Although she had just suffered a blow regarding “growth” in the Great Hall, Diana was not the type to wallow in frustration.
Since she had accepted the mission, she would do it well first.
Moreover, the little guy she was leading by the hand was a delight to look at.
Stepping out of the oppressive palace, the outside air seemed exceptionally fresh and sweet.
“Let’s go, little guy.” Diana tossed her thick, wavy long hair, as if to shake off the recent unpleasantness.
“Since Mother asked me to host you, I’ll take you to see the real Paradise Island.” “What’s the fun in staying in that cold palace all day?” “Let’s go browse the market!” She looked down at Arthas’s Asgardian formal wear, which was exquisite but clearly a bit cumbersome.
“I’ll buy you some decent clothes while we’re at it.” “This outfit is too…
too much like a little prince going to a ball.” “Around here, we value practicality and comfort.” Although Arthas didn’t know what Amazonian style was, hearing “shopping” and “buying new clothes” made him agree with both hands raised.
“Yay!” He cheered, his short legs stepping even more joyfully.
The market on Paradise Island wasn’t noisy and chaotic or filled with the stench of money like the outside world.
It was more like a large open-air art exhibition and social venue.
Shops built of white marble lined both sides of the street, each with brightly colored fabric banners fluttering in the wind.
There were no harsh cries of vendors, only the melodious sound of harps and the soft laughter of women in conversation.
The air was filled with the aroma of baked bread, the sweetness of fresh fruit, and that special spice scent unique to the Amazons.
Everyone passing by was a tall, athletic, and powerful woman.
Some wore simple training gear, others flowing long dresses; every face beamed with confidence and a peaceful smile.
To Arthas, this social landscape composed entirely of women felt like he had fallen into the Kingdom of Women…
no, wait, more like he had fallen into a bed of flowers.
His eyes couldn’t take it all in, glancing left and right, his mouth stuck in an “O” shape.
And this little male creature who had suddenly burst into the “flower bed” naturally became the focus of everyone’s attention.
Like a drop of ink in milk, he was quite conspicuous.
At first, everyone just looked curiously at the little boy being led by the princess.
They were still whispering, guessing his identity.
But when Arthas very politely gave an invincible smile to a flower-selling sister passing by and sweetly said, “Sister, you’re so pretty”…
The scene went completely out of control.
Where had the Amazonian Warriors ever seen such a thing?
The males they saw daily were either monsters in books or legendary enemies.
Who would have thought a real “male cub” would be such a devastatingly lethal creature?
The flower-selling sister was so charmed on the spot that she clutched her chest, and without a word, grabbed a large bunch of dew-kissed flowers and stuffed them into Arthas’s arms.
“For you!
All for you!
So cute!” This was only the beginning.
The rest of the way was practically a “harvesting tour” for Arthas.
Passing a fruit stall, an auntie insisted on stuffing two red apples larger than his head into his hands.
Passing a jewelry shop, the proprietress insisted on putting a bracelet made of colored shells on him.
Passing a blacksmith’s shop, a muscular sister who was forging iron even wanted to give him a small dagger, but fortunately, Diana stopped her in time.
“Oh my!
Stop giving things, stop giving things!” Diana, while helping Arthas carry the items that were piling up like a mountain, tried to stop her enthusiastic kin with a mix of laughter and tears.
“He’s here to buy clothes!
Not to stock up on supplies!” “And you!
Can you tone down your smile a bit!” Diana looked down and “scolded” Arthas.
“You’re setting fires everywhere, do you know that?” Arthas, holding the flowers, blinked innocently.
“But everyone is so enthusiastic.” “And Mom said, when people give you things, you should smile and say thank you; it’s polite.” Diana facepalmed.
This kid really could pull out “Mom’s teachings” anytime, anywhere.
They finally managed to squeeze into the tailor shop.
The clothes here were indeed very distinctive.
There were no complex laces or frills; most were simple linen or cotton materials, with generous cuts that emphasized mobility.
Like a little girl keen on dressing up a doll, Diana began frantically pulling clothes off the racks.
“This red short robe is nice; it looks spirited.” “This one with gold trim is also good; it has a bit of a minor noble’s temperament.” “Oh, this little leather armor is so cute!
He’ll definitely look like a little warrior in it!” Arthas became the well-behaved model.
He’d change into a set, walk out, and spin around.
Change into another, then strike a pose.
Every appearance drew gasps of admiration from Diana and the tailor shop’s proprietress.
