Camelot, Palace Garden
"So, what have you comprehended from this task so far, Artoria?" Uther asked in a playful tone, his back being skillfully massaged by Baobhan Sith, who remained dressed in her maid outfit.
He took a slow sip of the tea placed before him, savoring both the warmth of the drink and the relaxing touch of Sith's massage. Whether it was physical comfort or mental ease, Uther felt entirely at peace with the combination of soothing tea and her expert hands. A groan of satisfaction escaped him as her fingers kneaded his muscles expertly.
Indeed, this was the life befitting a king.
Even Artoria, sitting nearby, couldn't help but have her thoughts wander at her father's indulgent lifestyle. It was difficult for her not to imagine all the extravagances her father indulged in. However, after considering it for a while, she chose not to criticize what might appear as a wasteful existence. After all, she saw no hardship in the lives of the people in the Capital.
If the people of Camelot were still suffering as they had been in the past, when beggars filled the streets and misery was a daily sight, it would be a different story. But things had changed drastically since her father awoke from his coma. Uther had transformed Camelot back to its former glory, restoring the prosperity they had once known. Given that, it was difficult for Artoria to blame him for enjoying moments of relaxation after enduring the tremendous responsibilities and challenges he had faced.
If Uther could read Artoria's thoughts, he would likely roll his eyes in amusement. Why work hard when you can work smart?
What was the point of being a king, of having countless subordinates at your beck and call, if you insisted on doing all the tasks yourself?
A true king delegates.
Like slaying vampires, for instance—why should he dirty his own hands when he could send Artoria to do the job? And when he could manipulate the Eclipse Princess to avoid intervening in his affairs, and even persuade her to hand over a comprehensive list of vampire intelligence, why bother with the arduous process of investigating each one individually when Altrouge Brunestud could handle it for him?
Being a king and a leader is all about mastering the art of using people to achieve your goals. It's not about doing the work yourself; that would be no different than being a servant or, worse, a slave.
Now, let's return to the question at hand.
"I learned that those vampires were once merely victims." Artoria answered.
"Just that?" Uther probed, sensing that she had more to say. "Did you forget my lesson about understanding the complexity of good and evil? So, what did you truly learn from this?"
Artoria sighed, weariness creeping into her voice as she responded. "I would have never thought that a victim could become a perpetrator. They were supposed to be the ones who understood suffering the most. Yet instead of learning from their experiences, they inflicted the same suffering onto others."
Uther blinked at her response, but he chose not to comment directly. Instead, he began to impart his wisdom.
"Your judgment is clouded by your own emotions and a misplaced sense of justice, Artoria. Your feelings blind you from seeing the bigger picture. It's not that they're wrong simply because they acted wrongly. You shouldn't judge others based on your impossibly high standards. Moreover, these people weren't strong to begin with. They were victims, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. They never asked for this fate, nor did they choose to be used as mere food. They succumbed to the temptation of blood and to their instincts—not because they lacked strength, but because they never asked to be put in such a position."
He paused briefly, then added, "Rather than criticizing their actions, you should seek to understand them. Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn—and most fools do. But it takes real character and self-control to approach things with understanding."
"I hope, as my daughter, you will not become one of those fools, Artoria."
He is showing Artoria that leadership means understanding motivations, not simply condemning actions.
He wants Artoria to understand that leadership isn't about being righteous, it's about understanding people's true nature and using that knowledge to rule effectively.
"I understand, Father. What should I do then?" Artoria asked humbly, without a hint of defiance.
"I will soon march to Gwynedd, and during my absence, you will defend Camelot for me. You will form your own knights and teams; name them as you see fit. You may also make use of my maid, if necessary. She is no mere servant for the sake of being a servant—she is stronger than you realize."
As he spoke, Uther shifted his gaze toward Sith, and Artoria immediately understood the meaning behind his words. She nodded, signaling her comprehension.
Satisfied with her response, Uther continued, "Afterward, you will patrol the capital, keeping a watchful eye on it for me. Whether it's the oppression of nobles, thievery, dishonesty of merchants, or any other crimes committed within the capital, you are free to judge as you see fit. Speak to the people, learn to understand them, and blend with them. Gain knowledge from their lives. Read more books in the library if needed. They will provide you with valuable insight into the complexity of human nature. Do not be blinded by rigid concepts of right and wrong. I want you to understand that the world is not black and white, but many shades of grey, my daughter."
"I will not disappoint you, Father." Artoria bowed deeply.
Throughout the entire conversation, she had not even touched the tea or cookies set before her, choosing instead to focus intently on her father's teachings. Uther took great satisfaction in having such a capable and obedient daughter.
"You may leave now, Artoria, and bring them with you. I know you must be hungry and thirsty." Uther said kindly, his tone softening.
With a calm nod, Artoria gracefully gathered the untouched tea and cookies, as provided by the maids, and left with an air of quiet dignity.
Once Artoria had departed, Baobhan Sith, without needing any further instruction, knew exactly what to do.
She gracefully knelt down before Uther, carefully removing his pants.
With practiced ease, she took his cock in her hand, her grip firm but gentle.
Without hesitation, she spat onto it, coating it with her saliva, and then began to stroke it rhythmically, her hand moving with increasing speed and confidence.
"That's it," Uther murmured, reclining back into his chair with satisfaction. "You're getting better and better at this, Sith."
He closed his eyes, relaxing into the moment as Baobhan Sith expertly carried out her task.