Series Placement: The following Shard takes between Fragments 84 and 85.

It was ten minutes after Merlin's strange activation of his noble phantasm that the 'secret' was revealed. Playing in the Arcade, waiting for his turn on Civilization IV, and out of barbecue chips, of course the King of Conquerors had nothing better to do than browse his phone. A few peaks at Vigil photographs here, a scroll on Thronebook there… and then he saw the post exploding with likes.

Iskandar's eyebrow nearly shot past his hairline. "Ho…? Well would you look at that. The King of Knights is now engaged."

"I thought it'd be months more, but I suppose they did meet in a past war." At the computer beside him, Lord El-Melloi II was casually waiting for his turn too. Tyler was clicking away at another adjacent computer, and Angra at one more, but Iskandar's eyes were glued to his phone reading the comments. He scratched at his favorite Admirable Tactics shirt aggressively to swat an annoying itch, but the suit-wearing caster kept his attention on his own computer.

After briefly eyeing Iskandar's small, content smile, the caster watched his screen yet again. "Thinking of congratulating her?"

"Maybe so. I don't think she'd mind either," the king offered. "Sincere praise from one King to another."

El-Melloi eyed his king again, cracked a smirk, then looked back again; His screen sure seemed enticing. "Did you ever tell her of your change of heart?"

"Not change of heart, boy, but a change of perspective," Iskandar corrected with a grin. "You know what my heart will and will not agree with! That will never change!"

To his curiosity, El-Melloi's smirk only grew. He didn't turn away from the screen. "I know, my King… But your strategy might have to change."

Iskandar blinked at his retainer, lowered his phone, and stared at his screen. Thoughts of talking to Arturia were cast aside for the sight at his northern border city… Former city. Surrounded by cyan troops, he gawked as another fresh catapult rolled out of the fog of war and into view. The chuckling from his three companions grew until he let out a cry that shook Kintoki and Serenity from their friendly game on a nearby couch.

"OHHHH IT'S WAR NOW, TYLER!"

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Shard 45: A King's Heart

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Victory. Ambition. Perseverance. Drive. Happiness.

Together, they were the beat of his heart, but it would have remained empty were it not for the countless bonds he'd forged with those he ruled. Their number still grew even after his death, and though the fall of his empire pained him, he wouldn't regret it. He lived perfectly and contently. His heart remained true, back then as it was now.

His heart could never acknowledge what was wrong or wasn't worthy, but his judgement wasn't absolute.

Arturia proved it single-handedly in one of the most beautiful blooms he'd had the privilege of witnessing from afar.

Since Camelot, they'd only traded a few sparse conversations. Iskandar got along far better with Mordred than the small King of Knights, but with every month it seemed that door was finally opening. Now, with the advent of her saint graph surgery, her flower opened in a way he could truly agree with… But, admittedly, it took more than just her experiences in Chaldea to make him see her as she deserved to be.

"Congratulations and many fine years to come! The pictures surely couldn't say it all! A beautiful ceremony fit for a mythical King! I can only imagine how difficult it was for your beautiful bride to keep it a secret!"

And there he finally stood before her, in the Camelot Room, offering his congratulations and taking in his first sight of the new King of Knights. Resplendent in glistening armor, since her measurements still needed to be appropriated to new clothes. Overflowing with pride and satisfaction, the likes of which that younger self he'd met in Fuyuki could never truly embody. Eyes aglow with life, happiness, and appreciation, the kind in which the Lion King so desperately needed to grasp.

Without any ounce of doubt, she deserved his congratulations and more.

Arturia let out a light laugh at his words. "Thank you, King of Conquerors. It was a surprise I enjoyed more than I could hope to express."

"Oh come now, Arturia. I think you're far better at expressing it now than ever before, no?" Iskandar chuckled.

To his delight, the King of Knights did crack a smile. "…Mayhaps I could."

"No doubt you could. You're far greater now than you ever have been," he concluded as he crossed his arms over his own regal armor. As he smirked, he noticed the slightest slip of her satisfaction ad mirth. There was no mistaking why: His words from long ago clearly still stung then as they did now.

'That's obvious.' He never did make a formal apology, but he didn't see the need to. Arturia had everything she needed, for she certainly didn't need anything more from him than his coarse critique. He'd been content with simple small talk, fair comradery, and not an ounce of disapproval in any glance… but clearly that wasn't enough. True, words stung deep, and though it wouldn't get anything of his chest to say, he wouldn't say no to improving relations with allies.

For far too long, words left unsaid finally formed to clear a misunderstanding. He opened his mouth to speak, but to his shock, Arturia beat him to it with newly steeled eyes. "…You were right that day."

"…Hm?"

"Your words were harsh… but I needed to hear them. That a king must not stand alone. I mulled over them since I arrived, and then tried to make it work. It was difficult, but I'm glad I finally came to understand how wrong I was to shoulder everything alone."

He dared to question as his smile faded. "And do you see now your old wish as wrong?"

Hers did too. "…No. If I could… maybe I would still wish upon a grail to return. I won't lie and say part of me doesn't want to save my Kingdom with new eyes. To bring them salvation the honest and right way, and to lead with heart and not solitude. But if it means I abandon all that has come to be… I admit, I am reluctant too."

"So you don't see your old wish as wrong."

Her eyes turned adamant. "No, King of Conquerors. I will never see the wish of saving my kingdom as wrong, but if I could, I'd like to find another way to-"

He laughed, stunning her into silence. "Excellent! As a proper King should!"

"…Find another wa-?"

"No, Saber! Not that!" he bellowed contently with her old nickname. "That you hadn't changed how you feel about your wish! Your post-death ambition!"

