"Tch, that damn woman doesn't really think nothing will happen to the Land of Shadows if she leaves for a day or two, does she?!"
In the Land of Shadows, Aife stood proudly on a mountain peak, holding her long spear as the strong wind blew. Her hair danced wildly in the breeze, and she clicked her tongue in annoyance.
It's that guy's territory, why do I have to help drive out the demonic beasts?
No matter what, she was the Queen of Alba, yet here she was acting as an enforcer for the queen of another nation.
Last time, she had been gone for half a month. If not for her, the demonic beasts would have already invaded the Land of Shadows.
Is she really abandoning her country for her disciple? That idiot!
Or did she already know Aife would come to help?
Aife shook her head, dismissing the thought.
How could that be? That woman would never pay attention to what's going on around her. Her eyes are only on her own martial arts!
Aife untied the hair tie from her head, looking at the demonic beasts circling above the castle. Her face was filled with murderous intent.
"For Uathach's sake, I'll help you one more time, but don't expect me to help you again, Sister!"
She raised her long spear and forcefully hurled it toward a giant dragon circling in the distance.
---
In the ballroom.
"Why are you so timid?"
Scathach held Asher's hand, leading him in a dance across the magnificent hall. Her perfect figure, already striking, became even more captivating in the ballroom gown. Her red eyes remained as calm as still water throughout.
"Such timid movements, full of insecurity. This is the greatest taboo for a warrior," Scathach frowned slightly, watching Asher's restrained steps.
"If my movements are too big, I might step on your foot," Asher said helplessly. It wasn't cowardice; he was genuinely afraid of accidentally stepping on Scathach's foot. When he had danced with Morgan and Guenevere earlier, he didn't know how many times he stepped on them and only later coordinated better with Guenevere.
"It's alright, this is also a form of training. You can relax more; otherwise, there's no meaning in me teaching you," Scathach said.
"How could dancing with Shishou be meaningless?" Asher muttered softly.
Scathach paused, feigning not hearing him. "Continue."
"Yes," Asher said, then put one arm around Scathach's waist, the other holding her hand.
This was the first time Asher had made such an intimate gesture. Previously, his movements were restrained, his arm almost suspended. Now, fully embracing her soft body, a subtle feeling naturally arose in his heart. He instinctively looked up at Scathach, only to find her looking at him as well.
Her eyes were still calm but held a hint of teasing, as if she had seen through everything.
Asher quietly avoided her gaze.
Why does even Shishou have that kind of look...?
"Aren't you moving?" Scathach asked.
So I still have to move myself?
Just as Asher thought this, Scathach resumed her dance steps. In a panic, Asher matched her movements but immediately stepped on her toes.
"Sorry," he said instinctively.
"There's no need to apologize for something like this. If you apologized every time you stepped on someone, how many times would I have had to apologize to you during training?" Scathach smiled casually. "Continue."
And so, the two began a new dance. But whether due to nervousness or pressure, Asher stepped on Scathach's foot several times, increasing his anxiety.
Why was it only with Guenevere that it went so smoothly? Could this also be fate?
Asher shivered.
If even this is predestined fate, that's too terrifying.
But if not, why wasn't the compatibility high with Morgan or Scathach?
Just then, Asher stepped on Scathach's foot again.
Scathach slowly stopped her dance steps. Asher also halted, a slightly apologetic look on his face.
It was true. Scathach was his Shishou. As a disciple, he hadn't seen her in so long and naturally wanted to show his best side. But stepping on her foot every two steps and moving like a robot was embarrassing to even think about.
Perhaps I should learn dancing properly from Sister Morgan later… otherwise, it will be too awkward next time.
Asher thought.
"You're nervous. Why?" Scathach lowered her head slightly, looking into Asher's eyes.
Who knows why I'm nervous? I wasn't nervous with Morgan and Guenevere earlier, though I still stepped on Morgan's foot several times.
Asher shook his head. "I don't know."
"Is it because I'm your Shishou?" Scathach asked.
"Probably?" Asher replied uncertainly.
"Relax, relax," Scathach smiled faintly. "If you're really nervous, you can temporarily not think of me as your Shishou."
Temporarily not think of her as Shishou? Why does that sound strange?
