After Agravain and several knights took the four assassins away, the atmosphere finally seemed to relax.
The immediate danger had passed.
The tension hanging over the garden slowly began to dissipate, although the events of that night remained fresh in everyone's minds.
Morgan turned toward Arthur.
Her face carried an expression of lingering fear.
Or at least an extremely questionable attempt at looking frightened.
"It was terrifying! I was so scared! I thought something terrible was going to happen to me."
Her voice trembled dramatically.
The problem was that nobody believed her.
In fact, the performance sent chills down the spines of practically everyone present.
Even Artoria gave her older sister a strange look.
At first, she had always considered Morgan an extremely serious, strict, and intimidating woman.
A queen worthy of respect.
A ruler deserving admiration.
A figure whose mere presence caused others to straighten their posture.
But lately...
Especially whenever Arthur was around...
Morgan seemed to transform into a completely different person.
As though she could change personalities at will.
Seeing her approach like that, Arthur couldn't help displaying an exasperated expression.
"Morgan... the tone you're using right now is much scarier than those Saxons."
For a brief moment, silence settled over the area.
Then, beside him, Scáthach showed a faint smile.
Even so, it was obvious that Arthur's comment had considerably improved her mood.
"So now you even dare to tease me?" Morgan narrowed her eyes. "Having your master around has really made you bolder."
Without the slightest ceremony, she reached out and pinched Arthur's cheeks.
The same woman who moments earlier had radiated a murderous aura capable of freezing her enemies' blood now looked like nothing more than an older sister teasing her younger brother.
The change was so abrupt that it was almost frightening.
"But in that case, the operation can be considered a success, right?"
Arthur tried to change the subject before Morgan decided to continue her revenge.
Morgan finally released his face.
"A success?"
She smiled.
"This was much more than a success."
Her eyes gleamed dangerously.
"It was an enormous success."
She crossed her arms.
"We should be able to extract a considerable amount of information from those people."
The smile on her lips widened.
"I sincerely hope they're able to endure it."
A strange silence fell over the group.
Even Arthur felt a chill run down his spine.
Those guys were definitely doomed.
Although Arthur had never personally witnessed Morgan torturing or executing someone, he had heard enough stories about so-called witches.
Many of them were probably exaggerated.
But after meeting Vortigern...
He wasn't so sure anymore.
I hope they hold out...
Arthur sighed inwardly.
Not because he pitied them. Quite the opposite.
But if they died before revealing any important information, the entire night's effort would be wasted.
Morgan turned her gaze toward everyone present.
"You should return to the main hall."
She spoke calmly.
"If you remain out here for too long, the others will start getting suspicious."
Then her eyes settled on Scáthach.
"As for you..."
Her smile became slightly provocative.
"You may return to the Land of Shadows if you wish."
She shrugged.
"The Saxons have been captured. There's nothing else requiring your presence."
Arthur's eyelids twitched slightly.
His gaze shifted toward Scáthach.
Part of him wanted to ask her to stay.
Even if only for a little longer.
But no words left his mouth.
He merely sighed inwardly.
Scáthach was the Queen of the Land of Shadows.
She had responsibilities of her own.
She couldn't remain in Camelot indefinitely.
Now that the operation had ended, there was no longer any legitimate reason for her to stay.
Morgan silently observed Arthur's reaction.
A smile appeared on her lips.
Then she looked back at Scáthach.
"After you return..."
She let out a small laugh.
"It'll be my turn... hehe..."
The sentence wasn't even finished, but there was no need.
Scáthach cast a cold glance toward Morgan.
A look that would have made most people freeze in place.
Morgan simply kept smiling.
As though it didn't affect her in the slightest.
After a few seconds, Scáthach looked away and finally spoke.
"We'll return tomorrow."
Arthur immediately raised his head.
Beside him, Nessa blinked several times.
"Really, Mother?"
She immediately grabbed Scáthach's hand.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
Scáthach replied while patting her head.
Then she paused, and her smile became slightly amused.
"Thinking about it... I used to lie to you quite often."
Nessa made a face.
Scáthach continued,
"For example, when I told you monsters would kidnap you if you wandered outside the Land of Shadows alone."
Nessa immediately protested.
"It's exactly because of those stories that I still don't like walking around at night!"
She hugged her mother's arm.
"You traumatized me."
The accusing look she directed at Scáthach was almost comical.
Scáthach simply watched the scene calmly.
Arthur observed the interaction between the two with an involuntary smile.
A feeling of relief spread through his chest.
Even if it was only one more night...
It was still better than seeing them leave right now.
But as he discreetly observed Morgan...
A question arose.
Why did he have the impression that this conversation had been a deliberate provocation?
As though Morgan had intentionally been trying to provoke Scáthach?
Arthur cast a furtive glance at her.
Morgan immediately noticed, winked at him, and offered a mysterious smile.
Arthur became even more confused.
Did she really provoke his Master on purpose?
Why?
Is she planning to do something tonight?
Or...
Is she simply creating reasons to keep her here?
Is Morgan really that kind?
Before he could continue reflecting on it, a cold voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Who's hiding over there?"
