Six days passed in the blink of an eye.
For anyone else, it might have been just an ordinary sequence of days.
But for Arthur, these past few days had been absolutely exhausting.
Not only physically, but mentally as well.
At this moment, they were in a closed room, isolated from the rest of the palace, surrounded by maps, scrolls, and documents scattered across the table.
"Did you hear me, Arthur?" Artoria frowned slightly, watching him closely.
Arthur seemed completely lost in thought, as if he were in another world.
His lips were slightly parted, one hand resting on his hip, while Artoria waved a hand in front of his eyes, trying to bring him back to reality.
"Now is not the time to daydream. Did you hear what I just said?"
"Ah… yeah, I did," Arthur replied weakly. "You said we should have fish for dinner, right?"
Artoria fell silent for a brief moment.
"I'm talking about the territories occupied by the Saxons and how to deal with them… not about what we're having for dinner!" she said, her tone a mixture of frustration and helplessness.
"So… dinner doesn't matter?" Arthur asked, genuinely confused.
Artoria's expression froze for a moment.
Then she coughed lightly, trying to regain her composure.
"Dinner is an important part of a person's energy intake and relaxation… therefore, it should not be neglected," she replied seriously.
"Ah… I see," Arthur said.
Right after that, he simply collapsed onto the table, as if the weight of the world were pressing down on his shoulders.
His face was marked by exhaustion.
And it was no surprise.
Artoria had been by his side practically every day during that period.
And while having a beautiful girl beside him was certainly pleasant…
The problem was that this Saber wasn't there just for company.
In just six days, she had poured an absurd amount of knowledge into him.
Everything she had learned from Merlin.
Strategies, politics, history, war tactics…
On top of that, she had also instructed him about the Saxons—their habits, their weaknesses, and the best ways to deal with them.
And as if that weren't enough…
Arthur still had to train every single day.
And after returning, he had to endure Morgan's "torture," both physical and mental.
Yes.
Torture.
There was no better word to describe it.
In short…
Arthur felt that his training in the Land of Shadows had actually been a blessing.
Compared to this, that place had been paradise.
He was even starting to suspect that if things continued at this pace, he might become the first king in history to die of exhaustion.
Thinking about it, an absurd idea suddenly crossed his mind.
Come to think of it… could Morgan resurrect me after I die?
Arthur seriously considered it for a second.
"Are you very tired?" Artoria immediately noticed his condition.
"Sorry… let me rest for a bit," Arthur replied in a weak voice.
As soon as he finished speaking, he slumped back onto the table again.
The ahoge on top of his head drooped lifelessly, perfectly reflecting his current state.
Everything had to be done step by step.
Besides, the internal conflicts had not yet been resolved.
If they didn't first unite the tribal leaders, there was no point in even thinking about driving out the Saxons.
There was no need to push him so hard this early on.
It could only be said that this Lily was being far too hasty.
"Do you need special services?"
At the exact moment Arthur was thinking that with a hint of resentment…
He heard that sentence.
His previously foggy mind cleared instantly.
Arthur abruptly lifted his head and looked at Artoria.
"Lily… what did you just say?!"
"Would you like some special services?" she repeated, completely naturally, as if she were talking about something perfectly ordinary.
"My older sister once said that if I do you a favor when you're very tired… it will cheer you up," she added.
…
What exactly did Morgan teach Lily?!
Arthur fell silent for a moment, trying to process it.
"Do you need it?" Artoria asked again.
Before Arthur could even respond…
She had already moved.
Not giving him any chance to refuse.
She walked behind him and said:
"If you don't say anything… I'll take that as consent."
In the next instant, Arthur felt a sudden pain in his shoulders.
But soon after, the pain began to turn into something incredibly comfortable.
His tense muscles gradually relaxed.
Ah…
So that's what she meant by "special services"…
"Lily… when did you learn this?" Arthur asked, his voice slightly more relaxed.
While massaging his shoulders with firm, precise movements, Artoria replied:
"My older sister taught me a few days ago. She said doing this would make you very happy. Are you feeling better now?"
"Ah… yeah, much better," Arthur nodded slowly. "Thanks."
"You do so much every day… it's only natural to feel tired," Artoria said. "If something this simple can help you relax a little… then it's already worth it."
After all, no king would prepare meals for her every single night.
She hesitated for a moment before continuing:
"If you're really busy… you don't need to prepare separate meals just for me. There are other people in the palace responsible for cooking—"
"It's fine, it's fine," Arthur waved his hand, interrupting her. "You're still growing. You need to eat more to get bigger."
He then tilted his head slightly.
"Besides… you probably don't like the food other people make, do you?"
Artoria fell silent.
Her fingers continued pressing gently against his shoulders.
Just as Arthur had said…
She really did have trouble eating food made by others.
Or rather, after spending six months by his side…
She had completely grown used to his cooking.
The room fell silent.
But it wasn't an uncomfortable silence.
Quite the opposite.
It was a peaceful one.
The result of the six months they had spent together.
Even without words, each other's presence was enough.
Arthur slowly closed his eyes, enjoying that rare moment of peace and comfort.
The sensation of Artoria's hands was surprisingly relaxing.
Suddenly, a strange thought crossed his mind.
Why do I feel like I'm involved in some kind of "raising a little Lily" project…?
He opened one eye slightly and cast a few discreet glances at the girl.
Cooking for her every day…
Training together…
And now being taken care of by her…
This really does feel like raising a little girl.
"What's wrong? Staring at people is rude," Artoria said, noticing his gaze.
Her eyes were clear and bright.
And her cheeks were slightly flushed, making her look even more adorable.
"I feel at ease whenever I look at you," Arthur replied.
"Why?"
"I don't even know if I can be considered the one who truly pulled the sword from the stone… so I feel much more at ease now that there are people shorter than me," he said, letting out a sigh of relief.
Artoria fell silent for a moment.
Then she calmly replied:
"In a few years… I'll probably be taller than you."
Arthur: "…"
That made sense.
In just a few years, that little girl would become an incredibly beautiful young woman.
And the current Lily…
Would turn into a mature and elegant figure.
Almost like a second Morgan.
Meanwhile, he would probably remain the same.
Thinking about it, Arthur slumped back onto the table again, letting out a long sigh.
I can only hope I wasn't really the one who pulled the sword from the stone…
Or that there's some way to put it back…
Artoria watched his dejected state.
And immediately understood.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Don't worry. Even if I become taller than you… you will still be my king."
She paused briefly before continuing:
"And I will continue to take care of you as your loyal assistant."
"Continue taking care of me…"
Arthur murmured, turning his face to look at her.
His eyes were softer now.
And a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Without realizing it…
His gaze was completely drawn to hers.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly, the sound of knocking echoed through the room.
Soon after, a servant's voice was heard from outside:
"King Arthur, the thirteen kings have arrived at the capital!"
The peaceful atmosphere was instantly shattered.
Upon hearing those words…
Arthur's exhaustion disappeared.
Or rather, it was forcibly suppressed.
Finally, after nearly a week.
They really do know how to stall.
If it weren't for the news of Vortigern's release, they would probably still be delaying.
"Let's go, Lily."
Arthur forced himself to stand.
Even with his heavy body.
Even with his tired mind.
"Let's go meet these… so-called kings."
His eyes were now firm.
The moment of rest was over.
(End of Chapter)