The air suddenly grew quiet.
"Why aren't you answering me?"
Artoria felt the hand on her waist and asked softly.
"You don't want to do this?"
"No."
Ian shook his head.
"I just want to know."
"Will this be able to protect Barghest?"
"I don't want her to be harmed."
"You want to protect Mélusine, and you want to protect Barghest, too."
A hint of displeasure crept into Artoria's voice.
"Then do I not need protection?"
"You're different, Artoria."
Ian's hand, as if by instinct, traced down along the V-line of Artoria's hips.
"I..."
"I will always be by your side, so I will never let you fall into danger."
"I love the scent of Artoria the most."
"..."
Feeling Ian's restless hand, and the stirring of 'little Ian'—no, it should be called 'great Ian' now—a satisfied smile appeared on Artoria's face.
She gently pressed something down with her hand, then explained in a rather gentle tone.
"No, you can't."
"I told you, we have to save this for after the wedding."
"You can do whatever you want then, but not before the wedding."
"I want to save the most beautiful thing for that time."
"However—"
Artoria tilted her head slightly and kissed him as he rested on her shoulder.
"As for a substitute... I'll leave that up to you."
"As long as you like it."
The moment her words fell, Artoria's pupils dilated.
The dragon would not be polite with her.
Although the thing he wanted most had been gracefully declined, that didn't mean Ian didn't have other things he wanted to do.
"I love it—"
"When Artoria cries out like a cat."
As he said this, he brought her back with him to that moonlit night, lying on a haystack.
Back then, the dragon's fingers and claws had been just as light.
"I'm not a cat..."
A wisp of hot air escaped Artoria's lips.
All kingly decorum was lost in this moment.
"I'm a lion."
"I am a fierce lion."
"And—"
"If you care about Barghest, then I will protect her, too."
Saying this, the self-proclaimed lion Artoria lifted her head, her feet rising high onto their tips, only her toes touching the ground.
She was indeed a lion.
But—
Before a dragon, what difference was there between a lion and a cat?
"Ngh..."
"Meow—"
Artoria couldn't help but cry out.
In the end, she had become a cat after all.
...
Three days until the wedding.
Barghest grew more and more uneasy.
Ever since her mother, Morgan, had spoken of spreading the rumor about Artoria's illegitimate daughter, she had not contacted her again.
And what was even more terrifying—
Mélusine had also disappeared.
She, who was always there with her hands on her hips, bickering with her endlessly, had vanished as if into thin air.
Barghest already didn't have many friends in the city, and now she felt a profound sense of loneliness.
No.
It wasn't quite loneliness.
A more fitting description would be...
"A self-inflicted anxiety stemming from a complete lack of a support system or confidants, resulting in a total absence of security, which ultimately leads to a cognitive state of fear."
Barghest didn't know why such a long string of descriptors had suddenly popped into her head.
But she could feel one thing.
And that was...
She was very uneasy right now.
"You are dismissed for free training."
In no mood to oversee the knights' training, Barghest turned and left the training grounds.
She wanted to go to her usual spot for a couple of drinks.
However—
As she stepped into the familiar tavern, Barghest saw two unexpected figures.
It was Ian and Artoria.
The two of them were sitting in her usual seat, several goblets of fine wine placed on the table.
It also seemed they had booked the entire place, as there was no one else around.
"H-how could..."
Seeing the two of them chatting about something, Barghest felt a pang of guilt.
After all, if she thought about it carefully, she was essentially opposing Artoria, the King Arthur.
One could even say...
The entire problem stemmed from her own identity.
She was the illegitimate daughter of Ian and her mother, Morgan, so she was destined to stand in opposition to Artoria.
Her oath of allegiance was nothing but a bubble-like illusion.
Destroying this wedding that imprisoned her father was the true priority.
It's better if we don't meet—
With this thought, Barghest wanted to leave the tavern she frequented.
But, just as she turned to leave, a familiar voice came from behind her.
"Barghest."
"..."
The swordswoman turned back to see Ian looking at her.
His expression could even be called gentle, and it would not be an overstatement.
"We were just looking for you."
"Come, sit for a while."
"..."
Regardless of her status, upon hearing Ian's words, Barghest felt her body refuse to obey her.
By the time she came to her senses, she was already standing before him and her.
There was no turning back now.
Barghest steeled herself and gave a salute.
"My King, Sir Ian."
"What a coincidence—"
"You are here as well."
"Not a coincidence at all. We were waiting for you here," Artoria said with a smile, then patted the seat beside her.
"Come, sit here with me."
"..."
"Yes."
Although she didn't know what Artoria wanted, and felt an indescribable unease in her heart, Barghest did as she was told.
After all, no matter what, the other person was still her King.
"Um, you waited for me specifically. What is it for?"
Barghest asked cautiously.
"It's... probably nothing important, is it?"
"Be my daughter," Artoria said with a smile.
"Oh, is that it? The King's proposal, of course I have n—"
"Huh?"
Barghest raised her head, the words slowly sinking in.
She wondered if she had just misheard.
"My King, what did you say?"
"I said—"
Artoria took Barghest's hand, emphasizing once again.
"Come and be my daughter."
This time, the King of Camelot spoke very slowly, and as if worried Barghest wouldn't hear clearly, she even stressed the identity of "my daughter."
This left Barghest stunned.
"A-are you kidding me!"
"My King, I wouldn't dare."
"How could I possibly become your daughter!"