“Heavens!
This child is a natural clothes horse!” The proprietress marveled while taking measurements.
“With skin this fair, he looks good in any color.” “This little waist, these proportions…
tsk tsk.” Finally, after trying on about twenty outfits.
Diana finally selected a few sets with satisfaction.
One was a white Greek-style short robe with a gold belt; wearing it, he looked like a little angel stepped out of a mural.
Another was a deep red training suit with special small leather boots; wearing it, he looked heroic, like a miniature Amazonian Warrior.
And another was soft pajamas embroidered with stars and the moon.
“These will do.” Diana waved her hand and paid grandly (it was actually put on her tab).
Seeing Arthas in his new clothes, standing spiritedly before the mirror admiring himself.
The sense of satisfaction in Diana’s heart was practically overflowing.
This feeling was truly wonderful.
Previously, she had always gone straight for what she wanted when shopping, took it, and left.
She had never thought that browsing and choosing clothes could be such an interesting thing.
So this was…
the joy of nurturing someone?
After finishing with the market, both their hands were full.
Of course, most were in Diana’s hands, while Arthas only held a skewer of fruit, like a candied hawthorn, which he was munching on.
“Alright, we’re done shopping.” Diana looked at the sky; the sun had begun to dip in the west, dyeing the entire sea surface gold.
“I’ll take you to a good place.” She winked mysteriously.
“It’s a place even Aunt Antiope doesn’t know about.” “I go there when I’m in a bad mood or when I want to be alone and quiet.” Hearing “secret base,” Arthas immediately perked up.
He finished the fruit in his hand in a few bites, unafraid of choking.
“Where, where?
Take me there quickly!” No child has any resistance to things like secret bases.
It’s a synonym for adventure and exclusivity.
Diana led Arthas away from the noisy urban area and up the mountain along an extremely hidden path.
This path was very difficult to traverse, with thick bushes on both sides; without Diana leading the way, one would never discover a trail here.
After climbing a steep slope, the view suddenly opened up.
This was a natural platform located at the top of a cliff.
Surrounded by the sea on three sides, it offered an excellent view.
The most magical part was that this platform was covered with a type of blue flower that glowed.
As the sky darkened, those flowers began to emit a faint fluorescence, illuminating the entire platform like a dream, as if they were in the middle of a starry sky.
In the center of the flowers was a large, flat white rock, covered with several old-looking animal skins.
This was clearly Diana’s “throne.” The two sat down on the large rock.
Beneath them was a sheer cliff and the vast ocean; above them was the sky, changing colors.
The sea breeze brushed against their cheeks, carrying away the heat.
“Wow…” Arthas looked at the beautiful scenery and marveled once again.
“It’s so beautiful here, Sister.” “Even more beautiful than the great terrace of the Golden Palace.” Diana smiled, put down the things in her hands, and leaned back somewhat languidly, supporting herself with her hands behind her.
“Right?” “When I first discovered this place, I also felt it was a gift from the gods.” “Here, I feel very close to the sky and very far from those annoying rules.” She turned her head and looked at Arthas.
There was no longer the air of a princess in her eyes, but rather a softness belonging to a young girl.
“What about you?” “In Asgard, do you have a place like this?” Arthas hugged his knees and thought for a moment.
“Hmm…
the Golden Palace is very big, you can play everywhere.” “But there are guard uncles watching everywhere.” “Someone follows me wherever I go.” “Although everyone is very good to me and Father dotes on me, sometimes I also want to play alone.” “Like that idiot Thor—he often sneaks out, but he gets caught and spanked every time.” At this point, he smiled somewhat bashfully.
“Actually, I’m quite envious of him.” “At least he dares to run.” “I…
I’m the First Prince, everyone is watching me, I have to be a role model.” “I can’t disappoint Father, and I can’t let Mom worry.” Although these words were spoken with childish innocence, Diana heard a sense of maturity and helplessness beyond his years.
Yes.
Being in a royal family, where is there any true freedom?
That seemingly perfect “other people’s child” actually had a bit of repression hidden in his heart.
Diana reached out and pulled Arthas into her arms.
This time, the movement was completely natural.
“I understand.” She said softly, her chin resting on top of Arthas’s head.
“I’m the same.” “Growing up, everyone told me I am a princess, a miracle molded from clay.” “I must be perfect, I must be strong, I must become the pride of the Amazons.” “But sometimes, I’m really tired.” “I also wish that maybe one day, I wouldn’t have to swing a sword on the training ground or memorize that boring history.” “Just wanting to…
be like an ordinary girl, looking at flowers, daydreaming.” “Or like today, browsing the market, buying clothes.” She sighed, but a smile played at the corners of her mouth.
