They returned to the palace of Avalon.
Perhaps it was because the excitement of the banquet had cooled, or perhaps it was simply the night, but the palace interior was unusually quiet.
“The envoy is waiting for you. Eyes wide open and all.”
In fact, Gawain, who had come out to greet them the moment the sound of Morgana’s carriage was heard, seemed brimming with energy.
On the way to the reception room.
Before Kellive could even point out the mention of the ‘envoy,’ he quietly asked in return,
“You’re full of energy even at night.”
“Me? No, not at all. My blood pressure is spiking so much I could collapse right now.”
“I meant Sir Lancelot.”
The moment that name was spoken, a vein bulged on Gawain’s forehead. He seemed to dislike it immensely.
Kellive, heading toward the reception room, asked again, “When did you expect him back? I know it’s urgent business, but…”
“Well, for now. One of the envoys has passed away, so…”
Beside him, Morgana, walking briskly to keep up, glanced around Gawain and asked,
“But Sir Gawain, you’re the one guiding us? I thought the aide would take charge.”
“Raves clocks out the moment His Highness isn’t around.”
“Smart.”
‘Yeah. If the employer isn’t present, it’s time to leave.’
Just as she was thinking how bold that was in a way—Kellive, having arrived at the reception room, nodded at the guards standing by.
The door opened, revealing the softly lit interior.
Lancelot, seated on the sofa, was whispering flirtatiously with a maid.
“Ah, so? I had no idea Miss Gareth was Sir Gawain’s sister—”
Noticing Kellive’s entrance, he rose and bowed politely.
“Finally, you’ve arrived. Did you find Mangeum?”
Morgana subtly held up the drowsy Mangeum, who had been nodding off in her arms.
At Kellive’s glance, the maids who had been chatting and laughing moments ago quickly fled the room with frightened expressions.
After personally escorting Morgana to her seat, he sat down beside her and spoke.
“So, may I ask the reason you waited for me so late into the night?”
“I heard that the body of one of our envoys was discovered on the path from Britain to Avalon.”
He was referring to the knight Balin had impersonated.
Despite the heavy subject, Lancelot smiled faintly and waited for a response.
Listening quietly, Kellive remained relaxed, only tapping a finger on the armrest of the sofa.
After a brief silence, he straightened his posture. His golden eyes fixed sharply ahead.
“How much do you know about the High Priest’s affairs in Britain?”
“Given how shocking the incident was, rumors will spread across the continent within two or three days, won’t they?”
“Then let’s frame it as if the High Priest killed the envoy. In return, we’ll send adequate compensation to smooth things over.”
“If it were revealed that someone from Avalon was involved, it would unnecessarily complicate matters. Since it’s not an untrue claim, we’ll treat Sir Balin’s matter as if it never happened.”
“You’re quite the reasonable knight. It’s a shame you’re from Britain.”
“I, too, am relieved that Your Highness is more open-minded than I expected. At least for a while, we can entrust Lady Morgana to you.”
The conversation, which had been flowing naturally until now, abruptly halted. Kellive’s lips curled into a long smirk.
“‘At least for a while,’ you say? You sound quite confident.”
“Our princess is rather… persistent, you see.”
“Did Morgana not flee to Avalon because she disliked Britain?”
“If we’re being technical, wasn’t Avalon the first place she ran away to? Even though she later got hired as a maid in the British royal household.”
“Well, well. They sent a little fox as the envoy’s representative.”
“I’m flattered you find me charming.”
Morgana, who had been silently listening beside them, darted her eyes back and forth.
‘Well, it’s true they both ran away…’
She pressed her lips tightly together as she listened to the two men exchanging words without an inch of concession.
Kellive countered with a leisurely smile, while Lancelot responded politely with a bright grin.
On the surface, the mood seemed cheerful, but for some reason, a chill ran down her spine.
Meanwhile, Gawain, standing behind them, clenched his fist and silently cheered every time Kellive spoke.
“Nice.”
He was no different from a spectator at a sports match.
As the atmosphere grew tense enough to risk real offense, Morgana lightly placed a hand on the table and stood up.
“Then I’ll consider this matter settled for now!”
Two pairs of eyes looked up at her from their seats.
Lancelot smiled prettily and asked again, “When do you plan to return?”
“I’ll be staying in Avalon for the time being!”
