Chapter 76: Take Me Home, Country Roads

(Einar's POV)

Queen Guinevere's affair with the knight of the lake, Lancelot brought storm in the capital.

There was not a single street that was not talking about the lecherous crime of the queen. Everyone was cursing these two nobles for bringing enough trouble for the king.

As such, King Arthur finally announced the execution for former queen Guinevere whereas the punishment of the knight was on a halt to be decided.

As a senior knight and one of the strongest of the round table, Lancelot's contribution cannot be ignored so his punishment would be a little softer compared to the direct penalty of Guinevere but no one knows what is really happening behind the scenes.

With dry bread with water and watery thin soup on a tray, I was carrying the food for Guinevere and walking towards her chamber.

Whatever sacrifices you made, one hideous crime and you should forget about forgiveness.

You could bear if a royalty is involved in murdering someone but adultery by Queen while King is busy dealing with problems is simply inexcusable if you see this from a general perspective. The public was way more sensitive concerning the crime of someone closer to the king

"Oh, Lord Einar? Are you here to bring food for that whore?"

"Haha, Lord Einar must also beat that bitch for what she had done!"

Those were the words of guards guarding Guinevere.

"Is that what you call your queen?" I asked with a smile.

"Lord Einar, you must be kidding calling her useless bitch, a queen, right?"

"Yeah, I have always wondered what the hell she even is doing while King Arthur leaves the capital. She was just a useless nuisance."

Their displeasure was visible on their faces.

It was indeed the hidden truth of the people of this land. Just like Agravain, a woman, who does not carry a sword and any wisdom like me or Merlin standing beside King Arthur, was simply unbearable.

It was the ugliness of these people of old Britons.

"Haha, you guys are right. I am here to teach her something for one last time before she leaves this place forever." I laughed and asked them to open the door.

They nodded and unlocked the locker.

I smiled at them for the final time before entering her chamber. When I locked the gate, blood splashed outside that surfaces inside the chamber under the gate.

"Ugh… I would need Galahad's help to clean this mess." I shook my head and then resumed my walk.

There was another five-meter corridor that separates the bathroom and living room.

I knocked several times before entering her chamber.

"Bro- Sir Einar…" It was a weak voice of the former queen who stood from her bed when she saw me.

She had become so weak that I could see bones on her cheek. Dark circles were visible on her eyes and her golden shiny hair was colorless.

"It's 'Hello Brother Einar' for you missy." I smiled.

She also smiled but it was the emotion of someone who had lost all hope to live. It was so painful but my smile didn't leave my face.

"Ugh, this place is so ugly. Another punch that Artoria owns." I shrugged my shoulders and threw the tray, I was carrying, in the trash.

"Let me improve something here." I snapped my fingers and golden light emerges under my feet.

As the light travels across the room, everything began to change.

In few seconds, the scenery of the dungeon completely transformed into a lavish and exquisite room befitting for the royalties.

A simple bed was changed into queen size bed, white clean walls replaced previous dirty bare walls and the floor had now a soft red velvet carpet.

Not only the furniture changed but the space around us also expanded.

I smiled and nodded with satisfaction. Making this kind of reality is simply a piece of cake for me.

"So do you like it? Is that of your taste or is it a little more cringe?" I asked Guinevere whose had confusion on her face.

"Sir… Einar…"

"What? Well, I take my words back. Call me Brother Einar like you used to say." I shrugged my shoulders and walked towards her.

Sniff* sniff*

"Ugh! You smell awful. Well, it is less unpleasant compared to Merlin who reeks of semen." I pressed my nostrils and then asked her to take a bath. "Go and wash while I prepare something to eat."

"Brother Einar… why are-"

Her question remained midway as I made Mono carry her to the bath and help her. Although I could feel what my guardian touches, I never had any erotic feelings for any girl neither she was in any condition to even think otherwise. She was hellish weak and must not be eating properly.

I not only made the room better but also made a separate bathroom and a kitchen befitting for me to cook.

After a while, she came back with her dress changed into light pink color pajamas. She was also looking a lot better as the soap I made had magical effects.

I then entered the room with the food trolley and saw her sitting on the bed.

"So feeling better?" I asked with a smile.

"Yes, thank you, Brother Einar." This time she properly answered with a sad yet hopeful smile.

Then just when I uncovered the tray, the sweet aroma of greasy meat filled the entire room combined with mango nectar and fresh bread.

I then asked her to sit and relax while I sat beside her and prepared the first bite and asked, "Say ah?"

She opened her mouth and accepted the bite. Slowly she started to chew while looking at my eyes but then tears began to fall from her eyes.

"Is something wrong with the food?" I raised my brow.

She shook her head then answered, "It has been so long… I missed this taste… the food you used to prepare with all your love…"

"Why thank you. Well, I used to make this for Artoria too. I remember the kind of pig she was." I then recalled her adorable face.

"I am sorry… Brother Einar… I betrayed you and…"

"Let's finish this first, eh?" I asked while she nodded.

I then began to tell her my story when I confessed to Artoria and the time I spent with her. I didn't tell her to make her feel guiltier but only shared my happiest memories.

After we finished eating, I snapped my fingers and the trolley disappeared.

I then asked her to make some room for me on the bed.

"Don't worry; I have zero interest in you as a man." I clarified.

"It kind of hurt me…" She scratched her nose but then moved a little.

When I pat my lap, as if recalling old memories, she smiled brightly and put her head on it.

"Now, didn't you have a question why I am doing this for you?" I asked while caressing her hair.

"I… do have… but I am happy to be able to call you brother at last…" She answered.

"Maybe I am someone who is feeding chicken to make it look better before the slaughter."

"I don't care Brother Einar…. I am very happy to eat food prepared by you… I think it is already a blessing for me…"

"You are going to be executed in three days."

"I know but it was already a very soft punishment for a sinner like me who has betrayed your trust not once but twice Brother Einar. I have regrets that I can't live… with the person I love but… that is okay…"

She smiled brightly.

"Well, you are going to leave this place soon… I don't think everything has a bad end."

"Huh…?"

She looked at me with widened eyes but I just chuckled and pat her head.

"Sleep well little imouto. Rest well as you have some muscles to build for the slaughter like a chicken"

She was in a daze when a bright smile with hope appeared on her face and she nodded.

"Let me sing you a song. You will feel at home."

I coughed and then started singing the best song when I often remember the home of people I used to live with. Vivian, Merlin, Scáthach, and… Artoria, a drop of tear dropped from my eyes when I began performing the song.

"Almost heaven~

West Virginia

Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River

Life is old there, older than the trees

Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze

Country roads, take me home

To the place, I belong

West Virginia, mountain mama

Take me home, country roads~"

My eyes became a little teary after 9 whole years. Guinevere was also teary looking at me with a sad yet delightful smile.

"Brother Einar, I pray for you to achieve the happiness you deserve." She said and wiped my teary eyes then closed her eyes entering a dreamland.

"Country roads, take me home

To the place, I belong

West Virginia, mountain mama

Take me home, country roads…."

I finished the song and sighed.

'Agravain, you wanna play politics? I will play with you whole heartily.'

I smirked and after giving Guinevere a kiss on the forehead I took out Jojo Manga and started reading it. I will end this.

*****

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