While Artorius was hauling Myrr off to the training grounds for some "one-on-one" practice, Kay was leading Guinevere to her prepared guest quarters.
"Your Highness, this is the room we've prepared for you. Everything here is brand new. I hope you can make do with these accommodations for the night."
"Not at all."
Guinevere shook her head with a smile, quietly observing the black-haired girl before her.
The girl possessed black hair and black eyes—a rare sight on the Isle of Britain. She had honey-toned skin, a tall and well-proportioned figure, and exquisite features. There was a mature, "big sister next door" aura about her; she was clearly a top-tier beauty.
"You are Artorius's sister, aren't you?"
"I am. Has Artorius done something wrong? If he has offended you in any way, I'll call him over right now to apologize."
"Oh, it's nothing like that. Quite the opposite, actually—I owe him my life. If it weren't for him, I would be dead."
Kay was slightly surprised.
Earlier, she had only seen the carcass of the demonic beast and learned of the ambush on the road. She'd barely had time to ask Artorius if he was hurt before she had to busy herself with welcoming Guinevere.
"He saved me from the jaws of that monster. This little fellow was even given to me by him as a token of our love."
She was lying.
Looking at Guinevere, who was blushing and shyly stroking the "Fou" in her arms, Kay wasn't even shocked—because she didn't believe a word of it.
Having watched Artorius grow up, she knew his personality inside and out. He was not the kind of man to forget his duties the moment he saw a pretty face, even one as stunning as Guinevere's.
Since her brother had already said he had no feelings for Guinevere and only wanted to use her to get into King Arthur's good graces, he certainly wouldn't have made a move on her. It was just like how he said he wouldn't pull the sword—he wouldn't suddenly pull it just for a woman.
This wicked woman is making up stories!
But why was Guinevere lying?
Kay didn't even have to think to guess the motives of this seemingly innocent, elegant princess. Guinevere clearly knew Kay wasn't blood-related to Artorius; she knew Kay was the only daughter of Sir Ector while Artorius was the foster son. She was on guard.
In the social climate of this era, someone like Artorius would typically be Kay's fiancé, destined to inherit her father's estate.
By telling her this, Guinevere was essentially saying: "I've got my sights on Artorius. You'd better think twice before trying to compete with me!"
For a moment, Kay's feelings were complicated.
She was happy for her brother; if he could truly land Guinevere, his future would be set. At the very least, he'd end up as a king.
But she was also a little—no, extremely—unhappy!
That was her foster brother, her "childhood-raised husband" whom she had watched grow up!
Even though she had told Artorius before he left to try and win the Princess's favor—preferably making her fall in love with him—now that it was actually happening, it felt like her favorite possession was being snatched away.
It was as if she had understood since childhood that Artorius couldn't marry her, yet she couldn't help falling in love with him anyway. She spent almost every night fantasizing about the day he might suddenly confess, marry her, and what their life together would be like.
"A token of love? Your Highness and my brother...?"
Despite knowing this "bad woman's" goal and being thoroughly annoyed, Kay maintained an expression of startled joy.
"Yes. I... I like him very much. If possible, I want him to be my husband." Guinevere lowered her head and hugged Fou, a pink flush creeping across her fair cheeks.
Kay knew the shyness was an act.
Still, she had to admit the woman was breathtaking—on par even with that damn succubus, Merly.
Are women really prettier the more wicked they are?
The black-haired girl felt indignant, wanting nothing more than to punch this "stinky woman" who was stealing her brother right in the face—swelling up that heart-fluttering visage. Yet, she kept the mask of delight.
"That is wonderful news! I'm sure my father will be overjoyed when he hears."
"Really?"
Guinevere looked delighted, then became slightly hesitant. "But I don't know what Artorius likes. Could you tell me about him? Perhaps some stories from when he was little?"
Heh, finally showing your fox tail after acting for so long?
Kay sneered inwardly, but her outward demeanor remained warm. "Of course. If you want to know, I can tell you anytime. After all, he and I have been together every single day since he was three years old."
Hearing Kay emphasize the words "together every single day" and "since he was three," Guinevere's smile remained as bright as a flower.
Don't get angry, don't get angry.
Artorius would be her husband. From the moment she saw him, that fact was set in stone—past, present, and future.
Why get upset with a 'losing dog' who's destined to fail?
She was Guinevere, the only Princess of the Kingdom of Cameliard and the Number One Beauty of Britain. No man could see her and not fall in love. What she wanted, no one else could have!
No matter how arrogant this woman was now, on the day she married Artorius, Guinevere would take Kay's hand and say: "Thank you for taking such good care of my husband all those years, and thank you for handing him over to me. As his wife, I will take over and care for him for the rest of his life."
Yes, she wasn't angry at all.
"In that case, may I call you Sister as well?"
Kay blinked, looking at Guinevere's unchanging smile and her slightly "anxious" expression. For a moment, she doubted her own judgment.
Could I have been wrong? Is she not a 'Green Tea' but actually a good woman?
No! This annoying woman means: 'You're his sister for a day, you're his sister for life!'
"Of course," Kay replied. "Though, as his sister, even I don't know what kind of women he likes. The only thing I know is that he isn't a man who cares much for looks. After all, while you are very beautiful, Your Highness, my brother's teacher is even more beautiful than you."
Guinevere's smile didn't waver. Kay's words didn't affect her in the slightest.
What a joke. Was there truly a woman in this world more beautiful than her?
As for Artorius not liking her?
True, he was reluctant to get close to her now, but that didn't matter. Guinevere didn't believe that if she took the initiative, Artorius wouldn't fall for her.
In this world, there was nothing she wanted that she couldn't get!
"Thank you, Sister. I still have some confidence in myself, and I really, truly love him very much."
Guinevere's tone was sincere as she skillfully changed the subject. "Could Sister tell me what he enjoys?"
Though she didn't get along with this foster sister, Kay was still the sister of her future husband and would be a great asset to him. A little passive-aggressive sniping was fine for a bit of fun, but Guinevere had no intention of a full fallout.
"What does he enjoy?"
Kay followed the lead and shifted the topic.
Even though she hated this scheming "Green Tea" bitch, Guinevere was a princess. If her brother married her, it would be a massive boost to his career. A little sniping was fine, but she couldn't burn the bridge. At worst, after they got married, she could just have an affair with Artorius to spite her.
As the two women looked at each other, their minds were filled with such thoughts, yet their smiles remained radiant.
"Sleeping, bathing, and eating. Especially eating."
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