Chapter 83 A NEW START
Darius began their journey back to Azure Forest but before that, he reached Arthur through his mind. He informed him that he was stepping down from his positions be it the CEO of The Empire or the heir to the throne of Aerouant kingdom but the latter didn't took him seriously.
'*Are you still at the border?*' Darius asked him as he watched Mystica getting their things ready.
'*Yes but I'm coming back in a moment.*' Arthur replied.
'*Good to hear that,*' Darius said, '*the Empire needs you to be there.*'
Arthur chuckled sarcastically. '*How is that even possible? The Empire belongs to you and I'm just one of your subordinates.*'
'*Not anymore.*' Darius gave out a mischievious laugh and said, '*You work hard for the kingdom and I saw all your efforts since we started to work together. We might fell into couple of arguments as siblings from time to time and trust me, when I say that you deserve to be awarded.*'
'*Have you eaten something poisonous today, Darius?*' Arthur asked curiously as he hadn't heard his brother talked to him this way ever since. They seldom get along with each other especially when Vladimir announced that he has chosen his brother to take his positions in the Empire and the throne. He was dissapointed as he didn't expect that his father would favor Darius too much and ignore his painstaking efforts.
'*I'm leaving the positions to you.*' Darius implored. '*From now on, the decisions was all yours to make.*'
'*Darius, don't bluff me.*' Arthur warned his brother seriuosly. '*I'm not in the mood for your jokes. I've got a lot to do.*'
'*I'm not jesting. I'll be gone for a long time and I hope that you will take care of everything this time. I have to go.*' With that Darius shut his brother off.
Darius brought Mystica to the place where the traps were hidden. The same place where she was found barely breathing. This place also serves as the border from the outside world and Azure Forest and they planned to start from here.
He shifted to his human form after she hopped down from his back. Then he took charge to carry the pouch filled with things they brought.
"*Are you ready for a long walk?*" Darius asked her mildly. "*You probably recalled that my abilities won't work in there.*"
Mystica held his hand and looked up at him. Her eyes brimming with inexplicable joy as she spoke, "*Of course and yes, I'm ready. You know I'm looking forward to this moment, right?*" She giggled happily as she clasped their palms, entwining their fingers together.
Darius held her hand tightly and responded, "*I know and I apologize for breaking my promises. But this time, that won't never happen again. We will start a new life where there was only you and me, Mystica. We will live simply in Azure Forest like normal creatures from now on...*"
"*You make me so happy, Darius. Thank you so much...*" She wee, "*Let's go before the sun set. We won't be able to detect the right path in the dark.*"
"*Okay. Let's go.*" With that they began to enter the hidden border together.
***
AEROUANT KINGDOM
Vladimir massage his temples soothingly as he paces back and forth in his spacious balcony. He was thinking of nothing but how to administer Ralph's suggestion. To him, he was running out of time thus he needed to make it happen otherwise he was afraid that Darius might thought of leaving the castle with Mystica. Unbeknownst to him, the cunning Ralph purposely suggested such a difficult scheme to make him busy while he was thinking of how to counter it.
Vladimir was used to getting Ralph's advise since they were kids and he found it effective therefore he has grown to consult him regarding with his decisions from time to time. He had his life appear like an open book which means he has hidden no secrets towards the latter whereas he has known his friend nothing aside from being a responsible father and similar to him, the latter was willing to go any lengths and cross any boundaries just to keep his family well and safe.
"*Father,*" Arthur appeared out of nowhere.
Startled, Vladimir took a step back out of instinct but when he realized who the creature was, he sighed and berated, "*Why do you have to appear like a phantom, huh? What's wrong with you?!*"
Arthur frowned and asked, "*What's wrong with you? Why do you look like you were zooming out?*"
"*Nothing,*" Vladimir replied then as he cast his son a good look, he realized that he appeared to be terrible therefore he growled. "*You, go to your tower and clean yourself! You look like a total shock if your mother happens to see you like this. Hurry up!*"
However, instead of listening to his father, he suddenly brought up the matter that Darius told him earlier.
"*Why was Darius decided to step down? What happened, father?*" he asked curiously.
The father who was currently in the middle of his mind battle, froze "*What are you talking about? Why would he do such a thing?*" His voice suddenly rose follow by his boiling temper.
"*I don't know. He just told me to take over his position at the Empire and the throne and nothing else.*" Arthur said, according to what they have talked. "*He also said that he will be gone for a long time.*"
Vladimir's eyes darkened as he sprang up to his feet then he glared at his son, "*Don't talk nonsense, Arthur.*" He warned him, "*Your brother won't just abandon his kingdom and family over a mere creature.*"
And just like the old times, Arthur enjoyed how he tries to irritate his father thus he continued, "*What if I'm actually telling you the truth? Have you seen my brother since this morning?*"
"*Yes and we talked about his upcoming betrothal.*"
Artur seemed to catch something that sparks inside his inner core as he clarified, "*...betrothal? How is that even possible when Darius already found his mate?*"
"*Everything is possible especially if it came from century to another century. He will carry on to the betrothal!*" VLadimir spat, gritting his teeth in pure rage.