King Arthur likes to cross-dress.
This was a rumor Mélusine had heard on the side while investigating the Sword of Promised Victory (Caliburn).
She had no idea who started it.
However, Mélusine had no issue with this rumor.
The reason was simple:
What others want to do is their own freedom.
Even a king has the right to cross-dress.
If anyone were to jump out and say "King Arthur absolutely cannot cross-dress," Mélusine felt she would definitely lead the charge against them.
She would defend everyone's right to cross-dress!
But the problem now was...
The so-called "liking to cross-dress" was based on the fact that she was a woman to begin with.
Which meant...
The women's clothing was actually what Artoria was supposed to wear, and the thick, sturdy cape and armor she usually wore were what she used to disguise herself!
"Eh?"
Hearing the sound of the door being pushed open, Artoria looked over.
The moment she saw Ian, a happy expression appeared on her face.
It was an expression one could only have when seeing someone they cared about.
But—
The moment she saw Mélusine beside Ian, that expression instantly froze in place.
"Eh, why are you here too?"
"..."
Mélusine felt that this time, she was truly doomed.
First, she had broken the Sword of Promised Victory (Caliburn), the symbol of the throne.
And now, she had stumbled upon Artoria's true appearance.
"This, that—"
"I suddenly remembered I have something to do, I'll be leaving now!"
Saying this, Mélusine turned around, preparing to flee.
Maybe I should just quickly fly away with my wings—
If this goes on, I'll definitely be killed!
However...
Just as Mélusine turned around, she heard Artoria shout:
"Stop!"
"Mélusine, you stop right there!"
This is bad...
Mélusine came to her senses and waved her hands.
"I didn't see anything today—"
"Artoria, no, my King, rest assured!"
"I will absolutely not tell anyone!"
"Hm?"
"What's there not to tell?"
Hearing Mélusine's words, Ian replied.
"Isn't it just seeing Artoria?"
"Eh?"
Ian's reaction made Mélusine pinch herself again.
"Ouch!"
The petite swordswoman let out a small cry.
"This isn't a dream... How do I feel like I don't understand anything."
"..."
Seeing Mélusine's reaction, Artoria hesitated for a moment, then walked to the door and pushed it shut.
With that, only the three of them remained in the Throne Room.
"Mélusine, come here for a moment."
"..."
Although she felt uneasy, Mélusine still did as Artoria said and came to her side.
"My King, rest assured."
The moment she arrived, Mélusine immediately gave her guarantee.
"I will not speak of it."
"Your secret will be bound to my life forever!"
"Don't be nervous."
Artoria smiled.
"I know you are not the kind of person who would speak carelessly, but—"
"Please do not be so agitated."
"Otherwise..."
Artoria looked towards Ian, who was not far away.
"If he were to figure it out, things would get very complicated."
"Eh?"
With a single sentence, Artoria made Mélusine realize something.
She looked at her, then at Ian, and suddenly understood.
"You're saying—"
Mélusine stood on her tiptoes and whispered in Artoria's ear.
"He actually hasn't realized you're a woman?"
"Even at a time like this?"
"..."
Artoria's throat moved several times before she finally nodded.
"Mélusine, you are correct."
"That is how it is."
"He... has not realized that I am a woman."
"..."
Now Mélusine understood why Ian's reaction was so different from her own.
To find out that the king who usually carried a sword was such a cute girl in private—what kind of person would not be surprised at all?
But to put it another way—
If one didn't realize she was a girl in the first place, then of course there would be no surprise.
"Then..."
Mélusine pointed at herself.
"Is he unable to recognize any girls?"
"For example, me. Does Ian also think I'm not a girl?"
"I don't know."
Artoria kept her voice low.
"But..."
"At least for me, that is the case."
"..."
In just a few short sentences, Mélusine could feel the King's sorrow.
She was not dense.
She quickly perceived the deeper, hidden circumstances.
"My King."
"If my investigation is correct, you and Ian are from the same village."
"You drew the Sword of Promised Victory (Caliburn) together."
"You founded the Knights of the Round Table, but you only accepted him. If he hadn't spoken up, I wouldn't even have been qualified to see you."
"My King."
"You have special feelings for him, don't you?"
"..."
Artoria turned her face away, not answering Mélusine at all.
It was silence.
But—
It was also the most accurate answer.
Only when one is struck to the core but cannot answer the question does one fall silent.
So that's how it is.
To think her earlier thought, "The relationships in Camelot are so complicated," would become reality so quickly.
Mélusine's feelings were a little complex.
"Then—"
"My King, if that is what you feel, why don't you just tell him?"
"I think, if he could understand your feelings, he would be very happy."
"Mélusine, I cannot do that."
Artoria clutched her chest, which, after the breaking of the Sword of Promised Victory (Caliburn), was no longer restricted from growing.
"I am the King of Britain."
"I have my duty, a responsibility to every single person in Britain."
"I..."
"Cannot reveal my identity, right?"
Mélusine quickly understood.
If Artoria wanted to explain everything to Ian, she would inevitably have to expose her identity as a woman.
And if that happened, she would surely be rejected by the people of Camelot.
They might even feel angry—
The king who had ruled them for so long was actually a woman disguised as a man!
"I understand."
"In that case—"
Mélusine drew the two Arondights from her waist.
"My King, then conduct my knighting ceremony at once!"
"Let me!"
"Not as Lancelot, but as the knight named Mélusine!"
"Protect you both!"