"This is today's portion, Lily."
Arthur extended his hand naturally, offering the freshly prepared snacks to Artoria. A sweet aroma still lingered in the air, making it clear they had just come out of the oven. "Give them a try. They should be quite good—at least, that's the conclusion I reached after tasting a few."
Artoria's eyes lit up instantly—an involuntary reaction she quickly tried to hide. She coughed twice, regaining her usual rigid composure as if nothing had happened, before taking the sweet with as much dignity as she could muster. "You should have devoted more time to important matters… but since you have already done so, I cannot go against the king's wishes."
Her voice carried its usual serious, slightly critical tone, but her actions told a completely different story.
However, at that exact moment, her expression suddenly froze.
Her eyes fixed on Arthur—more precisely, on the way he was enjoying a freshly made pastry with completely carefree, almost childlike satisfaction. Every bite seemed to be savored with genuine pleasure.
The light in Artoria's eyes flickered for a brief moment.
Her gaze, once restrained, now carried a faint trace of silent resentment. Without saying a word, she turned her face away, as if unwilling to look at that scene any longer.
Arthur, still chewing, noticed this from the corner of his eye—and almost couldn't hold back his laughter.
Artoria is always like this…
She says she needs to focus on more serious things, to act like a proper knight… but deep down, she always shows that small hint of anticipation when food is involved. She just refuses to admit it out loud.
Well, in the end, she can deny it all she wants—her actions always betray her.
…Is this what they call a tsundere?
Come to think of it, it makes sense.
She's still a girl under fifteen. A bit of pride and stubbornness is perfectly normal.
"Hey, Lily."
Arthur gave a light tap on Artoria's shoulder, calling her attention.
"What is it, Arthur?" she replied without turning around, her voice calm but carrying a noticeable chill that made her displeasure clear.
"Open your mouth."
"Why?" Artoria frowned slightly, though she didn't comply immediately.
"This is an order from the king. Are you going to disobey?" Arthur insisted, a faint teasing smile on his lips.
She finally turned to face him, her eyes filled with irritation. "And only now you decide to act like a king?"
"And whose fault is it that you're disobeying?" Arthur replied, the irony still present in his tone. "Hurry up, open your mouth… then turn around and close your eyes. Disobedience is still disobedience, regardless of the circumstances."
Artoria hesitated for a moment, clearly reluctant.
But in the end, she had no choice.
With an almost imperceptible sigh, she turned, opened her mouth, and closed her eyes, obeying the "command."
"Good. Stay still and don't move," Arthur continued, now with an almost ceremonial tone. "And no peeking. That would also count as an infraction."
She even considered opening her eyes out of sheer stubbornness.
But upon hearing that, she gave up.
She remained still.
For a few seconds, all she could hear were Arthur's soft footsteps moving away… and then returning.
Then—
Something touched her tongue.
Sweet.
Instinctively, she began to chew.
…It's delicious.
Very sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. The flavor was balanced, smooth, with a texture that melted slowly in her mouth.
As she chewed, she opened her eyes without realizing it.
Her gaze met Arthur, who stood in front of her, watching.
He was smiling.
It was a gentle smile… but different.
It wasn't Gawain's warm, radiant smile—the smile of the Knight of the Sun. It was something lighter, simpler, almost innocent, yet touched with a hint of mischief. A smile that felt genuine… and strangely comforting.
"Lily, you broke your promise," Arthur said suddenly.
Artoria blinked, confused.
"I told you to open your mouth. I didn't say you could eat."
Her expression immediately hardened.
She stopped chewing for a second.
…Now that I think about it, he's right.
So what am I supposed to do now?
I can't exactly spit it out…
Before she could react—
"Just kidding."
Arthur let out a soft laugh and gently patted her head.
"Sometimes, you need to make your own decisions. Not everything I say is right."
Artoria fell silent for a moment, looking at him.
Then she spoke, narrowing her eyes slightly:
"You weren't this mean before."
Yet as she spoke, she quietly stored those words in her mind.
Sometimes… you need to make your own decisions…
"I used to be afraid of you," Arthur continued, crossing his arms with a carefree air. "Because I couldn't beat you. But now… I don't feel that way anymore."
Six months ago, he had not yet fully integrated the power of the White Dragon. Back then, he was no match for Artoria, who possessed the dragon element.
But now… things were different.
Arthur had fully awakened his own power. The essence of the White Dragon pulsed within him, allowing him to generate magical energy with every breath, with every beat of his blood.
Now, he could face her as an equal.
Logically, in a typical story, he should have come back with some dramatic line—something like "Don't underestimate the potential of a youth"—and challenged Artoria to a rematch.
But that never happened.
Instead… they simply started talking.
And before they realized it, they had become friends.
Perhaps… the food had helped.
"Want to try again now?" Artoria asked, a competitive glint in her eyes. If they weren't inside a palace, she would probably have already drawn her sword.
"Let's stop here. We still have other things to eat… or would you rather fight me?" Arthur replied.
He paused before adding:
"Besides… if we start fighting now, Morgan might steal our food."
"My older sister…?" Artoria blinked in surprise. "She's not that kind of person—"
Arthur raised a finger, interrupting her.
"Lily… you're still too naive."
Artoria fell silent, looking at him.
"Do you know why Morgan is called a witch?"
She remained silent.
Arthur sighed dramatically.
"You're supposed to ask 'why' here, or we can't continue this conversation."
Artoria closed her eyes for a second, clearly reluctant.
"…Why?"
"Because she steals food," Arthur declared with complete seriousness. "That's why they call her a witch."
Artoria froze.
It was almost possible to see multiple question marks appearing above her head.
Even so, she slowly nodded.
"I see."
Arthur was briefly stunned.
…She actually believed that?
But he quickly regained his composure.
"Yes. Exactly."
"Are you still going to eat?" he asked next.
Artoria smiled—a genuine, radiant smile—and nodded.
"Mm."
Seeing that expression, Arthur couldn't help himself.
He smiled as well.
"What are you laughing at?" Artoria asked, curious.
"It's nice to see someone looking forward to the food I make."
Over the past few days, he had noticed it.
That faint light in her eyes… that quiet anticipation.
So different from her previous indifferent expression.
Although… perhaps it only confirms something obvious.
She has always been a glutton.
Even so—
Having someone look forward to your cooking…
Isn't bad.
After becoming king, he had begun receiving daily "lessons" from Artoria… and in return, he cooked for her.
That practically made him an official cook.
…Am I becoming a master chef?
Arthur thought this without any real reason.
"So… does that mean I did something good?" Artoria asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Yes. I suppose it does."
"Has there ever been someone like that before? Someone who looked forward to your cooking?"
Arthur fell silent for a moment.
"In the past…"
His smile dimmed slightly.
"Yes."
In the Land of Shadows, he would occasionally cook.
And during those times, Nessa would always watch him expectantly… while Scáthach never held back her praise.
…How long will it be before I can return?
The thought brought a faint weight to his chest.
Artoria noticed.
Without saying anything, she reached out and gently patted his head.
"My sister and I are here," she said softly. "And it's not like you can't return. Once everything stabilizes… we'll help you go back."
The scene was a little strange.
She was still shorter than him.
But there, alone… no one cared.
Arthur looked at her, surprised.
And little by little… the restlessness within him faded.
"What is it?" Artoria asked.
"You… know how to comfort people?" Arthur seemed genuinely shocked.
Perhaps that was the most surprising thing he had witnessed recently.
Artoria… understanding emotions so quickly?
Lily has truly changed…
(End of Chapter)