66. Even the King of Camelot Can Have a Drunken Night 

[You never expected Arthur to seek you out at this hour.]

[Even more so, you never expected her to show up wearing that white dress, one that so clearly exudes youthful femininity.]

[After all, at this crucial moment before she inherits Camelot's throne, if anyone were to discover that she was actually a woman, the consequences would be unimaginable.]

[Even if Merlin's magic continued to prevent people from perceiving her as female, the mere sight of her dressed like this would ignite a wildfire of rumors.]

[But at the same time, you realize this is Arthur's way of showing her resolve.]

[She must have made up her mind to meet you tonight, no matter what.]

Rei felt conflicted.

As the keeper of Arthur's last remaining emotion, he understood that all of this was simply the passionate intensity she was supposed to have at her age.

Only the weight of her fate had twisted that passion into something so restrained.

"Arthur..."

Before Rei could finish speaking, she cut in first, revealing her thoughts.

"Rei, you don't actually want to see me, do you?"

Arthur lowered her head, clasping her hands together—a sign of distress.

"I know that, so I won't force anything."

"I only came to say that if we don't meet tonight, it's fine. That's all."

"..."

Something inside Rei stirred.

The whirlpool of emotions he had forced into stillness started to churn again.

"I've said what I needed to say, Rei."

Arthur's voice was quiet as she delivered her own verdict.

"So I won't bother you anymore. Sweet dreams."

The sorrowful girl walked past Rei, her golden ponytail hanging low as if weighed down by her sadness.

Just as she was about to leave, Rei reached out and took her hand.

"Don't go yet, Arthur."

"Since you're already here, let's talk for a while."

Arthur immediately turned around, her delicate face full of restrained grief.

"Rei!"

Without hesitation, she threw herself into his arms, pressing her cheek against his broad, firm chest.

Seeing her like this, Rei hesitated for a moment before gently placing his hand on her back, silently comforting her.

Truthfully—

This was a dangerous situation.

If someone were to witness the King of Lot embracing the future ruler of Camelot outside the princess's chambers, tomorrow's gossip would reach even the ants on the streets.

But—

Sometimes, a person has to take risks.

Especially when it's for a girl who has entrusted him with her final piece of emotion.

Fortunately, luck did not abandon them.

The quiet hallway remained undisturbed.

Arthur gradually calmed down.

She released Rei and stepped back, her face still flushed as she whispered,

"Rei, thank you."

"Your embrace is very warm."

"Mm." Rei nodded. "That's good to hear."

"..."

"..."

A moment of silence.

Arthur refused to let it linger.

She glanced at the door beside them and initiated a new topic.

"Um, she's not here right now, is she?"

"No, she's not."

"Then—"

Arthur reached for the door handle.

"Rei, can I go inside and take a look?"

"Huh?" Rei's eyebrows twitched.

"I don't have any other intentions!" Arthur quickly waved her hands. "I just... wanted to see what kind of place you usually stay in!"

"If it's not okay, just pretend I never said anything!"

[You realize this moment marks a critical turning point in your life.]

[By all logic, you absolutely should not let Arthur step inside this room.]

[But at the same time, her request makes you see another, more insidious possibility.]

[What if, through this moment, you could plant the seed of Morgan's ambition for the throne deep within Arthur's trust in you?]

[After careful consideration, you decide not to waste this opportunity.]

[You know that your own actions disgust even yourself.]

[But for Morgan's throne, you are willing to do anything.]

[You open the door and lead Arthur inside.]

[You are well aware that this will lead to even greater transgressions.]

"So this is where you usually stay, Rei?"

Arthur curiously observed the room.

"But why does it feel like everything belongs to her?"

"Because this isn't really my room," Rei explained. "Naturally, there wouldn't be much of my stuff here."

"Then—"

Arthur sat down on the bed, lightly swinging her legs.

"Rei, you should come to my room next time."

"There, you can keep as many of your things as you want."

"..."

Rei forced a fake smile.

"Mm, I see. I'll try when I get the chance."

Hearing this, a sparkle lit up in Arthur's deep green eyes.

A hint of playfulness, fitting for her age, flickered in her gaze—though Rei could see through it instantly.

"Rei!"

Arthur patted the bed beside her—Morgan's bed, to be precise.

"Can you sit here?"

"..."

Rei said nothing and simply complied, sitting down as requested.

But the moment he did, Arthur's hand landed on his.

It felt somewhat similar to Morgan's touch, yet softer, with a different kind of warmth.

"Rei, do you remember your promise?"

"You said… you'd teach me how to be a girl."

Looking at the hand resting on his own, Rei hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Yeah, I remember."

"Then—"

"Rei, I have some ideas. Will you try them with me?"

As soon as Rei nodded, Arthur leaned in.

Her soft lips, carrying a hint of nervousness, pressed against the much older man's.

Yet, instead of retreating, she grew even bolder than before.

She lifted the hand she had just been holding and guided it upward, toward the bodice of her white dress.

A place she had always been careful to hide.

Then—

His fingers found their target, closing gently.

It was a moment of triumph for the girl.

Arthur felt an overwhelming sense of happiness.

But—

That happiness didn't last long.

Because Rei soon pulled his hand away, breaking their kiss at the same time.

He stared at her in silence for a long moment before finally speaking.

"Arthur, are you imitating Morgan?"

"Eh?! W-Wait—!"

He had seen right through her.

Completely.

Arthur had been mimicking Morgan's actions.

She didn't really know how to be the kind of girl Rei wanted.

So she had chosen to imitate.

She had seen how Rei lost himself in Morgan's embrace.

