want to explain what that was all about?" Going over the plans for Elias, she nodded in understanding. "Do you plan on doing this for every member of the Royal Family?"

"No. I doubt I'll be here that long and who knows if it'll even be possible. I'd prefer to split the kingdom to prevent Rudnurth from seizing control again after his blatant defiance and refusal to even try to learn anything." Rubbing my face, I leaned on Kandma's stone paw. "I'm tired of all this."

Kandma chuckled at that. "Tired of this or being on a time limit?"

Shaking my head, I replied. "Of everything. I'm not supposed to be here at all. You know that."

The bear nodded in understanding. "I imagine you are. Wearing that stupid looking cloak all the time can't help much." I rolled my eyes at that, but she continued. "However, when we first met, you were more sarcastic and didn't care as much about anything." Lifting her paw to remove me, she leaned down to look at me more closely. "Now, you seem much more alive and cheerful than when we first met."

"Being a King requires a certain level of tact. I like to think I'm at the bare minimum." Was my reply.

"Your speech has slowly begun to change, you act far more official than you once did, and while you are still willy, you care about the people here. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were almost scared to go back."

Crossing my arms, I sighed. "I wasn't there for very long, Kandma. I've been here longer than I have in the future, and it's possible the other members of the Royal Family may be out there somewhere, but I have a lot of concern about going back." Licking my lips in annoyance at the thought of what might be waiting for me, I continued. "Very few people back there actually gave a shit about me. Most others were annoying, invasive, and far too assuming for my liking."

"So, you do prefer being here…"

"Somewhat… I'd enjoy it more if I didn't think I was on a time limit."

Before we could continue, a soft voice called out to me. "Mordred?"

Both Kandma and I turned to see Princess Elincia approaching rather shyly. "Duty calls." Kandma commented and went back to lying down.

Rolling my eyes, I moved towards the youngest princess. "Is everything alright, Princess?" I asked.

Grabbing my hand, the young girl started to pull me back inside with one simple phrase. "Follow me."

"Of course." Was all I said as I walked back with her.

Elincia had been a natural talent as well, but she excelled at magic. Out of everyone, even Aydan, her magic was the strongest. Her sheer latent abilities would be a sight to behold if she actually trained them, but from what I saw in the future, she actually was weaker, and I had no idea why. Control was her strong suit, which explained why she summoned so many swords to use when we fought, but according to Aydan, she had the potential for so much more.

Unfortunately, all of that talent seemed to be used up. Arceana wasn't gifted in anything from what we had seen and had become frustrated more and more as we trained. While Arceana wanted to use the sword much like her older siblings, she ended up switching to lance. Instead of copying her siblings, she wanted to find something that worked for her, and thankfully, it seemed to work for her.

"Where are we going if you don't mind my asking?" I inquired to the youngest princess.

To my surprise, the princess stopped and looked up at me. "I just found out that Elias is going to be leaving. Is that true?" She inquired.

I nodded in response. "It is. While not immediately, your brother is going to be building a new kingdom and become its ruler."

Elincia put on a more serious expression. "Then it is as I feared! We must stop him from leaving!" The Princess declared. "The only person he will listen to is you, so we must stop these plans before it is too late!"

"Uh…" I trailed off in surprise and was unsure how to respond to this. "Princess, I think this is a great opportunity for him."

She didn't listen as she continued to drag me through the halls. "My brother will be leaving me behind! He clearly has not thought this through!"

"You can always go and visit him. I'm sure Elias would be more than happy to have you stay out there with him for an extended period of time. He isn't leaving you either. It's merely his way of doing what is best for Lestrania and the people."

"Nonsense. Leaving his favorite sister behind is nothing short of foolishness." Elincia stated back as if it was the most obvious thing.

Honestly, this was the most I had ever seen her go out of her way to do something. "Look, Elincia-"

Elincia used her magic to slam the doors open to the banquet hall, and many turned and looked at us in surprise. "Elias!" She called out as her eyes locked onto her brother. "Mordred has something to say to you!"

Many seemed amused at the situation, and even Elias had a smirk as he replied. "Is that so?" He then looked at me for a moment before turning back to his sister. "Then why does it look like you dragged him here?"

"He comes willingly!" Elincia declared and moved before her brother with me in tow. "Tell him!" She ordered me in a very childish manner.

Elias was amused but was trying to act as someone respectful. "Now, Elincia, what have I told you about address his majesty as?" He asked her. "There are proper titles to use in every situation despite being a princess, you must follow these same-"

"We do not want you to leave!" Elincia told him, and he paused to look at her with wide eyes before she looked up at me. "Tell him!"