"..."
Artoria shuffled her feet slightly. She leaned over and discreetly whispered to Ian. "Did you call her over?"
"No," Ian shook his head. "I don't even know her name."
"..." Artoria blinked. She realized that was indeed the case.
"You..." King Uther coughed a few times. "You want to help Artoria? Morgan, you don't have to force yourself. This is not your duty."
"Of course I understand that," Morgan replied to Uther with grace. "But I also understand that anyone who stands on the soil of Britain has an obligation to offer their loyalty to the king, don't they? Even I am no exception."
Of course, as she said this, Morgan felt a sharp pain in her heart. This was tantamount to bowing her head and admitting that Artoria was more outstanding, more fit to be the King of Britain than she was.
However, Morgan knew this was just a small sacrifice. If she could make Artoria an enemy of Tiamat, things would become much simpler.
"..." Uther was still hesitant. He didn't seem to trust Morgan very much. But at this moment, Artoria spoke up.
"Um, I don't know if this is the right thing to say, but..." The girl took Morgan's hand. "...if she can help me, then please permit us to travel together. Please!"
Artoria's tone was very humble. Uther looked at her, then at Ian, and finally nodded. "I understand. If you have a knight who cares so much for your status, then there is indeed no need to worry. And speaking of which, with him around, Merlin, who was supposed to do this, probably won't dare to show up. Mmm... let it be as you say."
"Thank you so much!"
A few minutes later, in a corridor of the royal court.
It was already noon. The sun had climbed high into the sky, selflessly shining down on all of Britain. Warm light filtered through the green ivy on either side of the long corridor, casting sparse shadows.
Artoria and Ian walked ahead, talking and laughing, while Morgan walked alone behind them, looking slightly isolated. Not that she minded. The princess's gaze was sweeping over her nominal younger sister. Plain. Short. A terrible figure. From a woman's perspective, I can't say she has zero charm, but she's at least in the lowest tier.
Where on earth did I lose to her... The more Morgan thought about it, the more her teeth couldn't help but chatter.
"Um—" Artoria's voice suddenly sounded. She had turned to look at Morgan behind her. "I'm very sorry about this morning."
"This morning?"
"Yes, it was this guy—" Artoria glanced at Ian beside her with an embarrassed expression. "—who suddenly barged into your room. It was my oversight!"
"..." Recalling how Ian had sniffed her, Morgan's feelings were actually quite complex. Firstly, she certainly didn't like it. But Ian's somewhat enraptured expression had given her a dislocated sense of being appreciated. After all, no one had ever praised her beauty so directly before.
"It's alright," Morgan smiled faintly. "Powerful people always have some quirks. I can completely understand. By the way, I don't believe we've been properly introduced."
Morgan extended a hand to Ian and said softly, "I am Morgan. Eldest daughter of King Uther, and the most powerful magus in Britain. It's a pleasure to meet you again, first warrior under the king."
"..."
Faced with Morgan's outstretched hand, Ian's first reaction wasn't to take it, but to... close his eyes.
"Mother—it's Mother, isn't it—" he murmured, as if sensing something.
Artoria's heart jumped. She couldn't let anyone else know Ian's secrets.
Morgan's heart jumped as well. She knew about the relationship between Ian and Tiamat, but she didn't want it exposed so soon. She hadn't even made use of that hot-tempered mother yet...
Artoria and Morgan's eyes met. A strange, unspoken understanding passed between them, and they both simultaneously ignored Ian's comment.
"Um, Ian," Artoria said, pointing at him. "That's his name."
"Mmm... I see," Morgan nodded.
"..." "..."
The atmosphere fell into a strange silence again. Only Ian was still savoring something. He opened his eyes and took Morgan's hand. Artoria was about to speak up to stop him, but Morgan held her back with a gesture, signaling that it was fine. Then she asked softly, "What is it? It was the same way last time. Aside from this so-called 'Mother,' what else is it you want to know?"
"I can feel it," Ian said, his gaze on Morgan softening somewhat. "Aside from the scent of my mother, you also have a bit of Artoria's flavor."
Morgan's brow furrowed. She really disliked being mentioned in the same breath as Artoria. But she also understood that her top priority now was to gain their trust. Artoria was easy enough; she didn't seem to suspect her at all. Ian, however, was a different story. In just two encounters, he had already sensed the deep, hidden connection between her, Tiamat, and Artoria. In that case... I can use this to my advantage.
With this thought, Morgan smiled. "It's that easy to tell, is it? That's right. According to the history mentioned by my father, the King Uther you just met... I—" Morgan looked at Artoria. "—am her sister. Yes, I am her older sister."
Before Morgan could finish, Artoria slapped a hand over her mouth. "Hey, heheh... Ian, wait a minute." Artoria pulled Morgan aside. "Um, don't tell him I'm a girl—"
"Why?"
"It's a complicated reason!" Artoria stole a glance at Ian's reaction. "But, just don't do it. Please, sister!" Having accepted the fact that they were sisters without issue, Artoria put her hands together in a pleading gesture.
So he still doesn't realize she's a girl? Morgan felt she was beginning to understand the subtle relationship between Ian and Artoria. It seemed there was a great deal of potential here. With this thought, another bold plan formed in Morgan's mind.
"I understand," she said. "But, what must be done, must be done. If you want to go on a journey, there is one thing that is absolutely essential."
"Eh, what is it?"
"That, of course, is—" Morgan looked the plain-looking Artoria up and down. "—to dress yourself up properly."
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