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Inside the Einzbern Castle—
"Nice to meet you, Lord Minato. Please take care of me from now on."
In a refined room, a stunning woman with long snow-white hair knelt in a perfect formal greeting before Minato.
Her name—
Irisviel von Einzbern.
Ahad didn't waste any time.
Right after sealing the deal, he brought Irisviel in to meet Minato.
Looking at the woman in front of him, who somehow looked like both a noble lady and a wide-eyed child, Minato smiled.
"So handsome…"
Irisviel looked up at him, her flawless, doll-like face tinged with a soft blush.
It hadn't been long, but she already understood the situation.
This man in front of her would be her husband.
The one she would serve for the rest of her life.
Even though she was a homunculus, she still had her own emotions.
And strangely enough—she didn't dislike Minato at all.
She even felt a strange sense of closeness to him—maybe because their eyes looked so alike.
"There's no need for this formality between us from now on."
Minato gently helped her up, smiling warmly.
My husband's personality… isn't bad at all.
With that thought, a determined look appeared in Irisviel's eyes.
She wrapped her fingers around Minato's warm, slender hand and said softly, "Lord Minato, I swear I'll become a worthy wife for you."
As she spoke, she slowly leaned forward, guiding his hand to rest gently on her cheek.
Her face was flushed red with embarrassment, but her gaze was as serious as ever.
"You're really serious about this."
Minato stared into her eyes.
"Mhm!" Irisviel nodded, her eyes practically speaking for her.
"Then I guess it's time I show you how serious I am, too."
Minato said it with conviction.
Irisviel was slightly out of breath now. She could feel his sincerity—clear and powerful.
She didn't resist.
Because from this moment on, she belonged to Minato alone.
...
Irisviel was an artificial human.
She'd spent most of her life locked away in a castle, and she didn't know much about how normal people lived.
Luckily, Minato had lived like a regular person his whole life, so he was basically an expert at this stuff. He explained things to her with ease.
Irisviel listened seriously, completely focused.
When it came to everyday stuff—like cleaning—you couldn't just understand it in theory. You had to get your hands dirty and actually do it.
Pretty soon, Irisviel was the one volunteering to help out, starting from the simplest chores.
Castle Dining Room
Medusa was sitting there, clearly uncomfortable, her face as red as an apple.
This was the first time she'd ever hated having such good hearing.
And then—
She glanced to the side at Artoria, who was still going to town on desserts, and her expression twitched a little.
This one was even worse.
She's a Heroic Spirit—shouldn't she be a little more aware of what's going on?
Or… maybe I'm just being too sensitive? Overthinking things?
"Big Sis Medusa, I'm so booored."
Holding a dessert in her hands, Sakura came up to her and asked innocently, "Can I go play with the Demon Uncle?"
"No!"
Medusa suddenly stood up and grabbed Sakura by the shoulders, her voice serious: "Stay here. Don't go anywhere."
Even with her eyes hidden behind the blindfold, the intensity of her gaze was clear as day.
That place… for someone like Sakura right now, it was worse than hell.
"Huh?" Sakura flinched, startled.
But when she saw how serious Medusa looked, she grumbled quietly, "Okay, I won't go."
Sakura is so cute.
Looking at the little girl, Medusa couldn't help but give her a good ol' head pat.
Artoria: "Yum. This is seriously good."
She was still going at it.
At Dusk
Golden sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Minato lowered his head, looking at Irisviel nestled in his arms.
Should I turn her into a familiar now?
But she's the key to activating the Holy Grail. If she becomes a demon, there's a chance things might go wrong.
I mean, I don't really care.
But I did promise Artoria we'd win the Holy Grail War.
Eh, whatever.
It's just a few more days. No big deal.
"Lord Minato..."
Sensing his gaze, Irisviel looked up at him.
Minato smiled. "Let's not stay here anymore. Come with me."
"Really?"
Her eyes widened with joy. "You mean I can really go outside?"
"Really." Minato gave her a head pat and smiled. "From now on, you can do whatever you like."
"That's... that's amazing!" Irisviel cheered, jumping up and running straight to her wardrobe.
"The outside world! What should I take with me… Oh, this fancy fur winter coat—I've heard normal people wear this in winter!"
"And this princess dress! I've heard it's a must-have for going out!"
Minato: "..."
A fur coat.
A princess dress.
Yup.
This clueless young lady still had a long way to go when it came to understanding common sense.
"....."