He placed the mask on the shelf.
Valyrxa.
His gaze fixed the mirror in front of him.
'So...the king of camelot is missing.'
He sighed.
'I expected him to be dead, but this works too.' Valyrxa said, using his hand to pack his black hair in a pony tail.
At first glance, he looked like your regular prince, who cared deeply for his kingdom. On the other hand, he was secretly running a scheme behind the scene.
His love for Artoria was something he had always kept buried, at least until he heard about her supposed marriage.
This angered him even more when he heard the man she married was a random man who was nothing but a guest.
How could she have married someone who wasn't of royal bloodline.
The answer was simple. She loved him. And this didn't sit well with the prince.
Thus he began to think of ways he could run Camelot to the ground, just so he could walk in and build it from the ground up, and have Artoria owe him.
It was well known that Welfor kingdom had more resources and partnership than Camelot, at least until Camelot began to grow at a rapid pace. If he destroys Camelot, he could easily rebuild it with the kingdom's resources.
But first...
He needed to get rid of the man who would most likely get in his way. Ha Joon Pendragon, who was nicked named, the God Tamer.
Valyrxa began to build a cult, one that would be known as the Cult of Barbatos. His plan went according to how he wanted it, with phase one done, phase 2 was in place.
Making the Suldan go to war with Camelot.
Ha Joon was missing, and Artoria surely wasn't what she used to be. If done well, the Suldan would definitely win the war.
Valyrxa smiled, "Checkmate."
...
(Camelot kingdom, Royal capital.)
Artoria was in her room, putting on her dress while standing in front of the mirror.
Merlin sat beside her.
"Are you headed somewhere?" Merlin asked.
"No, the prince of Welfor kingdom wants to have a discussion, so he is coming over." Artoria replied.
Merlin covered her mouth with a teasing glare, "You mean the first prince? Valyrxa? The one you were engaged to as a kid?"
Artoria was quiet for a while.
She slowly veered around to look at Merlin, "The engagement was cancelled, don't make the mistake of mentioning this in front of my husband."
"Sorry sorry..." Merlin laughed.
Since she wasn't there when Artoria's marriage with the prince was arranged, she didn't have much to tease her on.
"Any idea what he wants to speak about?"
"I have a vague idea. The Suldan kingdom is slowly trying to start a war with us, I venture he wants to supply use with military personnel." Artoria replied.
"You think?"
"Why else will he want to see me?"
Merlin looked to the side, nervously, "W.. we'll just have to see first."
Artoria was done dressing.
"Okay, I'll be on my way. Take care of the palace in my absence."
Merlin sighed a bit, "I got it, just be careful."
"I will."
With that, she walked out of the room.
Leaving Merlin seated on the chair, her gaze lingering towards the open window.
"I really miss you." She blurted out, her mind wondering towards the man she fell in love with.
Artoria's eyes widened as she recalled the words of the dragon -
....
"As for me, my position is to remain by his side always, even if I have to wait a thousand years. And if at the end the demon lord is the one to walk out victorious, I will put an end to him myself."
....
The dragon Lyra moved, which could only mean one of two things.
Artoria didn't waste any time.
She ran off.
Chasing after the dragon, her desperation evident with every step she took.
"Ha Joon..."
She called out, her voice cracking as she tried her best not to cry.
What is he did die?
What if he didn't survive the battle and the dragon only moved because she killed the demon king.
Artoria didn't want that.
A world where Ha Joon wasn't by her side was torture and nothing less.
"Please...I beg of you."
Artoria got closer to the dragon, her heart beating heavily.
If....
Just if...he managed to survive.
She took an oath in that moment. If God could bring her husband to her safely, she will never take him for granted again.
Not for breakfast.
Not for dinner.
And not even when he goes out for meetings.
She would always value every second she has him in her life.
The dragon came to a stop at the center of the castle's garden.
Panting heavily, Artoria stood at a distance.
And there she could see him.
Ha Joon.
Lying in the ground, in front of Lyra.
"Your highness, the king has returned."
Were the words of the dragon.
Artoria ran towards Ha Joon, and immediately placed her ear on his chest, just to be sure he was really alive.
To her surprise, she could hear his heart beat.
Tears ran down her cheeks, her lips qeivering.
"Arrrrrweeeeee!"
The queen cried out loud, her head resting on Ha Joon's chest.
The relief she felt, along with the fear that she might have lost him, all came flowing out in the form of heavy cries.
More people began to gather, those that also saw the dragon speed through the sky.
Almost everyone had a smile on their face, and most almost tearing up after seeing their queen break down.
Alas, the king of Camelot has returned to his people.
...
[A\\N: That brings an end to vol 3. I hope you enjoy the book so far.
Please show your support, Gt, Ps, reviews and so on. Let's keep growing. Thank you all for reading.]