72. The Sisters’ Battlefield at the Round Table Meeting 

"Understood. Please inform the King of Knights that I will be there shortly."

"Yes, King Lot."

As the young maid's voice gradually faded into the distance, Rei turned to face Morgan, who was tightly biting her lip. With a hint of apology, he spoke:

"My lady, you must have heard as well. It seems we will have to stop here for now."

"..."

Morgan's hand clutched Rei's clothes tightly.

"Must you go?"

"In the end, it is she who decides which knights to admit. Your presence there won't make any difference, will it?"

"You are absolutely right."

Rei did not deny Morgan's words.

"However, my lady, she may need me for something beyond mere selection—something that could be crucial for our plans."

"..."

Morgan turned her face away, silent for a long moment before speaking again.

"Then I will go with you."

"..."

"What is that look for? Do you not wish for me to come?"

"Not at all," Rei shook his head. "I simply recall that you once said you did not want to see Artoria."

"This meeting may last a long time. It might be quite a torturous experience for you."

"..."

Morgan tightened her grip on Rei's hand.

"Even so, I'm going."

"Very well." Rei had never once stopped Morgan from doing as she pleased.

"Then, my lady, it would be my honor to accompany you."

"Hmm. As long as you understand."

[You agreed to Morgan's request.]

[Together, you made your way to the meeting hall Artoria had arranged.]

[Along the way, you could feel Morgan squeezing your hand tightly.]

[She seemed… uneasy.]

Creak.

The heavy wooden doors slowly opened.

Rei and Morgan stepped into the chamber where the Round Table meeting was to be held.

Artoria had deliberately chosen not to hold it in the throne room.

Her reason was simple—she wished for all knights present to see themselves as equals rather than subjects before their king.

Now, Artoria sat at the very center of the Round Table.

She had changed into her royal attire, exuding an overwhelming sense of majesty, making it easy to forget that she was still so young.

When she saw Rei and Morgan arrive together, her brow furrowed slightly, but she quickly regained her usual calm demeanor.

"Why have you both come?"

"Sir Rei, I believe I only extended my invitation to you. Was there a miscommunication with my servant?"

Morgan's gaze toward Artoria was filled with resentment.

Rei knew that if he let Morgan speak first, the situation would undoubtedly become far more complicated.

With that in mind, he stepped forward to explain:

"Your Majesty, the servant conveyed your message accurately. You did, indeed, only summon me."

"However—"

Rei gently took Morgan's hand.

"As my wife, she has some interest in this matter."

"Therefore, I humbly request that you make an exception just this once and allow her to witness this Round Table meeting."

Morgan was naturally dissatisfied.

But she also knew this was not the moment to stir unnecessary trouble.

"..."

"Very well," Artoria nodded.

"Then, as an exception, she may observe this time."

"However, let me make one thing clear—those who sit at this table must adhere to the Round Table's etiquette. Any transgression will not be tolerated."

"Of course."

"Good."

Artoria granted her permission.

"Sir Rei, sit by my side."

"This is not an official Round Table meeting, merely an evaluation of the candidates recommended by Sir Gaheris and Sir Gawain."

"..."

Rei hesitated briefly before nodding and taking the seat beside Artoria, as she had requested.

Morgan, naturally, sat on his other side.

Thus—

Rei found himself seated between Artoria and Morgan.

Of course, to everyone else in the room, it simply appeared that they were all sitting on the same side.

But to Rei, who was caught between the two women, an indescribable tension loomed over him.

"Send in Bedivere." Artoria commanded.

"Understood."

At her decree, the doors opened once more.

This time, a young man entered the room.

He had silver hair and light green eyes, his posture upright and full of vigor.

"King Arthur, esteemed knights—it is an honor to meet you."

The young man greeted them with impeccable manners.

"I am Bedivere. I have come seeking an audience, hoping to pledge my sword to Camelot in service of the King of Knights."

[Bedivere left a good first impression.]

[Both you and Artoria could sense the qualities befitting a knight within him.]

[As King of Knights, Artoria engaged him in conversation, covering a broad range of topics, including but not limited to military affairs and agriculture.]

[It was an incredibly thorough evaluation—not something an average candidate could endure.]

[You knew this was not the time for you to speak.]

[You decided to wait for now.]

[But Morgan, sitting beside you, did not seem content to let you idle.]

"Rei, this really is turning out to be a long and tedious process."

Maintaining an air of poise, Morgan discreetly leaned in and whispered to him.

"Wouldn't you agree?"

"Repetition and discipline are part of a knight's duty," Rei explained calmly. "My lady, if you find this process dull, you may leave early. I will explain on your behalf."

"Oh—?"

Morgan responded with a displeased smile.

"Rei, are you trying to get rid of me so you can be alone with that woman later?"

"..."

"My lady, that is not my intention. I simply do not wish for you to suffer through boredom."

"Yes, I indeed have no desire to waste my time on something tedious."

"So—"

Morgan's hand slipped beneath the tablecloth.

The Round Table was adorned with a large, specially tailored red cloth—far larger than the table itself. The excess fabric draped down over the edges, nearly reaching the floor.

Rustle. Rustle.

The fabric at the table's edge shifted slightly, like a serpent slithering through grass.

Then, suddenly—

Rei's entire body tensed.

He lowered his gaze.

"My lady… what are you—"

"Shh—"

With a smile, Morgan placed a finger to her lips.

"Now, isn't this much more interesting?"

