"Feelings can be cultivated slowly. Nobody ever said you can't first do a few fun things and then gradually develop feelings afterward."
Milo spoke in a carefree, almost playful tone while carefully observing Morgan's expression. Even under the suffocating pressure radiating from the princess, the girl still managed to keep a smile on her lips, though deep down she had already realized this conversation was far from friendly.
After carefully analyzing Morgan's face, Milo seemed to understand something important and let out a faint laugh.
"How strange... I've never directly interacted with you before, much less threatened you." Her pink eyes narrowed slightly. "So you're here because of King Arthur?"
"A very intelligent girl," Morgan replied, showing a rare trace of genuine surprise in her gaze.
She truly was intelligent.
Otherwise, she never would have managed to become a tribal chief at such a young age while surviving amidst so many political disputes, internal betrayals, and power games.
Milo immediately understood the reason behind Morgan's visit.
Even after being completely caught off guard, she could still rationally analyze the situation.
"So..." Milo tilted her head slightly. "That hickey on Arthur's body was left by you?"
She let out an amused little laugh, like someone who had just uncovered an extremely interesting secret.
"I never imagined the daughter of King Uther would do something like that with King Arthur." Her smile became even more provocative. "You're almost ten years older than him, aren't you? So why are you so interested in a boy like that?"
Morgan slightly narrowed her eyes.
She observed Milo like a serpent watching prey that was far too bold to realize the danger surrounding it.
"You seem quite confident," Morgan said calmly.
Even at that moment, her voice remained soft and elegant, but that only made the atmosphere more terrifying.
Milo, however, continued smiling.
"Are you angry, Princess Morgan?" she asked provocatively. "Let's clarify something first: I am a tribal chief."
She slowly picked up a towel near the bed and casually wiped her hands before walking toward the window.
The moonlight partially illuminated her body, covered only by the thin pink nightgown, creating a delicate and seductive image.
Turning back toward Morgan, Milo continued:
"If I die, you won't be able to explain that to King Arthur."
She leaned against the wall and crossed her arms beneath her chest.
"After all, that king is an extremely righteous person." Her eyes gleamed cunningly. "If he discovers that the people around him are indiscriminately killing innocents, he might not say anything out loud... but he'll still harbor resentment in his heart."
"And that isn't something you want, right?"
Morgan remained silent, maintaining the same calm smile on her face.
"Besides..." Milo slowly continued, "if I die now, everyone will inevitably suspect King Arthur."
She spread her arms slightly.
"There was a traitor during the day... and then I die during the night." Her voice lowered. "The king's position will become unstable. Everyone will begin suspecting one another."
"Do you really want that to happen?"
Morgan merely asked calmly:
"And then?"
"Actually..." Milo smiled again. "You should be helping me."
She raised her index finger in front of her face.
"If I become queen, I can certainly help King Arthur unite all the tribes under his command." Her tone was full of confidence. "With my influence, I can help him far more than you imagine."
In Milo's eyes, this was a negotiation.
She believed she had found a point of balance.
Morgan wanted Arthur.
She also wanted Arthur.
Therefore, the two of them could cooperate.
It was a logical conclusion.
Unfortunately, she had made one fatal mistake.
She had completely underestimated just how possessive Morgan truly was.
Milo's pupils abruptly dilated as an icy sensation ran down her spine.
"I think you misunderstood something from the very beginning."
Morgan was still smiling.
She had approached without making the slightest sound.
One of her hands rested against the wall behind Milo, blocking every possible escape route, while the other slowly caressed the girl's face, almost like a lover gently stroking someone dear to them.
But that closeness only intensified the terror.
Morgan slowly leaned closer until her lips nearly touched Milo's ear.
Then she whispered:
"If I kill you... I'll say Scott and Duke Bell were the real traitors."
"I'll say you discovered everything and were therefore murdered by them."
"How would that even be possible?!" Milo grabbed her injured arm while staring at Morgan in shock.
Her cold reasoning was finally beginning to crumble.
"The Knights of the Round Table would never believe a story like that!" Her voice came out louder than she intended. "They would investigate! They would discover the truth!"
Morgan laughed softly.
"Don't worry." Her blue eyes looked extremely cold. "No one will oppose it."
Then she calmly revealed:
"Half of the Knights of the Round Table are on my side."
Milo's expression stiffened.
And then Morgan added:
"And King Arthur..." her lips slowly curved upward, "will also stand on my side."
"That child is far too kind," Morgan continued. "He doesn't like hurting others with harsh words."
"But I am different."
Her fingers slowly slid along Milo's pale neck.
"I know exactly what you did in the past. But I don't care."
"If you killed your father..." she tilted her head slightly, "or ordered your brother assassinated... it doesn't interest me in the slightest."
Milo's eyes trembled violently.
She had never imagined Morgan knew about that.
"But..." Morgan lightly squeezed the girl's face, forcing her to look directly at her, "do not get close to King Arthur."
Her voice finally carried genuine anger.
"Even I have to be careful when approaching him." Her eyes were filled with an almost sickening possessiveness. "So what exactly made you think you had the right to kiss him?"
Milo completely lost the ability to respond.
Her survival instincts screamed desperately inside her.
After a long silence, Morgan let out a soft sigh.
"Actually..." she said in a tired tone, "I truly dislike doing this."
She closed her eyes briefly.
"I once swore to myself that I would become a gentle older sister." A resigned smile appeared on her lips. "So why do so many women always keep trying to get close to him?"
She looked back at Milo.
"I never intended to follow rules."
Morgan then slowly removed her hand from the girl's neck.
"Killing you now would only reduce the affection Arthur feels toward me."
She leaned close to Milo's ear once more and whispered:
"Recognize the difference between yourself and King Arthur."
"Next time... the punishment will not be so simple."
Cold sweat dripped down Milo's forehead.
When she raised her gaze toward Morgan again, her eyes were completely filled with fear.
At that moment, she finally understood the truth.
In the end, she was still only a young girl.
Her intelligence, manipulation, and mind games might work against tribal leaders, nobles, or ordinary men...
But before Morgan, a woman who had survived for years amidst political wars, family betrayals, and countless conspiracies...
All of her calculations seemed childish.
"Ah, right..." Morgan suddenly said, as if she had just remembered something trivial.
She crouched in front of Milo and smiled warmly.
"I was never here tonight. You understand that, don't you?"
Milo nodded quickly.
Her face was pale.
She looked completely crushed.
Morgan then gently patted her head.
"What a good girl." Her smile became extremely sweet. "I like obedient children."
She slowly stood up.
"Get some rest. I'll take care of the others now."
Originally, she had intended to ask Agravain for help.
But now that she had personally come out tonight, she decided to settle everything at once.
Morgan's eyes gleamed coldly in the darkness.
"Let us use tonight..." she murmured softly, "to eliminate all the traitors."
(End of Chapter)