"…"
Artoria shuffled over slowly.
She asked Ian quietly.
"You called her over?"
"No."
Ian shook his head.
"I don't even know her name."
"…"
Artoria blinked.
She realized that was probably true.
"You…"
"Do you really want to help Artoria?"
Uther coughed a few times.
"Morgan, you don't have to force yourself."
"This isn't your responsibility."
"I know that perfectly well—"
Morgan answered Uther calmly and confidently.
"But I also know this: anyone standing on British soil bears the duty of loyalty to the king."
"Even me. I'm no exception."
Of course, while saying this, Morgan felt a sting in her chest.
It was like bowing her head to admit that Artoria was better than her, more worthy of being Britain's ruler.
But—
Morgan knew this was just a small sacrifice.
If she could make Artoria into Tiamat's enemy, everything would be much simpler.
"…"
Uther still hesitated.
He clearly didn't fully trust Morgan.
But then Artoria spoke up.
"Um, I don't know if this is the right thing to say—"
"But…"
She took Morgan's hand.
"If she's willing to help me, then please allow her to join us."
"Please!"
Her tone was humble.
Uther looked at Artoria, then at Ian, and finally nodded.
"I understand."
"With a knight who values your identity so much, there's nothing to worry about."
"Besides—"
"With him around, Merlin probably won't dare to show up again anyway. Fine, we'll go with your plan."
"Thank you!"
—
A few minutes later.
In the palace corridor.
It was already midday.
The sun had risen high in the sky, bathing Britain in its light.
Warm sunlight filtered through the ivy-covered walls of the corridor, casting scattered shadows.
Artoria and Ian walked ahead, chatting and laughing.
Morgan followed alone behind them, looking somewhat isolated.
But she didn't seem to mind.
The princess's gaze swept over the girl ahead—her supposed little sister.
So plain.
So short.
And her figure's terrible.
From a woman's point of view, she's not completely unattractive, but she definitely ranks in the lower tier.
Where exactly did I lose to her...
The more Morgan thought about it, the more her teeth began to chatter.
"Um—"
Artoria's voice suddenly cut in.
She turned around and looked at Morgan behind her.
"About what happened this morning… I'm really sorry."
"This morning?"
"Yes, about this guy—"
Artoria glanced at Ian beside her, looking a little embarrassed.
"He suddenly barged into your place."
"That was my oversight!"
"…"
Thinking back on how Ian had sniffed her like that, Morgan had complicated feelings.
Of course, she didn't like it.
But—there was something about Ian's almost blissful expression that gave her a strange sense of being admired.
After all, no one had ever so bluntly told her she was beautiful.
"It's alright."
Morgan smiled gently.
"Talented people often have quirks. I completely understand."
"By the way, I don't think I've introduced myself yet."
Morgan extended her hand toward Ian and said softly,
"I'm Morgan Le Fay. Eldest daughter of King Uther, and the most powerful mage in Britain."
"It's a pleasure to meet you again—first warrior beneath the king."
"…"
Instead of shaking her hand right away, Ian closed his eyes.
"Mother—"
"It's Mother, isn't it—"
It was as if he had sensed something.
Artoria's heart skipped a beat.
She didn't want anyone knowing Ian's secrets.
Morgan's heart also jumped.
She knew about Ian and Tiamat, but she had no intention of letting that cat out of the bag just yet.
Not before she could use that volatile "Mother" to her advantage...
Artoria and Morgan's eyes met.
A strange, mutual understanding passed between them, and they both silently ignored what Ian had just said.
"Um, Ian."
Artoria pointed to him.
"That's his name."
"…Got it."
Morgan nodded.
"…"
"…"
The air grew awkward again.
Only Ian still seemed lost in thought, savoring something.
He opened his eyes, then took Morgan's hand.
Artoria was about to stop him, but Morgan signaled her not to.
She gently asked,
"What is it?"
"That feeling again—"
"Besides the 'Mother' part, what else are you sensing?"
"I can feel it."
Ian looked at Morgan with softer eyes.
"Besides the scent of Mother, you also have a bit of Artoria's flavor."
Morgan frowned.
She didn't like being mentioned in the same breath as Artoria.
However—
She knew her current goal was to win their trust.
Artoria wasn't a problem. She didn't seem suspicious of her at all.
But Ian was different.
With just two encounters, he had already sensed the hidden connection between her, Tiamat, and Artoria.
Then...
Why not use that to her advantage?
Morgan smiled.
"So, it really is that obvious?"
"Very."
"If we go by what my father—King Uther, the man you just met—said about the past…"
"I—"
Morgan looked at Artoria.
"…am her sister."
"Yes, I'm her older sister."
Before she could finish, Artoria quickly covered her mouth.
"Hey, heh heh… Ian, give us a second."
Artoria pulled Morgan aside.
"Listen, don't tell him I'm a girl—"
"Why not?"
"It's complicated!"
Artoria glanced nervously at Ian's expression.
"Just… don't, okay?"
"Please, big sister!"
Artoria readily accepted their sisterhood, putting her hands together in a pleading pose.
So he doesn't know she's a girl yet?
Morgan suddenly felt she understood the strange dynamic between Ian and Artoria.
There might be... a big opportunity here.
She came up with a bold plan.
"I understand."
"But, there's something we must take care of first."
"If you want to go on a journey, there's one thing you absolutely need."
"Huh? What is it?"
"Obviously—"
Morgan looked Artoria up and down, unimpressed by her rustic appearance.
"You need to dress yourself up."