The night was still and deep.
Inside the King's room.
Artoria's usual royal attire was already hanging on a nearby wardrobe.
She herself, while undoing her hair, sat down beside Ian.
"You've been waiting long, haven't you?"
"Tonight, how shall we spend it?"
"As long as it's not that, I'll indulge you."
Artoria said this, and then opened her arms.
She was still so fair and beautiful, as if she had never been tainted by anything.
"..."
Ian did not answer Artoria.
But his reaction at this very moment was seen clearly by Artoria.
"So that's how it is."
One of Artoria's hands came to rest on Ian's.
"There are indeed still many things I haven't tried with you."
"Let's try tonight."
"You're always treating me as food. It's about time I treated you as food for once, isn't it?"
As Artoria said this, like a lioness, she crawled before him, step by step.
"Roar—ah—"
She mimicked Ian's previous sound.
One of Artoria's hands rested on his shoulder.
She looked at the Ian before her, as if a lioness were gazing at her mate.
This was no illusion.
The dragon had done nothing today, yet he could already smell that intoxicating fragrance in the air.
To be more precise, it was an aroma identical to the one from before.
Artoria's appearance was that of a sacred and majestic King, but in secret, her heart had long been captured, and she had fallen to become the dragon's possession.
However, this time she did not allow him to have his way as he had before, but instead said softly:
"Tonight, you are my food."
"You are not allowed to take a single bite of me."
Artoria spoke these serious words, but her other hand, not wrapped around Ian's neck, was no longer as calm as it used to be.
Ian was hers.
Everything about Ian was also hers.
As they continued to kiss like that, Artoria's appetite gradually revealed itself.
Finally—
The moment Ian looked up at her, Artoria knew the time was right.
"I've never tried this before."
Artoria stroked his cheek.
She licked her lips, revealing an expression of femininity that only Ian was ever allowed to see.
"Tonight, I will not let you go."
As Artoria said this, like a lioness once more, she climbed off the bed and lowered her proud head.
With her hair unbound, her hands, one on the left and one on the right, intertwined their fingers with Ian's.
"You are my food, too."
Artoria murmured softly, her expression one of utter bliss.
This was—
A night unlike any other.
At first, he just watched her as she, like a mischievous kitten, showed off her sharp fangs and teeth before him.
But soon, those sharp fangs and teeth served a greater purpose.
The dragon's pupils widened slightly, as if he had arrived in a new world he had never before experienced.
"Artoria."
"Is this how it feels for you, usually, when you are with me?"
"..."
She did not answer him.
She only gripped his hand more happily, twisting as if she were seizing a destiny she had never before possessed.
"..."
"..."
The room gradually filled with the dragon's low voice.
It was a sound completely different from the one Morgan had heard, and different from the one Mélusine had heard.
"Artoria, is this really alright?"
"..."
Still no sign of an answer.
The only thing that could be called a reply was perhaps the look of endless bliss in Artoria's eyes.
The moonlight.
It streamed into the room.
The corners of the King's mouth lifted into a small, triumphant arc.
And this, it seemed, was only the beginning.
....
An unknown amount of time later.
Artoria was nestled in his arms.
"Ian, are you happy?"
"Although we haven't done that yet, we've found our own way of being together."
"You... don't hate it, do you?"
"Artoria really is a cat, isn't she?"
"Wh-what?"
Artoria was a little bewildered by this sudden response.
"Ian, what do you mean by that?"
"Because..."
Ian stroked Artoria's cheek.
"A cat's tongue has many tiny barbs on it, doesn't it?"
"Artoria, don't you have a tongue like that too?"
"..."
Two happy blushes appeared on Artoria's face.
"Don't you dare say I'm a cat."
"I am a lion, a lion as fierce as you."
"However—"
Artoria hugged him.
"If you think it's like a cat, I suppose that's fine too."
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere grew even more intimate.
Ian held Artoria, who was lying before him, and gently exhaled a warm breath.
And Artoria, her head buried in his chest, had a similar reaction.
"I wish we could get married sooner—"
The King of Camelot said.
"I can't bear this any longer..."
"..."
Artoria's words made Ian think of something.
He stroked her fair back and said softly:
"Artoria, can I ask you a question?"
"What is it?" she asked, lifting her head.
"What will happen to Barghest tomorrow?"
"She doesn't seem very willing to see Morgan."
"..."
Ian's words made Artoria sit up slightly.
"Nothing will happen."
She gave her answer.
"Nothing will happen?"
"Yes." Artoria nodded. "From what I know of my sister, she won't expose anything."
"Even..."
"Even what?"
"You'll know tomorrow." Artoria pounced on Ian.
"For now, rest well."
"Mmm—"
"I want to sleep while holding you."
In a simple and beautiful atmosphere of happiness, Ian and Artoria spent the night together.
....
Two days until the wedding.
Ian and Artoria, with Barghest in tow, found Morgan in the library.
After a brief and concise retelling, she learned of Barghest's "betrayal."
"..."
I'll be reprimanded, won't I?
She'll scream at me to my face, won't she?
Her mother was not a gentle woman.
She had many schemes, and many grievances. An act like switching sides to Artoria at the last moment would surely be seen by her as "treason."
What...
What would she do?
Barghest felt a chill run down her spine.
She had long since realized that her mother was by no means a kind person; she had only chosen to stand with her for the sake of saving her father.
What kind of revenge...
Barghest dared not think about it.
However—
The situation did not develop in the direction Barghest had anticipated at all.
