"Am I really a good man?" Henry murmured to himself. Master Elias already left his room a few minutes ago and now he's alone again.
Even until now, he's still busy packing his bag for the journey. Or more accurately, he's procrastinating. Why wouldn't he? He was tasked to save his murderous brother, who had been spending most of his entire lifetime scheming against him.
Much worse, he's saving him from Maleficent. A Dark Fey that is clearly out of his league.
'What a joke. Me? Being the world's hero? What about my dream? To live somewhere away from everyone with a wife and have children in peace.' Henry stayed frozen while being drowned in thoughts.
Why is he being forced into a responsibility he never asked for? Was it really because of what Master Elias said?
Is it truly because of his heavenly talent? Or him being a good man? Or perhaps something deeper than those? Something more complicated.
'Let's just finish this and go. I'll drag that stupid brother of mine, even if I have to break his bones and limbs. As long as Maleficent remains unprovoked, it should count as a success, right?' However, the more Henry whispers such words to himself, the more he realizes he's just fooling himself.
Obviously, it wouldn't be that easy and definitely won't go the way he wants. If it were, Master Elias wouldn't trouble him for this and handle it himself instead.
'Goddammit. Is it really wrong to try to live contented and comfortably in this new life of mine?'
"You're leaving again, Henry?" A soft and meek voice suddenly interrupted his thought process.
Swiftly turning around, he saw Lily, his little sister, standing on the doorway with a stuffed bunny on her hand, which he gifted to her during her 5th birthday. She was sniffing and trying her best not to look teary-eyed.
Which she failed horribly at.
Henry immediately abandoned what he was doing and hurriedly approached her, crouching down to match her eye level, "Hey there little bud. It wouldn't take long. Just take a very long sleep and I'll be back before you know it."
She stared back at him with quivering lips, "Do you really have to?" Her words made him pause.
"…I do. But I'm doing this for everyone. For you, Dad, and Mom. Can I ask you to help do something for me while I'm gone?"
There was a flash of excitement and determination in her eyes. To her, she had always seen her big brother as an invincible figure, someone who fears nothing and now that certain person is asking her to do something.
What else could she feel about it but pride and validated? Pride, because someone she's been looking up to for years was asking her for help and validation, because whatever he asks her, means he's finally recognizing her as someone he can rely on.
"What is it? Whatever it is, I'll do my best to do it! You can rely on me!" Seeing the determined and hopeful expression on her face, Henry couldn't hold his hand back but pat her head.
"Stawp it! I'm not a kid anymore." She pouted and complained. Though from the looks of it, she didn't even try to resist his attempt.
And of course she would think of herself that way. Because in her eyes, an adult would only ask an adult for help, and in this case, Henry was asking her to do something for him, which means that she's finally an adult!
"Alright alright, I'll stop." Henry chuckled and finally lifted off his hand from her, which earned a disappointed pout from the little princess who tried her best to hide it.
"Listen closely, little bud. I'll be gone for a few days. And while I'm not here, I want to behave, do as what mom and dad tells you to and in the meantime, watch out for your big sister Samantha and those two evil witches. You know who I mean, right?"
When he said the two evil witches, he meant the concubines. Initially they were three evil witches but since Victoria Goldenshield was sent to meet the guillotine a few days ago, there are now only two remaining.
And Henry is a hundred percent sure they won't remain silent for long. Once he's gone again, they would definitely attempt to do something against him. He wouldn't mind it if they target his back but his family? The people he loved? He needs someone to watch them.
Ser Liam is no go, the man would definitely be busy especially since he's the Kingdom's Grandmaster Knight, which means his responsibilities are heavier than before.
His parents would be busy with his birthday and would have their attention divided. The remaining ones he could count on are Lily, Master Elias and Flynn.
Out of the three, Lily is best suited to spy on the two concubines, not only because they wouldn't suspect a thing, which a great thing but also because Henry already had something in mind regarding Master Elias and Flynn.
They would be there to protect Lily while she does the spying. So Lily's job wouldn't be that dangerous. And besides, one of the main reasons he did this was to have Lily occupied while he's gone.
The little princess is a bundle of energy and known to throw tantrums that only Henry himself could calm her down. As long as she's doing something to keep her busy, there wouldn't be any problem in the castle while he's gone.
Lily vehemently nodded her head, "Samantha and the two evil witches! Got it! They won't leave my eyesight! I promise!"
"That's my little bud." Henry grinned and patted her head, "Oh and before I forget, after I'm gone, find Master Elias, he'll give you a cool gift."
Her eyes quickly shone like a glitter, "A gift? Is it a toy!? Can I have it now?"
Henry laughed, "Hahaha! No, it's not a toy. I already gave you enough toys to play with. Just wait until I leave so you can find him and get it."
The little princess then suddenly started pushing him out of the door, "Then go and leave now! Hurry!"
"I know! Just give me a second, I'll grab my bag!"
———
"A ring of protection? Hmm…" After getting kicked out of his own room by none other than his little sister, Henry made his way up to Master Elias's study room.
Honestly, he never actually inquired Master Elias about his supposed gift for Princess Lily. So imagine the old man's surprise when Henry came barging in and begging him to create a magical artifact for Lily.
