Scáthach's lips carried a unique fragrance. The gentle warmth of her breath slowly spread across Arthur's face, making the distance between them practically nonexistent.
A flash of surprise appeared in Scáthach's crimson eyes as she watched him closely. Her delicate lips remained pressed against Arthur's, and her mind, normally so calm and steady, suffered a rare disturbance. For several moments, she didn't even react to push him away.
Over the years, Scáthach had considered countless possibilities. She had known Arthur since he was very young and believed she understood a large portion of his thoughts. Even so, she had never imagined that, after spending so little time away from the Land of Shadows, he would have the courage to kiss his own master so suddenly.
Though, upon further reflection, that was also a consequence of the misunderstanding created by her own earlier action when she had leaned over him.
However...
Regardless of the cause, the simple fact that Arthur had dared to face her directly while doing something like this showed how much he had matured.
Scáthach stared into the dark eyes that met hers without hesitation. An emotion difficult to describe surfaced within her heart—a mixture of nostalgia, surprise, and melancholy.
When he first arrived in the Land of Shadows, he could barely maintain eye contact with her for very long. Even during the occasional nighttime conversations they shared, her disciple would almost always look away after only a few seconds.
Now, however, things were different.
Arthur kept his arms around Scáthach's neck while his mind abruptly awakened from the haze caused by his impulsive action. His heart was pounding so violently that it felt as though it might burst from his chest. Even so, he continued looking directly at Scáthach without averting his gaze for even a moment.
It wasn't courage.
In truth, he simply didn't know what to do.
If he looked away now, it felt as though reality would immediately return to normal, and then he would be forced to face his master's judgment.
She must be extremely disappointed.
After everything that had happened, after more than five years of being raised and trained by her, he had simply kissed his own master during the night of the ball.
Even if she said nothing, she was surely disappointed.
Perhaps she was simply too shocked to react.
Perhaps she wasn't showing anything because she still hadn't fully processed what had happened.
So...
What do I do now?
The silence stretched on for several moments.
Scáthach shifted slightly, likely because she had remained in the same position for too long.
That simple movement made Arthur become even more alert.
What do I do?
What do I do now!?
Instinctively, he wanted to let go of her.
However, his movements stopped the moment he looked into her eyes again.
Wait.
What if Master doesn't dislike this either?
If she truly rejected him, she should have pushed him away immediately.
Even if she hadn't reacted at first because of surprise, after all this time she shouldn't still be doing nothing.
That means...
She likes me too?
For a brief moment, Arthur suffered from one of life's three great delusions.
But he discarded the idea almost immediately.
No.
That's impossible.
Even if Master likes me, it's probably just affection between master and disciple.
Otherwise, she never would have agreed to my marriage with Nessa back then.
But...
What if she really does like me...?
The mere thought made his heart race once more.
Arthur continued staring at Scáthach as his fingers slowly slid from her neck down to her waist.
Scáthach remained silent.
She wasn't pushing him away.
Nor did she show any intention of stopping him.
Taking that as a form of encouragement, Arthur placed his other hand on her shoulder and, while keeping his lips pressed against his master's, slowly pushed her down onto the soft bed.
Arthur was already approaching sixteen years old.
Although he was still slightly shorter than Scáthach, the difference between them was no longer particularly large, especially when she wasn't wearing heels.
His body leaned over hers.
For the occasion, Scáthach had exchanged her usual attire for an elegant ballroom dress.
Arthur gently held her hands.
The cool touch of her skin caused his heart to race yet again.
He had no intention of crossing the line.
He didn't want to take advantage of the situation.
All he wanted was to continue receiving those kisses and release all the longing that had accumulated during the time they had been apart.
However, when he attempted to move forward a little more, he felt himself stop.
His shoulders were gently pressed down.
Just as I thought...
When he met Scáthach's calm crimson eyes, much of his excitement faded.
Clear disappointment appeared in his gaze.
Perhaps Master was simply searching for a gentle way to reject him without hurting him directly.
"It's still too soon."
Scáthach seemed to understand exactly what he was thinking.
She raised a hand and gently stroked his hair.
Her voice was soft.
"If this continues, I probably won't be able to control myself either."
She paused briefly before continuing:
"If we reach that point, there will be no turning back."
Arthur fell silent.
Deep down, he knew she was right.
If they continued like this, neither of them could predict how things would end.
Seeing him remain quiet, Scáthach carefully studied his face.
That face which, for so long, had still carried traces of childhood.
Now, however, it clearly showed signs of maturity.
Perhaps...
Was it a mistake to keep him in the Land of Shadows for so long?
Scáthach sighed inwardly.
Back then, her priority had never been to create the perfect disciple.
Nor had she sought to turn him into the strongest warrior in the world.
Her true desire had been much simpler.
She wanted to keep him by her side.
Although she had never admitted it to herself so directly, her actions had always pointed in that direction.
In other words, from the very beginning, she had never focused her efforts on shaping Arthur into the strongest person possible.
She had simply wanted him to remain close to her.
And although that had also been Arthur's wish, the truth was that she had failed in certain respects as a master.
She had not properly guided him down some important paths.
That was something she could not deny.
"Do you regret what you just did?"
Scáthach asked while watching Arthur.
Arthur had already moved away and was now sitting beside the bed, looking almost like someone deliberately isolating himself.
Upon hearing the question, his body stiffened.
After several seconds, he obediently nodded.
"Yes. I regret it."
"I see..."
A faint trace of disappointment crossed Scáthach's eyes.
But it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
So it was only impulse?
He did that because I was too close?
Because he couldn't control himself?
While those thoughts surfaced, Arthur gathered his courage and turned to face her.
"I should have confessed earlier."
His voice was filled with sincerity.
"What I did just now was a huge act of disrespect toward Master."
He lowered his head slightly.
"If that was Master's first kiss, then it should have been given to the person you love."
A helpless smile appeared in Scáthach's eyes.
After doing something so bold, talking about respect felt a little late.
Even so, she understood perfectly what Arthur was trying to say.
"So you regret not confessing sooner?"
Scáthach asked.
Arthur froze for a moment.
But before he could answer, she continued:
"Have you thought about what Nessa might do?"
The words struck Arthur like lightning.
His mind immediately snapped awake.
Then he heard Scáthach continue:
"I understand what you're trying to say."
She observed him silently for several seconds.
"But now I'm going to ask you another question."
Her crimson eyes met his.
"Do you love Nessa more..."
Scáthach paused briefly.
"...or me?"
Arthur fell completely silent.
He had never seriously considered that question.
He had never compared the feelings he held for the two of them.
Now, however, Scáthach had placed the question before him in a direct and unavoidable way.
And for the first time, he couldn't find any answer at all.
(End of Chapter)