Chapter 032: Damn Decree
"Prince Arthur will be assigned as the commander of the troops to seize the Seizent area from the Tyor Kingdom."
That was the content of the King's edict, which was short, clear, concise, and made Esther furious now. Esther began to wonder what Lucius was thinking when he wrote the crazy decree. How could he send his 12-year-old son to lead the battle for territory?
She was sure that Arthur would be able to win the war, but she was still worried. She is still traumatized by what happened one year ago. Before conveying the Royal edict to Arthur, Esther decided to stop by the study by walking.
Normally she would have used her teleportation magic, but since she had used almost 100% of her power to bring back Arthur, he was almost about to overtake his birth mother. Therefore, on the grounds of recovery, Esther couldn't use her powers for now.
When Esther opened the door to Lucius' study, she was immediately greeted by Lucius, who was overwhelmed with the pile of documents as usual.
"Hello, my dear brother. Are you still struggling with that sad report as usual?" said Esther curtly.
"As you know, By the way, what's your business in coming here? Want to threaten me with the decree I've issued?"
Esther just took a deep breath and took a sip of the tea one of the maids had prepared. "No, I'm tired of threatening myself too. All my threats have never deterred you. I just wanted to ask. Why don't you just have Crown Prince Arnold lead this damn war?"
"He needs to make connections with the nobles as well as learn other things in order to succeed on my throne."
"Wouldn't it be better if he was included in the war? If he won, he would definitely be immediately flattered by the other nobles," Esther replied.
"Then what if he loses? Won't he come home dead? You know I can't lose Prince Arnold. He's also my son," said Lucius.
"That also applies to Arthur. What if he loses? Isn't he going to die too? After all, Arthur is still your son, Lucius. How could you have the heart to treat Arthur arbitrarily like that?" Esther said in a voice that sounded hoarse from trying to hold back her tears.
Lucius couldn't help but be silent at Esther's words. Esther immediately stood up and left Lucius' study. "I hope that one day you will get a reply from the Goddess Nightingale for your arbitrary treatment. See you soon, Lucius."
Esther, with a confused feeling, walked back to her palace. The moment she entered, she was immediately confronted by Arthur who held the Royal edict. Esther began to run out of ideas to respond to questions that might be asked by Arthur later.
But what Esther thought was wrong. Arthur just smiled as usual and asked, "Have you eaten it yet? If not, let's eat together."
Esther just smiled a little and replied. "Okay."
Now the mother and son were sitting together in the dining room. They ate the food that had been served quietly. The atmosphere turned cold without them noticing. Esther tried to lighten the mood.
"So what do you think of the decree?"
"Of course I will participate in the war," Arthur replied as he cut his steak.
"Are you serious?"
"Don't you believe me, Mother?"
"I'm just afraid of losing you again," Esther said worriedly.
Arthur took Esther's right hand and held it gently. "You don't have to be afraid. I'll be right back. So wait for me."
~•~
Now it was time for Arthur to go to the battlefield. Before he leaves, Esther invites him to visit the grave of his birth mother, Caroline. Arriving there, Arthur immediately bowed half his body and spoke a few words.
Esther just stood behind Arthur and watched. When finished, Arthur and Esther walked to where the soldiers were getting ready to leave for the battlefield. Just before Arthur got on his horse, Esther grabbed Arthur's hand.
"What's wrong mom?"
"There's something I want to give you." Esther took out an Aquamarine colored diamond in the shape of a bracelet. Esther put the bracelet on Arthur's right hand.
"What's this?"
"This is a talisman from me so you can survive the war." Esther tiptoed her feet and kissed Arthur's forehead. "I hereby pray that the Goddess Seraphine and the God Mauritz will be with you on your journey there. And I wish the Goddess of War to be with you always."
Arthur just stood there without moving even once. He was too surprised to be kissed by Esther. But in the end, he smiled and fell to his knees in front of Esther. He took Esther's hand gently and kissed it with her soft lips.
"Thank you, Esther," Arthur said with a gentle look.
Arthur immediately stood up and walked away, leaving Esther.
"YOU HAVE TO COME BACK AT ALL, ARTHUR. IF YOU DON'T COME BACK WITHIN ONE MONTH, THEN I WILL LEAVE YOU. YOU WILL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN AFTER THAT," Esther shouted from a distance.
"I PROMISE TO BE BACK AGAIN. SO WAIT FOR ME, ESTHER," Arthur replied.
Arthur immediately mounted his horse and his troops began to ride their horses leaving the palace. Their departure camepanied by raindrops. Even the heavens seemed to cry when they saw Arthur leave.
"Do you think Arthur will be able to return safely?" Esther asked Helena and Anne who were standing on either side of her.
"Of course, Princess. Prince Arthur is a strong man. Moreover, he has been guided directly by you," answered Helena enthusiastically.
"You don't need to worry, Princess. After all, you have made Prince Arthur a bracelet from your own tears which is very effective to protect him. Prince Arthur will surely return safely," said Anne, trying to calm Esther.
As a descendant of a demigod and half-elf, Esther inherited the power to create powerful defensive magic from her tears. A few days ago Esther deliberately cried so that the tears she released hardened and turned into Aquamarine diamonds.
"I can't believe the child I cared for like my own son who is still as tall as my waist is now taller than me. Time is running fast without me realizing it. Even Tiny has now turned into a strong and reliable man." Esther took a deep breath. "Looks like I'm the only one who hasn't changed."
"You've changer a lot over the past five years, Your Highness," replied Anne.
Not exaggerating but what Anne said was true. Since living in Nightingale and taking care of Arthur, Esther had changed a lot. At first, she was an arrogant, cruel, and spoiled lady. However, now she has completely transformed into a loving, gentle, elegant, and independent lady.