Faced with what Artoria had told her, Morgan not only showed no signs of anger, but actually smiled.
"Is that so?"
"To think—"
"You want to make Barghest your child?"
"What a delightful surprise."
No attempt to keep her, no rage, not even...
Not a single ripple of emotion.
On the contrary, she seemed rather pleased.
Barghest had never imagined such a situation.
It was as if her mother didn't care at all!
"Sister, are you not displeased?"
Looking at the impossibly calm Morgan before her, Artoria did not show much surprise either.
"After all, Barghest was brought into the Knights of the Round Table by you."
"Even if I do this, I must still consider your feelings."
"..."
A flicker of annoyance flashed in Morgan's eyes, but it quickly vanished into an unknown ripple.
"There is no need to consider such things."
"I am merely an insignificant member of the royal family, while you are the King of Camelot."
"You can decide on your own marriage. What's wrong with having one more daughter?"
"Sister, to speak like that is to treat me as a stranger."
Artoria replied to Morgan's words.
"Your opinion is still very important to me."
"..."
"Is that so?"
"Perhaps."
Morgan said this, then walked over to Barghest.
Under the other's slightly fearful gaze, she patted her on the shoulder.
"Be a good daughter to them."
"Barghest."
"I hope you will not regret this choice—"
Before Artoria could say anything more, or rather, before anyone could answer her, Morgan turned and left.
She walked through the streets of Camelot as if nothing had happened, and when she heard a passerby call her name, she would respond with a smile.
However...
When she returned to the royal court, to her own room.
The once gentle expression on her face twisted into one of rage in an instant.
"Artoria!"
Morgan clenched her fists and slammed them on the table.
Her entire body was trembling, a stark contrast to her earlier calmness, clearly showing a considerable resistance to Artoria's recent provocation.
"You've come to humiliate me again, haven't you!"
"I will destroy you! I will definitely destroy you!"
"I will take Ian back!"
"And Barghest, how dare you betray me!"
Anger and unwillingness turned into a wail at this moment.
But what followed was endless sorrow.
"Why..."
"Why does everything always go Artoria's way..."
"Clearly..."
"I had a chance to deal with her this time..."
"Why on earth..."
Morgan collapsed onto the floor, clutching her head with a helpless expression.
"Mother, you seem very sad."
Such a voice echoed in the room.
"Is my father a bastard, then?"
"..."
"Baobhan Sith, you are not to speak of your father like that!" Morgan retorted to the voice that echoed in the air. "He has just... been bewitched by Artoria."
"I don't think so."
"Once or twice might be called bewitchment, but to stand by Artoria's side every single time... that can't be explained away by Mother's self-deception, can it?"
"But well... hmph~"
"If Mother is willing, I actually have a way to ruin this wedding."
A figure, somewhat similar to Morgan but almost completely different in appearance, emerged from the shadows of the room.
"However, it might be just a little bit excessive."
"I wonder, would you be willing, Mother?"
"..."
"Baobhan Sith, are you trying to incite me?" Morgan detected the subtle flavor in her daughter Baobhan Sith's words.
It was a feeling somewhat similar to her own, but in essence, far more manipulative.
"Mother, don't say that—"
Baobhan Sith rested her chin on her hand.
"But I love Father just as much as you do, you know~"
"..."
"Then let's hear it."
"If you dare to trick me like Barghest did, I will make you pay."
"Don't worry, I won't."
Baobhan Sith smiled faintly.
"I'm the most honest person there is."
"Everything I do is simply because I want to love Father just as you do~"
"If there is even a hint of a lie, then let me be punished."
...
Back with Artoria.
As Morgan departed, a faint, victorious smile appeared on the corners of the King of Camelot's mouth.
"It seems sister has no objections."
"Barghest, now you can rest easy, can't you?"
"Ah, this..."
Hearing Artoria's words, Barghest's expression did not relax much.
On the contrary, she felt her heart grow heavier.
Especially when she recalled her mother Morgan's words just now—
"Be a good daughter to them."
Yes.
No attempt to keep her.
No anger.
Not even...
Not a flicker of emotion.
It was as if she had never been valued at all. When needed, she could be brought up; when not needed, she could be "given away" just like this.
So...
Was I insignificant from the very beginning?
Barghest's eyes gradually grew dim.
She felt she was no different from a stray dog on the side of the road.
The only difference was that she was a person, and the stray dog was not.
"Yes, I'm relieved. Thank you, my King."
After a pale and feeble apology, Barghest turned around.
"Um, I still have patrols to do."
"My King, I will take my leave now."
Saying this, without waiting for Artoria to answer her, Barghest walked away alone.
And Artoria watched her retreating back, wanting to say something but holding back.
But just then—
A figure brushed past her.
It was Ian.
"Artoria."
"I want to go to Barghest."
"..."
After a moment's hesitation, Artoria finally nodded.
"Yes."
"Go."
"Take good care of our daughter."
"I will."
After replying to Artoria, Ian strode over to Barghest's side with great strides.
What he did not know was that Artoria's heart actually held some excessive thoughts of its own.
Barghest is not her and his true daughter.
If... they had a true daughter, then she would probably have to...
No, it was better not to think about these things for now.
"Eh?"
Seeing Ian approach her, Barghest's eyes were full of confusion, but at the same time, she seemed a little uneasy.
"What are you going to do..."
"I don't know—"
"But..."
Ian embraced Barghest, pulling the tall woman into his arms.
"Today, I want to spend the entire day with you."