After saying that, Arthur turned his gaze toward Scáthach, who was walking beside him, and said:
"Master, let me escort you to your room."
Scáthach gave a slight nod. As they walked through the palace's vast corridors, she observed the surroundings for a few moments before commenting in her usual calm and straightforward tone:
"The geography here is better than that of the Land of Shadows, but all palaces look more or less the same."
Arthur smiled.
"I feel the same way. Even now, I still haven't completely gotten used to this place. I remember that I didn't sleep very well on the first day I arrived."
The two continued talking as they walked through the corridor.
At that moment, a pink-haired girl appeared along their path. As soon as her eyes landed on Arthur, they immediately brightened. However, when she noticed Scáthach beside him, some of that excitement faded, though the smile remained on her face.
"My King, I was thinking of inviting you to dance tonight, but it seems I never had the slightest chance."
"Good evening, Miss Milo."
Arthur greeted her with a polite smile.
"I have a few matters to take care of right now, so let's talk properly another time."
Milo cast a quick glance at Scáthach.
She had already heard about the woman during her time away from Camelot and knew that this was the legendary Queen of the Land of Shadows, as well as King Arthur's own master.
Because of that, she displayed no excessive caution.
If she reached the point of distrusting even Arthur's master, then earning Arthur's trust would be an impossible task.
She simply smiled politely, gave Scáthach a small nod, and continued on her way.
After she left, Arthur explained:
"Milo is a tribal chief. She once offered me her entire territory in exchange for protection and permission to live in the Royal City."
A trace of surprise appeared in Scáthach's crimson eyes.
"A tribal chief voluntarily handed over her territory to you?" Scáthach asked.
"I still don't fully understand what her objective is."
Arthur smiled helplessly.
"But looking at the current situation, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. She's helped me a lot and has never done anything harmful to Britain. So, at least for now, I can consider her someone I can trust."
Scáthach nodded discreetly.
"It's good that you reached that conclusion on your own."
After all, this was a political matter related to Arthur himself. It wasn't something she should interfere with.
Besides, from what she had heard, he had not made irresponsible promises or acted impulsively.
In that case, it was better to let him continue on his own path.
"Your room is here, Master."
Arthur stopped in front of a door and opened it.
The room was similar to the other chambers in the palace.
The furniture arrangement was practically identical, and the decorations followed the same elegant style found throughout the castle.
The only difference was its location.
The room was relatively far from the quarters used by Arthur.
Scáthach entered without ceremony while Arthur remained standing near the entrance for a moment.
Should I go in too?
But... what exactly are we going to talk about if I do?
No, this is perfectly normal.
A disciple wanting to spend some time alone with his master after being separated for so long isn't strange at all.
Probably.
At least, I think it isn't.
After convincing himself, Arthur entered the room.
Scáthach sat on the edge of the bed and turned her attention toward him.
A faint trace of curiosity appeared in her eyes when she realized he had followed her.
"Is there something you wish to ask me?"
Arthur shook his head.
"You're leaving tomorrow, so I wanted to take this opportunity to talk a little."
"Then come here."
The response came simply and naturally.
After receiving permission, Arthur approached and sat beside her.
Perhaps it was because their reunion had taken far longer than he would have liked.
Perhaps it was because they were finally alone after everything that had happened.
Or perhaps it was simply because he was once again sitting beside the person he considered his greatest role model.
Whatever the reason, he couldn't stop himself from feeling strangely nervous.
Scáthach noticed almost immediately.
"You seem very nervous."
Arthur was sitting far too rigidly, as though he were reporting to a superior officer.
Scáthach raised her hand, and her cool fingers gently touched his face.
"Relax a little. Otherwise, we won't be able to talk properly."
"Yes."
Her mere presence had a calming effect.
Little by little, the tension that had accumulated inside him began to fade.
"So, what shall we talk about?" Scáthach asked.
She thought for a moment before continuing:
"When we were in the Land of Shadows, you used to tell me stories whenever we were alone. We can continue doing that."
Arthur nodded.
But before he could answer, Scáthach added:
"But this time, tell me your own story. I want to know what happened to you here."
Arthur sighed.
"It's a lot harder to tell your own story."
He scratched the back of his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"If I exaggerate too much, you'll think I'm bragging."
Scáthach stood up from the bed and walked toward the window.
When she opened it, the gentle moonlight spread across the room.
The night breeze entered silently, causing her long crimson hair to sway.
She remained there for a few moments, gazing into the night, before returning to her seat.
Then she looked back at Arthur.
"Very well. Begin."
Since things had reached that point, Arthur had no choice.
He began telling his story.
He spoke about discovering Britain.
He spoke about the Bridge of Challenges.
He spoke about Camelot, about the events that had led him there, and about the moment he pulled the sword from the stone.
In truth, the subjects themselves were not especially important.
His real goal was simply to spend more time beside Scáthach.
Even so, she listened attentively to everything.
"So that bridge was connected to the small island of Britain..."
Scáthach fell into thought.
