"TWINS!" the people under the stalls screamed.
Thier Crowned Princess walked steadily, keeping her stride gentle, letting her people feel a connection to the future she held in her arms. Rhyssand matched her pace, the bond between them palpable as they moved together through the streets of Babaloniyah, her hand resting lightly over Callisto's bangs from he sun, while Rhyssand held Seraphina close to his chest. The city seemed to hold its breath, waiting. Today was the walk among her people, to let them see the children as part of their lives, to show that the royal family was theirs as much as it was theirs.
Callisto's tiny fingers curled around her necklace, while Seraphina cooed happily against Rhyssand's shoulder, reaching a chubby hand toward the crowd. Mothers and fathers leaned forward, elderly citizens clutched at the edges of their cloaks, and street vendors paused mid-call to witness the scene.
From the palace balcony, the rest of the royal family watched on as the grandmothers would step forward, pinching Rhyssand's cheek with a delighted laugh.
"Welcome to our city, young master! Grow strong and wise, and eat lots of ground!"
"Oh, he's such. handsome young man…" another said.
Rhyssand chuckled softly, "Thank you," he would reply, adjusting Seraphina in his arms so she could wave.
Hands reached out gently, brushing tiny fingers against the children's hair, patting little backs. Murmurs of awe and joy rippled through the streets. Callisto laughed at a playful child who waved at him, and Seraphina clapped her hands, delighted by the attention.
From above, the king nodded in approval, as the royal family watched their legacy carried forward not from the safety of a balcony, but through the hearts of the people themselves, but he scowled in thought.
"Oh, spit it out." Arthruia pressed.
"Something is missing. I can't help but feel it," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else."
Arthuria's hand rested lightly on the balcony railing, her gaze following the twins as they waved at the cheering citizens. "What could possibly be wrong?" she asked, her voice gentle but tinged with curiosity. "It is a good day. The people are happy, the children are happy…everything seems perfect."
"Hmm." Gilgamesh hummed. "I will find out what it is."
Arthruia sighed.
Elaine's eyes narrowed slightly as she scanned the square below, then, around her, "Where is Arthur?" she asked.
ARTHUR
"SO, your sister's married, you are an uncle now," Cesealia hummed, a playful edge in her voice. "What does the world have in store next for the First Prince of the Realm?"
Arthur smiled, "I have a few ideas," he said, slipping his hand into hers as they continued their walk along the beach.
His thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles like the calmness of the evening, the distant hum of the sea as the waves lapped gently on the shore, mirroring their steps. He stood beside her, the woman who had plagued his mind since that faithful day, as they both watched as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden hues across the water.
Cesealia took a breath, her fingers twisting together before she finally spoke. "Palace life is not for me, Arthur."
Arthur turned to her, studying her face. "I know. We hardly go unless It is for inexcusable dinners."
She shook her head, exhaling softly. "I mean… in the long run."
Arthur's expression shifted, his brows furrowing. He had always known Cesealia had never been one for the grandeur of court life, but something about the way she spoke now felt final.
She looked up at him, searching his face before continuing. "I know your duty is to your family. So I understand if you can't—excuse, un-excusable dinners… and your vow—"
He cut her off.
"My vow was broken the day my sister got married. I felt it." His voice was steady, but there was something raw beneath it. "I just… did not want to leave her in that state of uncertainty."
She stilled, watching him.
Arthur sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've always been Arthur Pendragon—the big brother, the protector. But now I want to be just… Arthur."
Cesealia's eyes softened.
"I feel like just Arthur when I am with you."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, filled only by the rhythm of the waves lapping against the docks.
Then, he spoke. "I want the city one day, like Eric talked about… I want to fulfill His last wish." He hummed. "Come with me," he said suddenly.
She blinked. "Arthur, what—?"
Before she could question him further, he stepped behind her, placing his hands over her eyes.
"Arthur—!"
"Just trust me." His breath was warm against her ear as he carefully guided her forward.
Her heart pounded against her ribs as she walked blindly, feeling the uneven wooden planks beneath her boots. The sound of the harbor grew louder, the smell of salt and brine filling her senses.
Finally, he stopped.
"Alright," he murmured. "You can look now."
She gasped.
Before her stood a magnificent ship; it looked as if it had seen more wars than peaceful shores, its sails folded neatly as it rocked gently against the dock.
It almost looked like..
"This ship…" she said softly, eyes wide as she looked beyond the tarp. "It reminds me of the old stories—where Alexander and his sailors raced the wind to the edge of the sea and back, and won."
