115 One's Resolve (1)
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By the time Hadrian and his male retainers were finished, the sun was beginning to set.
Hadrian had already dismissed the group, and he was about to ascend the stairs with the intent on going to his room when he heard the entrance doors opened.
Shifting his body, he looked back and saw that it was his mother and the three women he was kind of dreading to talk to, Scáthach, Medusa and Arturia.
Just as he took notice of their presences, they did the same to him as their gazes landed upon him in surprise.
"Oh, little one, you're home." Lucia greeted with a smile.
Throwing his worries in the back of his mind, Hadrian breathed through his nose before returning the smile.
The young mage jogged down the stairs and went to his mother.
"Welcome home, mother." Hadrian murmured, initiating a hug that was returned happily by the woman.
The embrace lasted for a few brief moments before he stepped back and turned to the three female retainers.
"And you three as well." He nodded to them with a small smile, all of which were returned.
When greetings were done, a dainty hand gently cupped his cheek and Hadrian's gaze turned to his mother, who was observing him with keen eyes.
"You look tired…" Lucia paused, sniffing once before continuing. "And smell of sweat. Have you just returned from training?"
Hadrian chuckled, gently detaching her hand from his face.
"Yes, I have. I was just about to go to my room when you all entered."
Lucia raised an eyebrow, looking slightly amused.
"Well, don't let us stop you now. It's not suited for someone as handsome as you, my son, to show such a ragged appearance to these three ladies." She teased, smiling.
Hadrian laughed softly.
"Right. But, before I go…" The young mage turned his calm gaze to the female retainers, who were watching the mother and son interaction with light amusement in their eyes. "There's something I need to discuss with the three of you. Come by my study in an hour."
The three female retainers looked at one another in slight confusion before turning back to him.
"Yes." Medusa nodded in acceptance.
"By your will then..." Arturia agreed.
"Sure, but we'll need to drop these in our rooms first." Scáthach said, showing the multiple paper bags in her hands and wrists.
Hadrian paused, blinking at the bags from their recent shopping venture.
"Of course." He nodded. "I'll meet you guys then."
With his piece said, Hadrian went back up the stairs and made his way to his room.
The four women watched him go with curiosity in their gazes.
When Hadrian's form left their vision, Lucia turned to the three women behind her.
"Do you lot have any idea what he wishes to discuss with you three?" She asked.
In unison, Medusa, Scáthach and Arturia shook their heads in negative.
"Your guess is as good as ours, milady." Medusa said.
Sensing the honesty in their faces, Lucia sighed to herself.
"What is going on with that boy now…" She muttered aloud.
Silently, the three female retainers can only agree with her on that account.
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After a relaxing shower and a change of clothes later, Hadrian found himself somewhat surrounded by Medusa, Scáthach, and Arturia.
He had just finished explaining to them what he had discussed with his grandfather.
And now, the room was quiet as he tried to gauge their reactions.
He was kind of dreading to be in the same room in them, all by his lonesome and telling them of the current situation for the next mission, but the fear was a fleeting sensation as he discarded it and went ahead by simply being forthright and honest with his explanation.
The thought of him, who was once a king to a great ancient kingdom, being stilled by the three women's stares was almost laughable. Keyword being 'almost'.
How things had truly changed in his case.
Looking at the three retainers seated on the same sofa, Hadrian tried to discern their feelings now that he had given them the news.
All throughout his explanation, the young mage was careful in the words that he said and in absorbing the three women's reactions.
One can even say he was multitasking during those moments. Every shift of their lips, brows, eyes and even their body languages, nothing was left out.
But of course, as attentive as he was to their talk, Hadrian could also be wrong in his assumption to their feelings on the matter. So, he had the automaton assist him in that regard, just to be sure.
In its cold and calculating fashion, the Moon Cell informed him of their current emotional state.
Medusa, who was sitting on the left of the sofa, was 'calm', 'surprised', 'disappointed', and then 'reluctant accepting'.
Scáthach, who was sitting on the right, was 'calm', 'surprised', 'annoyed', and also 'reluctantly accepting' to the situation.
And there was Arturia, who sat in the middle.
Out of the three, the blonde haired swordswoman seemed to be the most… interesting, for lack of a better term.
Arturia was 'calm', 'somewhat surprised', 'understanding' and then 'resigned'.
When the automaton informed him so, Hadrian was confounded.
Independent and ever graceful, his first servant was also a headstrong individual.
Arturia was the type to never back down from a decision, especially one that was made without her notice. Even when she had been injured during the war, Arturia would always offer to accompany him no matter where he goes, despite the dangers.
Thus, Hadrian was surprised to see that she was resigned to the conditions of the next assignment instead of protesting like Scáthach and Medusa were doing now.
"Why are we being left behind?" Scáthach asked in a demanding tone.
Hadrian stared at her for a few moments, taking in how her crimson eyes seemed to narrow and focus upon him.
It might also be his imagination, but he thought he had heard someone gulped out loud from somewhere in the room.
"Do your best, master…!" A voice whispered.
Shaking his head slightly (and pointedly ignoring how the three women's gazes shifted past him and then back to him again), Hadrian took a deep breath before answering her.
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