Arthur POV

  Nico's temporary room was sparsely decorated. A simple bed at the far end with a small table and a pair of chairs to go along with it.

  There was a small bookshelf to the right of the bed, filled with some of the books and writing I salvaged from Nico’s dorm room back at Xyrus. But to be honest it wasn’t much, but it didn’t seem like he minded.

  “I suppose this conversation will take a while.” He said as he gestured for me to take a seat, which I gladly accepted. He in return dropped himself onto the other chair.

  Seeing him up close now, it felt… strange. I wasn’t sure if I was merely hallucinating but it felt as if the features of Nico from Earth were slowly overlapping with that of Elijah. Was it something with the soul that changed him?

  Nico and I sat there for a moment. Just staring at each other until I finally spoke.

  “Is Neoth treating you well?” I asked, attempting to start our conversation simple.

  “Who? Oh that old fella. I suppose so. Although he seems to be annoyed by me even if he doesn’t show it outwardly.” Nico replied in a dry tone.

  I could only imagine the confusion of suddenly gaining all those years of your life. Disorienting would be the luckiest outcome, if not outright madness and doubting who you even are.

  I suppose it was the same for me at first. Even though I don’t like dwelling on it, was the original Arthur’s soul just erased or absorbed into mine? Did I murder a child that never had a chance to be born? Did I take away Reynolds’ and Alice’s child?

  “Don’t mind him, he is just like that. Are you hungry?” I quickly said, trying to change the subject.

  Nico glanced at the small clock that sat atop the bookshelf. He seemed to ponder for a bit before replying.

  “If you think you can win me over with some food then you are an even bigger fool than I thought.” He said as he glared at me.

  I let out a small laugh in return. “Oh please Nico, or do you still prefer Elijah? Anyways, I am not that shallow and I have much more enticing things I could use to bring you to my side.”

  “Nico is fine. And I’ve already told you that I will go along with you for now. Not like I have much of a chance. I doubt you will just let me walk free if I disagree.” Nico sneered as I could feel his mana flare up to reflect his mood.

  “You’ve told me you will follow me for now. But what I want is a true friend I can trust and not someone chained to my will.” I said in a serious tone. My words were true. Even though our relationship has been improving I predict that if it came down to it he would get rid of me if any threat were to be placed upon himself or his galleries.

  I’ve already burned the bridge that was this host body’s family. A decision I still somewhat regret. The only reason I haven’t gone running to them to ask for forgiveness is because a part of me still believes that it was the best decision, for them and for me.

  That left only Regis and Sylvie, but we are a trio bound of Fate. It would be more accurate to say that we were three different faces of the same being. United beyond time and space.

  “You haven’t said no to the food though.” I said as I withdrew a plate of food for both of us from my dimensional storage.

  I placed the plate of meat and vegetables before him as I handed him the silverware.

  He begrudgingly accepted but stared at me without taking a bite.

  “It’s good, I’ve commissioned the best chefs I could.” I reassured him as I cut a piece of the meat and ate it.

  My physical body no longer needed food to sustain itself. But in the end my mind was still human. And the feeling of eating and tasting foods was an important reminder of my humanity. And sometimes it just felt nice eating some delicious food.

  “It’s good.” I said between mouthfuls of food.

  “Sometimes I wonder how you ever became a king.” Nico sighed as he dug in himself.

  He didn’t try to show it but from the small change in his expression the food was good. No insult to Neoth’s own chefs but they clearly have been only prioritizing nutritional value and not the actual taste.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  I allowed us to eat in silence for a while. It was a good healing moment for the both of us.

  But we both knew the conversation that must take place. If not here and now then somewhere down the line. And I would much rather do this now and be done with this than have another thing to worry about.

  To my surprise it was Nico who broke the silence. Having finished most of his meal he pushed it aside.

  “I don’t blame you for killing her anymore.” He said, almost a whisper.

  I couldn’t help but stare at him with shock. Perhaps it was a wise choice to have him ruminate for a while after revealing the truth to him.

  “IF what you have shown me is true.” He added. He clearly wasn’t willing to fully trust, but there was a chink in his armor I could work with.

  “What reason do I have to lie to my one and only friend?” I asked, probing him.

  “To manipulate me! To show me false pasts and futures to sway me to your side. To turn me into another cog or weapon for you to use to further your goal. Only to discard me when I am no longer useful, isn’t that what you did to me!?” Nico shouted as he shot out of his chair and pointed an accusing finger at me.

  “I have been a shitty friend, I’ll give you that. But will you not give me a second chance?” I pleaded.

  “It’s Cecilia who deserves a second chance! She never even had a chance, the moment she was born she-“ Nico broke off, clearly too angry with himself to continue.

  “I can give her- both of you a second chance if you allow me.” I said as I rose from my seat as well.

  “And why should I trust you over-“

  “Agrona? You are gonna trust him? Why do you think he is moving destiny itself to bring her here? Cecilia never wanted to be a weapon, but you would only be delivering her to another megalomaniac.” I said, raising my voice slightly.

