The moment Mélusine confirmed that things were very different from what she had imagined, the anxious weight on her heart was finally lifted.
If—
In Ian's eyes, Baobhan Sith was an existence without any "scent."
That meant that to Ian, Baobhan Sith was "worthless"!
After all, Ian had said that both she and Artoria were very "scented" beings.
But!
Baobhan Sith wasn't!
At this thought, Mélusine's expression brightened considerably.
She had been tense ever since she first noticed Baobhan Sith's abnormal behavior a few days ago.
Now...
The tables had turned!
Mélusine no longer hid anything. After taking a roundabout path, she strode confidently and appeared before Ian and Baobhan Sith.
"Hey, what a coincidence~"
Mélusine waved her hand, looking as if she had just arrived.
"Are you two here for a drink as well?"
"..."
Seeing the "sudden" appearance of Mélusine, it wasn't so much resistance in Baobhan Sith's eyes, but at the very least, a hint of wariness.
However, despite this internal landscape, Baobhan Sith showed none of it on the surface.
"Yes, what a coincidence~"
"You're here too."
As Baobhan Sith said this, she deliberately leaned even closer to Ian, as if to make a point.
But the moment Mélusine recalled her recent deductions, she felt that such a gesture held no pressure for her at all.
After all, who would bother competing with someone who Ian found so difficult to even get a "scent" from?
"I'll have a cup too!"
Ignoring everything Baobhan Sith was doing, Mélusine called for more wine, then spoke as if nothing was amiss.
"What are you two doing here?"
The petite swordswoman took a sip of wine before asking.
"Usually, you two wouldn't be here at this time, right?"
"..."
Seeing that Mélusine seemed completely unfazed by her actions, Baobhan Sith felt a sense of pressure from her for the first time.
But she knew that at a time like this, she couldn't reveal her true thoughts.
What if... she's just pretending?
Baobhan Sith had no idea that her earlier behavior had been completely witnessed by Mélusine.
She said:
"Nothing much, Ian just asked me to come out with him. It's that simple."
"He... asked you?"
Mélusine raised an eyebrow and asked.
"..."
"That's right." Baobhan Sith suppressed all her thoughts and asked brazenly, "Do you have a problem with that?"
"Or should I say—"
"You don't believe me?"
"..."
Mélusine wanted to laugh in that moment.
But she held it back. After all, there was no point in exposing Baobhan Sith's little tricks in a place like this.
However, not exposing her didn't mean Mélusine couldn't fight back.
After all, to Ian, Baobhan Sith had no "scent" at all.
In that case—
The corners of Mélusine's mouth turned up slightly.
There were many things she could do.
"I see, so Ian asked you out."
"How nice. The King didn't give you two a hard time. That's wonderful."
Mélusine intentionally and unintentionally emphasized this fact as she picked up a cup of wine from the table.
Under Baobhan Sith's watchful gaze, she offered the cup to Ian.
"Perfect timing. It's been a while since I've had a drink with Sir Ian. Now is the perfect opportunity!"
"Here, have a drink!"
"..."
And so—
By cleverly using the "scent" advantage, Mélusine began to drink merrily with Ian, right in front of Baobhan Sith.
It was a scene she could never have achieved when she was alone.
And compared to the restrictive framework Baobhan Sith was bound by, Mélusine, due to her status as a fellow Knight of the Round Table with Ian, received quite a bit of "special treatment."
For example:
The places Baobhan Sith didn't dare to sit too close, Mélusine could just plop herself right down.
They were fellow knights, after all, not a father and daughter. She could sit however she pleased!
Of course.
If she were to be precise, Mélusine knew her status wasn't that much better than Baobhan Sith's, but the problem was that other people didn't know the full story.
And Baobhan Sith...
...wasn't about to expose her own secret, was she?
Phew—
Downing a cup of warm wine, Mélusine felt a rare sense of triumph over Baobhan Sith.
After all, she'd been set up by that girl twice!
A full two times!
This time, it was finally her turn to do something explosive in front of her!
With this thought, Mélusine found herself drinking more and more happily, as if she could down any amount of wine that came her way.
"Mmm..."
"This is nice."
"Ian, let's have another."
"..."
The dragon didn't answer Mélusine's words directly, but silently picked up his cup.
This confrontation ended in Mélusine's complete victory.
However—
Things weren't over just yet.
"I'll go pay the bill."
Although he still had his own unique way of thinking, Ian had integrated well into life in Camelot.
He was naturally capable of handling things like paying the bill.
But no sooner had the dragon left than Baobhan Sith moved over to her.
Without a doubt, Mélusine knew she was here to express her displeasure from earlier.
"You seem to be getting very close to Ian—"
"It's nothing!"
Having anticipated such words, Mélusine quickly replied.
"We're just having a drink. Don't tell me even that's not allowed?"
"Or are you saying, Baobhan Sith, that your father can't have a drink in front of you? If that's the case, isn't that a little too much?"
Being prepared made all the difference.
"..."
Seeing Baobhan Sith rendered speechless by her words, the feeling of victory in Mélusine's heart grew even stronger.
"Is there anything else you want to say?"
"If not, I have things to do."
"The plan must continue, Baobhan Sith. You should know that better than anyone, right?"
"..."
Seeing that Baobhan Sith had no intention of answering her, Mélusine wasn't surprised.
Filled with the joy of victory, she stood up, ready to leave immediately.
However—
Just at that moment, Baobhan Sith suddenly spoke.
"Stop."
"I have one thing to ask you."
"What is it?" Mélusine paused.
"..."
Baobhan Sith was silent for a long time before she continued.
"That 'scent' he talks about... how exactly do you cultivate it?"