"Father is getting married, and the bride isn't me..."
In a tavern somewhere in Britain, Barghest was drinking alone sullenly.
"Why did it have to be like this?"
Barghest never would have dreamed that after Artoria and Ian returned a few days ago, it would be to announce that she would be holding a wedding with him.
And a whirlwind marriage at that!
Although it hadn't been completely made public yet, this kind of action, which left no time for anyone to react, was still far too unexpected.
I mean...
I just got to touch him there, and now he has to be handed over to the King?
"Sigh—"
Barghest let out a long sigh.
She felt like her life was about to become bleak.
"Drinking alone?"
"My daughter, isn't this a little lonely?"
"Eh?"
A familiar voice sounded out.
Barghest turned her head and saw her mother, Morgan.
She was still smiling so gently, as if nothing had ever happened.
It's just—
Recalling her mother's past actions, Barghest was still a little reluctant to see her.
"It's nothing."
"I'm... leaving."
"If you don't talk with me, you might just lose your father."
"Barghest—"
"Even so, do you not care?"
"..."
Barghest, who was about to leave, turned back to see Morgan with a dark expression on her face.
It was clear that she was also holding back her anger.
"Fa-father?"
"What father?"
Barghest's gaze started to shift evasively.
"Ian."
"The First Knight of the Round Table, the only knight in this city stronger than you, the one you've always admired."
Morgan stated his titles coldly.
In her eyes, there was no longer any of the previous gentleness.
In its place was an extreme and obvious displeasure.
"..."
Although she had already confirmed Ian's identity in her own way, actually hearing her mother Morgan confirm it still made Barghest's heart lurch.
"He... he's really my father?"
"Yes."
Morgan nodded.
"You are a child created from his essence as a base, combined with my efforts."
"I didn't originally want to tell you this."
"But..."
Morgan clenched her fists.
"If this continues, you will lose a father, and I will lose a husband."
"Even so, are you still going to leave?"
"..."
Barghest's heart began to waver.
The thought of her mother Morgan losing a husband didn't feel very real to her;
But the problem was, if Artoria really married Ian, then as a member of the Knights of the Round Table...
It would be incredibly awkward in all sorts of ways.
"I understand."
Barghest sat back down in her seat.
"Then..."
"Let's talk, Mother."
"That's more like it."
With Barghest's agreement, Morgan's gloomy face finally brightened up a little.
"This is my child."
"Another cup of wine—"
the Princess of Britain waved her hand and said.
Soon, another cup of wine appeared on the table.
"So, what exactly is the situation now?"
Watching her mother gently sip from her cup, Barghest couldn't help but ask:
"Mother, since you came to find me, you must have some sort of plan, right?"
"Don't be in such a hurry."
Morgan put down her cup.
"Barghest, I want to ask you a question."
"What question?"
"Do you—"
Morgan looked directly at her daughter.
"think that what is between Artoria and Ian is true love?"
"Wh-what do you mean?"
Barghest was a little flustered.
"If it isn't true love, what else could it be?"
"Th-they're about to get married. Would they get married without love?"
"According to common sense, that is indeed the case—" Morgan said softly, "But the problem is, Artoria is no ordinary person."
"Barghest, have you forgotten her most important identity?"
"Her most important identity."
Barghest stroked her chin and began to think seriously.
Soon, she had an obvious answer.
"Are you saying..."
"Her identity as King?"
"Correct." Morgan nodded.
"Artoria is a King, and as a King, she must consider one problem—"
"And that is... her heir."
"Hmm?"
Barghest vaguely sensed something.
But she didn't dare to be sure.
"Mother, are you saying that her relationship with Ian has to do with her heir?"
"That's right, my child."
Morgan confirmed Barghest's words.
"If you were Artoria, what would you want your heir to be like?"
"Is that even a question?! Of course I'd want them to be powerful enough to smoothly take over my kingdom!"
"Isn't that just a matter of cour—"
Halfway through her sentence, Barghest froze.
That vague feeling became crystal clear, no longer hazy like before.
"Are you saying..."
"The King... is only interested in Ian because she wants a strong heir?"
"Correct."
Morgan nodded, a profound look in her eyes.
"A knight who can turn into a dragon at any time, combined with Artoria herself—just how powerful would the resulting offspring be?"
"Barghest, you should understand this better than anyone."
"..."
The sturdy swordswoman looked at her own hands.
She understood Morgan's meaning.
A large part of her own strength came from Ian.
That's why she had a physical strength close to his, and that superhuman brawn.
If—
Artoria really did consider this factor...
Then Ian, as the First Knight of the Round Table, with a record of protecting Camelot many times, and also a dragon, would indeed be the best choice.
"Mother, so the King isn't marrying Ian because she likes him, but because of the needs of the royal court?"
"That's right, my child."
"This is the truth behind this wedding."
The corners of Morgan's mouth turned up slightly.
"Do you... really want to see your father fall into such an abyss from now on?"
"No, I don't!"
Barghest answered almost without hesitation.
"What should I do!"
"Mother, please tell me!"
"Don't be nervous."
"There is still time."
Morgan stroked her daughter's head.
But, in the way she looked at her, there was a hint of calculation.
"Your relationship with him is our sharpest weapon."
"The First Knight of the Round Table has an illegitimate daughter—"
"That's certainly not a small matter, is it?"