Arthur smiled, "The very same, it was the only thing I did not give back."
She looked up, wonder lighting her face. "Incredible…" Her fingers reached out, brushing against the coarse ropes.
"It will be…" he said, eyes glinting. "Once we are done with it."
She turned to him, confused. "I don't understand. What do you mean by we?"
Arthur extended a hand, and Cesealia took it. He gave a subtle nod to a nearby guard, who moved to untie the tarp draped over the docked ship."Welcome aboard—" he said, "The King of the Seas."
The golden crest of House Pendragon is etched into the side.
Her eyes widened. "Arthur…" she whispered, breathless.
He crossed his arms, a pleased smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I know, I know—but it is mandatory, so we do not get pirated on our first vogue.
"No, I meant she's beautiful," she breathed, stepping closer. "But—"
"Consider it a birthday present."
She blinked, turning to him. "My birthday is not for another month."
He shrugged. "I missed the last seven. Figured I'd catch up…" he paused, "Jeez, I really am turning out like my uncle., I am not sure how I feel about it as yet, all things considered…"
Her heart ached in the best way.
"Anyway—Picture it—" he said, hopping onto the railing and grabbing a rope with one hand to steady himself. "Sea in your hair, Wind at your back." He jumped down again, spinning her suddenly and catching her in his arms with a grin. "Music to dance to while the stars watch…" He led her toward the helm. She hesitated, then let him guide her hands to the ship's wheel. He stepped behind her, wrapping his hands around hers. "Exploring the world like you and Eric always dreamed of…"
Cesealia froze. "What are you saying?" She whispered.
His smirk faded, replaced by something more vulnerable. Sincere. "I am saying, Cesealia Quinn…" He took a step closer, voice low, "I want to sail the seas with you. Do you wish to sail with me?"
For once, she was speechless.
Trying to break the tension, he added, "It is the least I can do for you now—" He made a mock slicing gesture across his neck, smirking.
She raised a brow.
Arthur cleared his throat. "Too soon?"
And then—she laughed and threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. "We're going to have our hands full," she murmured against his shoulder. "She needs work—"
As if on cue, a wooden plank cracked and tumbled off the side into the sea with a loud splash. They both turned to watch it sink, then looked at each other.
"A lot of work," Arthur admitted. "Luckily, we've got a captain on board who knows what she's doing."
"Oh no," she added, "I should be second-in-command. Too confusing for the crew otherwise."
He narrowed his eyes playfully. "Treat it as our child. I draw the line at joint custody."
She quirked a brow. "Like the child I can never have?" The laughter died between them. Her smile faltered. Her throat tightened as a tear slipped down her cheek. "Because I don't need pity," she whispered. "Not from you. Not from anyone."
But before she could say more, he stepped forward, cutting her off gently. "If I have to prove to you how much I need you in my life… how much you mean to me, how much I think about you in every waking moment—I will." And then, without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed her, slow, firm, and full of everything he could not put into words.
"I love you…Arthur," she said quietly, then pulled back. "Seriously?"
Arthur blinked… and then tilted forward slightly. A nosebleed. he winced, pulling a cloth from his pocket. "I came prepared." He grinned, his ocean blue eyes bright with affection. His arms were around her tightly. "I love you too."
She rolled her eyes, dabbing it gently away.
For the first time in his life, Arthur Pendragon knew exactly where he was meant to be. He just needed to relay that information to his family.
Dinner was the last thing on Arthur's mind. Tonight, he was going to announce something he had been holding onto for a long time. He glanced at his family, filled with bliss and laughter. What if they don't approve, he thought. But those thoughts were soon futile, as he set down his goblet, clearing his throat, all eyes turned to him.
"There's something I need to say," he started, his voice steady but firm. "Cesealia and I…wish to leave."
A silence fell over the table, but it wasn't the kind of silence he expected. Arthur had anticipated shock, protest, outrage, even. Instead, his siblings smiled. His mother clapped her hands together excitedly. Even his father looked… pleased.
"…Wait," Arthur said, narrowing his eyes. "You want me to go?"
Elaine grinned. "Of course not, but you are so grumpy all the time. I think the fresh air will do you some good, brother."
He blinked. That was not the reaction he expected.
Eugene, seated beside her, sighed dramatically. "Honestly, I could do with a break from your pranks."
Arthur smirked. "I promised I would not do pranks anymore, remember?"
"To me," Eugene corrected, "You never said I would not be in the crossfire of your other victims."
