"Shichen, Saber, you're back!"
The moment they appeared, Irisviel's shoulders visibly relaxed. Seeing them safe was enough to make her breathe easier.
"Iri, we're back…" Saber said softly.
"Hm?"
After spending so much time with her, Irisviel could tell right away that something was off. She glanced at Shichen questioningly.
He gave her a reassuring smile. "Iri, have you been waiting here this whole time?"
It was already past midnight—well past when she'd normally be asleep.
"Yeah… I was a little worried about you two," Irisviel admitted.
"It was just a banquet. Nothing dangerous. They may be enemies, but they're still famous historical figures."
"But Masters aren't the same as Servants…"
Unlike Servants, Masters might resort to anything to win.
"What, have you forgotten what I can do? You don't trust me that much?" Shichen gave her a mock glare.
"I… I know you're strong—stronger than anyone—but I can't help worrying."
"Is that so? Fair enough." Shichen smiled. In his mind, trust and worry didn't contradict each other.
"Iri, I'm going to rest," Saber said, heading toward her room.
"Wait—aren't you going to take a bath first?"
"No need. We didn't even fight."
"That's not the point—girls should bathe every day."
"Girls…"
"Yeah. You may be a king, Saber, but you're still a girl. A cute one at that."
Saber pressed her lips together and, for some reason, glanced at Shichen.
"She's right. You are a girl—and you're very cute," Shichen said with a nod.
"...Then I'll take a bath first."
"Good!" Irisviel beamed.
Once Saber disappeared into the bathroom, Shichen looked at her with a smirk. "What are you so happy about?"
"Saber admitted she's a girl."
"She's always known that. She doesn't need you pointing it out." Shichen sat down on the sofa, picked up an apple, and took a bite. It was crisp and full of juice—he had no idea where it came from.
"That's not enough. She might know she's female, but she doesn't act like it."
"Act like it?" Shichen raised an eyebrow, chewing his apple and giving her a look.
"Not like that!" she said quickly, catching the expression on his face.
"Oh? Then what am I thinking?"
"You're impossible!" She gave him a playful punch.
"You dare hit me?"
Before she could pull her hand back, he set down the apple and caught her wrist.
"That's payback for teasing me."
"That counts as teasing?"
"Of course it does."
"Then what about this?" Shichen pulled her into his lap so she toppled forward against him.
"Ah—" Irisviel stumbled into his chest, startled.
They were already close, had even bathed together before, but this kind of proximity still caught her off guard. His scent, his warmth—it made her dizzy.
He wrapped an arm around her. "Does this count as teasing?"
"I… I don't know…" she murmured.
"Really?" He tilted her chin up until their eyes met. Up close, she was flawless—skin like porcelain, features almost too perfect.
"I…" Her cheeks went bright red.
He leaned in until their noses brushed. "May I?"
"M-May you what?" she said, pretending not to understand.
Her breath mingled with his, sweet and intoxicating.
"You tell me."
"I…"
"You're the mother of my daughter. That's reason enough, isn't it?"
She froze. She had long accepted that he was Ilya's father, and by extension, they were her parents. That also meant accepting they were, in effect, husband and wife. But hearing him put it that way… didn't sit right.
"Is that the only reason? Because I'm Ilya's mom?"
"Aren't you?"
"I am. But I don't want that to be my only identity."
"Then what identity do you want?"
"I don't know," she admitted softly, brushing her nose against his.
"Then how about as the woman I love?"
Her eyes widened. "What… did you just say?"
"I said I love you."
"R-Really?"
"Really."
A smile lit up her face. "Then… do you like me?"
"Of course I do!" she said without hesitation. Not because he was Ilya's father, but because ever since he'd brought her here—
She'd never left the Einzbern estate, never seen the world. He'd given her freedom, new experiences, and so much more. She liked him from the bottom of her heart.
"Really?" he teased.
"Mm! I like you, Sh—" She didn't finish, because his lips were already on hers.
They smiled into the kiss before closing their eyes, her arms sliding around his back. The kiss was clumsy and eager, tasting faintly of apple. He didn't hold back, deepening it until their tongues tangled, the living room filled with the soft sounds of their breathing and kisses.
They didn't know how long had passed when—
"Iri, Shichen, I'm done—" Saber's voice cut in, then stopped dead.
She froze at the sight of them locked in a passionate kiss, Irisviel's expression dazed and blissful. Could it really feel that good?
Shichen heard her voice and broke the kiss, giving Irisviel a chance to breathe. He glanced at Saber—fresh from the bath, hair down, cheeks pink from the steam, looking softer than he'd ever seen her.
Irisviel's face was crimson as she looked at Saber. "Saber…"
Being caught in the act—especially the first time—was beyond embarrassing.
"I'll, uh… go to my room. You two… rest well." Saber beat a hasty retreat.
"S-Saber saw us?" Irisviel muttered, mortified.
"So what? It's not like she doesn't know about us."
"She does—but still!"
"It was bound to happen. She probably saw it coming."
"But… don't you like Saber?"
"Right now, I only want you."
"Shichen…" He kissed her again, and she kissed him back without hesitation.
They didn't go to bed until late—
And they weren't the only ones who stayed awake for a long time that night.