Now Arturia was really lost, and it showed so hilariously on her mature face. She blinked. "…I'm afraid I don't understand. I thought you despised that-"

"Yes. I did," he interrupted, yet again, much to her amusingly visible chagrin. "My heart could never agree to it. Not as I saw it at first glance, at least… You have my retainer to thank for that."

"Mister Velvet…" Arturia murmured, and Iskandar nodded.

"Aye. You know as well as I. Grew into a smart, cunning man, he did. Bold too. Daring enough to finally point out the flawed logic in my own argument against you," Iskandar began with a friendly wave of his hand. "My King, is she not greedy in her own way? To wish to rob the present deaths and future lives of their meaning for a chance to try again? How is that not a selfish, greedy, selfless ambition of a king showing those they ruled over how one should be?"

She remained silent as he listed on. "If not that, then my belief you stood alone was shallow. I was right, that no king should stand alone, and you didn't. I could see it in the sheer loyalty of your knights, and the fault it sadly brought Camelot to. But anew, it's a beautiful sight. Your greedy desire for redemption made for a fine beacon of reunification. You proved my heart true, but my eyes blind, King of Knights."

Maybe it wasn't something he'd ever consider, but it was certainly a selfish ambition of another kind. A way to live different from his own, but encompassing the same base ideals his heart always followed. The ones that echoed in his mind for eternity.

Victory. Ambition. Perseverance. Drive. Happiness.

Yes. This was merely Arturia's vision of the same thing. Their hearts were the same, in some way. If not a perfect mirror, then they thundered with the pulse of a true king: A flawed yet perfect human who lead by example and chased their ambitions ceaselessly.

Iskandar grinned. "You were right, Arturia. And I was wrong. You were wrong, and I was right. But just because I'm right, doesn't make you wrong! However, we are both left-out of a fun supply sortie, or so my retainer is saying from the Control Room!"

At his silly offered words, Arturia cracked a smile again. Even giggled a bit. She lifted her hand to her mouth to stifle her it, letting her new engagement ring shine as brightly as her lively eyes. Maybe they rivalled her returned smile too. "Is it? You have me curious, but also relieved. I won't deny, I'm pleased to hear what you had to say this time."

"I guess it needed to be said," he shrugged apologetically. "I thought I made it obvious, but Tyler told me that modern saying about assumptions."

"Yes. It's best not to make them anymore. Misunderstandings are the enemy," Arturia agreed as she offered her hand to shake. He quickly reached out, grasped it, and made her flinch with surprise as he laughed. She still smiled. "Thank you once again, King of Conquerors. I hope we get along better from now on… and thank you for being a good friend for Mordred."

"Aye, Camelot's Crown Prince is a fun one for certain," he bellowed. "Maybe heirs can be invited to a banquet of Kings… We should have another, right? Improve relations among the nations and enjoy some more of Gilgamesh's finest wines!"

Arturia's smile dipped only a touch, out of exasperation, as he grew excited. "I'll raise it with Da Vinci again! Surely it's not too much to ask for, yes? But… Hmm, it needs to be done right this time! No gloomy courtyards! I'll get talking with Marie so we can set a date well ahead of time to sync schedules! February? March…?"

"There's plenty of time to plan one, Iskandar, and I'll hopefully make it this time around," Arturia noted as they released their handshake. "I also appreciate the forewarning, this time."

"That's fair. There's much time to plan," he agreed. "I'll see what some of the others have to say. Maybe Gilgamesh won't be as sour so we could invite heirs. Wouldn't that be fun, Mordred?"

A yelp of surprise echoed from the doorway, but both Iskandar and Arturia turned without an ounce of shock; They both knew. Arturia sighed lightly, "…Eavesdropping continues to be the Chaldean pastime…"

Mordred slowly peaked around the corner with her concealment cape wrapped around her cloak. She let out a dry, sheepish chuckle as she met her gaze with her amused father. "Uh… So how long did you know I was…?"

"You're not the best at hiding things, Mordred," Arturia sighed pleasantly as she crossed her arms. "My other knights are better, but mayhaps Bedivere is the best. I still know all of you are out there."

Iskandar's smile grew a touch brighter as Arturia's other knights appeared, sheepish and embarrassed in a wide array of their usual suits. Gawain was the first to bow in apology. Tristan mumbled something sad about eavesdropping. Lancelot glanced around, probably wondering if Mashu was in scolding range.

Bedivere was the one to talk though. "Forgive us, my King… We were just worried that..."

"It's fine," she reassured with a smile as she turned to appraise Iskandar's slightly confused expression. "They're aware of what had come to pass, but there's nothing for anyone to worry about this time."

As her knights began talking over each other in apology, Arthur appeared to try and help settle accounts. Arturia and him were having… a little success. It was quite amusing to watch on the sidelines, really… the strange nuances of New Camelot.

But, there was much to appreciate for sure.

Smirk proud and accepting, Iskandar glanced over the many eyes of valiant knights and heir. The appreciation and devotion shined in them, reminding him once more of the bonds he held so close and proud. He saw the acknowledgement and reassurances shining powerfully in Arturia's own, like a guiding beacon of noble chivalry… honed to a sharpened edge with happiness and personal satisfaction. A greed to pursue what was impossible and make a reality.

For sure, her transformation into her older body was more than just a physical change. It was the capstone of a journey that, he believed, she so rightfully deserved. With the most casual reason of wishing to change her form simply because she desired it… a flower had bloomed. She'd found her own beat and balance between personal desire, kingly disposition, and sought ambitions.

That king's heart finally shined as it should.