Arthur chuckled, but there was something deeper in his gaze, something thoughtful. He had always been the protector of his siblings. The one who watched their backs, stood beside them, and ensured their safety. But now? Artizea was married. She had Rhyssand by her side. Elaine was blossoming into a woman of her own strength, no longer the little sister who needed his shadow for protection. Eugene was coming into his own, no longer the boy who second-guessed himself but a young man who knew his worth. And if It is one thing this war showed him, they were all growing. For the first time in his life, he realized, it was time to take care of himself.
His father finally spoke. "You have my blessing, Arthur."
Arthur turned toward him, slightly stunned. He had expected some push back. a lecture about duty. But it never came. It was almost as if he were in denial.
EUGENE
"You helped," Eugene said quietly.
"I merely acted to balance the scales," the demon replied, appearing in the realm with that familiar, infuriating smirk. "And took my short end of the stick."
"Funny," Eugene muttered. "I was beginning to think my scales were different from yours. Tell me of this contract price."
"Can you not decipher it yourself? Aren't you supposed to be the wisest human?" the demon teased.
"As I said, Knowledge."
"What knowledge could you possibly seek from me to fill your never-ending cup?"
"I am no lustful fool," Eugene shot back. "Nor has this anything to do with greed, you bastard." He sighed, his gaze turning distant. "My family has a knack for finding trouble. It is as if the curse runs in our blood. We may have broken one—but that doesn't mean we're free. I can feel it. Smell it. The endless suffering each of us will endure. Every single Pendragon."
He looked up, determined. "And I intend to end it. I've been working on—"
"I keep telling you, it will do you no good," the demon interrupted.
"And that is why I need your help," Eugene said. "You know what it means to be cursed. What if there were a way to free you, too? Both of us? All of us?"
The demon's smile faded. "There is no such thing… Beasts like me—we accept what we are. I've accepted who I am. I like it. Do not waste yourself on someone like me."
"I cannot do that—" Eugene whispered. "My brother is leaving—my big brother, who I thought would always be there to protect me, and now he is leaving us, and I must step up in his shoes. I must be the first prince of the realm. I can't watch my family fall when there might be a way to fix it all. I will not give up like you have—and I won't give up on you."
The demon tilted his head.
"Why did you help?" Eugene asked
"Is that truly the question you wish to ask me?" the demon said softly. "You only get one per cycle."
"It is."
The demon's eyes gleamed. "As I said, I am bored. I shall help you, for the simple fact that you asked at the right time and place. But knowledge…" He paused, smiling faintly. "That comes with a separate price."
"Which is?"
The demon took a step closer. "You said you need me, did you not?"
"I said I needed your h—"
"I need you."
Eugene froze.
"But I will not have you," the demon continued, in an almost mournful tone. "I have a habit of lusting after everything that fascinates me. I am tired of starting over. I need youto keep my gaze in your palm, to anchor me. So that I might finally know peace."
Eugene blinked. "Interesting dynamic."
The demon's lips curved faintly, "Genius, one might say."
A beat.
"Fine—" Eugene said.
The demon tilted his head. "Do you truly know what you're getting into?"
Eugene exhaled slowly. "For the greater good, sometimes the sacrifices one makes in the dark are necessary for the sun to rise another day. In other words…"
"I understand you perfectly," the demon interrupted, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You know the tongue of the First Settlers?"
Eugene hesitated. "I… read a lot."
"I see." The demon said, then with a lazy wave of his hand, one by one, books began to appear—ancient tomes, scrolls, and moires materializing out of the ether until the empty shelves around them were filled to bursting.
Eugene turned slowly, watching the titles shift and whisper to one another in forgotten languages. He stepped closer, reaching for a spine embossed with strange sigils.
"Then we begin with the one named Knowledge of Beasts," the demon murmured.
Eugene turned abruptly, only to turn back and find him gone.
ARTHUR
Arthur's throat tightened upon seeing the ship; it was ready, everything was ready, but him. After all these years, after all his doubts—his father, his family—For a moment, he wondered if he made the right decision, until a small force collided with him.
A book.
"So you do not forget where you come from," his mother said. "In case you get lost."
A slow grin spread across his face as he inspected its reconstruction. "I shall send letters. I promise, to the family and… him."
His mother huffed. "You'd better, otherwise…"
"I know," Arthur sighed, then cleared his throat through "I will hunt you down myself—"
Arthuria opened her mouth to combat.
"Or worse… Send the royal guard, I know mommy…"
Elaine chuckled. "And when you come back, I expect something rare. Something no one else has, oh! Bring me back something blue!"
