Chapter 318: A Warning (1/2)

”Alright.” Dia's eyes blinked at him, as clear and as emotionless. Arthur wondered if she was like this toward everything. She approached everything in a cold, logical, calculating manner.

”Is there something else?” Arthur puckered his lips in amusement when she didn't leave.

”Just a little bit more.” Dia smiled and turned to the door, squinting.

”Stop right there!” Gala suddenly barged in, rolled on the rug, and raised her palm in an 'I caught you motion' gesture. ”Ho ho, you think you can do such things behind my back? A sneaky move from you, princess.”

”Gala, what are you talking about?” Arthur tilted his head in a confused manner. ”Nothing happened.”

”What? Oh,” Gala paused, looked around the room and at the two before standing up. ”Ahem. Sorry, wrong room.” She began backing away as if time would reverse itself.

”Wait,” Arthur smiled. ”Did you try manipulating Dia into doing this?” He understood what was going on.

”He must be thinking about staying here. A lot of stress is on Seika's shoulder. He needs some sort of relief. I heard there's only one way for men to relieve themselves. I'm so old. I'm sure the Seika is into younger people.” Gala's voice came out from an artifact in Dia's hand.

”You recorded me?” Gala staggered away, offended. Her face said that she couldn't believe such betrayal. ”I'm hurt, I...”

”That's for trying to manipulate me,” Dia smirked as she kept the artifact away.

”It was an act?” Arthur furrowed his brows at Dia. The princess gave him a smirk and started walking away. ”What would you have done if I took up your offer?” Arthur asked from behind her.

”Well,” Dia didn't turn his way. ”If that happened, then Gala's advice would have been true, no matter how manipulative. I would have...” Dia turned to him with a smile. ”Prevented the witch from entering.”

”Oh,” Arthur exclaimed.

”Oh,” Gala exclaimed.

Dia walked out and left the two dumbstruck. Arthur turned to look at Gala, who pretended not to notice his gaze, and began walking away.

”Haha, I hope my little joke lifted your mood.” The witch waved her hand. ”Well, I need to meet with the duke now. Let's talk later.” As she was about to walk out, the door suddenly closed in front of her. Gala's shoulders flinched as she turned to Arthur slowly.

”How many more of your jokes did you prepare?” Arthur's eyes made Gala's hands tremble.

”N-none...”

”Are you sure about that?” Arthur walked over slowly, a cold smile on his face. ”Witches are rather pranksters, huh?” Gala was about to answer when a knock arrived on the door.

”Young Master, your special 'meal' is here.” A feminine voice said from behind the door. Arthur squinted his eyes and turned to look at the witch.

”A special meal at this time?” Arthur glared at her, and the witch's face suddenly turned serious.

”Haha, bye!” Gala suddenly sprinted toward the window, trying to flee.

”Wait!” Arthur tried to grab her, but she suddenly turned into a strand of light and slipped through his hands, escaping through the window. He opened the window and saw the witch fly away.

”I'll be back when you stop being mad!” The witch flapped her wings and soared away.

Looking at her turning into a dot in the sky, Arthur sighed with a smile. For some reason, as annoying as she was, Gala's childish acts made things lighter to handle.

'There's not much to achieve by worrying.' Arthur concluded. 'I'll have to meet with Solomon for more answers.'

***

Arthur left his room early the following day and found Gala and Dia waiting for him in the living room. Today was the day they would meet the Knight of Courage.

”How are you feeling, my dear Seika?” Gala rubbed her hands together, seeking to appease Arthur.

”Is the Knight here?” Arthur ignored Gala and talked to Dia, who nodded.

”She's waiting in the duke's mansion. They said we should head there to discuss what happened and what is going to happen.”