Arthur did not answer Matou Kariya's question. Instead, he leaned lazily against the sofa, his cold gaze alone making Kariya tremble as he quickly revealed his identity and insisted on his harmless intentions.
After hearing everything, Arthur groaned and made no effort to speak further.
Matou Kariya could only stand by, silently anxious.
What troubled him most was Sakura's reaction during his explanation. Not only had she failed to hide behind him like he'd hoped, but she had actually trotted to the side of the blond boy and looked at Kariya with nervous, even slightly hostile eyes.
He came to rescue her—yet the one he came to save now seemed wary of him.
It made Matou Kariya smile bitterly.
"...Yes. So you should understand just how terrifying the Matou family's magecraft is," Kariya said, straining to keep his voice even. "That kind of thing... shouldn't exist. Please, let Sakura return to her mother."
Originally, he had only planned to confront Matou Zouken.
But Arthur's strength and presence had completely surpassed his expectations. At this point, Kariya had no idea how to handle the situation. The only thing he could do was explain himself as clearly as possible—and silently pray the other party would show mercy.
"Hmph. You talk about your family as if you don't share their blood." Arthur smiled faintly. "But I suppose that's understandable. Even a magus would avoid dealing with bugs if they had the choice."
As he spoke, Arthur glanced at Sakura, slightly surprised by the look she gave him—and then smiled, visibly pleased.
Hmm, looks like I still have a bit of charm, even in times of crisis.
Of course, Arthur knew exactly why Sakura trusted him.
"Is it hard to understand?" he said calmly. "It's clear which one of us is stronger. When this child was in danger, I was the one who stepped in and protected her. And now, as a member of the Matou family, you show up and expect her to trust you? Naturally, she's wary."
"I didn't—"
Matou Kariya started to protest, but the words caught in his throat.
"Oh? So you realized it yourself." Arthur's golden eyes gleamed with amusement. "There's no need for me to spell it out. Don't be ashamed. That's just human nature."
Those eyes—brilliant and penetrating—seemed to see straight through to the weakest parts of a man's soul.
Kariya opened his mouth again but couldn't speak. Unbidden, memories surfaced.
It was that afternoon, at the fountain plaza in Fuyuki City's Shinto district. Matou Kariya had returned to town for the first time in years. And then—he saw her.
The woman he had dreamed about for so long.
Even now, a mother of two, she had lost none of her charm.
Long time no see.
He had greeted her in an awkward, unfamiliar way.
Their relationship had faded to near-nothing over the years. They were practically strangers now. She had a husband. Children. Distance was natural. Expected.
But for Matou Kariya, just seeing her again had been enough.
Then he heard the news: one of Tōsaka Aoi's daughters—Tōsaka Sakura—had been adopted by the Matou family.
He knew exactly what that meant.
He also remembered the distant, polite smile Aoi had given him when she said it.
That moment had paralyzed him. His body wouldn't move. His chest tightened as if a massive hand was crushing his heart.
Guilt and fury surged within him.
As someone with Matou blood, he felt guilt toward Aoi.
And as someone who loved her—rage toward Tōsaka Tokiomi and Matou Zouken, the magi who had ruined her happiness.
It was because he had once believed Tokiomi could bring Aoi joy that he had stepped aside and left Fuyuki behind. That her smile had been real.
But now... she wasn't happy.
That ideal family had been shattered by magi and their cruel logic.
And so he returned. To this dark, Western-style mansion. To the Matou estate.
Now, under Arthur's piercing gaze, the entire journey replayed in Kariya's mind.
His guilt. His fury. His desire to save Sakura.
But also—what he had tried to ignore.
That twisted, secret joy that had bubbled up when he first learned the truth.
A chance to fix the past. To be her protector. To rescue Sakura, return her to Aoi, and be the man who did what Tokiomi could not.
Yes. In that moment, a vision had flashed through his mind.
Him, standing tall. Telling Aoi the truth. Sharing his efforts, his pain, his resolve.
And Aoi—moved to tears. Or maybe smiling warmly.
But now...
Someone else had seen it.
Someone had exposed that ugly, selfish desire in him.
Matou Kariya realized how despicable those thoughts had been.
Wasn't that the same as wishing misfortune on Aoi—just to satisfy his own need to be the hero?
He lowered his head and collapsed to his knees, as though all strength had left him. His chest burned with guilt deeper than anything he had felt before.
Shame was written all over his face.
"Huh? Didn't I tell you?" Arthur said, voice uncharacteristically soft. "There's no need to be ashamed. We humans are born this way. It's not your fault."
His tone held both comfort—and a deliberate shift in subject.
Perhaps, for Arthur, this was nothing more than entertainment.
Or maybe... it was to stop Kariya from doing something drastic.
"In any case," Arthur continued, "everyone has the right to pursue happiness. If you think Tōsaka Tokiomi's path was wrong, then follow your own. In the end, the results will speak for themselves. Of course, you won't get far with your current abilities. When you returned just now, you shouted and argued—but you didn't directly challenge Zouken."
He was right. Kariya hadn't.
He couldn't.
Because deep down, Kariya knew he was powerless.
"You... wait, you have a solution?"
"Well, I just so happen to need someone to handle mundane affairs." Arthur grinned. "If 'servant' sounds unpleasant, then let's call it 'butler.' Serve me, and I will grant you the means to realize your so-called dream. Whether it works in the end—whether you win that woman's heart—is up to you."
"I... I am willing to serve you, my lord."
"Very good. From now on, you will address me as Your Majesty. Yes, Your Majesty the King. That's me."
And just like that—without even learning Arthur's name—Matou Kariya became his loyal servant.
Hmm. Conquering someone without relying on charm?
That was a new experience.
Happy~ happy.
-End Chapter-
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