Simulator in Type-moon, Starting with becoming Morgan husband!

Chapter 18: A Knight Reward for Loyalty

[Talent "Energetic" has been replaced by "Blessing of the Lake": You were brought by Morgan to the sacred place of her birth. You are now acknowledged by this divine and tranquil land. From this moment onward, you will no longer feel fatigue, your resistance to magic is enhanced, and low-level Magecraft will no longer affect you.]

[Once such a terrifying thought takes root, it is hard to erase it.]

[Realizing how utterly unfair everything is to Morgan, you cannot simply ignore it.]

[You cannot bear to see Morgan in such pain—it tears at your heart every moment.]

"Stop it, Ian."

Morgan stifled her sorrowful tears.

"I'm no longer sad."

"As you wish, Princess."

Ian's loyalty to Morgan was beyond imagination.

With just a simple command, Ian halted, standing silently beside her, complying with her every wish.

Seeing Ian clearly struggling with "something to say" yet remaining steadfast in his duty, Morgan couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

"Come closer, let's sit together for a bit."

"Princess, this is..."

"Ian, are you defying my order?"

A princess's order was one that must be obeyed unconditionally.

Without saying another word, Ian complied with Morgan's request and sat by the lake.

Morgan quickly joined her loyal knight, sitting beside him.

This time, they were no longer separated by the disparity of one on the shore and the other in the water—they sat side by side, as equals.

[The two of you remained silent for a long time.]

[The gentle forest breeze brushed against your faces, silently narrating the passage of time.]

[Even so, you felt that this was one of the rare, beautiful moments in your life.]

[As a healthy man sitting beside Morgan, you couldn't help but feel a slight flutter in your heart.]

[Just then, Morgan touched your hand, softly and gracefully.]

"You weren't frightened earlier, were you?" Morgan asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"Ian, you know… I'm not truly like that…"

"It's alright, Princess." Ian replied with a warm smile. "Easing your sorrow, even temporarily, is also a knight's duty."

Ian's words moved Morgan deeply.

It had been a long time since she had let herself reveal the grief buried within her.

"You are a loyal knight."

Morgan leaned forward, scooping up a handful of lake water with her delicate hand.

Her hands, soaked in the lake water, looked even whiter and smoother.

"I think it's time to reward you."

The very next moment, Ian felt a warmth and wetness—Morgan pressed her hand against his cheek.

(trans: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) for those who don't get it, the author is using metaphor here)

"Princess, you…"

"Don't you like it?" Morgan rested her other hand under her chin, asking Ian.

"If you don't, I can take my hand away now."

"No, that's not what I meant."

"Then isn't it fine?" Morgan lightly kicked the water, sending small splashes everywhere.

"But don't say I didn't warn you, you're my pawn. What you're allowed to do is still entirely under my control."

"Princess, this is a bit unexpected for me."

"But you don't want me to take my hand away, do you?" Morgan's lips curved into a faint smile.

"You've already said it yourself—your loyalty belongs entirely to me, and I can do whatever I please."

"I understand, Princess…"

Morgan's fingers were long and smooth, her skin soft like the soles of her feet, yet incredibly nimble due to her need to study Magecraft.

Her fingers glided lightly across Ian's cheek, her face showing warmth and a touch of nostalgia.

"Ian, it seems like it's been a long time since we've done something like this, hasn't it?"

"Indeed, Princess," Ian took a deep breath. "You're not mistaken; the last time I was by your side like this was a long time ago."

"Then Vortigern must have shown you many things since then, hasn't he?"

Ian shook his head.

"Not quite."

"That so-called reward trampled over Britannia's knights. I couldn't bring myself to accept it."

Morgan's expression turned incredulous.

"Ian, are you saying you never accepted any reward from Vortigern?"

"That's right." Ian nodded. "I've never received anything from him."

Hearing this, Morgan, ever perceptive, suddenly realized something.

"Then Ian, doesn't that mean you've endured this situation for many years?"

"No, Princess, carrying out the mission you assigned to me in secret is by no means a hardship."

"..."

Morgan remained silent for a long time.

Even though Ian would never blame her, Morgan couldn't help but feel a tinge of sorrow in her heart.

At last, her lips softened, no longer pressed tightly together.

"I'm sorry, Ian. It was my unrealistic fantasies that caused you to endure all those years."

"Do you regret it?"

"No." Ian smiled as he replied, "Princess, I've already said, I will never regret my loyalty to you."

"Your orders are the greatest honor I could ever receive."

Honor and glory are often swayed by flattery, but it is only in the face of solitude that true loyalty is revealed.

Morgan turned her face away, speaking softly with a voice that was hard to decipher:

"Do you… resent me? If so, you can say it now."

"Thank you for your concern, Princess."

"These things do bring me a bit of pain," Ian answered candidly, "But Princess, all of it can change for your sake."

"Princess, I would never resent you."

"Such a fool…"

Morgan turned her face further, but her hand gripped Ian's hand even tighter.

"Do you think by doing this, you'll make me feel guilty?"

"You're just a pawn to me, nothing more."

"Princess, of course I understand all of this."

"Then hold me tighter." Morgan whispered, "Ian, your opportunities aren't as abundant as you might think."

"If you miss this one, who knows when the next will come."

Morgan felt the warmth emanating from Ian.

Ian and Morgan held each other tightly.

With the princess's permission, the knight fulfilled his desire, embracing the one he had longed for and sworn to protect. The entire forest seemed to echo their peace, as a gentle breeze swept through, restoring tranquility to the moment.

"It's obviously uncomfortable, isn't it?"

Morgan slightly parted her legs and used her finger to trace her name across Ian's chest—her thoughts were a tangled mess.

"Why didn't you make it clear to me?"

"Because, Princess, you don't need to bear my pain."

"Then I command you now," Morgan said softly, finishing her name, "From now on, if you ever have something on your mind, you must tell me immediately."

"Then, Princess—"

Ian looked directly at Morgan in his arms.

"What if my thoughts are… that I can't accept you not ascending the throne?"

[You failed to notice one thing.]

[As you said those words, the once crystal-clear lake began to cloud with faint ripples of murk.]

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