Arthur's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

My head bobbed up and down a few times. “Well, as I said before, I saw you as a Mara’s daughter at first. It took a bit before I even started to look at you as my daughter.” I coughed nervously. “Although, that was also before I thought you were my actual daughter by blood.” She frowned. “But, as time went on, I started having little instances where I’d have a hint of suspicion.”

“Suspicion?” Lucia questioned.

“I was suspicious that maybe you were actually my daughter.” Shrugging, I continued. “I had already essentially assigned you that role in my mind, but then came a few dreams. There’d be a flash here and there of Mara…” Running my hand down my face, I looked down. “When I was poisoned, the images got stronger, and I have since had the opportunity to look through my mind. The timing doesn’t really matter given elven spells.”

“So, you truly believe I’m your daughter?” She asked genuinely.

I nodded. “I do.”

Lucia’s foot began to bounce up and down in thought. “Why are you so certain?” At my look, she continued. “How can you be sure that I’m really your daughter and not Elias’s?” She then shrugged. “Where’s the proof?”

Leaning forward, my fingers intertwined as I spoke. “When you saw… My other form…” I began carefully. “What did you think?”

Her eyes narrowed as she spoke. “What do you mean?”

“Were you afraid?” I asked back.

“…No.” Lucia replied after a moment. “If anything, it felt almost natural.”

“You were the only one to think that.” I told her, and I continued at her confused expression. “Everyone else watched on like I was a monster.” A weak laugh escaped my lips. “Even you thought I had a very demon like appearance.” Then I shrugged. “But you thought it was natural. There was no fear in your eyes.”

“Maybe so, but you were helping us. Why would they be afraid?”

I scratched the scruff of my beard as I answered. “People are afraid of what they don’t understand. Even I don’t understand all that’s been happening, and it terrifies me.” My eyes closed as I recounted the past incidents. “The Dwarves likely think of me as some manner of God. Thana and her forces are wary of me. Harlow was unsure of how to approach me, while Camoa was frozen in fear.” Then I shrugged once more. “Although, that’s likely because I had her what I thought was your dead body. None of them would use the word ‘natural’ the first time seeing that form.”

Lucia looked thoughtful. “After everything you’ve done for us, I don’t understand why so many of them would think that way.” She gestured to me softly. “How many times have you saved us? You’re a hero.”

“You say that, but I just tried to kill Arceana and essentially wiped out an entire race. Well, if those were the only Succubae left anyway. There may be more of them elsewhere. I’m not a hero. Truth be told, I don’t know what I am anymore.”

“What do you think you are?”

“A man who tries to do what he thinks is best.” I shook my head. “But I seem to mess that up all the time as well given what happened to your mother. In all seriousness, I truly don’t know what I am.”

Lucia smiled and stood before she gave me a soft hug. “You’re my dad.” My breath caught in my throat at that. “And I’m so happy you finally told me.”

A small smile came to my own lips as I put my hands on her arms. “Thank you.” She hummed in response. “But there is something you need to know.” Lucia took a step back and looked down at me. “I… How do I even go about talking about this?”

Sitting back down on the edge of the other couch, she waited patiently as she encouraged me. “Take your time. We’re in no hurry.”

“Most of what we’ve talked about needs to be kept between us. You understand that right?” She was about to respond, but I quickly continued. “Not about my role as Mordred, but-“

“About the possibility of my parents?” I nodded. “I figured. Thankfully, I have people to talk to about some of this. Although, keeping this secret makes sense. I understand why you did it.”

“Then I hope you understand when I say what I’m about to tell you is to stay between the two of us.” I told her before shaking my head. “Just you and me. No telling Alwin or anyone else.”

She gave me a nervous smile. “What could be worse than everything you’ve revealed so far?”

Looking her in the eyes, I spoke softly. “Promise me, Lucia. No one will hear a word of this.”

Lucia nodded hesitantly. “I promise.”

“The only reason I’m only considering telling you this is because you are my daughter. I don’t know how this will affect you, or if there is even a possibility of you gaining abilities like mine, but you need to be prepared if it does happen.”

“Okay?” She let out, unsurely.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke. “I’m old, Lucia. Not intentionally, but it took me eons to travel here through the most torturous method. Not by choice. A being of great power forced me to come here.”

“You mentioned something like this before to that cloaked High Elf.”

I nodded. “The truth is, I’m not from this world, Lucia.”