In the castle of Camelot.
Artoria sat upon the throne, looking at the Barghest before her with a profound expression.
"So you are Sir Gawain, the one who can stand against Sir Ian."
"Y-yes, that's right!"
Barghest nodded repeatedly.
"That's me!"
"But... if it's alright, could you call me Barghest?"
"I... I prefer that name."
"Hmm..."
Artoria nodded thoughtfully.
"Then, Sir Barghest, for what reason do you wish to join the Knights of the Round Table?"
"Before I can allow you to join, I must confirm this."
"Well—"
Barghest glanced at Morgan, then at Ian, and then spoke, almost without thinking.
"I didn't know before, but now, it is for him."
"..."
Following Barghest's hand, Artoria's gaze fell upon Ian, who was standing there.
"Him?"
"Yes!"
Barghest became excited once more.
Panting heavily, she was just like a large black dog.
"How can there be such an amazing person?!"
"My King!"
"Just thinking about him, I..."
"Ahem."
Morgan covered her mouth and coughed lightly.
"What Barghest means is, she aspires to be like Sir Ian and serve the King."
"That is why she has come here to meet you, Your Majesty, hoping to offer her strength to you."
Morgan couldn't let Barghest speak freely.
If she were to blurt out a sudden proposal like she did today, everything would be ruined.
Artoria would never allow a girl so infatuated with Ian to join the Knights of the Round Table.
Moreover...
Morgan looked at Barghest, who was staring intently at Ian.
She still doesn't know about my relationship with Ian...
"Is that so?"
"She sounds like a very ambitious girl."
A hint of approval appeared in Artoria's eyes as she looked at Barghest.
"Then—"
"Sir Ian, Sir Mélusine, what are your opinions?"
"I have no objection."
Ian answered the question almost without hesitation.
As the one who had fought Barghest head-on and suppressed her, he knew her strength best.
"She is very strong."
"A different kind of strength from Mélusine's."
"I like her very much."
Hearing this, Barghest immediately shouted back.
"I like you very much too, Sir Ian!"
After saying this, Barghest even wanted to blow Ian a kiss, but after feeling her mother's death-like gaze, she instantly quieted down.
"High praise, indeed."
Artoria smiled faintly.
"Then—"
"Sir Mélusine, what is your opinion?"
"Do you think it is necessary for Sir Barghest to join the Knights of the Round Table?"
"..."
Mélusine gripped her own arm, her expression somewhat complicated.
However, she still nodded.
"Yes, I support it."
"Little one, you really are quite sensible!" Barghest's voice rang out.
"Call me that again and see if I don't kill you!"
Mélusine gripped the Arondight at her waist, her eyes incomparably fierce.
"Alright, let's end this bickering for now."
Artoria rose from her throne and walked before Barghest.
"Sir Barghest, swear your allegiance to me."
"Eh?"
Barghest glanced back at Morgan. Only after the latter gave a slight nod did she properly perform the salute.
"My King, please allow me to offer my strength to you, and to Camelot."
"Mm, please do your utmost."
With a simple exchange of glances and a few words, Artoria agreed to Barghest's induction.
It seemed that for knights other than Ian, she only employed this sort of gentleman's agreement.
However, this was enough.
A faint, unnoticeable smile appeared on Morgan's lips.
"My King, Sir Barghest is new here. Is it alright if I, along with Sir Ian, show her around Camelot to get her acquainted?"
"..."
Artoria was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well, you may go."
"Then, Sir Ian—"
Morgan very naturally extended a hand towards Ian, then cast a meaningful glance at Artoria.
"You usually patrol the city. Would you be so kind as to lead the way?"
"I understand."
And so—
Under Artoria's gaze, Morgan was escorted by Ian, arm in arm, and they left together with Barghest.
Their retreating figures, like a family of three, were like a triumphant boast.
A moment later, only Mélusine and Artoria were left in the throne room.
As someone who absolutely supported Ian and her, Mélusine immediately began to express her dissatisfaction.
"Artoria!"
"How could you just let Morgan take Ian away like that!"
"You!"
"You should have at least found some reason to make him stay!"
Mélusine grew more and more agitated as she spoke.
"Isn't this the same as admitting defeat?!"
"..."
"What's with that expression?"
"It seems like... you're not worried at all?"
"Then let me ask you, Mélusine."
Artoria looked at the petite swordswoman.
"Even if I could make Ian stay this time, could I make him stay the next time?"
"Can I always refuse my sister's requests, which all seem so reasonable?"
"..."
"Of course not." Mélusine calmed down a little. "If word of that got out, it would make everyone think you are a self-centered king, right?"
"You really are very smart, Mélusine."
Artoria smiled faintly.
"Therefore, I need a reason that is, under any circumstances, not excessive."
"Eh?"
Artoria's words made Mélusine realize that she was not just sitting back and waiting for defeat.
"Artoria, what do you mean by that..."
"If you could find such a reason, why didn't you just say it earlier?"
"Because the time is not yet right."
"I need everyone to accept this reason, and not feel any resentment towards it."
"To achieve that, more must be done."
"..."
Mélusine stroked her chin, pondering for a good while, but she still couldn't figure out what Artoria was talking about.
"What exactly do you plan to do?"
"At least tell me first, right? Otherwise, how can I help you?"
"..."
Artoria said nothing, merely untying her hair in silence.
The moment it came undone, she reverted to the appearance of a girl.
"Mélusine."
Facing the sunlight shining in from outside, Artoria raised her head.
"If a loyal knight can be a woman."
"Then why can't the ruler of a country be a woman?"
"If I can become the Queen of Britain—"
Artoria turned her head back. Her eyes were no longer just green, but had turned slightly dark.
It seemed to be a pathological obsession hidden deep within her heart, not usually revealed.
"Then wouldn't I be able to make him my husband, and mine alone?"