Chapter 415: Unchangeable Fate (1/2)

The body of the person hugging him gave the slightest trembles as if too afraid Arthur would notice. However, as he looked at the princess, Arthur would have never expected his leaving would elicit such a reaction.

”Diana?”

”Shut up,” she said, a sniff following right after. ”Shut up, shut up, shut up,” as she kept repeating, she made sure to pound his chest with her face buried in it. Then, she stopped. ”You reek of blood.”

”I had a few battles,” Arthur felt self-conscious all of a sudden. His spiritual energy surrounded his skin, and he made sure to remove all of the blood.

”...” came a pause from the princess. ”Did you get hurt?”

”No,” he lied, not willing to share the details of the battle. ”I came here to train as well. My growth has staggered ever since I...” he didn't finish his sentence, but Dia didn't pursue.

”I see,” the princess retreated, and Arthur couldn't see any change from her usual expression except for her red nose.

”I'm sorry,” he knew he had no reason to apologize, but he did so anyway. ”I'm sorry for not telling you. I knew you would want to accompany me,” as he said so, his fingers touched her cheek. Then, with his thumb, Arthur flicked her nose lightly with a smile.

”What are you doing?” Dia was annoyed before she calmed down. ”You didn't want me to come with you?”

”I knew that it might be a trap. I didn't want to endanger you, that's all,” Arthur didn't say anything about leveling up. ”You were having fun on your date, so I didn't want to interrupt,” he teasingly smiled.

”I,” Dia looked down so that Arthur doesn't see her face as she muttered, ”wanted you to interrupt us.”

”Well, I'm not that childish.”

”Well, maybe you should be,” Dia mimicked in displeasure as she huffed. ”Why didn't you care when she asked me on a date?”

”Why should I?” Arthur paused as his heart skipped a beat. His fingers retracted as his hand fell by his side. ”Do I have the right to object for such a thing?”

”You do,” Dia thought for a bit and nodded. ”I wouldn't accept if you don't want me to.”

”And you would accept if I say nothing?” Arthur tilted his head. ”Then aren't you just giving priority to my wishes over yours?”

Diana looked down again, and Arthur saw her grab the edge of her robe. Then, the answer came as an affirmative nod, but Arthur shook his head.

”This is not what I wish for,” Arthur told the princess as he retreated a bit. ”Whatever you want to have, then I want you to have it. Whatever you want to do, I want you to do it. I'm not going to impose my desires on you.”

”Then,” the princess took the step that Arthur retreated, ”what if I want to have you?”

Her question dissolved into the air like a paper tissue in water. Arthur blinked his eyes and blinked again as his heart skipped a beat.

His short-fused brain might look like a calm reaction in the princess's eyes, but Arthur's mind descended into a state of chaos and confusion. He had an inkling but never expected the cold princess to be direct about her desires.

”What do you mean?” Arthur could feel his face growing hot. ”We are already dear friends, so what are you...” he tried to change the subject and make it about a platonic friendship.

”No,” the princess took another step forward. ”You said I can have whatever I want, and I want you to be mine. Not as a friend, but as something more. This is my whole-hearted confession.”

The princess was ruthless and left no way for Arthur to get out of his current predicament. Her eyes were unwavering, and there was no hesitation in her demand. It was as if she made up her mind about wanting him, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

It was the first time Arthur felt yearned for this, a possessive kind of desire that wanted him so badly. The princess wished him to be hers alone, and that made Arthur panic.

”I told you before, I will leave eventually,” Arthur reminded her, and the princess's face betrayed no emotions.