Classy, Controlled Chaos - The STEAM Team Adventures

🗡️ Perseverance [3/4] 🗡️

Tia's POV:

After a few hours of quick sparring and combat training, King Arthur and I were pretty tired.

We cooled ourselves off by the palace's private beach, taking a quick swim in the frigid saltwater before we headed inside for the night.

A towel was wrapped around my battle-scared body as I dried myself off on one of the shoreline's boulders, redressing my bandages one section at a time.

"Tell me, Tia." King Arthur began, sitting down beside me on one of the mossy rocks. "Do you want to live here in Northwynd?"

I hesitated, contemplating my words before I replied. "My heart says yes, but my brain says no."

He cocked his head to the side, adjusting a tuft of his thick, silvery hair with his gloved fingers. "Heh, I get it. Conflicted, aren't you?"

"It's just..." I began, wrapping a set of bandages around my upper chest. "I know I'm being loved in my friend group, yes, but I feel empty inside. For some reason, you fill that little void of me. Please don't take it weirdly, but..."

"Don't worry, I understand." His voice softened as he reached up, adjusting the obsidian crown on his head. "People will think we're weird if they see you and I hanging out. Like, the ancient, wise king having a chat with a young captain like you. Some peasants will find us an unusual duo, that's for sure."

I was glad that he knew what I was thinking. "Thank you, uh... Arthur... This means a lot to me. Spending time with you, and all."

"Likewise, Tia." He replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Likewise."

We sat there for a couple minutes, enjoying the crisp, clear night sky with the gentle lapping of the waves against the rocky shore.

Thunder occasionally boomed in the distance, signaling an oncoming storm.

The king stood up from his spot, stretching in his soaked royal uniform. "When we get inside, I'm taking a shower. Do you want to use Cordy's bathroom just to clean yourself off?"

I nodded, grateful for the offer. "Yes please, thank you."

When we headed inside the castle and split ways, I made a bolt for Queen Cordelia's room.

After a quick rinse, I waited for my bandages to dry before washing my captain's coat and shorts, putting them back on and continuing to try myself off.

We met in King Arthur's office, doubling as a bedroom and a decent workspace.

"Make yourself comfortable." He said, sitting down and leaning back in his office chair. "There's a drawer by my desk that slides out to become a mattress. Pretty cool thing a carpenter made for me."

With a quick kick, the drawer slid open, revealing a wide, soft-looking bed.

I felt my guard slipping when I leaped into the mattress without a second thought or the slightest hint of hesitation.

To my surprise, I felt safe, like, safe safe.

It has been years since I last spent quality time with those I know I can trust, especially Arthur.

He was like a guardian to me, in a sense.

The father I never had.

"How come everyone likes you?" I asked him, knowing very well that it was a stupid question to ask.

The king chuckled at my words, picking up one of the scrolls from his desk. "Tia, look. Everyone respects me, but not everyone likes me. There's a huge difference."