A Journey That Changed The World.

Archer cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing away the tears that rushed down her cheeks. ''Don't you ever put yourself down like that again. You're everything I've ever wanted, and I wouldn't trade you for anyone else in this world.''

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, all she could do was stare into his eyes, the weight of his words sinking into her heart. Then, without thinking, she threw her arms around him, clasping him as if afraid to let go.

''You will never understand how much I truly love you, Archer,'' she cried, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her cheeks. ''I always knew you cared, but... I've been feeling so low lately. I didn't realize just how much I needed to hear you say that.''

Without warning, he leaned down and kissed Dellah, who instantly returned it. Archer felt her emotions calming down. The couple broke apart seconds later as he whispering into her pointy ear, ''Tonight, I'll show you how sexy I find you and make you feel on top of the world to get rid of such thoughts.''

When she heard this, her face went bright red but grabbed his arm as the two started walking down the city's main street while people stole glances at him and the two Oathkeepers that appeared from a portal.

Archer blinked in surprise, momentarily surprised, as Thalion and Fenris knelt before him. The Oathkeeper Leader, his tone steeped in respect, spoke firmly. ''Sorry for bothering you, but we came as soon as Queen Elara told us you had departed the battlefield, my king.''

His expression softened, and he waved dismissively, a casual smile tugging at his lips. ''Don't worry about it,'' he said lightly. ''Just follow behind us. Dellah and I are going on a date.''

They saluted him before the couple started walking down the street while people avoided them with the giant knights. Dellah giggled at their reactions. ''The Oathkeepers are very intimidating. I'm glad you have bodyguards now. It makes us worry less.''

While exploring Dragonheart City, Aisha sent him a message informing him of the results of an investigation the government has conducted to find out how the soldiers rebelled. The conclusion was the Dragon Marshals had artifacts that voided the contracts.

'Have we got this artifact?' he questioned the dragonkin woman.

Dellah remained silent, sensing that Archer was speaking to someone in the harem. As if on cue, Aisha's voice came through, calm and obedient. 'Yes, do you want me to bring it?'

Archer's response was direct. 'Yes, I'll summon you now.'

Without hesitation, he activated the tattoo. Seconds later, Aisha appeared before them. The air shifted with the arrival, but Dellah said nothing, her thoughts unreadable as she glanced between them.

''Husband,'' the redhead greeted with a smile while handing over a strange orb.

Archer took it with a curious glint, only to growl when feeling the Swarms' foul magic all over it. He quickly crushed the device, which surprised the two women, causing Aisha to question, ''Why did you do that? Weren't you going to study it?''

''No, the Swarm had something to do with this,'' he revealed, his words shocked both women and the Oathkeepers.

Aisha's blue eyes flashed with determination, her voice steady as she spoke. ''We will destroy them if found.'' She paused for a moment, her gaze sharp and resolute. ''I'll return to the government district and put out a warning. No one will surprise us again.''

Archer opened a Gate for the dragonkin woman, his eyes softening as he cupped her face. Without warning, he leaned in and gave her a passionate kiss. When they parted, he smiled and asked, ''We will go on a date tomorrow. Are you free?''

The redhead blinked in surprise, her eyes widening in shock at the sudden question. But just as quickly, her expression transformed into one of pure joy. ''Yes!'' she exclaimed, her voice full of delight. ''I'll meet you at the palace first thing in the morning. There are a few places I'd love to show you, handsome.''

Dellah giggled at the woman's reaction as Aisha rushed through the portal after saying her goodbyes. Following that, the duo continued on as the Oathkeepers followed behind until they came across a square.

A market was in full swing. People were checking out the merchants' wares. When the mature woman saw this, her yellow eyes glowed as she glanced around, ''There is some rare resource in this place, I can feel it in my bones,'' she exclaimed in excitement.

Archer chuckled before speaking, ''Buy whatever you like, my love, I'll treat you.''

Following that, the two of them explored the market as Dellah examined all kinds of things until stopped at a stall that sold beautiful jewelry. When he spotted the merchandise, causing him to stop walking. Continue reading at empire

The older woman realized and questioned, ''What have you seen, husband?''

''I want to buy everyone something,'' he responded while scanning the table. ''Do you want to help me choose something for everyone?''

''Yes,'' she answered in a cheery tone.

Archer noticed the stall owner was an old woman who approached with a smile before bowing with admiration. ''My king, my queen. It's an honor to have you browsing my humble stall. What can I do for you?''

''I want forty pieces, one for each of my queens,'' he answered before taking out a small pouch of gold coins. ''This should cover the cost.''

Afterward, they began selecting pieces for each woman, and Archer could see the surprise in the old woman's eyes. She had expected it to take longer, but he moved with a quiet confidence, picking up each gem with ease.

He matched the stones to their eyes, choosing carefully as if the gems spoke to him. The deep blue sapphire for one with sparkling eyes, the rich emerald for another with a gaze full of warmth, and the fiery ruby for someone whose spirit was just as fierce.

'These are perfect for the girls,' he pondered while holding up a necklace that matched Nefertiti's beautiful pink eyes.

Each selection was a perfect reflection of the woman it was for, and it all seemed so natural to him, as though he had known their hearts for a lifetime. The old woman watched in awe, her surprise growing as she realized how effortlessly he picked them out.

Ten minutes later, Archer had one for each harem member and Dellah looked at him with wide eyes. ''You did that without my help?' she asked in surprise.

He chuckled before leaning forward and kissing her forehead while handing her a beautiful bracelet with small gleaming sun stone that matched her yellow eyes. When the older woman saw this, she beamed.

Dellah put it on with an excited expression while admiring it. Archer loved her reaction and thanks the stall owner before continuing their exploration of the market, while walking the dwarf took his hand.

Archer glanced down as she started speaking in a thankful voice, ''Thank you darling, I love it but I must admit its one of the first I got off a man. My ex husband never treated me like this.''

He watched as she remembered her previous marriage, while cringing just as a shadow crossed her face. ''We've been together for a couple of years now,'' she began, her tone warm. ''And this time... this time is the happiest I've ever been.''

Her gaze softened as she looked at him, gratitude in her eyes. ''I am thankful to meet such a man as yourself Arch, I'll never take you for granted.''

Archer smiled when hearing this before hugging her tightly while speaking in an excited voice, ''I know you will but let's enjoy our date. This market it so big.''

Following that, they wandered through the bustling market, the air alive with the sounds of merchants calling out and the rich scent of spices filling the air. The bright colors of fabrics and trinkets surrounded them.

A small stall tucked away in a corner caught Dellah's attention. She paused, her eyes scanning the assortment of gleaming, rare metals displayed on a wooden table. Some were bright and polished, while others had an ethereal glow.

Her fingers traced over the edges of a piece of obsidian-black metal, its surface catching the sunlight in a way that made it shimmer. Archer noticed her fascination and stepped closer, his eyes softening as he watched her.

''You like these?'' he asked, a knowing smile playing at the corner of his lips.

Dellah's face lit up, her excitement palpable. ''I haven't seen anything like these before. They're so beautiful... and so rare.''

When Archer heard this, he turned to the watching merchant who finally paid attention to him. The older man's face paled as he bowed. ''Greetings my king, I didn't realize it was at first. I apologize.''

''Don't worry about it, you're busy working so don't mind me, but I am curious,'' he replied to the merchant. ''How much for everything?''

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