464: ARTHUR CHANGED

ARTHUR CHANGED

The kitchen and the dining hall were quieter than usual.

Veronica's head was still occupied with Arthur's recent behavior. Thus, she didn't notice it.

Arthur ordered breakfast for both of them and sat in their usual seats. 

That's when Darius strode forward. 

"Arthur, Veronica, have you heard the news?" he asked excitedly.

Veronica came back to her senses and asked him in return, "What news?"

"His soldiers were defeated by the villagers. They even declared their lands free."

Darius couldn't conceal his excitement. 

Veronica's face brightened up instantly. 

"Is that true?! That's good news! But how did they win against soldiers? They are merely farmers, fishermen and businessmen."

Darius lowered his voice and said, "That's because we went to fight along with them."

After that, he winked at her.

Veronica chuckled. "You shouldn't have done that without me. I missed all the fun."

Darius scratched his head. "Well, we wanted to but then we went to look for you, you were sleeping."

"Ahh! I slept on time!" Veronica cupped her head.

Arthur patted her back to comfort her. "It's all right. Their fight hasn't ended yet. If you want adventure, you can go today."

Veronica was stunned by his remark. She looked at him with her wide-open eyes. 

She couldn't believe his words.

How could she?

The most protective husband on earth was acting like a doting husband. 

It was the first time.

Arthur noticed her eyes full of disbelief. He was hurt.

'Just how ruthless does she think I am?' he wondered.

"You can go with them if you want," he said once again.

"Can I really?" Veronica carefully asked.

"Yes," Arthur replied readily.

Veronica raised an eyebrow. "Without any bodyguard?"

"You are your own bodyguard. Do you think you need one?" Arthur casually answered.

Veronica was astonished. Even more, she was impressed by his attitude.

She wasn't able to think further as Darius slapped her back.

"Now that you are permitted to go out, let's go for some hunting," he said with a grin.

Arthur knitted his eyebrow. "What permission? My wife doesn't need anyone's permission. She is the Mistress of the Magic Tower. She can do whatever she wants to do without anyone's permission. If she wants to destroy the Magic Tower, she can do so."

Darius was speechless.

The magicians who heard Arthur's declaration went livid.

'Master, what are you saying?!' 

'Are you trying to destroy everything we built so far?!'

'Master, how can you talk about destroying the most powerful building on earth? So ominous!'

They were stunned and complained in their hearts but dared not to voice their opinion. 

They fearfully glanced at their Mistress and gulped. 

'Romance is scary,' they all thought in unison.

Without knowing what they were thinking, Veronica stole a glance at Arthur.

'There is something wrong with him today. He is acting totally different,' she pondered. 'What happened to him?'

Later, Catherine came to the dining hall in a hurry. She quickly ordered her meal and sat on the usual spot.

"Why are you in a hurry?" Veronica asked her.

"Oh, Ver!" Catherine was startled as if she didn't notice Veronica.

Veronica narrowed her eyes. "Did… something happen?"

"I woke up late!" Catherine hissed.

Veronica gave her an odd expression. "Cathy, today is Sunday. It's the weekend."

"I know! That's why I'm panicked."

Veronica was even more confused. 

'What is wrong with these people? Why is everyone acting strange?' she wondered.

Before she could finish her meal, Catherine was done with hers and dashed away.

"I hope everything is fine with her," she muttered looking at her best friend's back.

"She will be fine. You must take care of yourself when you are out there tonight. You hear me?" Arthur mentioned.

His sweetness was too sudden. It was so new to her that she didn't get used to it yet.

Her heart softened from his care and support. 

She gazed at him and softly answered, "Mm, I hear you."

After breakfast, Veronica went to Ovior's room. 

"Sebastian said that you were looking for me," she said. "Did something happen?"

"I heard you are going to fight against Duke's men tonight," Ovior remarked.

Veronica didn't deny it. "That's my plan for the night."2

"I got news from my intel. They told me that Duke is going to buy some slaves tonight," Ovior calmly disclosed the information.

Veronica's eyes constricted. "Slaves? It's forbidden and Arthur and Imperial guards got rid of the slave traders."

Ovior sneered. "And why do you think they still exist if Imperial guards can get rid of them?"

From his attitude, Veronica could guess it.

"Someone must be more powerful than the imperial guards supporting this slavery. The person must be from the Imperial family. If Duke De la Pole can buy slaves so easily, the person behind slavery must be the Queen."

The corner of Ovior's lips slightly lifted for a second before it disappeared.

He stated, "Your deduction is correct. Our beloved Queen is really the mastermind of all the crimes we want to eliminate from society."

He intertwined his fingers and stared at Veronica. 

"So, what will you do?" he asked. "Do you want to fight the Duke's men or fight him instead?"

Veronica's emerald eyes gleamed.

---------

Later, at night, Duke De la Pole went to the slave market. The traders were holding an auction. 

The trader's assistant came to meet him. "Sir, please come with me. I'll escort you to your seat."

As the noblemen were all wearing masks to keep their identity a secret, no one could mention each other's names even if they recognize each other.

After all, it wasn't a social gathering but one of the most heinous crime arenas.

Duke De la Pole was escorted to his seat. He expressed his satisfaction when he looked at the stage.

Although the men on the stage looked skinny, dirty, hungry and thirsty, they seemed strong.

'This time, I'll get some good products,' just thinking that Duke De la pole grinned.

The auction started soon. Duke De la Pole won most of the time and took many good slaves. 

Other nobles envied him. They snorted and clicked their tongues in annoyance.

Duke De la Pole sneered after hearing their dissatisfaction.

'They can get mad all they want but today's winner is me.' He smirked triumphantly. 

"Are you thinking that you are tonight's winner?"

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