A Woman

As Artorius was about to doze off, he suddenly felt the blanket become heavier. When he slightly opened his eyes, he found Mordred lying on top of him.

"Mordred, stop messing around..." Artorius closed his eyes again, his body shaking slightly, trying to shake off Mordred who was sitting on him.

"Actually, I have something to tell you, brother."

"Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

Instead of using words, Mordred chose to express herself through direct action. She grabbed Artorius's hand and pressed it against her chest.

Artorius: "...?!"

He instantly woke up, opened his eyes, and looked at his 'little brother' with an incredulous gaze.

"Mordred, you're... a woman?"

Mordred responded to Artorius with her actions.

After Artorius expressed his surprise, Mordred boldly leaned forward and kissed him.

"...?!"

Half-genuine, half-playful. Half-serious, half-teasing.

Artorius never imagined that his dear sister would reach this level on their first try.

He thought Mordred would be conflicted, would contemplate, and feel discouraged. He expected that she would consider herself a weapon and confront him after being entangled in various negative emotions for several days.

He never expected that Mordred would come directly and passionately from the very beginning.

'This kid is really...'

While enduring Mordred's direct attack, Artorius couldn't help but marvel. At the same time, he couldn't help but ponder if he had gone too far.

But...

'Whatever.'

A few seconds of reflection were replaced with indifference.

Artorius embraced Mordred's waist.

===

The next day.

"Your Highness? Your Highness...?"

In the early morning, Gareth arrived at Artorius's tent. "I heard you suddenly left the banquet yesterday, and the Roman emperor seemed displeased. Is everything alright... You're not up yet?"

Looking at Artorius sleeping peacefully on the bed, Gareth couldn't help but mutter.

Then Gareth's entire attention focused on Artorius's side, on the figure with golden flowing hair.

She had her back turned to Gareth. Her upper body is exposed, with smooth skin. A small yet perky bottom, slender waist, and back, formed a beautiful figure that made Gareth blush inexplicably.

Such outstanding allure made her feel somewhat inferior.

"...Mor... dred?"

She cautiously called out.

Mordred didn't respond to her. Instead, she first grabbed the nearby coat and draped it over herself. She brushed her golden hair out from the collar and then put on a simple silver mask, covering her face. Only after that did she stand up, turn around, and speak to Gareth in a smug tone, like a victorious person.

"His Highness is tired. Do not disturb him."

"Ohh... Ehhh?! Wait! What?!"

After Mordred left, Gareth took a while to regain her composure. Why did she feel Mordred was bragging? Why did she feel such strange reverence towards her? And, and... Mordred is a woman?! She never heard that before!

When Mordred left, she was wearing tight-fitting clothes that accentuated her figure. Even though her body was still youthful and not fully developed, it exuded a unique teenage aura.

Gareth was similar in that regard. She often wore form-fitting attire and heavy armor. The former was usually when she was by Artorius's side, while the latter was on the battlefield.

So, when she realized that Artorius and Mordred were staying in the same tent and days had passed, the expression on her face grew pale.

"Your Highness?!"

Gareth ignored Mordred's warnings about him needing rest and being overworked and quickly rushed to Artorius's bedside. "What on earth is going on?!"

At the same time, Artorius was contemplating whether he should pretend to be asleep or just go 'YOLO' and face the situation. Meanwhile, Mordred was in a nearby empty warehouse, laughing foolishly and rolling around. She was saying things like, "Brother, my brother~" in between her laughter.

If Artorius were to witness this scene, he would surely exclaim—"Little Mo is still a child after all. To think a simple kiss could resolve everything."

A pity, he didn't.

After considering that evading the situation was both shameful and pointless, he stood up and chose to bravely confront it.

"Gareth." He looked earnestly at Gareth. "If I were to say that things aren't what you think, that I only just found out Mordred is a woman, and nothing happened between us, would you believe me?"

Gareth instinctively shook her head at first, but soon, when faced with his 'sincere' gaze, she changed her head shake into a nod.

"I-I believe you, Your Highness."

"Well, that's good..."

Since Gareth said that, Artorius wouldn't just abandon the girl. He reached out his hand and gently gave her a headpat, smiling without saying a word.

The affection from her master made Gareth smile with joy, almost to the point of lying down and showing her belly in loyalty.

Of course, that wasn't happening.

Before that could happen, the man with the perpetually gloomy expression had silently appeared, putting an end to the youthful playfulness of the young boy and girl.

"Your Highness." Agravain calmly spoke, "The Emperor requests your presence for an audience."

"Time for rewarding achievements, huh?" Artorius stood up. "I wonder what the outcome will be. It's quite exciting."

"In that case, Your Highness, what kind of outcome are you hoping for?" Agravain asked by Artorius's side. "Where do you wish to lead us?"

"Just watch, Agravain." Artorius calmly replied, "I promise you, our future will be glorious."

"Yes, Your Highness." Agravain bowed to Artorius. Today, even the Iron Knight was like a machine, providing Artorius with flawless and impeccable service.

For Artorius, as long as Agravain maintained this state, there would be no problems. Even if he only showed complete loyalty when facing King Arthur.