The black dragon soared over the land.
The moonlight shone down, yet for a moment, it could not tinge his scales with even a hint of white.
"Let's stop there—"
"Right at the place where my sister brought us last time."
Sitting upon the dragon's back, Artoria stroked his incomparably sturdy skin, speaking softly with a gentleness that only he was worthy of enjoying.
"Roar—"
The great dragon let out a roar, and a fierce wind rose once more.
When all had settled, the dragon and the woman had landed by the lakeside.
A white light flashed.
The First Knight of the Round Table returned to his human form.
Of course.
Looking at the familiar body before her, and at the object of the dragon's pride pointing straight at her, a hint of amorous feeling entered Artoria's eyes.
"Honestly..."
"It's been so long..."
"How are you still like this..."
Artoria spoke as she took off her cape, intending to cover him with it.
However, the moment her hand reached out, it was pushed away.
Before Artoria could even be surprised, she was pushed into the lake with a splash.
Her body sank into the water, but quickly floated back up.
Her beautiful golden hair spread across the surface, like a blooming flower.
"What are you doing?"
Artoria looked at him on top of her, her face slightly flushed.
"We haven't even finished talking, and you're already so excited."
"You smell so good—"
"Artoria, you smell so good—"
Ian's entire body was radiating heat, as if he were completely overloaded.
"..."
Hearing the words she hadn't heard in so long, yet which were so incredibly familiar, Artoria was stunned at first, then smiled in relief.
"It seems—"
"I have truly become more and more to your liking."
"My path has never been wrong."
The King's clothes scattered across the lake's surface.
Artoria stretched her hands out towards him, her expression filled with anticipation.
"Come."
"Do what you love to do most."
"I, your King, permit you to be so rough and impolite."
"And I permit you to be willful."
"Hrrngh..."
A deep sound rumbled in Ian's throat.
It was a sound unlike any he had made before, like that of a beast.
If a normal person were to hear it, they would probably be so terrified their legs would tremble, desperate to flee.
But Artoria's reaction was the complete opposite.
She was delighted.
As Ian's earliest "feeder," Artoria knew that he only behaved this way when he was at his most excited.
And that was indeed the case.
With the restriction on her growth lifted, Artoria's figure had developed unstoppably, blossoming to a fullness befitting a king.
The food that had once required searching and exploration had now become a mature, magnificent presence that was impossible for the naked eye to ignore.
And the gaze Ian sent her way was filled with appetite.
Artoria felt a prickly impulse stir in her own heart.
"Don't hesitate."
"Tonight—"
"Is my reward."
Artoria's hands wrapped around his neck.
Although she had no intention of seducing him, her tone involuntarily took on a somewhat shameless quality.
Perhaps it was because she had hidden her true self too deeply, for too long, to the point that Artoria herself had become someone different on the inside and out.
"..."
The dragon did not answer Artoria.
But his actions were a better answer than any words.
He grabbed the food she had rewarded him with.
But unlike before, this dragon did not bite it with sharp teeth. Instead, he tried, as he had in the past, to grasp it completely in the palm of his hand.
"..."
Artoria's pupils gradually widened.
If—
Before, she had been passively consumed by Ian.
Then this time, she wanted to completely unleash the emotions she had suppressed for so long.
"Honestly, you're becoming more and more mischievous."
"Since you like it this way, you mustn't waste a single drop."
Sshhh—
Sshhh—
On the surface of the lake, two small fountains appeared.
A white radiance shone upon their surface, making it difficult to tell for a moment whether that was their original color, or if they had been painted so by the moonlight.
But...
None of that affected the dragon's absorption.
"So fragrant..."
"Artoria, so fragrant..."
Hot steam faintly escaped Ian's lips. It was clear he was extremely satisfied with the quality of the food in his mouth.
"The taste is very good."
"Are you evaluating me while treating me as food?"
Artoria pursed her lips, pretending to be angry.
But that expression did not last long.
Because Ian quickly shook his head.
"No."
"Artoria is not food."
"Artoria is a girl."
"A girl I like very much—"
"Mother was wrong. Not all girls lie."
"Artoria is not scary at all."
Even though she had blossomed into an incredibly mature king, hearing these words, Artoria still felt the purest flutter in her heart.
"Saying things like that will make my heart race."
Artoria stroked Ian's neck, slowly guiding him down towards her lips.
"Then, I want to have a taste as well."
"To see just what flavor of me you like so much."
Unexpectedly, or perhaps it was premeditated.
Artoria's lips pressed against Ian's.
The food that the dragon had not been able to finish now had the King of Camelot to enjoy it with.
But—
Was she enjoying it, or him?
That was impossible to know.
But Ian knew that he liked this feeling very much.
After a long while—
When her mouth was filled with the fragrance, Artoria finally released his lips.
She looked a little smug.
Because just from that single process, Artoria could feel the scalding love he expressed from another direction.
She was his sustenance.
But at the same time—
Was he not also her knight?
"So that's the taste."
Artoria licked her lips, a blissful smile on her face.
"It's delicious."
"In the future—"
"I'll have to taste it with you more often."
"But before that..."
Artoria let out a soft, hot breath.
The pleasant time was over. Now, it was time for serious business.
"Ian, can you promise me one thing?"
"Okay."
"..."
"Aren't you going to ask what it is?"
"A request from Artoria is definitely a good thing."
"Is that so?"
Artoria became even happier.
"In that case—"
Her hand caressed his cheek.
"Let's..."
"Get married in a few days."