Henry nodded his head and explained, "That's right. Something that could protect Lily when she's alone. If Timothy himself came up with an idea to strike me through her, what's stopping the others from doing the same?"
"If it were that easy to craft magical artifacts, I would've made hundreds of them long ago, Henry boy." There was a hint of powerlessness in his tone.
However, Henry simply crossed his arms and leaned on the wall beside him, "Consider it payment for making me the shoulder the responsibilities of saving this world from the future."
"Consider it done. Matter of fact, I do remember possessing a few defensive relics. I'll give three of them to Lily. To protect her body, spirit, and mind." The old man turned around and bent his body before rummaging through an old chest between two shelves.
When he picked himself back up, there were three set of dusty rings resting atop his palm.
"I won these in a card game against a renowned sorcerer back in the day. This one." He lifted a silver ring with a red gemstone, "Gives the wearer a skin made of steel. No worries, it doesn't change her appearance, just makes her skin as tough as steel."
He then lifted another silver ring, this time it has a blue gemstone, "Meanwhile, our bad boy here will make her mind slightly hard to penetrate. Not an immunity to mind magic but enough to resist a few weak spells."
"And last but not the least, we have this one." The last ring he lifted was surprisingly different. The gemstone was purple but the body wasn't silver like the others, instead it was black and have a few noticeable cracks in it, with each gap having a mysterious purple glowing color coming out of it.
Master Elias then fell into a deep thought, "Magic that affect ones spirit are very rare, I think this would be an overkill for her." The moment he finished his muttering, he threw the ring towards Henry, "How about you keep this one instead? It might help you against Maleficent in case the situation takes a worse turn."
Henry smoothly caught the ring, he took a closer look upon it, taking in its properties, especially the gemstone and the purple cracks, "You have all these things and it never once crossed your mind to give me one?"
To his surprise, Master Elias didn't make a joke out of it nor took his words lightly, "Overreliance on objects is bad, Henry. Take it as one of my lesson for you. Many sorcerers found themselves relying too much on external objects to the point their growth stagnated."
"Not to mention, harboring deep feelings towards certain objects, most of the time, would produce unsightly scenarios. Ever heard of ghosts and how burning their possession would cast them out? Those are real and I've done a lot of burning objects to vanquish ghosts and wraiths."
"Are you serious?" Henry felt a shiver up his spine, quickly hugging himself while his eyes darted left and right, as if a ghost would suddenly appear and jumpscare him.
Master Elias paused and gave him the look, "You're not seriously afraid of ghosts, are you?"
"…No." Henry gulped his saliva hard. Trying to forget about the times he watched horror movies all by himself and then proceeded to get a sleepless night after.
Master Elias knew he was lying but decided not to pursue the matter, "Nevertheless, there's a reason why I didn't give you any magical artifacts until yesterday. Did you bring Sunshine with you?"
Hearing his words, Henry didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out Sunshine from the scabbard on his waist. The blade glinting off from the sunlight peeking outside the room's window.
There was an excited glint from his eyes, "Is this also enchanted? What does it do? Shoot sunlight beams from the tip or what?
However, Master Elias's next words threw a cold bucket of water directly into his head, "I haven't enchanted the sword yet. Aside from it being the symbol of the Federation and being made from the combination of the strongest and lightest material in the world, there's nothing unique or magical about Sunshine."
Just as Henry's shoulders deflated at the first few words, he perked up at the middle, "You said you haven't enchanted the sword 'yet'? Am I hearing that right? So what, are you going to place enchantments on it right now?"
Although Henry was excited, he was also a bit hesitant since he had already packed his things now and he would be leaving soon, so he's not sure if now is the right time to have Sunshine enchanted. Though for the sake of his own safety, he would rather delay his leave just to enchant Sunshine.
However, another bucket—much larger this time, was thrown into his head, "No I won't be enchanting it."
"Then why the hell did you ask me if I brought it—!?"
"Instead, you will be enchanting the sword yourself." Master Elias bent his body again, rummaging through the drawer of his desk before throwing three thick books on his way, "Read this yourself."
Henry caught each book and read them one by one, "Enchantment for Beginners, How to Enchant, and the Art of Enchanting? You mean I need to learn enchantment while literally being sent to a place where my death rate is higher than fifty?"
"You're underestimating your talents, Henry boy. Others might take years to master the basics of enchanting but not for you."
"As a matter of fact, you'll find Enchanting much more easy to learn compared to our magic lessons. I know a few renowned blacksmiths capable of using Enchantment despite not learning magic."
"So go now and enchant Sunshine yourself."
——————————
[Sorry to disappoint a few but no new girls would be added in this arc. Maleficent and Aurora wouldn't be part of the Harem. Trust me guys, adding them would add too many problems, both for me and the Mc. So for those who were expecting to witness Maleficent finally getting some love, I'm sorry in advance.
Maybe someday in the future, keyword 'Maybe', I might write another Disney fanfic and make Maleficent the main wife or only wife or something. But for now, let go of those horny thoughts and leave the super hot Angelina Jolie alone (for now)