Asher looked up. Scathach's face held her usual calm smile as she added, "I said temporarily."
"If the reason you're nervous is because of my identity, then it's fine to temporarily discard that identity."
Temporarily not think of Scathach as Shishou?
Asher pondered for a moment, then closed his eyes, considering her words.
Shishou was right. Since he kept stepping on her foot because of her identity, then he just needed to not think of her as Shishou—
As if!
How could that be so easily discarded?
However… it seemed worth a try.
Asher slowly opened his eyes, staring into Scathach's. Those red eyes, unusually gentle, whether to match him or for some other reason.
After gazing into them for a while, Asher's nervousness subsided, as if an emotion naturally flowed within him.
If he thought carefully, although Scathach was his Shishou, didn't he still like her?
Temporarily not think of her as Shishou...
"Good look," Scathach said with a faint smile, feeling Asher's fervent gaze upon her. "Let's try again now."
She finished speaking and resumed the dance. Asher cast aside all thoughts, his gaze fixed solely on Scathach's eyes. No longer did he occasionally look down at the floor; under these circumstances, his steps were much smoother, as if natural. He coordinated perfectly with Scathach and no longer stepped on her feet.
Scathach noticed his fluid movements and showed slight realization. It had been a long time since Asher had been like this. Initially, he used to stare at her often, then later hid his gaze as if afraid of being discovered.
Only now did he begin to look at her again. Although caused by her words, his gaze was remarkably familiar.
Unconsciously, the dance ended, but Asher still felt somewhat unsatisfied, never releasing her hand.
"Did you learn?" Scathach's voice pulled him back to reality.
Asher nodded, then quickly shook his head. "I learned, but I'm not very proficient."
"So, can we have another dance?" he asked, looking up at Scathach.
"If so, it won't be a ball, but my personal lesson," Scathach shook her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the mark on Asher's neck.
"That's true too," Asher said disappointedly but said nothing more. Achieving this much was already beyond his imagination; he didn't dare hope for more.
He released her hand, but Scathach grasped his in return.
"Remember," Scathach curled her finger and flicked Asher's forehead, "don't give up easily on anything you do. That's a sign of a coward."
"If you give up after just one rejection… don't say you were taught by me when you leave the Land of Shadows either."
"Eh?" Asher looked up. "But that would be strange, wouldn't it? If I ask Shishou for help with something in the future and you're unwilling, can I keep bothering you?"
"Being persistent is better than giving up easily. Besides, didn't you say you wanted to catch up to my pace?" Scathach said, holding Asher's hand again. "Giving up easily on everything only leads to disappointment."
"Of course, it was brave of you to say you wanted to catch up to my pace back then, and it pleased me, but…" Scathach's finger traced the mark on Asher's neck once more. "Don't trust others easily, even if they treat you well."
"Sorry," Asher said instinctively.
"Sorry?" Scathach repeated, her delicate face lit by the golden glow of the grand lights. Her serene smile shone brightly.
"What's wrong?" she asked playfully, looking at Asher.
Here came the teacher's ultimate soul-searching question for her student.
Looking at Asher, who remained silent, Scathach sighed. "You're still not confident enough. You're King Arthur now; show the spirit you had when you pulled out the sword! Although I wasn't there, I could tell from the knights' cheers that you gained their recognition. If that's the case, why are you still wavering?"
The surrounding music resumed. Asher's mind replayed her words. Feeling the soft touch of her cool hand, he grasped it tighter.
"I want to dance with you again," he said, looking up.
Scathach silently looked into his eyes. His soft black hair was neatly combed, and he wore a golden crown. He still looked a bit youthful, but his dark eyes showed seriousness.
"Good look, much more determined than before," she smiled. "Then let's have another dance."
---
At this moment in the golden hall, every girl gracefully displayed her enchanting figure. Some had already seen King Arthur, but no one dared approach him, overwhelmed by Scathach's strong aura. Compared to her, even the most charming girls felt inferior.
"You don't seem jealous at all?" Morgan le Fay said, holding a certain girl's hand, smiling as she observed her.
Neither were in their original appearances, but Morgan recognized who the girl was dancing with immediately.
