"Are you sure this is okay?"
It was the seventh time their father had asked that question.
And once again, Arthur gave the same reply.
"Yes. You won't be needed during the assessment. No matter how it goes, I'll come home—either to collect my things or… to deliver the bad news."
He said it gently, but firmly.
Their father's fever had gone down a little, but he was still weak. Maybe it was the sudden weather change. Or maybe he was just tired—too tired.
Arthur didn't want to argue. He was already helping his father into the carriage that would take them to the Teleportation Portal.
Kevin, standing nearby, had also been stubborn about staying behind.
"I'll be with him, Dad," he said. "At least trust me that much."
Those words made Aston fall silent. He knew his eldest son was responsible—always had been—but leaving Arthur now, during one of the biggest moments of his life… didn't sit right.
