A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 644 How About We Start As Friends

The blonde Duchess giggled as she shook her head. ''He has caused all sorts of trouble with his bragging. In the Everrose family, we prefer to handle our issues rather than involve outsiders. We've been taught to consider both sides of the story before judging.''

'It makes sense. But it's no bother now, as the boy will leave Kestria alone, and no one can scold me for it,' he thought to himself.

When Archer heard her answer, he understood what she meant and nodded before asking. ''Aren't you married? Where is your husband?''

Fianna answered as she looked out the window and answered with a sad smile. ''I am married to the Duke, but my husband ignores me and the Duchy by spending much time with his mistresses. The marriage was good for the first few years, but after, I couldn't bear any more offspring, so he shunned me. I've been meaning to end the marriage in the capital, but he has powerful friends who will make my life hard if I do that.''

''So you're caught between a rock and a hard place. I do feel sorry for you; being in a dead marriage isn't good for anyone. But I'm curious, what makes you interested in someone much younger than yourself?'' Archer questioned in a warm tone when he heard the sadness in her voice.

The blonde woman sighed. ''I do not know, Archer. I hoped to find some happiness during this miserable existence, but I can't find that inside my family. It's hard to keep smiling when everyone is gossiping behind your back. I want to be happy and enjoy myself instead of being mocked.''

When Archer heard this, he thought, 'Some men are stupid to treat such a beautiful woman so poorly.'

That's when he said positively, ''How about we start as friends? You look like all you do is work and need something to relax.''

Fianna nodded, prompting Archer to retrieve a bracelet and offer it to her. As she took it, he explained. "Contact me using this whenever you're free, and I'll take you to places you've never seen before."

She smiled while putting it on and spoke with happiness. ''Thank you, Archer, it means a lot to me, and yes, we can be friends. Do you mind meeting me tomorrow evening by the docks? I'm free there.''

''Of course. If nothing comes up, then I'll be there.'' He answered with a genuine smile.

After speaking, the maid informed the Duchess. ''We have to return to the inn, my lady.''

Fianna nodded before answering. ''Okay, we will head back now.''

Once Archer heard that, he stood up and spoke with a smile. "Duchess Everrose, it was nice meeting you. I shall see you tomorrow.''

As the carriage sped off, he stepped onto the pavement. Archer reentered the restaurant, his eyes lighting up at seeing a table laden with food. He pushed the door open, and the bustling noise of the restaurant washed over him like a comforting wave.

The aroma of various cuisines filled the air, mingling with laughter and chatter from the patrons. With a confident stride, he made his way through the crowded tables. A smile spread across his face as he took a seat.

The girls turned to him, and Nefertiti questioned with narrowed eyes. ''I smell a woman. An older one, who is she?''

Archer chuckled before telling them everything that happened, leaving people gawking at him. Leira started laughing as she inquired. ''So you're mingling with a married woman now?''

He shrugged. ''She seems nice, but I'm not sure. I saw the sadness in her eyes and knew she was telling the truth.''

They all nodded before they started eating. Lioran turned to him with a smirk. ''So married women are on the table now?''

''Shut up, Lio. She came to scold me but fell in love with me instead and left with a smile, so why does it matter? I don't care for her husband.'' Archer replied in a nonchalant tone.

After he spoke, everyone turned to him with curious expressions. Teuila commented with a teasing tone. ''Do we have to worry about our mothers?''

Archer shook his head in denial. ''No. They are family to me. I don't see them that way, but there is one woman I'm interested in.''

He looked at Lioran before continuing with a grin. ''Malaika Goldheart. I want to become Lio's grandfather.''

Nalaika and Leonora started giggling at the look on their fiance's faces, and Nala turned her head to Archer excitedly. ''You want to woo grandmother? She's a tough woman Arch. I'm not sure you could.''

''Don't doubt me, my lioness. My charm is endless.'' He replied with a smirk while eating some ribs.

Everyone stopped chatting and started eating. Sera ordered strong wine for the group because she was the cheeky dragon. When Ella saw this, she scolded her. ''Seraphina! You're fighting after Archer. You can't be drunk on that stuff.''

However, the redhead ignored Ella's scolding and persisted in drinking while storing more in her storage ring. The group carried on for a while until Archer finished. He hadn't anticipated the abundance of food, but everything was from meats to bread and soups.

Llyniel informed them that they served a wide variety of food, which pleased them. One dish that particularly caught his attention was Acorn Bread, a personal favorite of his. He flagged down the waiter and requested as much of it as the chef could prepare.

They waited for another half an hour before their meal was ready. Archer paid five gold coins for the entire meal, which included the Acorn Bread. The waiter brought it over on a large trolley, but Archer stored it in the Item Box before leaving the restaurant.

The large group returned to the arena for Archer's fight with the mysterious girl Kassandra from the Starlight Academy. While strolling, Lioran and Cian tried teasing him, but Nala and Maeve joined them on the walk.

When Archer saw the orange-haired girl, she smiled at him before speaking. ''How have you been? Your fight was amazing.''

"I've been good, Maeve. Cian tells me you're getting married after the tournament. Perhaps I should stir up some mischief and crash the wedding, all while kidnapping you." He replied with a smirk, causing her grey eyes to shine.

With a grin of her own, Maeve teased. ''Does that mean you'd be claiming me as your woman? Even if you become enemies with the Avaloch Kingdom?'' contemporary romance

Archer shrugged before answering. ''As long as you and Cian don't hate me, I couldn't care less what your kingdom does or says.''

Meave smiled and leaned in. ''I expect to be in your arms that night, Archer Wyldheart. I want to escape that kingdom, so don't let me down.''

After speaking, the warrior girl talked with her friend Eveline, who smiled at him. Archer gave her a charming smile before Teuila appeared next to him. ''Kidnapping princesses at their weddings? That's naughty Arch.''

He glanced to his right and caught sight of his Ocean Princess. Her blue hair was styled in its customary ponytail, and she was adorned in a winter dress complemented by a cape. Archer smiled. ''Well, Teu. She seems more than happy to become mine, and I've taken an interest in her, so I'll kidnap her while causing more trouble.''

The Aquarian princess sighed. ''You are a menace, darling. I'm glad we're engaged and love each other. Imagine if we were enemies.''

''Never. You were always mine, Teuila Aquaria; your fate was sealed on the day we met all those years ago when you saved me.'' Archer said with a smile.

When hearing that, Teuila's lips curled into a smile as the memory of a battered boy with white hair flashed through her mind. The same boy had saved her kingdom, and the bond between them had grown stronger through that shared journey.

"I can't believe it's been four years already, Arch. Time has flown by," Teuila commented, her fingers intertwining with his as they reminisced.

Archer smiled before replying. ''It's been great. We have many more years together, so let's make the most of it.''

After speaking, the group arrived at the arena, and Archer had to go to the stage, as the announcer said. ''Can Archer Wyldheart and Kassandra Tidewater come to the stage, please!''

He kissed all the girls and bid farewell to the boys before making his way to the stage, where an extremely attractive girl stood. Stepping onto it, he examined her closely. She was muscular with black hair and midnight black eyes, exuding confidence.

Archer sensed her strength and realized she wasn't human. With a smirk, he questioned, "What are you? You're not human."

The girl smiled, her voice enchanting as she replied, "Beat me, and I may consider telling you, dragon."

''Okay. Weapons or just fists?'' Archer asked.

''Fists,'' Kassandra answered before the referee started the match, and the two rushed at each other.

[Please let me know if you spot any mistakes, and I will edit them. Thank you.]