He exhaled then chuckled. "That, sister, I cannot promise."
Arthur Pendragon was ready to set sail toward his destiny.
The Pendragons stood at the edge of the dock, the salty sea breeze weaving through them as they watched Arthur and Cesealia make their final preparations. Arthur stood before them, his usual smirk softened by the weight of the moment. This was it. After years of being the protector, the guardian, the ever-present older brother, he was finally stepping away to live for himself. Arthuria was the first to break. A single tear slipped down her cheek before she turned away to wipe it—only for more to follow. She did not bother hiding them.
Arthur sighed, shaking his head with a lopsided smile. "Mother…"
She pulled him into a tight embrace, holding onto him like she was afraid to let go. "Be safe," she whispered against his hair.
"I will," he murmured. "I promise."
One by one, his siblings took their turn.
Elaine clung to Cesealia, babbling, it was hard to tell if she was scolding her or giving her a final list of all of Arthur's worst habits. "Just watch out for him," Elaine pleaded. "And never let him near a deck of cards. Never."
Eugene, surprisingly, gave him a hug, his head resting on the shoulder. "Look after yourself."
Arthur ruffled his hair in response. "I shall miss you, Genius."
Then his father. Gilgamesh stood tall, his expression unreadable. Arthur had expected some long speech on how he should sail with the pride of a Pendragon. Instead, there was nothing.
Arthur frowned. "Well?"
Silence.
His father just stood there, arms crossed, waiting.
Arthur chuckled before stepping forward and hugging him. "Thank you, Dad."
He sighed deeply and muttered, "Get the hell off me, son."
Arthur laughed, stepping back. That was as close to 'I love you' as he was ever going to get. So, he gave it back. "I love you too."
Gilgamesh rolled his eyes.
Finally, Rhyssand stepped forward with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, Pendragon, I have one last gift for you."
He raised a brow. "Oh?"
Rhyssand handed him a beautifully crafted bottle of deep sapphire blue, the liquid inside shimmering with heaven's rarest wine.
Arthur studied it, brows furrowing. " Wine ?"
Rhyssand smirked. "Only for emergencies."
He blinked. "Emergencies?"
Rhyssand patted him on the shoulder, his smirk growing wider. "There aren't a lot of places to escape a woman on a ship."
Arthur could not warn him in time as Artizea smacked Rhyssand over the head.
"Rhyssand Pendragon…" She warned.
He whimpered. "You should go. Now—"
Arthur shook his head, laughing as he turned toward his ship.
"Wait."
Arthur looked down to see his father, mere seconds before he hugged him for a moment, then his sisters, and his mother. When they finally let go, no words were shared, and with one final look at his family—his home—he boarded.
The sails unfurled, catching the wind. And with one last wave, Arthur Pendragon set sail toward the unknown. As the ship sailed further away, a heavy silence settled over the dock. And then—Arthuria broke down. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, "My boy."
Gilgamesh, watching her weep for their son, exhaled through his nose and muttered, "Your favoritism is showing." But before he could say anything else, she turned into his chest, clutching onto him. Instinct kicking in—his arms wrapped around her. One hand slid behind her neck, holding her in place, fingers tangling gently in her hair as she wept into his chest. He did not say anything. He just let her cry. Because even a king could not stop a mother's grief.
Meanwhile, Elaine, who had been doing a remarkably good job at keeping her composure, suddenly let out an ear-piercing scream. "Brother! Don't go!" she screamed, "I changed my mind! DON'T FORGET ME! YOUR FAVORITE SISTER!"And then—she ran. Straight toward the end of the dock.
Artizea cursed, immediately shoving Callisto into Rhyssand's arms, completely ignoring the fact that his arms were already full with Seraphina. Rhyssand let out a startled grunt, barely catching the wiggling toddler before she took off. Eugene, not one to be left behind, sighed dramatically and followed after her, chasing them both. Now, all that remained were the only sane ones in the family.
Rhyssand looked down at the two small children now staring at him expectantly. Callisto blinked, and Seraphina grabbed his sleeve, completely oblivious to the chaos, and babbled cutely. He sighed deeply. A small smile forms.
Arthuria sniffled, lifting her head from Gil's chest, watching as her children were… well, children. She wiped at her eyes, letting out a watery laugh. "They're all idiots," she murmured.
Gilgamesh, watching the scene unfold, chuckled. "Our idiots."
With one last wave, the Pendragons did what they did best.
They carried on.