Chapter 29: Mellie Ambrosius
Chapter 29: Mellie Ambrosius
_____
[Finally leaving the City of Glory behind, you head toward Camelot dressed in a simple, practical outfit.]
[As you journey onward, your mind is filled with thoughts of King Uther. You're curious to see what the father of Morgan and Artoria is like in person. Has the current King Uther begun forging the Red Dragon, as legend foretells? And what of Merlin, the enigmatic mage of myth?]
[Morgan mentioned that Camelot's national teacher is a mysterious figure cloaked in secrecy, both literally and figuratively. Apparently, he seldom makes public appearances, so even she knows little about him.]
[Setting out from the City of Glory, the landscape you encounter is a stark contrast to the thriving city you now call home. Unlike its flourishing streets, much of the rest of Britain is barren, with its people enduring lives of hardship.]
["When it prospers, the people suffer; when it falls, the people suffer."]
[The adage drifts through your mind. Yet, when you think of the smiles of the people living under your rule in the City of Glory, your conviction only grows stronger. Perhaps Britain would be better off if you ruled it entirely.]
[After several days of travel, you finally arrive in Camelot. However, you decide against heading straight to King Uther's palace.]
[After all, as King of Glory, you know certain truths won't reveal themselves to you under such a title. To truly see the city, you must act under your name, Elric.]
["So, this is... Camelot?"]
[The sight of Camelot surprises you. It doesn't live up to Morgan's descriptions of grandeur and prosperity.
Perhaps, as a princess, Morgan had a limited view of the struggles faced by the poor. Or perhaps the wars of the past two years have taken their toll.
Whatever the reason, Camelot seems weary—a holy city diminished by a sense of decline that tarnishes its once-proud reputation.]
["The Holy City ? It really feels... unworthy of the name."]
[As you sigh at the sight before you, a gentle voice interrupts your thoughts.]
"Um... excuse me... please…"
"Hm?"
[Looking in the direction of the voice, you see a girl with an angelic smile.
She has a slender figure and a delicate, pure face. Her cold, fair skin, the fine quality of her clothes, and her neatly styled silver hair all indicate she's of noble birth.
If Morgan is a beguiling witch and Vivian a dreamy, ethereal fairy, then this girl before you is an image of innocence and purity—a living angel.]
"I... this is my first time leaving home, and I seem to have gotten separated from my servant."
[Her lavender eyes glimmer faintly as she speaks, raising her hands slightly to show that she has no belongings—not even a wallet.]
"I see that you're dressed like a noble. Could you... could you stay with me for a while? Just until my servant finds me?"
[You glance her over thoughtfully, weighing her words, before nodding with subtle intent.]
"Wonderful!"
[Her face lights up immediately, her angelic presence radiating warmth and stirring a desire to protect her.
She gently tugs on your sleeve and continues, "Thank you so much! I thought I wouldn't find anyone willing to help me, but you... I'm so grateful."
She pauses briefly before adding with a hopeful smile, "If you don't mind, could we find a place to eat something? How about that?"
Tilting her head slightly, she clasps her hands together in an adorably pleading gesture, her charm irresistible.]
[You chuckle lightly, amused. Despite her earnest demeanor, your instincts as a fraudster sound alarms—this girl is lying.
But you don't mind.]
["Since such a cute girl came to me for help, as a man, I think there's only one possible answer."]
[Her lavender eyes light up with anticipation as she awaits your response.]
"Let's go."
---
---
"Let's go."
[Faced with the girl's invitation, Elric observed her every reaction with a faint smile.]
"Yeah, yeah!"
[When Elricagreed, the girl clenched her fists in excitement but quickly seemed to grow self-conscious.]
"Well, I know a restaurant. It has great business. They say the nobles of Camelot are its regular patrons."
[The girl appeared quite familiar with the area. As she spoke, she led Elric forward, weaving through the streets with ease.]
[Along the way, the young noblewoman, seemingly out on her own for the first time, chatted incessantly. It was as though she'd never had someone to talk to before, her words flowing like the song of a carefree lark.]
[Meanwhile, Elric responded patiently, one sentence at a time, with a slight smile at her enthusiasm.]
[Their dynamic attracted the attention of passersby. After all, a handsome man and a beautiful woman walking together, with such contrasting temperaments and attire, were bound to draw the eyes of the crowd. The pair exuded an air of nobility, a combination that naturally turned heads.]
[When they arrived at the restaurant, the girl seemed to tone down her excitement. Upon seeing the hall bustling with other nobles, she gently tugged at Elric's sleeve.]
"Rhine, how about we get a private room?"
[On the way, the girl had learned Elric's name and even complimented how pleasant it sounded.]
"Private room? Sure."
[True to his easy-going nature, Elric agreed without hesitation, his demeanor strikingly relaxed.]
[Once inside the private room, the girl confidently ordered several signature dishes, her familiarity with the menu clear.]
"Rhine, did you know? This dish is…"
[Back in the private space, the girl seemed to relax completely, her lively energy returning. She chatted happily, introducing each dish to Elric while maintaining the polished etiquette of an aristocrat as she ate.]
[After dinner...]
[The girl delicately sipped a glass of water, her demeanor softening as if she felt the end of their time together approaching.]
[Her shy, hesitant expression was tinged with reluctance as she looked directly at Elric.]
"Rhine... it's getting late now, and I need to go home. Thank you for spending so much time with me—I really enjoyed it."
[Her delicate face, framed by cold white skin, was tinted with a faint blush, making her look all the more enchanting.]
"Rhine, I lied to you earlier. I didn't get separated from my servants. I ran away on purpose."
[The girl's lavender eyes glistened slightly with unshed tears as she continued, her fingers fidgeting nervously.]
"I've been under strict supervision since I was a child. I've never been free. Today was the first time I decided to run away and go against my family's wishes.
But it felt so good. And spending time with you was... wonderful."
[Despite her shyness, she mustered her courage and looked at Elric with an earnest gaze.]
"So... Rhine, could you be my friend? I've never had a friend before."
[Her voice wavered slightly, tinged with vulnerability.]
"If you don't mind... could you be my first friend?"
[Perhaps realizing how vulnerable her words sounded, or that they seemed like a plea, the girl quickly backtracked.]
"Of course, if you don't want to, Rhine, that's fine too. Really... it's okay."
"Be friends? Sure."
[Calmly, Elric met her gaze, agreeing with his usual composure.]
"Ah? If you don't want to, that's alright. After all, I—wait... Rhine, what did you just say? You agreed?!!"
[The girl's expression transformed, her face lighting up as though the clouds in her heart had suddenly parted, revealing clear skies.]
She walked up to Elric in just a few quick steps, her movements brimming with joy. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she extended her slender hand toward him.
"Then it's settled, Rhine. From now on, we're good friends!"
[Her lavender eyes sparkled with sincerity as she proclaimed their newfound bond.]
"Oh, by the way, I don't think I've introduced myself yet. My name is—"
"Mellie Ambrosius."
Before the girl could finish her sentence, Elric interrupted her, his calm expression unchanging from start to finish.
"Although this is our first meeting, I've heard a little about you. The legendary great wizard of Britain, the right-hand of King Uther, and the national teacher of Camelot."
[Crack.]
As Elric's words fell, a barely perceptible crack appeared in the girl's perfect expression.