when you've seen my best and worst

Venom's words brought a solemn hum of pensive thought from Artorias. He did not suspect she would ever keep her children from whatever their hearts desired, and if it was their wish to follow their wayward father she would not prevent it, but he had been more concerned about Hattori trying to come back and take the children by force. His mothers had told him the stories of the Abraxas family doing just that for children they claimed as their own, and though Hattori was no Abraxas, he was arrogant and self-righteous enough to do something like that. The Aegis could see the koi wolf going to war to seize his children back believing they belonged to him. "Well, just know that if he ever tried to force a claim on your children, I would be the first to cut his legs out from beneath him." The threat was specific and was designed that way on purpose. It would have been easy to vow to drive his sword through Hattori's chest if he threatened Venom or Ashen—but that justice was not his to serve. It was Venom's, and he would not deprive the Empress of that pleasure. He'd make it easier, sure, but never steal it away from her.

Artorias finished the wine in his goblet with a swift and long swallow, setting the cup down with a clink of metal on stone. "So what are your plans after your trip?" he asked, tipping his head in a curious tilt. "Back to business as usual? Rebranding Ashen in your vision? Maybe a family vacation somewhere nice to relax and unwind?" He didn't suspect Venom would try to immediately jump back into the dating game, especially not with as much on her plate as she had. Though if she ever needed to escape the pressures of everyday life, the Hallows would always be open to the Empress and all her wolves.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"