Emilia stood by the window of her chamber, watching the train tracks as the carriages passed by. Her mind was in turmoil, and the discomfort she felt refused to fade. Her wound had mostly healed, but the real pain lingered in her soul. She let out a long sigh, resting her hand on the window, as memories of the previous night flooded her mind.
"What are the issues you need to address?" Edward asked Arthur, his expression serious. Everyone sat down on the sofa, except for Python, who remained by the window, watching the rain fall.
"If you continue your alliance with Python and Phillip, your kingdom will soon perish," Arthur began, his voice firm and authoritative. "Your only option is to ally with me and the Otonto Empire."
"The Otonto Empire is nothing more than a band of rebels," Edward replied indignantly. "And from what I've heard, you're the elf with no claim to your father's throne. What could I possibly gain by allying with you?"
Arthur took a deep breath. Emilia noticed him clenching his teeth slightly before speaking again.
"It's not about what you will gain, Your Majesty," Arthur said, his voice calm but pointed. "It's about what you will lose. In three years, the union of your kingdom with Londrin will crumble. Phillip will launch a surprise attack, and your life will be taken."
Emilia's eyes widened. In a previous life, this exact scenario had unfolded, but it was Arthur who had been responsible for Edward's death. How could he now predict this so accurately?
"Don't listen to him, Ed," Python purred, moving closer to Edward, who instinctively stepped back. "Our alliance is eternal. We'll conquer all habitable and inevitable lands, and they will be ours."
Edward exhaled heavily, his head throbbing. The fact that Emilia might have overheard the conversation disturbed him. He glanced directly at her, but she turned her gaze to Arthur, silently pleading for help. This irritated him deeply. What was her relationship with that elf?
"Emilia," Edward called out, his voice loud and clear. "What is your opinion on this?"
Python scowled as Emilia looked at him. Her heart ached at his words, but she couldn't let her feelings interfere with the safety of the world.
"Arthur is right, Your Majesty," Emilia said firmly. "Based on my calculations, what he has stated will indeed come to pass. And not only that, but the monsters from the northern glaciers will grow enraged by human interference, and all the kingdoms will suffer their wrath."
"How do you...?" Arthur began in surprise but stopped as the king interrupted him.
"I will follow your advice, then. I will ally with your army, Elf Arthur. Python, you may leave. We have no agreement."
"Impossible!" Python shouted, enraged. "We need to fulfill our arrangement! And the marriage..."
"There will be no marriage," Edward interrupted harshly. "I believe I've made that perfectly clear."
Python turned away angrily but paused before leaving, heading toward Emilia. As she approached, Emilia couldn't help but notice how beautiful Python was. Her skin was paler than snow, and her golden hair shimmered as if woven with gold itself. Yet the cruelty in her eyes overshadowed all her virtues.
"I'll come for you," Python hissed, grabbing Emilia's glasses and snapping them in two. Edward took a step forward, furious.
"Python! Leave now!"
"Goodbye, human. Expect me in your dreams."
After that confrontation, a few days passed in the castle before Emilia decided to leave. She removed her shell-shaped hairpin and placed it under her pillow. Her heart was too kind to simply discard it. Arthur had been teaching her some fencing, at her request, but the training sessions were frequently interrupted by the king.
"You don't need to learn this," Edward said as he approached them. "I'm here to protect you."
"Your Majesty, I believe it's necessary to learn at least the basics, in case I ever need to defend myself," Emilia responded, resuming her training.
After one such session, Arthur invited her to a secluded spot, a small bench beneath a tree.
"It seems like you know too much," Arthur said, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you so eager to learn the art of the sword?"
"In case I ever need to use it... it would be good to have some knowledge," Emilia replied.
"To defend your family? Or to flee the gallows?" he asked seriously, locking eyes with her.
He was referencing events from her past life. It couldn't be a coincidence.
"You... you're not really Arthur, are you?" Emilia asked, her eyes narrowing as she saw Arthur's expression freeze. "The real Arthur is currently in Londrin, having taken your title to seize the throne for himself. Your real name is Phillip, the Cruel."