Chapter 57: Arthur’s Choice

Chapter 57: Arthur’s Choice

Arthur didn’t keep Shadow waiting long and soon entered the living room with Karina.

Upon seeing Shadow sitting there, Arthur’s pupils constricted slightly.

Meetings between the two were usually prearranged.

Now that Shadow had suddenly appeared before him, it meant he must have something urgent to discuss.

“Karina, you can leave now.”

“Yes, my lord!”

At the entrance of the living room, Arthur waved Karina away.

Though Karina wanted to eavesdrop on some news, she reluctantly took her leave.

Arthur walked into the living room and sat across from Shadow, saying, “You came in a hurry, so it must be something important.”

“It’s something related to you, and it might involve Her Majesty Airael.”

“What’s the matter?”

Hearing it concerned him and Airael made Arthur frown.

From Shadow’s demeanor, he sensed it couldn’t be good news.

“It seems you haven’t been paying attention to the recent rumors. But then again, these rumors have only circulated in small circles, and they would deliberately avoid bringing it up around you, the person involved.”

Shadow shook his head.

His words deepened Arthur’s frown, making him more eager to know the details.

“What exactly is it?” he asked again.

Noticing Arthur’s anxiety, Shadow decided to be straightforward, saying, “Some people are spreading that you are an ungrateful person.”

Arthur was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing, “Ungrateful? Whose favor have I forgotten? Who did I wrong?”

Shadow replied, “Miss Ailia!”

Seeing Arthur’s confusion, Shadow quickly explained, “Since they’re unaware that Her Majesty Airael is actually Miss Ailia, to some people, your participation in the selection in Lanahl seems like a betrayal to Miss Ailia, who was with you back then.”

“Even so, what does my relationship with Ailia have to do with them? On what grounds do they claim I’m ungrateful?”

While he knew it was a misunderstanding, Arthur was still very angry.

This was definitely slander against him!

Besides, if anyone was truly ungrateful, it should be Ailia.

He was the one who got abandoned!

Thinking about this made Arthur feel even worse.

Seeing his master’s troubled expression, Shadow felt sympathetic.

In this situation, his master was a genuine victim.

Shadow sighed, saying, “Master, discussing this is not what’s important now. The key lies in how to resolve this matter. If it’s not handled properly, it could severely tarnish your image.”

“I know.”

Arthur nodded, deeply troubled as he contemplated solutions.

In his view, this situation seemed very difficult to resolve.

After all, having abandoned “Ailia” for Airael was now a confirmed fact.

The only resolution would probably be to reveal that Ailia and Airael are the same person.

But that revelation couldn’t be made public at this time.

Not to mention whether Ailia would hold it against him, given the current situation on the continent, making that fact known would surely make him the target of everyone’s ire.

Great, while we’re here trying for fair competition, these scoundrels have already jumped ahead!

Arthur guessed those people must be cursing him in their hearts.

This was not good for either him or Ailia.

“Shadow, what should I do?”

Unable to think of a solution, Arthur tossed the problem to Shadow.

After all, it was his idea to get into this mess.

“Resolving this matter is actually quite simple.”

Upon hearing that, Arthur’s expression brightened, “What should I do?”

“All you need to do is publicly declare that you have no actual relationship with Miss Ailia. Even if things happen, it will be seen as a mutual agreement.”

“No way!”

Arthur shook his head.

He truly had an actual relationship with Ailia.

Moreover, he genuinely loved Ailia, not the mysterious Elven Queen—Airael.

Though the two were the same person, Arthur still felt a stronger connection to Ailia.

Airael felt distant.

“Master, this is the best method. Besides, it won’t actually harm you since Miss Ailia and Her Majesty Airael are the same person.

Furthermore, since the moment Miss Ailia returned to the Elven Race, Miss Ailia ceased to exist; only the Elven Queen Her Majesty Airael remains.”

Shadow’s later words struck deeply at Arthur.

He realized that was precisely why Ailia didn’t want to see him.

Their relationship only existed within Ailia, not Airael.

This was also why he had just rejected Shadow’s suggestion.

Airael had abandoned Ailia; if he rejected her again, they would indeed have no connection left.

Wait—

Arthur suddenly realized he had missed something.

He and Ailia had a daughter.

Their daughter had been taken back to the Elven Race by Ailia.

Seeing Arthur deep in thought and not responding to his suggestion, Shadow stood up, saying, “Master, the only idea I can come up with right now is this. Please think it over; I must take my leave.”

With that, Shadow left, leaving Arthur alone in the living room, mulling over the issue.

Karina approached Arthur after Shadow had left.

Seeing him in a daze, she walked over and called out, “My lord!”

“Karina, is something the matter?”

Arthur snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her.

“My lord, are you okay? You seem a bit off?”

Karina asked in return.

“I’m fine.”

Arthur shook his head, stood up, and said:

“I need to go out for a walk alone.”

“Yes!”

Stepping out of the apartment, Arthur wandered through the streets of Lanahl.

Though a considerable time had passed, he still had memories of the place,

Especially the moments spent here with Ailia.

Before long, he found himself at the very inn where he had once stayed with Ailia.

Now, he had his own home in Lanahl and no longer needed to stay here.

But this place held beautiful memories for Arthur.

Ailia, what should I do? Should I forget you and start anew with another you—Airael?

Arthur pondered within himself.

He knew he was overthinking it, and the fault lay not with him; human emotions were complex, and people often developed a strong attachment to things they were reluctant to let go of.

“Ah-choo—!”

On the other side of the sea, Airael, working in her office, sneezed.

How strange; who is thinking of me?

After pondering for a moment and finding no answer, she quickly focused back on her work.