"That would be an act of great treason!"
"Don't be so quick to refuse, Barghest."
Artoria gently patted her hand, as if to soothe her.
"Let me ask you, do you love Camelot?"
"Eh? That?"
"Just tell me the truth. I want to know your real thoughts."
"..."
Barghest glanced at Ian, her face blushing slightly, then nodded.
"I do."
"Of course I love Camelot."
This was not Barghest flattering Artoria.
As her homeland, she had indeed found many things she loved in this land.
Like the wine that she could gulp down by the tankard;
And the bountiful food;
Barghest admitted that she was like a starving little puppy, with a ravenous desire to eat.
And Camelot was able to satisfy all of it.
"Then that settles it, doesn't it?"
"I love Camelot, too."
"Therefore, we are the same."
Artoria closed the distance between them with these words.
"You don't need to feel any psychological burden."
"..."
Barghest was not swayed by such words.
She had not forgotten the truth she had learned from Morgan about why Artoria wanted to marry Ian.
"My King, you speak very well."
"But—"
"I don't want to do this."
Although she had also been deceived by Morgan, what Barghest found more unacceptable was Artoria's actions.
To be forced to witness her father Ian's future life of hell, it would be better to destroy this wedding from the very beginning!
Barghest seemed extremely resolute.
It seemed nothing could move her.
However, it was as if Artoria had already anticipated this.
She picked up her goblet, took a light sip, and then continued to speak in a soft, gentle voice:
"What if I said, if you're willing, you can eat with your father every day from now on?"
"Father?"
"Doesn't that mean..."
Barghest looked at Ian.
"Yes, you're thinking correctly."
Artoria nodded.
"To become my daughter is to become his daughter."
"That being the case, you would naturally have the right to dine with us."
"Even, if you wish—"
Artoria leaned close to Barghest's ear.
"You can have him feed you."
"..."
If the status of "daughter" wasn't enough to give Barghest a tangible shock, then the concept of "being fed" certainly made up for it.
She even imagined a scene of herself in a formal gown, having a candlelight dinner with Ian.
"This..."
Barghest bit her lip, rejecting with all her might.
"That's nothing special, my King."
"It wouldn't be meaningful for me to participate in your meals."
However, she did not know that Artoria was not the kind of person who only had one trick up her sleeve.
"What if... you could also do this?"
As Artoria said this, she gave Ian a look.
He understood and nodded, then picked up the goblet in front of him and took a sip.
Before Barghest could understand what this meant, under her watchful gaze, Ian passed the wine he had just drunk to Artoria.
Barghest felt as if she understood something.
And that premonition soon became reality.
Artoria took the goblet and, in Barghest's line of sight, deliberately turned it to the spot where Ian had just drunk from.
The King's tongue swept over every part of the goblet's rim, as if greedily collecting some flavor.
Gulp—
Artoria looked at Barghest and drank the remaining wine in the cup.
"How about it?"
She spoke with a smile.
"If you're willing, you can also drink with him at any time."
"As long as you don't waste it."
"..."
Barghest felt her mind buzzing.
The goblet her father Ian had drunk from, could she also just take it and drink from it like Artoria did?
Wouldn't that be equivalent to an indirect kiss with him?
Barghest was completely unaware of just how excited she had become while thinking about these things.
The table began to shake along with her trembling legs.
Even the ground began to feel as if there were an earthquake.
If Artoria hadn't held her down in time, the entire tavern would probably have started shaking as well.
"Barghest, it seems you're not so resistant anymore."
Artoria revealed a meaningful smile.
"However, these are not the only things you'll be able to do in the future."
"Barghest, if you don't mind—"
"Using the same bathhouse as your father isn't such a big deal."
"We could even... all bathe together."
"..."
If the first two offers were only enough to pique Barghest's interest, then Artoria's final words completely ignited the flame in her heart.
To eat her fill, and then go to the bathhouse with him to drink and bathe.
And in the process, perhaps...
Could anything be more blissful than that?
Barghest's face was already flushed.
Her hands were trembling.
An imperceptible smile appeared on Artoria's face.
"Alright then."
"It seems I still can't move you."
"I am not some demon who forces people. Sir Barghest, let us pretend we never said anything."
"I am going for a walk with Sir Ian."
"You finish the wine. Don't let it go to waste."
Saying this, Artoria took Ian's hand from across the table and made as if to leave.
Before going, she turned back and, as if remembering something, said:
"Oh, right."
"I have considered your opinion. The wedding will not be canceled."
"Sir Ian may not be appearing at the knightly order as often in the future."
"We..."
Artoria didn't continue, but only gave a faint smile.
But that was enough to be the last straw that broke Barghest.
It will be hard to see him in the future?
"Um, my King, please wait."
Barghest stood up.
"What is it?"
"..."
"I've thought it through," Barghest replied cautiously.
"If my King will have me, Barghest is willing..."
No, she still couldn't say it.
But even so, Artoria had already gotten the answer she wanted.
She temporarily let go of Ian's hand and embraced Barghest.
"How could I ever forsake you?"
"Such a good child."
"Then, Barghest, since you've said so, you should prepare yourself properly."
"P-prepare myself?"
Barghest was a little shy, but also a little confused.
"My King, no, Mother, what do you mean?"
"Just the necessary etiquette."
Artoria took Ian's arm.
"Since we have a daughter now—"
"We must first go and let my beloved sister know, mustn't we?"