Morgan was staring in a specific direction.
Arthur followed her gaze.
Not far away stood a stone pillar.
And behind it, a piece of fabric could be seen.
Upon hearing Morgan's voice, the hidden person visibly startled.
She tried to retreat into the corridor, but Arthur reacted quickly and, within a few steps, blocked her escape.
It was an unfamiliar young woman.
She possessed long platinum-blonde hair, fair skin, and bright, expressive eyes.
Her delicate face gave off an almost fragile impression.
"Who are you?"
Arthur asked, immediately feeling uneasy.
If that person had overheard the conversation and spread the information, it would certainly cause problems.
In that case, it might be necessary to detain her.
"Let's see which little brat decided to eavesdrop."
Morgan slowly approached.
Then she looked at the girl and froze for a moment.
Her expression changed completely.
"It's you."
Her previously cold voice became surprisingly gentle.
Arthur was surprised.
"You know her, Morgan?" he asked.
"Of course I do," Morgan replied. "In fact, it would be strange if I didn't."
But before she could continue, the girl finally spoke.
"So you really forgot about me."
She stared directly at Arthur.
"My, my." Morgan raised an eyebrow. "Another girl you know?"
She looked at Arthur.
"When exactly did the two of you meet?"
At that moment, Scáthach and Nessa had also approached.
Both of them looked at the girl and then at Arthur.
Neither said a single word.
But the questioning looks were more than enough.
Arthur immediately felt the pressure increase.
He turned back toward the young woman.
She really was beautiful.
Very beautiful.
But he couldn't remember her.
"I honestly don't remember."
Arthur shook his head.
"Are you sure you're not mistaking me for someone else?"
He continued observing her.
"If it were someone as memorable as you, I should remember."
The girl slightly puffed her cheeks.
"We literally just danced together."
She brushed her hair off her shoulder.
"You've already forgotten?"
Her gaze carried a clear sense of grievance.
"Are you incapable of recognizing someone just because they changed their voice and appearance?"
She sighed.
"King Arthur really isn't anything special."
Arthur: "???"
How exactly was someone supposed to recognize another person if they changed both their voice and appearance at the same time?
But wait...
They danced together?
Then...
"You're Guinevere?" Arthur asked.
"Who else could I be?"
Guinevere replied immediately.
Her face carried obvious resentment.
She had seen Arthur leave the hall accompanied by an unfamiliar woman.
Driven by curiosity, she had decided to follow them.
Then she encountered an attempted kidnapping, a battle, and a series of strange conversations.
Although she hadn't heard everything, it had been enough to understand that something important was happening.
Morgan observed the scene.
"It truly is unexpected for King Oddgren's daughter to be hiding around listening to other people's conversations."
Then she added,
"I have no intention of doing anything against you."
She smiled.
"But I would appreciate it if you remained here for some time."
Guinevere remained silent for a few seconds.
Then she glanced at Arthur.
"Very well."
She sighed.
"For the King's sake, I'll inform my servants that I'll remain in Camelot until you've resolved your affairs."
Morgan nodded.
"Excellent."
Then she turned toward Artoria.
"I need to deal with those Saxons first."
"Lily, could you arrange accommodations for them?"
Artoria immediately nodded.
"Leave it to me."
Over the past few months, she had gradually adapted to managing the castle.
Now she could handle this kind of task naturally.
"Please follow me."
She offered a slight bow.
Showing respect toward the three guests.
"I want the room next to Arthur's!"
Nessa immediately raised her hand.
Artoria awkwardly froze.
The room next to Arthur's happened to be located directly between hers and Milo's.
There was definitely no way she could have Nessa sleep with Milo.
Which meant...
"If you don't mind sharing a room with me..." Artoria replied politely. "...then I have no objections."
"Sure."
Nessa agreed instantly.
Artoria: "..."
Why is she as straightforward as Arthur?
"Then I'll be going."
Morgan cast one final glance at the group.
Then she approached Arthur and whispered into his ear:
"I'll see you tonight."
After saying that, she shot a provocative glance at Scáthach.
Who had obviously heard everything.
Then she disappeared with a charming smile.
Scáthach watched her leave and responded with only a single word:
"Boring."
---
The ball ended without any further incidents.
Although many nobles found the King's sudden disappearance strange, most concluded that it must have been part of some magical trick or special royal protocol.
As such, nobody investigated any further.
Arthur and Artoria guided the group through the palace corridors.
First, they arranged accommodations for Guinevere.
Then they escorted Scáthach and Nessa to a wing near Arthur's chambers.
Finally, Artoria opened a door.
"This is my room."
When she turned around, she found Nessa smiling at her.
"What is it?" Artoria asked, suddenly feeling strangely uncomfortable.
"Nothing."
Nessa casually waved her hand.
"I just wanted to talk with you tonight."
Her smile widened.
"There are several things I want to ask."
After all, she was extremely interested in Arthur's situation.
Arthur immediately noticed Artoria's discomfort.
He lightly patted her shoulder.
"Lily, I'll leave Nessa in your care."
(End of Chapter)