It seems Morgan had already been preparing something since then.
As for the sword in the stone...
That is interesting as well.
A warrior must possess the courage necessary to live up to their own reputation.
And the courage Arthur displayed at that moment certainly deserved recognition.
Time passed without either of them noticing.
When Arthur finally became aware of it, a yawn escaped involuntarily.
His eyes watered as he tried to fight off his drowsiness.
"Are you sleepy?"
A faint smile appeared on Scáthach's lips.
Using her fingers, she wiped away the tears that had gathered at the corners of his eyes.
"It's getting late. You should go back and rest."
Arthur blinked several times.
Had the night passed that quickly?
Upon hearing those words, some of his drowsiness faded, but he remained seated exactly where he was.
Without moving.
Without showing the slightest intention of getting up.
"It's not as though we're saying goodbye forever."
Scáthach observed the reluctant expression on his face.
"From what you've told me, you should be returning within a few months."
Even so, Arthur remained motionless.
"What is it?"
Scáthach slightly raised an eyebrow.
"Do you want to sleep with me again?"
Arthur was completely stunned.
He never would have imagined hearing a joke like that come from his master's mouth.
Upon seeing his reaction, Scáthach let out a quiet laugh.
"I'm joking."
Then she sighed.
"It doesn't seem very appropriate for a master and disciple to joke about that sort of thing."
Regardless of the circumstances, they were still master and disciple.
Even she found the comment somewhat strange.
"Very well."
She insisted once more.
"Now go back to your room."
Arthur nodded silently.
But he still didn't move.
If I leave now...
I probably won't get to see her tomorrow morning.
Just imagining it was enough to make all desire to leave disappear.
Scáthach watched his expression for several moments.
She didn't even need to guess.
Arthur had absolutely no intention of leaving.
Still just as attached as ever...
Thinking that, her smile softened.
At that moment, he looked exactly like a spoiled child.
Then she placed a hand on his head and gently pulled him closer.
A moment later, Arthur's head was resting comfortably on her lap.
"Since you don't want to leave yet, then rest a little longer."
Her voice was gentler than usual.
"It's fine."
This wasn't anything new.
Ever since long ago, whenever he couldn't sleep, Arthur would seek her out.
Simply resting his head on her lap was enough for his anxiety to gradually disappear.
According to him, it made him feel completely relaxed.
And judging by the peaceful expression on his face at that moment, it was obvious that remained true.
"Mmm..."
Arthur slowly closed his eyes, and the room fell silent.
Neither of them spoke again.
Only the soft sound of the wind passing through the open window remained.
Little by little, sleep began to claim him.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, he felt cool fingers touch his neck.
He tried to open his eyes.
But the drowsiness was too strong.
All he could make out was the outline of Scáthach's face illuminated by the moonlight.
Her fingers slowly traced the mark on his neck.
As she stared at that mark, the usual indifference on her face gradually disappeared.
She was still smiling.
But there was something different about that smile.
Something close to irritation.
That woman...
She truly is capable of anything to achieve her goals.
Scáthach continued staring at the mark.
It had already weakened considerably.
There was no way to remove it.
Not even runes could eliminate it.
The only solution was to wait for it to disappear naturally over time.
Or...
Replace it with another.
The thought appeared briefly.
Scáthach remained still for several moments before letting out a quiet sigh.
"If I do that..."
she murmured softly.
"I won't be any different from that woman."
Her gaze shifted toward Arthur's sleeping face.
At that moment, a gust of cold wind entered through the open window, causing Arthur to shiver.
Then he slowly opened his eyes.
Scáthach froze.
From their current position, the scene looked extremely ambiguous.
She was leaning over him.
"Sorry..."
Arthur murmured sleepily.
"I think I dozed off..."
But the words died in his throat.
He stared at Scáthach.
The distance between them was minimal.
The faint fragrance of her hair.
Her crimson eyes reflecting the moonlight.
Her delicate face bathed in silver radiance.
For a moment, Arthur simply stared at her, completely captivated.
Scáthach also remained silent.
She was capable of crossing battlefields drenched in blood.
She was capable of leading armies and defeating enemies far more numerous than her own forces.
She was capable of facing monsters and heroes without fear.
Yet at that moment, she had no idea what she was supposed to say.
The silence stretched on.
And just as Scáthach finally found a plausible explanation...
Arthur acted on impulse.
An impulse so sudden that even he himself couldn't understand it.
His arms wrapped around her neck.
Scáthach's eyes widened.
The next instant, Arthur leaned forward.
Everything happened before either of them could think.
Scáthach's pupils slowly dilated.
Disbelief filled her gaze.
Arthur was equally speechless.
He himself couldn't believe what he had just done.
Even knowing it was reckless.
Even knowing he shouldn't.
His heart had simply acted before his reason could stop it.
And at that moment, no explanation seemed sufficient.
Because, exactly as he had imagined so many times...
His master's lips were incredibly soft.
And they possessed a gentleness capable of making every rational thought disappear.
(End of Chapter)