"Artoria, you—"
Rei was completely caught off guard by Artoria's sudden declaration.
He and Morgan had indeed planned to covertly control the entire knights' order from the shadows.
But that didn't mean Rei had ever intended to personally join the order—this was not part of the original plan.
"Sir Rei, please don't be so surprised."
Artoria rose to her feet.
The petite girl held the parchment filled with names and stepped closer to Rei.
"To be honest, aside from Gawain and my brother, I don't actually know the other knights on this list."
"But—"
Artoria gazed directly at Rei.
"There is one thing I do know for certain—your strength, Sir Rei, is far above my brother's."
"If he can be a member of the knights' order, then you, who surpass him, should rightfully have the same position."
"…"
Rei had never anticipated that, in trying to obscure the fact that all his children were joining the order, he had inadvertently led Artoria to this conclusion—one centered entirely on strength.
Fuck it.
If only Kay had been stronger, this wouldn't have even crossed her mind.
But then again, he was the one who trained his children.
And if he discarded the title of "King Lot" and looked purely at combat experience, he alone had seen more battles than all his children combined—several times over.
If Kay were truly that strong, he would have already marched off alone to challenge Vortigern.
But none of this changed the fact that Artoria's request was not part of the plan.
Rei hesitated.
Seeing the man in front of her remain silent, Artoria took another step forward.
Then, without warning, she buried her face against his chest.
"I know this might be unfair to you, Sir Rei, but forming the knights' order is something incredibly important to me."
"So even if you're reluctant… I must insist on this."
"Please, Sir Rei… help me."
[You realize that Artoria will not take no for an answer.]
[You don't know what will happen if you refuse, but your instincts tell you it won't be good.]
[After much hesitation, you decide to go along with her—for now.]
"I understand, Artoria."
"If you truly insist on adding my name to that parchment… then so be it."
"Really?!"
Artoria lifted her head, her emerald eyes shimmering with emotion.
"I knew Sir Rei would never refuse me!"
Rei wasn't sure why Artoria had tears in her eyes.
But the more he looked at her like this, the stronger his urge grew—to kill that damned magician, Merlin.
How could a young girl, in the prime of her youth, be burdened with something like this?
[You comfort Artoria with a warm embrace.]
[Once she calms down, she fully accepts the list of knights you prepared.]
[She promises that every name on the list will receive the rank they deserve—though, of course, the knights' order will continue to expand.]
[You leave Artoria's chambers.]
[Upon returning, you relay the news to Morgan.]
"You said what?"
Standing by the window, Morgan turned sharply, her gaze locking onto Rei.
"That woman wants you to join the knights' order as well?!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"No!"
Morgan refused immediately, without a moment's hesitation.
"Gawain and the others have already joined—why should you have to as well?!"
Rei wasn't surprised by Morgan's reaction in the slightest.
In fact, if she hadn't reacted this way, that would have felt far more unsettling.
"Your Highness, I agree that her request is unreasonable."
"But if I refuse now, it might stall our entire plan at this crucial step."
"However—"
"If you truly don't want this, I'll go refuse her right now."
"…"
Morgan fell silent.
Rei could tell she was weighing his words carefully.
For a long moment, the proud princess said nothing.
Then, softly, she spoke.
"Rei… do you still love me?"
Rei met her gaze without hesitation.
"I have always loved you, Your Highness."
"Then—"
Morgan's expression was that of someone making a painful, yet unavoidable, decision.
"Then we'll do as you say."
"But you'd best remember that you said you love me."
"Of course, Your Highness."
"My love for you will never change."
[In the end, Morgan agreed to everything.]
[You knew it was her obsession with the throne driving her decision.]
[At this point, there was no way she would turn back.]
[A part of you had hoped she would reject your inclusion in the knights' order, but things didn't turn out that way.]
[Still, this wasn't a bad outcome—at the very least, it meant you could continue fulfilling your promise to help Morgan claim the throne, no matter the cost.]
[Time gradually eased your inner turmoil.]
[Today was the day of Artoria's formal coronation as King.]
[And early that morning, Morgan had you attend to her every desire, only stopping once she was truly satisfied.]
"Your Highness."
As Rei helped Morgan into her robes, he spoke carefully.
"I know I shouldn't question your choices, but… the coronation ceremony is about to begin."
"Wouldn't this be… a bit inappropriate?"
"It's precisely because it's the coronation that I wanted to do this."
Morgan, now fully dressed, stood before the mirror and began brushing her hair.
"Not openly opposing her is already the limit of my patience."
"Why shouldn't I indulge myself before attending her ceremony?"
"…"
Rei could tell Morgan was in a foul mood, so he said nothing more.
Instead, he embraced her from behind and murmured softly.
"Your Highness, just be patient a little longer. You will sit on that throne one day."
"Rei, this is unbearable for me."
"I know, Your Highness."
As they lingered in each other's warmth before the mirror, a sudden knock at the door interrupted them.
"Who is it?"
Rei called out, irritated by the intrusion.
"I-It's me…"
A timid voice answered—it was one of the young maids from the royal court.
"King Lot, the King of Knights wishes to speak with you."
"…"
Rei turned to look at Morgan's reflection in the mirror, her figure as captivating as ever, his gaze filled with hesitation.
"…Your Highness."
"Go." Morgan's tone was surprisingly calm.
"But, Rei—keep your lance in check."
"As you command, Your Highness."
[You temporarily parted ways with Morgan.]
[Under the young maid's guidance, you arrived at Artoria's chamber doors.]
[Something about the situation felt… off.]
"Lord Rei, I'll take my leave now."
"Mm. Go ahead."
Rei watched as the maid walked away, hesitated for a moment, then finally knocked on the door.
He had no idea what awaited him on the other side.
But he knew he had to step forward.
"Who is it?"
