"Alright, it's settled. We'll bring the kid to my academy and ensure he hides both his surname and the powers that come with it." Arthur's fingers drummed lightly against the table, but his cocky grin couldn't hide the fire in his eyes. It was clear: when Arthur made a decision, it was as good as law.
Endever, his usual poker face on, let out a small sigh. "I don't think it'll be that simple," he muttered, his words carefully measured like someone walking across a minefield. "We can't just lure the boy here. Most importantly, we need to protect him. We can't let something like this happen again."
Arthur chuckled, leaning back with his arms folded behind his head. "Seriously? You think we three of the world's most powerful people can't handle one kid? You forget who I am." His grin widened. "I say one word, and even the most arrogant brat would crawl to lick my boots just for a selfie."
Endever's jaw tightened, his hands slowly curling into fists under the table, but he kept his voice level. "This isn't a joke, Arthur."
Arthur's grin faltered for a second before bouncing back, but it was Aria who cut in before he could retort. "Who's going to bring him here?" Her eyes flickered between the two, cold as ice, her voice slicing through the tension like a dagger. "This isn't a task for just anyone. If we send someone else, people will talk. Secrets will slip out. One of us has to go personally."
Arthur erupted into laughter, slapping the table. "Who else but me? The strongest man alive!" His chest puffed out, as if the very suggestion of anyone else going was absurd. "It'd be an honor for that boy to meet me! Honestly, he'll be begging for an autograph before I even say hello."
Endever's gaze darkened, his calm slipping ever so slightly. "No. Absolutely not." His voice had an edge now, one that suggested he was just about done with Arthur's bravado. "You're not the right person for this."
Arthur blinked, taken aback. "What? You think I can't handle a kid?" His smirk wavered, irritation flashing across his face. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Aria's laugh came then, a soft sound that cut deeper than any blade. "Arthur, let's be real." She leaned forward, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that could freeze oceans. "If it weren't for your strength, you'd probably get killed after every conversation you have. People tolerate your arrogance because you're invincible not because they like you."
Arthur's face drained of color. He placed a hand over his chest, pretending as though she had just stabbed him. "Wifeyy, even you?"
Endever, fighting the urge to smirk, simply nodded. "She's not wrong."
Arthur's shoulders slumped, the wind knocked out of his sails. "So… who should go, then?" His voice held a tinge of sarcasm, but his earlier confidence had taken a hit. "You, Aria?"
Before Aria could respond, Endever stepped in hastily. "Not her either." i mean shes a wom... endever stopped halfway looking at her and changed his words
"Look, I'm just saying, you're not exactly the most… uh… warm when it comes to kids. He's been through enough already."
Endever hadn't even finished his sentence before Arthur's hand slapped over his mouth. "Wifey, don't listen to him," Arthur chuckled nervously. "He's clearly having a mental breakdown from stress."
The room suddenly chilled. Ice crept up the walls, spreading from Aria's feet as her smile grew more dangerous by the second. "Endever," she said sweetly, her voice calm and menacing, "what did you just say?"
Endever's heart raced, beads of sweat forming on his brow. He waved his hands frantically in a panic. "I.....i didn't mean it that way! I just "
Arthur, sensing his friend was about to become a popsicle, jumped in with a strained grin. "So! How about we all go together? That way, we avoid… misunderstandings." He shot Endever a glance that screamed "You're an idiot", but his words were laced with a desperate cheerfulness. "Right? It'll be a fun team trip! Road trip vibes!"
Aria glanced at Arthur for a long moment before letting out a small "hmph." The temperature in the room slowly began to rise as she turned her gaze away. "Fine," she said coolly, as though sparing Endever's life was a mere afterthought.
Arthur's voice echoed in Endever's mind. "I've told you, time and time again control your mouth in front of women! Is this why you don't have a wife?!"The mental jab was almost enough to make Endever wince
Arthur let out a long breath, casting a death glare at Endever. If looks could kill, Endever would've been dead ten times over by now. "I swear, if you make her mad again, you'll wish you never met me."
Endever, swallowing his nerves, nodded quickly, his face pale. "Agreed," he croaked, grateful for Arthur's intervention.
He cleared his throat, trying to return to the matter at hand. "But remember, we're not just meeting some random kid.
This is Lucian Valentino the son of Liliana G. von Valentino.
It's not just about getting him to the academy. This is much bigger than that."
Arthur leaned forward, his cocky grin returning, but there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "Yeah, I get it." His voice was quieter now, more serious. "I'm already scared."
Aria laughed softly, this time genuinely amused by Arthur's rare admission of fear. Even Endever gave him a raised eyebrow, clearly surprised.
Arthur waved them off. "What? I'm not stupid. I know when things are bigger than me. I just don't act like it."
Endever smirked, finally feeling like they were getting somewhere. "Alright, let's go," he said, and in an instant, they were standing outside Lucian's hospital room.
Arthur blinked, adjusting to the sudden change in scenery. "Why are we standing outside? Couldn't we have just teleported inside for dramatic effect?" He glanced at Aria for backup, but she merely rolled her eyes. "Wouldn't that have been cooler, wifey?"
Aria, unimpressed, shrugged. "Not everything's about making a grand entrance, Arthur."
Endever, now fully in his element, sighed. "This isn't about impressing anyone. This is the son of the Valentino Empire's queen. Barging in unannounced would be an insult."
Arthur's eyes widened, and for the first time, both he and Aria looked at Endever with something akin to respect. It was clear now, even to Arthur, that this was no ordinary mission.
Taking a deep breath, Arthur knocked on the door.
As the knock echoed in the silence, a sense of unease settled over the trio. What awaited them behind that door was far more than any of them were prepared for.