If she just did the same thing, wouldn't the outcome be the same?

"Rei, let me explain!"

Flustered, Arthur tried to defend herself.

But Rei simply ruffled her hair and replied,

"No need to explain."

"Arthur, I know what you're thinking."

"But you should also understand—blind imitation is meaningless. Just like swordsmanship, you have to take your own steps toward understanding before you can truly grasp it."

"But—"

Arthur lowered her head.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do to reach that understanding…"

"That's okay."

Rei stood up.

"You'll find out soon enough."

[You walk over to where the wine is stored.]

[You pick up an elegant glass and fill it with the finest wine in Camelot.]

[The deep purple liquid swirls in the cup, forming ripples. Its fragrance drifts into the air, as if pulling the entire room into a sea of flowers.]

[With the glass in hand, you return to Arthur.]

In front of the young girl, Rei took a sip of the wine.

He shrugged slightly and asked,

"Want to try some?"

"This is made from the best grapes in Camelot."

"Alright."

Arthur took the glass from his hand.

She carefully rotated it, aligning her lips with the exact spot Rei had just sipped from.

Gulp, gulp—

Her throat moved as she swallowed.

She had taken a big mouthful of wine.

This was the first time she had ever let herself indulge like this.

Back in the village, her foster father, Ector, had never allowed her to drink.

Wine was delicious, but to a knight, it was a poison that dulled the senses.

But—

Arthur looked at the man before her.

With him, it didn't matter, did it?

"How's the taste?" Rei asked.

"It's… really good!"

Arthur hastily answered, almost flustered.

"Being able to share such fine wine with you, Rei, makes me so happy!"

"That's good."

Rei cupped Arthur's cheek, his gaze clouded with a mix of emotions.

He knew he was doing something despicable.

But at this point, there was no turning back.

"Arthur, do you know you look incredibly cute right now?"

"Do I?"

The girl blushed at the compliment, unable to tell whether it was the wine or the rush of emotions making her face burn.

"You do."

Rei set the wine glass down on the bedside table, then turned back to her.

With a small motion, he effortlessly pushed Arthur down onto the bed.

Hovering over her, he spoke in a tone that left no room for argument.

"Arthur, that promise I made to you—it's not as complicated as you think."

"As long as you understand that you don't have to be strong all the time, that's already a good start."

"Right now, to me, you're nothing but a girl through and through."

"So that's how it is…?"

Arthur's eyes grew hazy.

"Rei… I think I'm starting to understand."

"Good."

"And—" Rei's gaze darkened, his intentions no longer entirely pure.

"Arthur, when you take the throne, you'll be able to taste even finer wine than this."

"So there's no need to act so surprised."

"But, Rei."

Arthur stared up at him.

"The wine that's passed through your lips… is the sweetest to me."

"No." Rei shook his head. "Arthur, you can't think like that."

"There are countless things I've never touched, but you—"

"You have a duty to bear, a kingdom to protect, and enemies to defeat."

"Rei, are you saying… you want me to kill for you?"

"Not just for me. For all of Camelot."

Rei knew full well he wasn't acting out of some noble righteousness.

He was a selfish man.

A schemer coveting the body of a princess.

He hid his true desires behind Camelot's cause, making it all seem natural, logical.

And yet—

After saying those words, he realized something.

Deep within his soul, a small part of his knightly honor still remained.

Was he wavering?

He couldn't afford to waver.

There was only one woman in his heart—Morgan.

"Arthur, do you understand what I mean?"

[Arthur lay on Morgan's bed, her flushed face turned toward you.]

[You had no way of knowing what her silence meant—had she seen through you? Or was she simply unwilling to admit the truth?]

[Fortunately, that silence didn't last long.]

[She gave her answer.]

"I understand, Rei."

Arthur wrapped her arms around Rei's neck.

Unlike Morgan, whose embrace was always filled with hunger and desire, hers was something different—something pure.

She held onto him simply because she liked him.

"I will return to Camelot victorious."

"But until then… you'll stay by my side, won't you?"

Rei didn't answer.

He only responded with a smile.

He would never lightly pledge himself to anyone other than Morgan. 

However, that smile was enough to give Artoria the wrong impression. 

"Thank you, Sir Rei." 

"With this, I feel much braver now." 

"Oh, right, Sir Rei." 

Lying on the bed, Artoria glanced at the wine glass on the round table beside her—still half-filled with its rich, fragrant liquid. 

"Let's finish it together." 

"I... This is my first time tasting something like this, and I can't seem to forget it." 

"In that case—" 

Rei reached out, picking up the glass and gently swirling it. 

The wine swirled in his hand, forming small ripples. 

"Artoria, would you like to try drinking it in a different way?" 

"A different way?" 

"Yes."

Rei rested a hand on the edge of Artoria's knee, feeling the soft fabric of her white stockings beneath his fingertips. 

"Wine doesn't always have to be enjoyed in the usual way," he mused. 

"Since you like its taste so much, perhaps a more immersive experience would be even better?" 

Artoria's face turned red, but after a brief hesitation, she shyly looked away and gave a small nod. 

"Sir Rei… then I'll follow your lead." 

Like the gentle unfurling of a flower, the hem of her white dress lifted slightly as she shifted. 

The delicate glass tilted, its deep purple contents shimmering as they swirled. 

The fragrant liquid cascaded smoothly, flowing through the maiden's warmth depths, carrying its rich aroma through the air. 

Before long, Morgan's bed would be home to a girl completely lost in the warmth of fine wine. 

It was the perfect way to savor an exquisite vintage.