"You really are something special, Arthur."
Morgan observed Arthur in silence for a few moments, as if analyzing every small reaction he made. Then her gaze shifted to Artoria's face, carefully following the gradual change in her expression—that subtle softening in her eyes, almost imperceptible to anyone else.
Suddenly, Morgan smiled.
At first, I planned to give her a little push… but now it seems she doesn't need any intervention.
Things were progressing on their own.
"What?" Arthur still seemed slightly out of sync, as if he were a few seconds behind everything happening around him.
"Didn't you realize how much credit you just gained?" Morgan said, tilting her head slightly, the smile still on her lips.
Arthur frowned faintly.
"But wasn't that your wish, Morgan?" he replied naturally. "I'm just fulfilling the desire we shared, as per our previous agreement. What's the problem with that?"
Morgan paused briefly.
Then her smile widened even further.
He's definitely not someone I can afford to underestimate…
That relaxed, almost carefree attitude was a powerful weapon.
That's exactly why I feel jealous!
What did that woman do to make him so attached to her?
Could it really just be because she has large breasts?
At that level… she was not inferior to Scáthach at all.
So, was it actually some kind of teacher-student complex?
No matter how much Morgan thought about it, she always arrived at the same conclusion.
But that's exactly what makes this even more interesting…
You like someone, yet your body responds to someone else to the point where you can't refuse them.
Just imagining that… was already exciting to her.
"Morgan?" Feeling Morgan's intense and strangely excited gaze, Arthur grew slightly uncomfortable and tried to draw her attention back.
Under Arthur's gaze, Morgan finally snapped out of it.
Oh no… I almost revealed my true nature.
What if I scared the young king?
Calm down… keep your composure.
She turned her gaze away gracefully, as if nothing had happened, and shifted her attention to Artoria.
"Lily, why don't you take him to his room so he can rest? I still have a few matters to deal with."
Her voice returned to its usual tone—cold, controlled, and authoritative.
Next, she would need to send invitations to the kings of the various tribes as quickly as possible… and spread the news of Vortigern's return.
It was a calculated move.
It was impossible for two white dragons representing Britain's will to exist in the same world.
Now, Arthur had become the White Dragon, while Vortigern was merely an ordinary man.
Someone she could eliminate at any time.
In that case, letting him live a little longer made no difference.
"Then be careful, Morgan," Arthur said, a faint trace of concern in his voice.
He trusted her abilities.
But even so, he had always thought that woman was far too arrogant.
As if she looked down on everyone, as though saying, "You are nothing but trash."
However, Vortigern had once been a dragon.
And even with a new king on the throne, the one who had nearly taken all of Britain was not someone who could be ignored.
"Don't worry, don't worry," Morgan replied dismissively, as if it weren't even worth mentioning.
Then she turned to Artoria beside her.
"Lily, you will stay by his side for the next few days. If nothing unexpected happens, the kings of the various tribes will come rushing to us within three or four days."
"Yes."
Artoria responded with a serious and impeccable expression.
In the next instant, the sound of wings beating echoed.
A black crow took flight from the hall, disappearing through the high windows—a silent messenger carrying orders to every corner.
Arthur watched the direction Morgan had disappeared toward, his thoughts in turmoil.
He had barely become king, and he was already about to meet all the other kings?
Being king is exhausting—I'd much rather be a lazy guy lying on a couch.
He let out a small internal sigh before turning his gaze to Artoria.
The girl remained calm, her eyes distant, as if immersed in her own thoughts.
It was hard to imagine how someone like her had endured such a rigorous training period.
"What are you looking at?" Artoria noticed Arthur's gaze and turned her head to face him.
"I'm looking at you," Arthur replied.
He thought for a moment, then added:
"To be more precise… I'm looking at your face."
Artoria: "..."
For a second, she was completely at a loss.
Suddenly, she felt like she had asked an unnecessary question.
"Lily… will you regret it?" Arthur suddenly asked, his tone becoming more serious.
The sword in the stone—the one that should have been drawn by Artoria—was now in his hands.
After so much effort, after so much time, someone had simply appeared and taken that place.
What did she really feel?
"Regret what?" Artoria asked, confused.
"If you're talking about the sword in the stone… honestly, I'm very happy," she replied sincerely.
Arthur frowned slightly.
"But in that case… wouldn't all your effort have been in vain?"
"I'll get angry if you say that." Although her tone remained calm, there was clear irritation beneath it.
"Everything I learned was not in vain. Am I not now by your side as your assistant, ready to teach you everything I know?"
She took a small step forward.
"You taught me runes… in return, I will teach you other things. That is also a form of equivalent exchange."
Arthur blinked a few times.
He had never imagined that what this girl said would make so much sense…
He thought to himself, slightly surprised.
"Then… I'll be relying on you from now on," he said with a small smile. "I'm still very immature, so I'll need your help often."
"No, we are simply helping each other." Artoria paused briefly before continuing. "And, if I must say… I have also received a lot from you."
Runic knowledge, reconciliation with Morgan, and…
She looked directly at Arthur.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"So… let's work hard together from now on."
Arthur was slightly surprised.
It seems her personality has become much more open than before…
Seeing that smile, he felt, for the first time, that everything had truly been worth it.
All the effort—his and Morgan's—had not been in vain.
"You look tired," Artoria said, noticing the exhaustion on Arthur's face.
"I've been busy all day… is there somewhere here to rest? I'd like to take a short break now that I have some free time," he replied.
When he pulled the sword from the stone, he had entered a state of extreme exertion.
His arm, which had lifted that massive rock, still ached, and he could barely apply any strength.
He needed to rest.
"Allow me to take you to your room," Artoria said, stepping forward before giving a slight bow. "Follow me, Your Majesty."
"Hmm… when no one else is around… I think you can call me by my name. It feels strange being called that all the time," Arthur said.
"If that is the king's request, then I will obey," Artoria replied immediately.
Then why are you sounding so serious?!
Arthur sighed and stepped forward.
Naturally, he placed his right hand on the girl's shoulder and gave it a light pat.
"Lily… we're friends, right? You don't have to be so formal when we're alone. Otherwise, I'll end up feeling very lonely."
Artoria blinked a few times.
"How can I avoid being so formal?" she asked, genuinely confused.
"Hmm… if you don't know what to do… think about how Morgan treated me before and treat me the same way."
Artoria fell silent for a moment.
She remembered the way Morgan had spoken to Arthur—and what she had done afterward.
A strangely conflicted expression appeared on her face.
"You like being teased?"
"No!" Arthur immediately replied, bringing a hand to his forehead. "I mean… I just want us to relax and talk normally! Relax!"
He let out a deep sigh.
What on earth is this girl thinking…?
---
(End of Chapter)