"Jealous of what?" the girl asked, puzzled.
"Don't pretend. You've been looking at Asher since just now, haven't you?" Morgan smiled. "You must've recognized that woman is your mother."
"So?" Uathach raised an eyebrow, staring at Morgan. "What does that have to do with you?"
"Hmm... nothing. It's just your mother dancing with her disciple. But did you see Ash's expression? He looked really gentle."
Morgan le Fay remained unconcerned by her surroundings, only glancing at Asher occasionally. "Don't you feel anything?"
She stared into Uathach's eyes.
After a moment, the girl smiled.
"Sister Morgan… that's what Ash calls you, right?"
"Actually, I've known Ash likes Mom for a long time," Uathach said. "He's someone who deeply lacks love, so from the beginning, he remembers even the slightest kindness shown to him."
"I was often by his side. I already felt the way he looked at Mom was a bit strange," Uathach giggled. "But I don't care. If anything, it's better that he likes Mom."
"Because that way, we can always be together. Mom always wanted to die at the hands of a powerful enemy. If Ash can change her mind, I'd be very happy."
Morgan's smile faded slightly. Looking at Uathach's innocent smile, she felt she couldn't quite understand this seemingly naive girl.
"So," Uathach looked at Morgan, "in the end, Ash will return to the Land of Shadows to be with Mom and me. Whatever you do in the meantime will be useless."
"Is that a challenge to me?" Morgan raised an eyebrow. "But I think you misunderstand something. I don't like your Ash."
"Mm, you like your Ash," Uathach said.
Morgan quieted and paused her dance steps.
"Sister Morgan, you don't really think I'm an idiot, do you?" Uathach smiled innocently. "Do you really think I'd believe you like girls?"
Morgan sighed, no longer hiding her feelings.
So why are all the girls around him so smart?
Oh, except for Lily.
She had thought there were no enemies besides Scathach, but she didn't expect even her daughter to be so troublesome.
Morgan turned to look at Asher again but suddenly noticed that the two dancing people were gone.
"Did they leave?" Uathach muttered, following Morgan's gaze.
"Who knows when they left? They're probably having a deep conversation by now," Morgan said with a seductive smile, blowing warm breath into Uathach's translucent earlobe. "Maybe Ash will lean behind his Shishou, embrace her waist, blow warm breath into her earlobe like this, and whisper sweet nothings…"
Uathach glanced at Morgan. "You're thinking too much. That's completely impossible."
"You trust him that much?" Morgan raised an eyebrow. "Although I don't want to admit it, that woman's charm is considerable, especially for young boys."
"Ah, of course, I don't think my charm is lacking either. The only reason he likes Scathach so much is because she was the first person he met."
So she looked forward to hearing that woman say "I was here first" after taking Asher from Scathach's side… it sounded interesting.
Uathach smiled pleasantly.
"What I mean is, Ash probably isn't tall enough to reach Mom's earlobe, after all, she's wearing heels now."
Morgan: "..."
While it sounds like a dig at Asher, it might be true he can't reach.
"They probably left because it was too noisy. Ash hasn't seen Mom in a long time, so he has a lot to say," Uathach said. "After all, he likes to confide in Mom most."
She glanced at Morgan again, trying to provoke her, but Morgan showed no annoyance, only thoughtfulness.
"Why did you stop talking?" Uathach asked cautiously.
A usually frivolous woman suddenly serious genuinely startled Uathach.
"They've started their move," Morgan said, smiling but cold in her eyes. "There are indeed excellent assassins among the outsiders. Now I'm curious if their bones will harden when I interrogate them later."
"Are there assassins trying to attack Ash?" Uathach muttered. "Because he's King Arthur and it affects certain interests?"
Morgan listened and looked at Uathach's calm face, surprised. "Aren't you worried? There might already be outsiders looking for him."
"Of course I'm worried," Uathach paused. "But I'm more worried Mom will make too much commotion and ruin the ball. I haven't even danced with Ash yet."
"After all, Mom is a true battle maniac, and Ash is her disciple."
"To attack her disciple in front of her..." Uathach looked up. "Sister Morgan, if you want to capture the outsiders alive, I suggest you go out and watch now. It would be better."
---