Merlin: Meeting!

"—In short, it looks like I'm being forced to marry."

After Naoki's proposal, Merlin promptly tossed the matter back to him.

Honestly, Naoki's action was somewhat unexpected. Though she had imagined the possibility, in terms of probability, it was practically impossible.

After all, this was Naoki. The Naoki who remained indifferent even when she teased him with fanservice. The Naoki who never made inappropriate moves despite years of living together. The Naoki who showed no interest even with a beautiful girl like her by his side.

A "herbivore" guy like him should never make the first move. That's why Merlin dared to play with fire around him, confident that Naoki was unlikely to reciprocate.

So why did he suddenly turn into a "carnivore"?!

"So, what do I do, you two? I'm getting married!"

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

In the dark chamber of Naoki's subconscious.

Seeing Merlin crying there, Manaka's face was completely grim!

"Proposed to by the Prince, and you're still not satisfied?! Even if it's just a vixen posing as the Prince, it's a proposal from the Prince! Why are you still complaining—no, showing off?!"

Manaka had realized it—this jerk was pretending to seek help but was actually just bragging!

If she could use her powers right now, and weren't being watched by the naive True Ancestor beside her, she'd have already fought Merlin!

She wanted to be proposed to by the Prince too!

Unlike the helplessly fuming Manaka, Arcueid was her usual cheerful, innocent self. "Then just get married. I think Naoki's a really good guy. Marrying him would surely make you happy. I also noticed Naoki seems to have started learning to cook for someone."

'That's probably for Ryougi Shiki.'

Merlin recalled that Naoki would be chased and sliced by the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception if his cooking wasn't good.

"By the way, I'm still curious—why does Naoki like me?"

"Pretty and kind?" Arcueid laughed.

Manaka immediately sneered in disgust, and Merlin awkwardly twirled the ends of her hair.

Pretty and kind—the first was true, the second didn't need discussion. Merlin knew that.

"Maybe because love grows over time."

After hesitating for a while, Manaka reluctantly spoke. "Though he (Naoki) cares about appearances, he doesn't fall in love at first sight. He only develops feelings for someone after long interactions. Even then, he's often unsure if he truly likes them."

"Despite your awful personality and constant ill intentions, always toying with him, over these years of living together, he gradually came to like you—your looks probably account for sixty percent of it."

"That second part didn't need saying."

But after Manaka's explanation, Merlin more or less understood.

"So, if I turned into an ugly old hag, Naoki wouldn't marry me?"

"Theoretically, yes."

"But Merlin, why don't you want to marry Naoki?" Arcueid asked, slightly puzzled. "Naoki's a really nice guy, you know."

That was the second time Arcueid said that.

Merlin gave a small laugh. "Well, my rejection isn't that strong, but marrying him would mean breaking my lifestyle so far. I'm an existence like a navigator created by humanity. I never intended to join in. Watching humans reach their goals is enough."

The clearest example was the legend of King Arthur. When Arthur set out for Rome, Merlin had already left Camelot, having foreseen Arthur's end and its outcome. Thus, she no longer needed to stay by his side.

In simple terms, it was like watching an anime series—Merlin was the type who didn't like rewatching. Once was enough.

"I have an 'observer's' perspective on the human world. Though I sometimes get a bit involved, like now or before, it's only to keep the story from getting too dull. If I united with Naoki, that'd be too much interference."

"Hmm… I don't get it!"

After hearing Merlin's explanation, Arcueid bluntly shook her head.

"Merlin, just say whether you like Naoki or not. If you like him, marry him. If you don't, don't. It's that simple."

"Sometimes I'm really jealous of Arcueid," Merlin sighed in resignation. "After all, I'm just a Court Mage. The role of Lover is already a bit much, let alone Wife, which is a higher level. Honestly, I think Manaka's more suited for the Wife role~"

Manaka, suddenly called out, lit up for a moment but quickly composed herself, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Hmm, that's obvious. Only I can stay by the Prince's side forever."

"Then I'll go tell Naoki you want to be with him forever."

"Stop right there! I didn't say that!"

Manaka hurriedly grabbed her—Merlin was truly a master at catching people off guard! One sentence was enough to make Manaka lose her cool!

If that got out, what would happen?! That vixen would surely use it to provoke her every chance she got! Just imagining the scene made Manaka's heart ache!

"So, are you marrying him or not?"

After calming herself with effort, Manaka asked, suppressing her envy and jealousy.

"Well… no. At least not now."

"Hm~~~ now."

"After all, we'd have to wait five years until Naoki returns to get married. If he changes his heart in those five years, wouldn't I, having promised first, end up the 'loser dog'? And even if I wanted to marry, I don't know how to be a wife yet. Let me learn about that first."

At this point, Merlin looked at Manaka and Arcueid.

"Of course, if you two work hard in these five years and make him change his heart, that'd be best! I really think Manaka's a great fit, you know! Arcueid, you too, keep it up!"

"Yeah! I'll try hard!"

Arcueid, completely clueless about the situation, nodded eagerly.

As for Manaka—

"Even if the world ends, I won't fall for that vixen."

"Hehe, I'll take that seriously. Alright, the first women's meeting ends here. Dismissed."

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

In an apartment in London, in another world.

Opening her eyes from bed, Merlin pondered for a moment, then got up and made a call.

[Merlin? What's up? Calling me in the middle of the night.]

"Morgan, big trouble. The King proposed to me."

Morgan: "?"