Chapter 4: Morgan's Imaginary Enemy
The encounter under the moon was a beautiful moment, and everything continued.
Morgan kept the secret of your night raid on the Princess's chambers; no one knew that you, a Knight, took the Princess's virginity.
She remembered your name and promoted you from among the Knights to be her confidant.
However, you never again saw Morgan's sad appearance as on that night, nor did you taste her body again.
She deliberately kept her distance from you and never called your name in public; the distance between you two seemed to forever remain that of Princess and Knight.
You were a little sad, but you also knew that this was inevitable; Morgan, as the noble Princess, could not acknowledge that she had spent the night in revelry with you while drunk.
Several months passed like this until one day, she sent someone to find you.
"Sir Knight."
Morgan's maid respectfully said to Ian before her.
"The Princess has something to discuss with you; she wishes for you to come quickly."
"Is that so?" Ian turned his head. "I understand, I'll go now."
Walking through the corridors of the royal court, Ian stood before the door and gently knocked on the door that had once changed his fate.
"Who is it?" Morgan's voice came from inside.
"It is I, Princess, your Knight Ian."
"Come in."
With Morgan's permission, Ian pushed open the door.
Morgan was standing in front of a mirror, arms crossed, looking at herself inside with a serious expression.
"Come here, Ian."
Although Ian did not understand what Morgan wanted, obeying the Princess's command was a Knight's duty, so he slowly walked to Morgan's side.
"Princess."
"Don't look at me, look at the mirror."
The simulation continued according to Morgan's command.
You looked into the mirror and saw a strange yet familiar face.
You felt that she had some similarities with Morgan but also possessed completely opposite qualities in various aspects.
The image in the mirror was unstable and disappeared after only a short time.
You realized that it might be Morgan's magic, but you did not make a big fuss about it.
"How was it?"
Morgan raised her head and looked at the tall Knight beside her.
"That person you just saw, Ian, what was your first impression?"
"Princess, what do you mean by first impression...?"
"The first word that comes to your mind," Morgan replied. "Ian, give me the answer now."
"Understood."
Ian looked at the mirror, which had returned to normal, and replied.
"Then, Princess, my answer is you."
"Me?"
"Yes, Princess," Ian looked directly at Morgan. "I saw you in that mirror."
Morgan's lips first curved upwards, but then quickly fell back into a gloomy expression.
"Ian, you are lying."
"The one in the mirror is clearly not me."
"Yes, it is not entirely you, indeed," Ian did not deny Morgan's words.
"But because I saw parts similar to you, and I only care about those parts, to me, it is you, and you are it."
"Heh," Morgan sneered.
"Ian, according to your logic, as long as there are similarities with me, you would consider that person to be me and swear allegiance to them?"
"Is this what you call loyalty?"
"That is not possible," Ian replied. "A Knight's allegiance is only given once, and mine has already been given to you, Princess."
Morgan was silent at your impeccable answer.
She gently touched the mirror, making the previous image reappear.
She explained to you that it was magic, a type of magic from her own research.
You believed this without a doubt, because you knew that she was one of the few Magicians in all of Britain capable of challenging Merlin.
You asked her who the person in the mirror was, but you received the answer that she did not know either.
You realized that she had used herself as a blueprint to construct a virtual imaginary enemy, which was why such a seemingly familiar yet alien face appeared.
"Princess, why are you doing this?"
Ian looked at the mirror.
"A non-existent enemy should only cause you more trouble; it should be erased."
"This is not some non-existent enemy, she..."
Mid-sentence, Morgan realized she seemed to have let something slip.
She turned her head away and changed her words: "It's none of your concern, Ian, you are just a Knight, and what you can know is for me to decide."
"Indeed," Ian apologized. "Princess, please forgive my impoliteness."
...
"I'm not angry," Morgan, having adjusted her emotions, did not intend to dwell on it.
"Ian, to you, was your first reaction upon seeing the mirror truly only me?"
"Yes, Princess."
Ian answered without hesitation; this was Morgan's favorite way of answering, symbolizing loyalty and truthfulness.
Morgan no longer doubted him as she had before.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and began to issue commands like a true Queen.
"Ian, kneel."
With just that one sentence, her Knight knelt on the ground.
This absolute command made a barely perceptible smile flash across Morgan's face—but it quickly disappeared.
She parted her lips slightly:
"Ian, you haven't spoken about what happened that night, have you?"
"I have never mentioned it to anyone."
Morgan did not doubt Ian's words.
After all, if he had truly spoken of it, she might only lose her reputation, while he would disappear from the land of Britain.
Morgan slightly raised her foot.
Her slender and fair jade-like foot stepped on Ian's forehead, pressing out slight marks on his skin.
This absolute submission seemed to greatly satisfy Morgan, and she continued:
"It seems you are not entirely dull-witted; at least you know how to preserve your life."
"But I still must tell you, to me now, you are merely the ashes after that night's pleasure, which can be scattered at any time."
"I don't like you at all, and I will absolutely not develop any feelings for you, because I don't need such cumbersome things."
"Ian, tell me, you understand this."
"Yes, I completely understand your meaning, Princess."
"This is what I deserve."
Morgan was very pleased with your obedient appearance as a Knight; this seemed to make her feel certain untouchable things.
However, this was not the entire reason she called you.
She took out a sword from the shadows, with her name engraved on it.
She plunged the blade into the ground beside you.
You realized that she might want you to do something again.