"..."
Mélusine was stunned for a good while. Only after confirming she hadn't misheard did she speak.
"This shield... was it prepared for me?"
"No."
Artoria shook her head.
"But it's close."
"It was prepared for Mash. Didn't Ian already say so?" Artoria smiled faintly. "Now is the perfect time."
"I think that if you, as her mother, give this shield to Mash, she will be very happy."
"By the way, this was Ian's idea."
As Artoria said this, she leaned against the dragon's side and linked her arm with his.
It was a charming look the King of Camelot would absolutely never show on a normal day, yet here it was, right in front of them.
"Eh, this..."
Mélusine's expression became a little embarrassed.
She felt ashamed for having doubted Artoria and Morgan, but at the same time, she was delighted that Ian had been so thoughtful of her.
"So that's how it was?"
"What, are you not willing?"
Morgan crossed her arms, showing a dissatisfied expression.
"Is this shield, forged by my sister and me, something you feel you don't deserve?"
"Or perhaps—"
"You simply didn't want us to do this at all?"
"That's not it!"
Mélusine quickly denied Morgan's words.
"I'm just very pleasantly surprised."
"Pleasantly surprised?"
Artoria frowned slightly.
"Mhm." Mélusine nodded.
"I didn't expect you to be so invested in Mash's affairs, it's as if... you were her mothers too."
"Isn't that obvious?"
Artoria laughed.
"I... do indeed see her as my daughter too."
"It might not have been appropriate to say it before, but now, I think I can admit it freely."
"Mash is my daughter."
"..."
While Mélusine was still stunned, Morgan spoke up.
"What are you talking about—"
"What do you mean, your daughter?"
"Y-Yes," Mélusine was about to chime in in agreement, but was cut short by Morgan's next words.
Because she said:
"She is our daughter, Artoria."
"Don't you dare try to claim her for yourself."
"..."
That's right.
Her attitude was almost identical to Artoria's, perhaps even more so.
Morgan, too, freely admitted that Mash was a daughter worthy of her attention.
"Sister, you're always squabbling over the strangest things."
"Is that really a good habit?"
"Aren't you the same, Artoria? Didn't you pull some tricks on me in some strange ways too?"
Though their words sounded like attacks, Artoria and Morgan's expressions were relaxed, as if they were just joking.
Mélusine blinked, then thanked them with great embarrassment.
"Th-Thank you."
"I thank you on Mash's behalf."
"..."
"..."
Artoria and Morgan glanced at each other, then both smiled.
"Hearing you say that... it has a certain charm that's hard to resist."
"Sister, don't say that."
Artoria waved her hand with a smile.
"But, it is true."
Unlike the sisters' leisurely attitude, Mélusine was quite nervous.
"I'm really thanking you!"
"In that case, you should hurry and go."
Artoria placed the shield in Ian's hands.
"Mash must have been waiting for you for a long time."
"Mhm." Morgan chimed in.
"Go on, before we change our minds."
"..."
"I understand!"
.....
A good while later.
The sun was setting.
In the twilight, Mélusine and Ian sat together.
They were on a bench in the garden—a scene that made the two of them look like an old married couple.
And in front of them was a delighted Mash, who had received her brand-new shield.
"It's so amazing..."
"So beautiful..."
Seeing Mash's immense joy, a gentle expression naturally appeared on Mélusine's face.
However, she soon started whispering to Ian beside her.
"By the way—"
"How did you suddenly notice this?"
"I... I never told you, did I?"
Their meeting on the street was just a coincidence. Mélusine was certain that she had never actively brought this up with Ian before.
This dense dragon already had enough people to deal with; she didn't want to add any more pressure on him.
In other words—
This was something Ian had thought of doing on his own.
"If you don't say it, does that mean I can't know?"
"..."
Ian's reply made Mélusine freeze for a moment.
"Isn't that a given?!"
"If I don't say anything, you shouldn't know anything, right!"
"Otherwise, wouldn't that just make me look like an idiot?"
"No."
Ian shook his head.
"It's not like that."
"When you like someone, care for someone, love someone, it's impossible not to notice what they want."
"So, I thought I knew."
"Eh..."
Mélusine's face turned red.
Although she knew Ian probably didn't mean it as a "confession," she couldn't help but feel his sincerity.
"Do you know what you're saying?"
"I need you."
"I want to see you."
Mélusine had just spoken when she was cut off by Ian.
He looked at her with serious, pure eyes.
"Mélusine, you are as important as Artoria and Morgan."
"..."
The world fell completely silent in an instant.
Mélusine could only hear the sound of her own heartbeat.
In that moment, she realized she finally understood what Ian meant when he said, "When you like someone, you'll know what they want."
A kiss.
That's right.
He wanted this.
The petite swordswoman was no longer hesitant; instead, she took the initiative and moved in.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and whispered in his ear.
"I need you too."
"I... want to see you too."
Without another word, Mélusine pressed her lips against his.
She might not be the only one who had done this, but she didn't mind at all.
However—
"Mama, what are you and Papa doing?"
"Eh, this!"
Mash's words startled Mélusine.
"I-It's nothing, children shouldn't ask so many questions!"
"But Mama looks so happy—"
Mash pressed a finger to her chin.
"It must be something very happy!"
"I want to do it too!"
"No, your father is mine!"
"Mama, you're so selfish!"
"This isn't selfish!"
Under the twilight, the sounds of their playful squabble echoed in the garden.
No one noticed that invisible ocean waves were closing in on Camelot.