The Princess And The Lord

Arthea woke up from his bed when he opened her bedroom door, Demian saw her then threw away his toys without care and crawled towards her excitedly, it seem the baby miss her very much, meanwhile, the aroma of stewed meat filled the room, bringing comfort and warmth to the whole place.

Arthea knelt down welcoming Demian's excited greeting then she picked up the cute baby then took him to the wooden couch near the fireplace and played with the adorable baby for a while before she turned her head towards Mery.

"Any news from my brother?" Arthea asks.

Merry nodded her head then she answered politely, "Yes, miss. An Eagle has just come in with the message from the master telling he has managed to lead Byroft to the south where the White Peak mountain is."

"When did this news come?" she asked again.

"Two days ago only at that time, you were sleeping so we didn't dare disturb you" Merry explained.

Everyone knew Arthea's ability to predict the future through dreams so no one dared to disturb Arthea when she was in a deep sleep.

Merry glanced at Arthea's bandaged hands, she actually had noticed the wound on arthea hands and the truth is the wounds seem got worsen from the first time she saw Arthea wound, it's almost like the wounds were deliberately made by Arthea herself, for what reason? Merry did not dare to ask thinking it was not her place to interfere with her master's affairs.

"Do you want me to tend to your wound my Lady?"

Arthea unknowingly clenched her fist for a second but then released her fist and her expression returned to normal, Arthea then shook her head while smiling "No need, this wound is not as bad as it seems, it will heal soon" Arthea brushed it off with light smiles.

"Oh, okay" Merry did not ask again instead she quickly diverted the question "Do you want to eat something, my Lady? you have been asleep for two days you must be starving" Merry looks in concern for Arthea.

"Of course, I think I woke up because I smelled your delicious cooking, Merry" Arthea laughed as she walked towards the dining table but before that, she put Demian on the bear rug with his toys.

"Oh, then I'll prepare an extra portion for you, my lady" Merry blushed but she was ecstatic to hear her praised hence she quickly went to the kitchen to pour soup into a fairly large bowl, and also prepared bread on another plate as an addition.

"Thank you very much, merry" Arthea inhaled the delicious smell of meat stew causing her stomach to rumble uncontrollably, Arthea smiled sheepishly while Merry guffawed.

Arthea enjoyed her lunch as much as there was something that made her very comfortable and satisfied every time she enjoyed delicious food even though in oblivion she got satisfaction in exploring her strength and uncovering the secrets of each world but still couldn't replace the comfort of her home, therefore Arthea hesitated to accept Lazarus' offer because whatever that world give, it couldn't replace the family and friends she had in this world.

Shortly after she finished eating Merry was preparing tea for her when Arthea continue her question.

"How are the villagers?" asked Arthea as Merry placed the teacup in front of her.

Merry sighed then said: "No doubt, they are all worried but most of them are still calm cause compared to living outside they realize they are now in the safest place...besides everyone feels at ease with you being with us, my Lady" Mary sincerely said.

"Well… good to hear." Arthea lowered her head secretly hiding a complicated expression as she took a sip of her tea.

If before her heart wavered between two options but now she was sure she couldn't leave her world despite her fears for Cavio's safety she couldn't ignore the people in the village who depended on her and she was sure Cavio wouldn't want that either.

What else she could do, other than try harder than before while praying she will not be late to help her brother thought it was a tremendously hard decision she make but she had no other choice. Arthea slowly put down her teacup and then rose from her chair "I need to sleep, can you take care, Demian, merry?"

Merry was stunned "But, you just woke up, will your body be okay?" although he had no clear knowledge of how sleeping would affect one's health, she know enough with the amount of sleep Arthea took would have an adverse effect on Arthea's body.

Arthea knows merry is worried for her but that only makes her more adamant to finish her task faster than later, "I'll be fine" she reassured merry "Just take Demian, I'll be awake soon" she half-lying in order to comfort Merry.

Merry can't stop her she can only give in with a heavy sigh "Take care of yourself, my lady, I will take care of Demian"

Arthea smiled with a nod "Thank you"

Arthea entered her room she opens the bandage on her hand before lying down on the bed then took a deep breath before slowly closing her eyes. soon after darkness enveloped her, when she opened her eyelids she had returned to the boundary between dream and reality where future and past collided, Arthea stared at the road that was divided in all directions like tree branches, she then take step toward the path she already knew hoping something would change all of a sudden her steps stopped a moment later her forehead creased with disappointment, sadness, and anger.

There again she was confronted with images of the death of Cavio who lay on the ground with his body covered in wounds in the pool of his own blood. Arthea's face is contorted and her whole body trembles uncontrollably as she tries to hold her cry.

'The future hasn't changed, yet'

Of course, the future doesn't change because she hasn't made any progress yet, she doesn't understand what's wrong and why she can't make a replacement doll for Cavio. what's wrong with her method?!

feeling utterly frustration she turned around and then take long strides towards where Lazarus was, she was adamant to solve this problem by today!

"You have come" Lazarus greeted him happily.

"Of course, I'm coming." Arthea didn't understand why Lazarus didn't seem to be expecting her arrival so she didn't investigate any further as she had other, more pressing matters to attend to.

"Lazarus quickly take me to the crystal, somehow I have to succeed this time!"

Lazarus stared at Arthea for a moment before leaving again, "Sure..." his answer was simple.

Arthea felt something off about Lazarus again he had always been weird so he pushed those thoughts to the back of his head.

Once again Arthea was faced with a crystal that glowed with a faint light.

"Why Thea?" asked Lazarus.

He bit his lips as anxiety crept into her heart, "What if I fail again..." she muttered.

There was a spark in Lazarus' eyes yet he kept his expression impassive "That's why I told you to bring your body here by then you will have more time to succeed"

"No!" Arthea replied firmly, "Many people depend on me, my brother's departure has already made them restless if I disappear too, I'm afraid the whole village will break down and I can't let that happen..."

Lazarus snorted "Aren't you too greedy Thea? you want to save your brother but you don't want to sacrifice your people..."

Arthea didn't feel offended she actually feel the same but the heart wants what it wants, "Perhaps...nevertheless, I still can't give up either of them"

Lazarus's face hardened, he always felt jealous hearing Arthea's attachment to her world not only her brother but also her people as if it was only natural for her to protect them so he began to wonder if she would fulfill her promise when he asked her, or maybe she discard him when he outlived his usefulness?