Just as Kellive’s smile deepened at Morgan’s firm reply, she quickly added without missing a beat.
“And if I have business in Britain, I’ll go there too!”
Lancelot deliberately let his eyes droop in an exaggerated show of pity.
Anyone could tell it was an act, but seeing how it wasn’t annoying, it was clear why he was so popular.
“About when should we expect you?”
“First, I’ll be visiting the Street of Mages!”
The subject of the Holy Grail was taboo.
Since Pelles had trusted her enough to speak of it, she had to keep it secret.
Whether it was his first time hearing of it or not, Lancelot’s eyes briefly flickered with curiosity.
Morgana counted on her fingers as she continued, “They say Avalon’s night scape is beautiful, so I’ll see that too…!”
Just as she was about to run out of words, Kellive chimed in from beside her.
“Morgana, the Fire Festival is coming up soon. The night market as well.”
“Yes, that’s what I heard!”
Morgana clenched her fist and nodded firmly.
Lancelot, who had been quietly listening, let out a regretful chuckle.
“Understood. Then I’ll relay that to Her Highness the Princess.”
Once the matter was settled, Lancelot rose lightly.
Despite the late hour, he seemed ready to return to Britain right away.
Noticing this, Kellive kindly suggested first, “Safe travels. Don’t even look back.”
Wait, isn’t it customary to tell someone to leave at sunrise in situations like this?
His smiling face, eyes crinkled as if seeing him off without a shred of reluctance, showed no intention of stopping him—not even as a courtesy.
As if he hadn’t expected anything to begin with, Lancelot straightened his crumpled clothes and laughed.
“Of course. I wouldn’t have waited until nightfall for no reason. I planned to return as soon as the discussion ended.”
Was it really alright to send off a guest like this?
Given how rowdy the banquet had been, I felt a little guilty.
Stepping forward to follow him, I heard Kellive rise from his seat behind me.
Before the sound of footsteps could follow, Kellive glanced back and whispered to Morgana,
“I wish you would take charge of Britain, Lady Morgana.”
Unlike his usual playful expression, his solemn tone carried sincerity.
After a fleeting glance over Morgana’s shoulder, he continued in a deliberately lighthearted voice, as if nothing had happened.
“Back when you were in the palace, I fell for you, my lady.”
The words, spoken loud enough to be heard, drew a flustered exclamation from Gawain.
“Look at that! Our Gareth is completely smitten!”
Lancelot ignored Gawain with ease and pressed his lips to the back of Morgana’s hand.
Lifting his head slightly, he whispered again, “I mean it. If there’s anyone fit to rule Britain, it’s you, my lady.”
As if he hadn’t expected an answer, he rose without hesitation after those words.
After a proper bow, I quietly watched his retreating figure as he left to board the carriage back to Britain.
💫
Late morning.
Morgana was feeling absolutely miserable right now.
“Ah…ugh…”
Twisting in bed due to the delayed onset of muscle soreness, she groaned.
Excalibur, lying on the bed with a pillow under its hilt and covered by a blanket, clicked its tongue disapprovingly.
—Did you really collapse just from climbing a mountain?
“Excal, you don’t even walk on your own, so you wouldn’t get it.”
Channeling her power through her body, she finally felt a bit more alive.
As she staggered to her feet, Olivia, startled, stammered, “M-Morgana, my lady! I’ll prepare the washing water right away!”
It was clear she was tiptoeing around the matter of the banquet.
Pets raised by employers were usually treated like family. Even when Morgana worked as a royal maid in Britain, she had seen how pampered the little dogs were.
Punishment would have been justified.
But Mangeum’s escape wasn’t her fault.
Watching Olivia fluster, Morgana deliberately called out to her lightly.
“Olivia!”
“Y-yes!”
“Seems like Mangeum went off to play in her favorite spot.”
So don’t feel guilty.
Tears welled up in Olivia’s eyes as she understood the hidden meaning.
Just as her lips trembled with emotion—A voice announced from outside the door.
“Lady Morgana, His Highness Kellive has come to visit.”
“…Why so early?”
Of course, judging by how the sunlight was flooding the room, it was closer to noon.
Still, it was early.
How did he know I was awake?
As Morgana blinked in confusion, the voice outside the door, now filled with its own bewilderment, replied.
“He said you had a promise to visit the Mage’s Quarter together?”
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