"Did you meet Merlin last night?"
The next day, while training Arthur, Morgan heard his words and pondered for a moment before a faint smile appeared on her face.
"What did he tell you?"
Arthur was still training his magic. Whether illusions, premonition, or even the power of words, everything required magic as support. His top priority now was to increase his magical power as quickly as possible.
"Stop the training for now and explain exactly what happened." Morgan poked Arthur in the waist, interrupting his practice.
"He didn't do anything. He just wanted to confirm my identity." Arthur looked at the woman in front of him. "Why did you choose me back then, Morgan?"
"Didn't I already tell you? You possess a vast amount of magic sealed within your body, which makes you the most suitable person I have ever seen." Morgan le Fay paused slightly. "Besides… doesn't that woman also hold you in rather high regard?"
"Don't be fooled by my appearance. I have complete faith in your master's judgment."
In the Land of Shadows, many disciples returned to their homelands after receiving Scáthach's teachings. All of them possessed exceptional talent. Even though Morgan seemed to belittle her on the surface, she had absolute faith in Scáthach—at least when it came to choosing her disciples.
"I see… Merlin already came to see you yesterday…" Morgan pondered for a moment. "It seems I will need to visit your master ahead of schedule."
Arthur: "???"
Seeing Morgan's serious expression, Arthur was filled with questions and hurriedly asked, "What are you planning to do now, Morgan?!"
Although his master had long known of Morgan's existence, it had always been a tightly guarded secret. If Morgan went directly to her, it would be the same as exposing that secret.
Perhaps Nessa would look at him with disappointment and say, "Oh, so you really did already have a girlfriend out there. I don't want a traitor."
Then she would draw a cleaver…
Morgan said nothing. She sat in front of the cliff, gazing at the distant scenery, her long hair swaying gently as her sacred blue eyes filled with contemplation.
"Morgan, say something!" Arthur waved a finger in front of her eyes.
"Propose to me," Morgan said.
"???"
"Look, if you count the time, you'll turn sixteen in a few months. Let's get engaged for now, and when the time comes, I'll take you to Britain to become my beloved husband," Morgan said with a serious expression.
"Can you be serious for once?" Arthur sighed. "You're not that kind of person, are you, Morgan?"
"Yes, which is precisely why we need to be more formal," Morgan replied. "A formal trip to the Land of Shadows to ask for your hand in marriage."
As she spoke, her black dress fluttered in the wind. A faint smile curved her lips, and a mischievous glint shone in her eyes as she looked at Arthur.
"Morgan…" Arthur was practically losing his mind. He had no idea what that woman was thinking; her reasoning was completely incomprehensible. All he had done was tell her that Merlin had come to see him… that was all. Why had everything turned into Morgan wanting to visit Scáthach?!
"You really don't want to marry me? Were all the years I spent teaching you in vain?" Morgan seemed on the verge of tears, though none gathered in her eyes. Even so, her voice was enough to melt anyone's heart.
"You've taught me a lot, and I'm very grateful to you, but that and this are two different things, right? And if anyone's getting married, it should be you marrying me—not me marrying you!" Arthur sighed sincerely.
"So please stop joking. Even if it's a joke, it's still pretty scary."
Just imagining Morgan and Scáthach meeting in person to discuss something like that filled Arthur with genuine dread.
"Ah… well, you're right," Morgan seemed to realize something suddenly and smiled gently. "Don't worry, the proposal was just a joke."
"I'm not the type of person who likes to cause trouble, so you can rest assured."
The proposal could wait, at least until the sword in the stone was drawn.
Arthur still had a doubtful look in his eyes.
For some reason, he felt even more uneasy after hearing those words.
I have a bad feeling about this.
"What? You don't believe me?" Morgan noticed the doubt in Arthur's eyes and made a move as if to head toward the Land of Shadows.
"Since you don't believe me, I'll go meet your master."
Arthur quickly grabbed Morgan's wrist. "I believe you! You're definitely not the type of person who likes causing trouble, so please don't cause any trouble!"
"When you ask someone for something, you should say 'please,' right?" Morgan reprimanded him seriously.
"Please, Morgan, don't do anything reckless… alright?" Black lines appeared across Arthur's forehead.
"Hmm… actually, that still isn't sincere enough." Morgan smiled. "But it doesn't matter. Since it's you asking, I'll be more tolerant."
"Very well, very well—let's continue the training," she insisted again, not giving Arthur time to think.
Arthur looked at Morgan once more. "You're really not going to do anything foolish, right?"
"You truly don't trust me. That's quite hurtful. What kind of impression do you have of me?"
A mischievous woman who enjoys teasing people… Arthur thought.
Morgan observed his expression as if she could read his thoughts. With a seductive smile, she leaned close to his ear.
"Don't you like being teased? It makes you feel very good."
Warm, moist breath brushed against his ear. Arthur knew that giving a careless response would only excite her further, so he simply ignored her and prepared to continue his magical training for the day.
"You're ignoring me?"
Morgan suddenly stopped laughing. She stared at Arthur's serious training expression, thought for a moment, then slightly parted her lips and gently licked his ear.
A damp sensation spread across his earlobe. Arthur was stunned for a few seconds before reacting. The composure he had just regained completely collapsed at that moment, and his ears suddenly grew hot. "Morgan… what exactly are you trying to do?"
"I didn't do anything. I just dislike how calm you are, you know…" She ran her slender fingers along Arthur's cheek. "The calmer you are, the more I enjoy watching that calm fall apart."
"You're a pervert…" Arthur scoffed.
"Hehehe… A pervert? Perhaps."
The faint, cheerful laughter of a woman echoed at the entrance of the forest.
"Very well, let's continue the training!"
---xXx---
"Phew, it's finally over."
Upon returning to Dun Scaith, Arthur felt both physically and mentally exhausted. After changing clothes and resting for a while on the large bed, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
Being around Morgan was a true test of one's mental resilience.
After drinking some water from the magical cauldron and recovering part of his strength, Arthur left his room and headed toward the castle's main hall.
After every training session, he liked to go to the hall to keep the lonely beauty company. On the surface, it seemed like he was asking her questions, but in reality, he simply wanted to talk and relax.
As Arthur walked down a long corridor toward the palace hall, he did not notice that a crow was silently following him…
(End of Chapter)