“Fortunately, I met you today.” “If it weren’t for taking you, this little tag-along, I wouldn’t have had the chance to play so freely for a day.” “In that case, I should actually thank you.” Arthas leaned into that warm embrace, smelling the faint fragrance on Diana.
That familiar sense of security welled up in his heart once more.
He looked up at Diana’s profile, reddened by the setting sun.
They really are so similar.
That feeling, that look in her eyes.
“Mom…” These two words escaped his lips once again.
This time, Diana didn’t bristle as she had before, nor did she try to correct him.
She just looked down at the clear-eyed child in her arms.
A hard place in her heart completely melted.
Perhaps…
this is fate.
Even without a blood relation, even with different races.
But at this moment, the feeling of two hearts leaning on each other was real.
“…Little fool.” She scolded softly, yet her tone was full of tenderness.
She tightened her arms and did not push him away.
She tacitly accepted this somewhat absurd yet sweet form of address.
The sky grew completely dark.
Those little blue flowers were like countless small lanterns, lighting up the surroundings.
Diana took out some dry rations and fruit from the things she had bought.
Although it wasn’t a feast, in this environment, anything would taste delicious.
“Here, try this dried fig.” Diana fed one to Arthas.
“This is my favorite snack.” “Mmm!
So sweet!” Arthas ate with great relish.
The two continued chatting as they ate.
Talking about myths, battles, and those little secrets known only to the two of them.
Laughter echoed on the cliff, intertwining with the sound of the waves to form a most wonderful movement.
Happy times are always brief.
Night deepened, and the sea breeze grew chilly.
“Alright, time to go back.” Diana stood up and brushed the grass off her clothes.
“We have to get up early tomorrow.” “Even though Mother is letting you rest, I still have to train.” “If you can get up, I can take you to the training ground to have a look.” Arthas also stood up and gave a small yawn.
“Okay~” Although he was a bit sleepy, he was still in high spirits.
The two packed up and returned the way they came.
When they returned to the palace, most of the lights were already extinguished.
Only Diana’s bedchamber still glowed with a warm light.
Chloe had long since prepared hot water.
These two, one big and one small, spent a long time messing around in the bathroom.
Mainly because Arthas didn’t want to bathe and insisted on playing with the water.
Consequently, Diana also got soaked, and the two started a water fight in the bathroom.
Finally, Diana used her “Sister’s authority”—which actually meant tickling him—to get the wet chick cleaned up.
The fragrant Arthas changed into the pajamas printed with stars and moons.
He looked just like a little angel.
Diana led him to a guest room right next to her own bedchamber.
These two rooms were actually connected, separated only by a carved wooden door.
Originally, this was for a personal maid, but for ease of care, Diana had cleared it out.
“You stay here.” Diana pointed to the large bed covered in thick velvet.
“This bed is very soft; I guarantee you’ll get a good night’s sleep.” “I’m just next door.” “If anything happens, or if you get scared, just give a shout.” “Or…
just push the door and come in.” She added at the end.
Arthas climbed onto the bed, which was a bit large for him, and rolled around in the pile of soft pillows.
Then he poked his head out and looked at Diana standing in the doorway.
“Goodnight, Sister.” “Goodnight, Mom.” He was being naughty again, mixing up the two names.
Diana smiled helplessly and walked over to tuck him in.
“Goodnight, you little rascal.” She planted a goodnight kiss on Arthas’s forehead.
Then she straightened up, gave him a somewhat lingering look, and then slowly backed out, gently closing the door.
The room became quiet.
Only the moonlight from outside spilled onto the floor through a gap in the curtains.
Arthas lay in bed, staring at the ceiling with wide eyes.
Although his body was tired, he wasn’t sleepy at all.
Everything that happened today felt like a dream.
The Bifrost Bridge, teleportation, pretty sisters, a fierce Queen, shopping, the secret base…
it was all so novel and exciting.
He rolled over and listened for any sounds from next door.
It was very quiet over there; was Sister Diana asleep too?
Or was she meditating?
He didn’t know.
He reached out and touched his chest.
That divine power was still flowing slowly within him, seemingly even more active because of his joy today.
Father must be worried sick by now, right?
And Mother Frigga…
although it’s very fun here, I still have to go home.