"Or are you unwilling to provide me with a little… enjoyment?"

"..."

"I understand."

The Morgan of today was no longer the same princess he had first met.

Just as Rei knew exactly how to wield his spear to serve his queen, Morgan had long since learned his weaknesses.

When it came to handling her knight's "weapon," she was nothing short of an expert.

Especially in a situation where he had no way to resist.

"How fragile you are, Rei."

Morgan's concealed hand applied gentle yet deliberate pressure.

"What do you think would happen if I defeated you right here?"

"My lady, I trust you would not do such a thing."

"Oh? You can't be so sure."

Morgan cast her gaze toward Artoria, who was still engrossed in conversation with Bedivere.

"Don't you think it would be amusing to turn this so-called Round Table meeting into complete chaos?"

"..."

"Rei, you don't seem to agree."

"No." Rei shook his head. "I simply believe that you are saying these things out of frustration."

"I am considering whether there might be another way to resolve this."

"Hmm… there is."

Morgan rested her chin on one hand while the other continued its mischievous play beneath the table.

"It just depends on whether you can figure it out."

[You understand Morgan's implication.]

[If she is hinting at a solution, then there must be a way—and the simplest one at that.]

[That means the answer is obvious.]

The red tablecloth stirred once more, as if another serpent had slipped beneath it.

This time, it was Morgan whose body trembled.

"Knight, it seems you're quite clever."

"It was my lady who provided the right hint."

"However—"

Rei glanced at Artoria, who remained fully engaged in her conversation with Bedivere, nodding occasionally.

"Would it not be better to wait until we return to your chambers?"

"No."

Morgan immediately dismissed the idea.

"I want it now."

"Rei, you are my knight—you are not allowed to escape."

"As you command, my lady."

In the end, Morgan relented just enough for Rei to maintain some restraint.

However, she herself was far less composed.

Overcome with the excitement Rei had stirred within her, she leaned over and, without hesitation, kissed her knight—right in front of Artoria and Bedivere.

No one could tell whether it was intentional or simply instinctive.

Bedivere, having witnessed the scene, hesitated for a moment before turning to Artoria.

"King of Knights… should we be concerned about them?"

Without turning her head, Artoria responded calmly:

"It does not matter. Continue speaking—I am very interested in your thoughts."

"…Oh."

Though Bedivere couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, he decided that since the King of Knights had no objections, he shouldn't dwell on it.

[The meeting concluded in a strange and awkward atmosphere.]

[Artoria was very satisfied with Bedivere as a candidate for the Round Table.]

["As expected of a recommendation from Sir Gawain and Sir Gaheris—he is an outstanding knight."]

["I grant you the honor of joining the Round Table."]

[Bedivere, equally pleased with the outcome, gave his thanks and left under Artoria's arrangements.]

[Then, her gaze turned toward you and Morgan.]

"Do you have some dissatisfaction with this meeting?"

Artoria's eyes settled on Rei and Morgan.

"If you do, you are welcome to voice it. I will consider whether your suggestions warrant any changes."

"But making a spectacle out of protest, as you did just now, is utterly meaningless."

"No, not at all."

Morgan flashed the graceful smile of nobility.

"That was entirely my fault."

As she spoke, she took Rei's hand in hers.

"He loves me so deeply that I simply couldn't help but respond to such passion."

"King of Knights, I offer you my sincerest apologies."

Morgan's words were less of an apology and more of a blatant provocation.

For a brief moment, a flicker of emotion crossed Artoria's face—but it quickly vanished.

She smiled faintly and replied:

"I see."

"Responding to genuine affection is indeed what an exceptional woman should do."

"Then—"

"I assume you must hold equally passionate feelings for Rei?"

Morgan chuckled softly.

"I am already his wife. What could possibly be more passionate than that?"

"Or perhaps… are you suggesting otherwise, King of Knights?"

"Heh. If so, that would be rather disappointing."

Artoria regarded Morgan for a long moment before speaking again.

"I would never deny any sincere emotion."

"For those who hold such feelings, they are treasures beyond measure."

"You are fortunate to have Rei's devotion—I can only hope your fortune continues."

"Oh, but of course."

"Those who possess something will always remain fortunate. Those who do not…"

Morgan trailed off.

The two women locked eyes, an unspoken battle raging between them.

This was not an argument—no, it was far more intense than that.

But prolonging the silence would be pointless.

The young king turned and walked toward the rising sun.

Meanwhile, the princess beside the Round Table tightened her grip on her knight's hand.

"Rei."

"Yes, my lady?"

"What I said just now… never mind."

[Bedivere passed Artoria's test and was officially inducted as a Knight of the Round Table.]

[His composed and polite demeanor allowed him to integrate quickly among his new peers.]

[However, due to the kiss Morgan had planted on you at the Round Table, his impression of you was not entirely favorable—earning his trust would be difficult.]

[Morgan, however, did not care.]

[To her, that kiss was something that needed to be left upon your face.]

[Besides, in terms of numbers, the Round Table still remained under her and your control.]

[She believed she had won that exchange completely.]

Until one day—

A young maid arrived with news.

"Lord Rei, there is a letter from the King of Knights for you."

"Oh? Alright."

Rei accepted the letter and brought it to Morgan before opening it.

Upon reading its contents, he paused for a moment.

"What is it?"

"Artoria is Preparing to Lead an Expedition."

"Isn't that part of the plan?"

"Yes, but—"

Rei scanned the letter in his hands.

"She insists that I accompany her."