  “Like you are any different.” Nico accused. I wonder how Nico would react when he finds out I have taken the mantle of king again. He has been isolated for now but after I let him roam somewhat free…

  “You have seen what I have been through. You think I want her blood on my hands again? What did Agrona promise you exactly? That he would only use Cecilia to win the war against the tyrannical asuras and after all that he would let both of you go and live a carefree life? Oh please, I never mistaken you for a fool.” I spat, too consumed by my own emotions.

  I could hear the whispers of suggestions. To reveal that this wasn’t the first time I have lived as Arthur Leywin. That I have already seen Agrona’s plans play out. To show him the fate of Cecilia and himself. I was tempted, so very tempted.

  Nico glared at me. I could almost see the internal turmoil that was ripping through him like a storm. I realized that while I had lived an adult life as King Grey, Nico never truly got that chance. Paired with my simulated lives the mental age gap between us was not even comparable.

  That was the same way with Cecilia, perhaps even worse. She died far too young, and the short life she did have wasn’t the most pleasant. No wonder Agrona could easily have both of them dancing in the palm of his hands by pulling a few strings.

  “Wait a minute.” Nico said as a look of realization bloomed on his face.

  “How did you know I was… well me. And not some random?” Nico asked.

  ‘Ah shit, I should have given him more credit. Nico was always the smarter one after all.’

  Still, I suppose I should figure out just how much he had pieced together.

  “What do you mean?”

  Nico slammed his fist on the table as he stood up. “You saved me from that attack on the academy and have been holding me captive. You don’t just do that to anybody.”

  “Elijah was my childhood friend. Of course I would have saved you-“

  “But you had Neoth awaken my dormant memories. You knew who I was. How?” Nico questioned. His eyes were frantic, as if he would snap.

  “Nico-“ I tried to calm down but Nico interrupted.

  “No more lies Grey. No more. If you want me to cooperate then tell me the truth.” Nico demanded. His hands were balled up into fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms and drew blood.

  I sat there for a moment. The only ones that knew that this wasn’t my first time as Arthur Leywin are Sylvie and Regis. Neoth also probably knows but he hasn’t made any mention of it and I have peered into his past so it makes us even in some sense.

  If I don’t tell Nico the full truth he would only doubt me and never put his full trust in me. But on the other hand if I tell him then was I prepared for what that would change?

  I know that I had forgone using prescience to enact my goals but this was a variable that would no doubt change that future I glimpsed.

  I stared back at Nico. At Elijah. At the friend who was with me, so many times. And each time I had let him down..

  In the very back of my mind there still lurked a shadow. The old king of Earth stalking in the deepest darkest regions of my soul. He demanded that I slay Nico here and now, to be over with the problem before it even began. To not even give Agrona the chance to summon the Legacy here.

  Telling him the truth would make things easier, possibly. Although I couldn’t predict how he would react, I could fully open up to him and be honest. But would he blame me for everything I have put him through despite knowing the consequences? Would he even go along with my plan?

  Perhaps a half truth was the way to go. Huh, who would have guessed that even with all my experience and mental age there were still things I feared. But if I tell Nico of the things Agrona will do, of what he will do to Cecilia and himself. But would he even believe me?

  I took a deep breath and stared Nico in the eyes. He had a frantic look on his face, almost pleading. Despite all we have been through, all that Nico has done and will possibly do. I couldn’t help but see him as just Nico. The friend I had back at the orphanage. A person who was beside me since I couldn’t even remember when.

  I suppose it made sense why he and Cecilia bond to me and each other through Fate itself.

  I took a deep breath as I began to compose my thoughts. To hell with the consequences, if it was anyone it was Nico who deserved to know at least a bit of the truth.

  “Alright Nico, I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you everything.”

  I began to recall everything to my childhood friend. From my life as a king of old Earth to my first rebirth here on Dicathen. Each moment done to every last painstaking detail so that he would believe them. To my second chance, all the way up to the present.

  I must admit it was painful for me as well. Recalling the past life that I tried to repress certain aspects of. But it was these experiences that made me who I was.

  There was an old saying back on Earth from one of the books I was forced to read. ‘The body and physical wellbeing of a king is the responsibility of his guards. But the king’s mind, that is the king’s burden’

  The only way I could tell that a long segment of time had passed was when a deep rumbling came from Nico’s stomach. The sudden intrusion was a welcome levity as I lightly chuckled.

  “Sorry, I never really had a chance to vent I guess.” I said.

  But Nico interrupted me. He had a complicated look on his face but he spoke in measured tones. “I get it. Fine. You have lived a hell of a life. No, two lifes I suppose.” Nico said with a small dry laugh. Before he spoke again, this time with a deadly seriousness.

  “So what is your plan this time around.”

  Author’s Notes

  Hey guys, it’s been a while. Which is a thing I think I am writing all too often. Was pretty busy and didn’t have much time or energy to write.

  And this chapter was a difficult one to write, these deeper emotional scenes with important characters are always important but just as important to get write. And while I don’t think it’s perfect I can’t just spend an eternity refining a single chapter can I?

  And this is also the reason why this chapter is shorter than the others in comparison. I also would want to know if you guys prefer slightly more frequent updates but with shorter chapters or the usual length chapters with some time in between them?

  Anyways, thank you all for reading and have a good day.