Artoria's voice was cold—distant, as it always was when addressing outsiders.
"It's me."
The moment she heard Rei's voice, her entire demeanor changed.
"Please wait a moment!"
Several minutes passed before the door finally cracked open just a little.
Even with just a small gap, Rei could already see her—Artoria, dressed in a white gown.
After confirming there was no one else around, she smiled brightly and said,
"Sir Rei, please come in!"
[Artoria pulled you inside her room.]
[And the moment you saw the interior, you were once again genuinely surprised.]
[Something about this was… off.]
"Artoria, why has your room changed again?"
Just as Rei had observed, the room had undergone yet another complete transformation since his last visit.
If before it was a clumsy imitation of Morgan's quarters, this time, it had taken on its own distinct style—one that bore a striking resemblance to King Uther's chambers.
"Because you said the last one looked strange, so I changed it."
Standing before him, Artoria's face was flushed with embarrassment.
"Sir Rei… does this one still make you uncomfortable?"
"…It's not bad." Rei answered honestly.
"At the very least, I think this suits you better."
"Really?!"
Artoria's eyes lit up with joy.
"That's great!"
But then, as if suddenly remembering something, she looked down and gently took Rei's hand.
"Sir Rei, you know what day it is today, don't you?"
"…"
Hearing that, Rei felt his stomach drop slightly.
Still, he kept a carefully practiced, polite smile on his face.
"It's the day you officially take up the sword."
"Congratulations, Artoria."
"Mm…"
Blushing even more, Artoria hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"But, Sir Rei… I'm actually feeling a little nervous."
"So—"
"Could I ask you for a favor?"
"Artoria, you do realize there are certain things I shouldn't be doing, right?"
"I know!"
She quickly shook her head, eager to reassure him.
"That's why this won't cause you any trouble at all!"
Rei raised an eyebrow, now curious.
"Then what is it?"
"Sir Rei, the way you had me taste wine last time… it was really interesting."
"So…"
Face growing even redder, Artoria reached out and pulled away the white cloth covering the table beside her.
Underneath were several bottles of fine wine, sealed with wooden corks.
She slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, shyly holding the hem of her gown between her fingers.
"Sir Rei, I want to complete this ceremony with Camelot's finest wine—mixed by you."
"…"
And so, Rei was forced into the role of bartender—one he had no way of refusing.
Luckily, thanks to Morgan, Rei had learned a fair amount about this subject. The wine that Artoria had provided was also of the finest quality.
Various wines blended together in the perfect vessel, the crystal-clear liquid swirling into small eddies, releasing a rich and enticing aroma.
Rei finally understood why master vintners were so particular about their choice of drinking vessels.
A container that could allow the wine to fully merge like this was not something easily found.
However—
The vessel seemed to be reaching its limit. If Artoria moved too much, some might spill over.
But Rei had a solution.
Under Artoria's silent approval and expectant gaze, he picked up the cork, now thoroughly cleansed by the wine.
"Artoria, if it feels uncomfortable, just let me know."
"Mm…"
The girl's legs trembled slightly.
The cork slowly settled into place, sealing the flow of the garden's spring—ensuring no delicate streams would escape.
"Still alright?"
Rei gently helped her sit up.
"Maybe we should stop after all?"
"No." Artoria leaned against Rei's side.
"This… is perfect."
"Thank you, Sir Rei."
"I don't feel nervous at all anymore."
[Your meeting with Artoria ended in the lingering scent of wine and the warmth of her gratitude.]
[Some time later, the coronation ceremony finally began.]
[You and Morgan stood within the crowd, blending in rather inconspicuously.]
[After all, today, you were merely supporting actors.]
"..."
As she looked upon Artoria seated upon the throne, Morgan's expression was on the verge of completely unraveling.
If Rei hadn't let her vent her frustration by gripping his arm tightly, the situation might not have remained this calm.
"That woman…"
Morgan's voice trembled with rage.
"She dares to sit upon that throne?!"
"It's alright, my lady. That throne is not the one we desire." Rei gently soothed her.
"You once told me—you would have a throne far more perfect, beyond comparison."
"But looking at her like this—"
Morgan's face twisted, a grimace of resentment.
"Rei, I refuse to accept this! Why can't it be me?!"
"..."
Rei fully understood her feelings at this moment.
She had never been able to accept this so-called destined fate.
Artoria was now her undeniable enemy.
A deep conflict stirred within Rei's mind.
"My lady, do you find this unfair?"
"Of course!"
"I see."
Rei placed his hand over the rise and fall of Morgan's breath, which was filled with unyielding determination—her body itself protesting against this injustice.
Yet his gaze never wavered from Artoria upon the throne.
He knew that in this moment, the cold and unfeeling King of Knights was desecrating this coronation, just as the forsaken princess beside him was.
The difference was that Artoria reveled in her moment of happiness—while Morgan writhed in her suffering.
It was, indeed, unfair.
As a knight willing to embrace absolute depravity, Rei knew exactly where his loyalty belonged.
"My lady, even now, am I still your most valuable piece?"
"..."
Morgan did not understand why Rei would say such a thing at a time like this.
But those were the very words she had so often spoken. There was no way she would deny them herself.
"Yes, Rei. You are my most exceptional piece."
"That puts my mind at ease."
Rei stood up.
If he was just a piece on the board, then being discarded was only natural, wasn't it?
If he was just a piece, then committing despicable acts should not trouble his conscience, should it?
If he was just a piece, then using any means necessary to achieve their goal was entirely justified, wasn't it?
Then—
A pawn for a queen.
Rei fixed his gaze upon the girl seated on the throne.
If he could twist her sincere emotions into something far darker—if he could corrupt her completely—
Then there was nothing wrong with beginning that process.
Let's start by humiliating her on the throne where no one is around.