It was a day with clear skies.
The construction of Camelot's new city walls was gradually nearing its end.
However—
Mélusine's mind was completely elsewhere.
She quietly sidled up to Barghest, who was energetically carrying lumber nearby, and whispered.
"Hey, big oaf, have you heard?"
"It seems Ian has an illegitimate daughter."
This wasn't just Mélusine spouting nonsense.
Over the past few days, as Artoria's wedding date approached, all sorts of strange rumors had begun to surface in the city.
Some questioned whether Artoria's decision was right;
Some wondered if Ian had pulled some strings;
But the most outrageous rumor, and yet the one most widely believed by the public, was this—
"Ian has an illegitimate daughter in Camelot."
This was clearly not something that could be easily accepted.
After all—
This was the man chosen by the Queen of Camelot.
If he had an illegitimate daughter on the side, wouldn't that be tantamount to betraying her?
And if betrayal was involved, then the so-called wedding should be called off.
However...
What Mélusine didn't expect was that the source of this so-called rumor was standing right in front of her.
"You've heard it too?"
Barghest coughed a couple of times.
"Has it spread that far already?"
"You seem pretty happy about it—"
Mélusine frowned.
"Is this some kind of good news for you?"
"Of course not!"
Barghest waved her hands repeatedly.
"I was just surprised!"
"After all—"
"Ian seems so proper, doesn't he?"
"How is he proper at all!" Mélusine cried out.
"He's just a guy who likes to shoot—"
"Shoot...?"
Barghest looked confused.
"What's that?"
"Nothing!"
Realizing she had said a little too much, Mélusine quickly clamped her mouth shut.
Fortunately, Barghest didn't seem to have caught on.
She let out a sigh of relief and immediately changed the subject.
"That's not important."
"Hey, big oaf, do you think this rumor is true? Something feels off to me—"
"You're asking me..."
Barghest's gaze started to shift evasively.
"How would I know if it's true?"
"..."
Mélusine crossed her arms.
"But didn't you just say you thought Ian was very proper?"
"Barghest, you don't know something, do you—"
"How would I know anything!"
Barghest lied.
But in doing so, she looked rather clumsy.
"Shorty, if I knew something, do you think I wouldn't tell anyone?"
"Wait, that's right!"
"From your tone, it sounds like you think there's something wrong with the rumor, right? Does that mean you know something you're not telling me?"
"I..."
Mélusine really wanted to just say how many times she and Ian had had a tryst during this period to prove that her trust in him was justified.
But.
Touching her own rear, Mélusine found herself unable to say a word.
She couldn't exactly tell Barghest something like, "He's only been sleeping with me recently, so a rumor like that is impossible," could she?
Wait...
We haven't actually used a bed.
It's always been in some strange alley corner.
Mélusine had her reservations, and of course, so did Barghest.
She couldn't just tell this shorty.
"That's right, he does have an illegitimate daughter, and she's standing right in front of you, just dying for you to find out—"
That would definitely not work!
Each with their own secrets, Barghest and Mélusine met each other's eyes for a moment, then quickly looked away.
"..."
"..."
"Um, I think my words were a bit harsh."
Barghest, feeling guilty, spoke first.
"I'm sorry."
"It's nothing."
Mélusine quickly agreed.
"I said some things I shouldn't have, too."
"But I still think we should investigate this rumor."
"The King has already set her heart on marrying Ian."
"If this keeps spreading, it will have a very bad influence."
"We—"
"Do you think the King's wedding is really the right thing?"
Before Mélusine could finish, she heard Barghest ask this.
The petite swordswoman was stunned.
"What do you mean, Barghest?"
"..."
"I can't explain it to you."
"I don't know how to explain it to you."
Barghest hoisted up the log she had put down not long ago.
"Anyway, if you want to investigate, you can do it yourself."
"I—"
"am not getting involved, no matter what."
"See you later, I'm going back to work."
Before Mélusine could say anything in response, Barghest left her side, looking dejected.
"What does she mean?"
"The King's wedding... is wrong?"
The moment she realized this, Mélusine felt an undeniable flicker of joy in her heart.
But she quickly shook her head.
Mélusine!
Don't go too far!
Having a tryst with Ian so many times is already a huge betrayal of the oath I swore to protect Artoria.
To now hope that the two of them can't get married is just too ridiculous!
I absolutely have to draw the line somewhere, Mélusine!
After taking several deep breaths, the petite swordswoman finally managed to calm herself.
It was fine.
If Barghest wasn't willing to help, she would just investigate it herself.
Anyway, to find out if it was true, she just had to ask the person himself, right?
It's not like he wouldn't know whether or not he had an illegitimate daughter!
Yes, that was the way.
Just ask him and clear things up!
Whether or not Artoria's wedding should be supported, she would know after asking!
Glancing at the position of the sun in the sky, Mélusine shielded her eyes slightly.
At this time of day...
Ian should be in the castle.
The new city walls of Camelot were mostly complete, so he wasn't needed for the rest of the work.
During his free time, he should be in the library.
Mhm—
He's actually been working hard to become a better knight.
Knowing her destination, Mélusine set off without hesitation.
With her status as a Knight of the Round Table, she made her way to the library unimpeded.
However—
Just as she rounded a corner, she saw Morgan enter the library where Ian was most likely to be, one step ahead of her.
It was all so coincidental, yet it felt like a deliberately arranged script.
Mélusine felt a sense of unease.
She felt as if she was about to touch upon an unfathomable secret.
She carefully crept to the side of the door.
Through the crack in the slightly ajar door, Mélusine peeked inside.
By perfect chance, her eyes fell upon Morgan, who was sitting on Ian's lap, pulling down her own clothes with a seductive look on her face.
Clear words rang out at that moment.
"Oh Ian, my knight."
"If we secretly have another child right here..."
"Barghest would get angry, wouldn't she?"