Chapter 99: A Serious Conversation

Chapter 99: A Serious Conversation

Sitting on the sofa, Airael composed herself and looked towards Celia. “Let him in.”

“Understood!”

Celia bowed in response.

She then stepped aside and called out to Arthur outside, “Mr. Axi, please come in.”

Arthur nodded to Celia and stepped into the office.

Once he was in, Celia went outside and closed the door behind her, standing guard like a vigilant doorman.

Inside the office.

Arthur looked at Airael sitting on the sofa, a smile spreading across his face as he approached. “Good afternoon, Aira.”

Airael gently nodded back. “Good afternoon. I thought you might come a bit later.”

Arthur paused a little too close, gazing at Airael with a heartfelt look. “Aira, I missed you so much that I rushed over right after lunch.”

Caught off guard by Arthur’s expression, Airael shook her head. “I’m glad to hear you think of me that way, but because of that, I can’t take Anna for her nap.”

When it came to their daughter, Arthur’s expression shifted to one of surprise, followed by a look of regret. “I’m sorry, Aira. I didn’t mean to interrupt you and Anna.”

“It’s nothing. Anna needs to learn some independence.”

Airael shook her head before looking at Arthur. “Stop standing there. Sit down and let’s talk.”

Feeling forgiven, Arthur made his way next to Airael and sat down.

As he settled in, he instinctively reached out to wrap his arms around Airael.

Airael quickly blocked his advances with her hand.

Reluctantly, Arthur withdrew his hands.

Seeing his reaction, Airael found herself both amused and exasperated.

Arthur’s response clearly indicated his admiration for her, which should make her happy. However, his reaction was a bit too childlike.

After all, Arthur was nearly thirty and was now a family man.

With that in mind, Airael explained, “Next, we need to talk about something serious. This won’t do.”

“Got it!”

Arthur straightened up, his expression turning earnest.

Noting this change, Airael inquired, “I need to ask you, did Linis come to see you this morning?”

Arthur’s face showed surprise, and he nodded. “Indeed, Lady Linis came to find me.”

“What did she want?”

“She just wanted to get to know me a bit better, knowing I’m Anna’s father.”

Arthur replied.

“She just wanted to know you?”

“Plus, she gave me a little test.”

Arthur added.

“A test? What kind of test?”

“To see if I’m worthy of being by your side.”

“And the result?”

“Lady Linis was quite pleased with me.”

Arthur said with a grin.

Looking at Arthur’s smiling face, Airael remarked, “If that’s all there is to it, then it seems we don’t have any issues.”

With Airael’s words, Arthur began pouring praise on Linis. “Aira, Lady Linis is a truly good person. She’s the most respectable person I’ve ever met.”

Watching Arthur, Airael retorted, “I know Lady Linis much better than you do.”

“Aira, how do you view Lady Linis?”

Arthur asked with curious anticipation.

Airael appeared thoughtful, considering how to describe her feelings for Linis.

Arthur patiently waited nearby.

After a moment of deliberation, Airael finally said, “Let’s put it this way, Linis is someone I hold dear.”

“Dear!”

Arthur echoed.

“Yeah!”

Airael nodded, a reflective look crossing her face as she continued, “If it weren’t for Linis bringing me from the Tree of Life, I probably wouldn’t have my current status.”

Arthur’s curiosity piqued as he pressed, “Aira, can you tell me about your past?”

Airael looked at Arthur, puzzled. “Why do you want to know that?”

“I want to understand more about your history.”

Arthur smiled back.

Reflecting on Airael’s words, he realized he didn’t know much about her background.

Most of what he knew was about Airael’s appearance, but not much about her past.

“My past is rather dull.”

Airael recalled her three hundred years of study.

For three hundred years, she had been learning all sorts of things.

Especially magic—if she were to be blunt, she understood the magic of every faction in the world.

Thanks to that grounding, once her strength grew tremendously, Airael found it easy to adapt.

She had more or less let go of her experiences from her previous life, allowing them to fade into memory.

Her previous life was like a distant echo; occasionally, Airael would reminisce and sigh.

“Even if it’s dull, I still want to hear it.”

Arthur replied earnestly.

“Fine. After being brought to the capital by Linis, I started receiving the queen’s training she arranged for me. My days were packed to the brim… though there were some hiccups. For example, shortly after my training began, the great Emperor Alexander, who unified the humans and oppressed the entire continent, declared war on the Elven Race, resulting in my engagement to a human.”

Sighing, Airael reflected on what truly was a shameful chapter.

But there was no choice; if the Elves hadn’t submitted, they would’ve ended up like the Merfolk.

Only a few remnants of their race left hiding in some corner of the world.

Arthur wrapped Airael in his arms and once again made his promise. “Aira, I will protect you and Anna.”

Three hundred years ago, his ancestors harmed Airael.

Now, he would do his best to make amends.

Airael turned in Arthur’s embrace, gazing into his face, which wore a mischievous smile. “Arthur, I appreciate your sentiment.

But with your current strength, I might end up needing to protect you instead.”

Arthur felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.

He quickly cleared his throat and declared, “I’ll make sure to get stronger!”

“When do you plan to start? You seem completely lost in my charming embrace.”

Arthur turned even redder from sheer awkwardness.

Airael pushed him onto the sofa, her right hand pressing against his chest for support.

With an enchanting smile, she remarked, “While this showcases my allure well enough, I’d prefer my man not to be someone who’s solely obsessed with my beauty.”

Arthur, initially dazed, snapped back to reality upon hearing Airael’s words.