It was late afternoon when Percival strode through the marble hallway, his heavy footsteps echoing down the corridor. The sunlight streamed through tall stained glass windows, casting fragmented colors across his stern face. But then, footsteps approached from the other end.
Jessica walked confidently beside Lancelot, her sharp eyes meeting Percival's. They stopped directly in front of him.
Percival's brow furrowed as he looked Jessica over. "And who might you be? Another street rat clinging to my son?"
Lancelot's jaw tightened. "Hey, what are you saying to your daughter?"
Percival snorted dismissively. "What are you talking about? I have no daughter. You are my only child."
Jessica stepped forward. "Father, do you remember Annabelle? She was my mother."
Percival's expression dropped. He staggered back a step, his face paling. "Annabelle… never told me she had a child. She ran off, ran away from our relationship. Typical of a peasant."
Jessica's eyes narrowed in fury. "Don't talk about my mother that way. She's dead."
A muscle twitched in her brow. Percival froze.
That twitch, Annabelle used to do that when she was angry.
He stared. Pale. Speechless.
"You… definitely have Annabelle's fire," he muttered. "But how do I know you're truly my daughter?"
Lancelot crossed his arms. "Grandfather said Annabelle told him she was pregnant with your child. He even helped deliver the baby, Jessica."
Percival's eyes burned with confusion and disbelief. "Then why… why would that old bastard hide this from me?"
"Because Annabelle asked him to," Lancelot replied. "She knew how much you hated the lower class. Even though you said you cared about her."
Percival turned away, eyes clouded with regret. So… I drove her away. All of it… it's my fault.
Without another word, he walked past them, lost in thought.
Jessica reached out. "Fathe..."
Lancelot gently stopped her. "It's best to give him space. He needs time to process."
Jessica sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
Meanwhile, in the garden…
Jack stood beside Joshua while Blanchette lounged gracefully in a garden chair, the late sun casting a soft amber glow around her.
"I'm really sorry about last time, Princess," Jack said sincerely, bowing his head.
Blanchette smiled kindly. "It's okay, Jack. I know you had your reasons."
Joshua clapped Jack on the back, grinning. "Told you. Water under the bridge."
Jack straightened up, smiling with relief.
"So, you're officially staying as a knight?" Blanchette asked, sipping tea. "And your sister's going to be a maid here?"
Jack nodded. "Yup. What about Jessica?"
"She's Percival's daughter," Blanchette replied, folding one leg over the other. "She doesn't need to prove anything to the nobles anymore."
"Oh yeah, forgot about that," Jack chuckled. "Well, see ya, Princess, Joshua." He turned and disappeared inside.
Blanchette watched him go. "He's really a cool guy when he's not trying to kill people."
Joshua laughed and sat beside her. "Yeah, definitely a character."
They nibbled on delicate biscuits, sipping tea from porcelain cups.
"So," Joshua asked, "tomorrow is the rehearsal dinner. Who's going?"
Blanchette smiled. "It's wild that they're getting married. But they really do belong together. Me, you, Jessica, Jack, Julia… obviously the couple too."
Joshua leaned back. "What about the King, Queen, and Captain Percival?"
"My parents usually don't attend rehearsals," she said. "But they'll be at the wedding. As for Percival, he does what he wants."
"Makes sense." Joshua drained his tea and set the cup down as the sun dipped beneath the horizon.
"I'm heading in. Big day tomorrow." He leaned over and kissed her softly.
Blanchette smiled. "Okay. I like watching the sunset. I'll come in soon. Sleep well, Joshua."
As he walked away, she sighed softly. When is Joshua going to propose to me, though…? She pouted while gazing at the fiery sky.
Inside the mansion…
Joshua rounded a hallway corner and nearly bumped into Julia. She immediately recoiled, eyes wide with fear.
He instinctively raised his arm, placing it against the wall to block her path. Her face paled.
"Wait..." Joshua noticed the terror in her eyes and quickly stepped back.
"Sorry," he said, bowing low. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Julia's tense shoulders softened slightly, though her eyes remained wary.
Joshua stood, meeting her gaze. "I just wanted to say I'm really sorry about what happened the other day. I swear, it won't happen again."
"It's… okay… Joshua," Julia whispered, voice trembling.
Joshua grinned. "Aww, that's really cute, the way you talk."
He walked past her with a bright smile, leaving Julia stunned.
He liked the way I speak? Everyone else always said there was something wrong with me… Her face lit up with a warm blush.
Joshua entered his room and saw Jack lounging on Lancelot's bed.
"HUH? What are you doing here?!" Joshua shouted.
Jack shrugged. "Bro, it's late. They said this is my bed, so I'm sleeping in it."
Joshua rubbed his temple and got into his own bed. "Then where's Lancelot sleeping?"
Jack grinned. "He said he's in the 'Royal Suite' with his fiancée. But he looked like he was headed into battle."
Joshua snorted. "Damn… I can't even imagine sharing a bed with Blanchette."
In the Royal Suite…
Lancelot lay stiff as a board on the very edge of the massive bed, turned away from Merlin. His bare back glistened with nervous sweat, while Merlin rested calmly on her back.
Why didn't I wear a shirt? he thought in panic. Old habit… But now I can't let bare skin touch her. I'm not ready!
"Lancelot," Merlin's voice was gentle, teasing, "why don't you lay a bit closer? You're about to fall off."
"O-Okay… Merlin…" he mumbled, shifting awkwardly without turning around. An empty space remained between them.
And why is she wearing nothing but a nearly see-through lace dress?!
Merlin bit her lip, then shifted closer and wrapped her arms gently around his waist, cuddling up behind him.
Oh god… why do you give your strongest soldiers the hardest battles? Lancelot thought, blushing so hard it felt like his face would melt.
But despite his flustered mind, a small smile touched his lips. For the first time, he was sharing a bed not with a fellow knight, not in a cold barracks… but with the woman he loved.