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Chapter 48 – Battle Scars
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Lancelot closed his explanation to, well, his upset lover "when I woke up, I found myself not as human. To be more precise, half of my body could no longer be used, so The Lady Of The Lake replaced it and to prolong my life, she connected me with one of her Holy Beast, the winged Unicorn, also known as Alicorn".
The first thing Morgan protested about was how he never told her "you should have told me sooner!".
Lancelot blinked at that, this was not how he expected her to react "...you don't mind at all even if I'm not human?".
"you see, I and my half-brother shared the same mother, Lady Igraine. My father that people know, he is not exactly my biological father because my biological father is a Fairy, thus it makes me a half-Fairy half-human but it's only known by mother, my half-brother and my Master. Of course, being Master's apprentice and due to my heritage, I know and I can feel that partly of you isn't human. I even can feel the protection of Fairy-like coming of your Arondight, though I don't expect at all this Holy Beast could be fusing with you", Morgan put her hand on her hips, lifting her chin up "so what? You've been hiding the fact that partly of you aren't human, because you're afraid and unsure of my reaction? And you think that I'm gonna leave you after I know? That low you think of me? I can see that you don't believe me".
Lancelot dropped his head to the side and closed his eyes, feeling like his nerve was grated "like I said, it's not that I don't believe you. I've been afraid to tell you and I prepared myself to lost you once I told you that I'm not human!".
"and like the hell I care about it! The nerve you have! If you think I will leave you just because of this, I'll be offended! Okay, maybe you're different from other human, or you're not even human like you said, but I'm not gonna leave you just because of this! For me, Lancelot is still Lancelot! You are the only one that I love!", panting, Morgan gripped his sleeves and cried out "I love you, you idiot! Other than you, I don't want it! Never ever think I'm gonna leave your side just because of this!".
Lancelot sucked in deep breathe, joy and relief washing his heart as he reached out his hands with loving smile "my choice isn't wrong at all. You are really beautiful woman, Morgan".
Morgan lifted her hands and took a step backward "wait, I haven't finished yet... it's not like you're the only one who have been keeping a secret...".
Lancelot frowned "a secret?".
"do you remember when Guinevere was barely drowning?", guilt and fear etched on her face as Morgan admitted "the reason of why deep down in myself, some part of my heart told me that I don't deserve your love... because... due to my jealousy, I barely endangered her life. It's my Sin. I apologize... for caused your sister barely drowning".
Morgan flinched when Lancelot grabbed her shoulders but then, he frowned "sorry, but I think we need to clarify about it".
Lancelot kissed her, using his ability to 'Dive' into the sea of her memories. He saw it, how she yearned for her parents' love, how she felt jealous to Guinevere for earning love easily from Lancelot, King Uther, Merlin and even Arthur. That day when Guinevere was 9 years old and Morgan was 13 years old, Morgan had spilled out what she felt to Guinevere due to her jealousy when the little princess was reading book on the riverbank, accompanied by her dolphin doll. Why, why it always should be her who earning the love and affection from the people she desired like her half-brother, her Master, even Lancelot.
"and? Just because you don't earn the love and affection the way I have earned from the adults who gave me, even your half-brother paid more attention to me, then you felt jealous to me?", closing the book on her hands, Guinevere stood and left "I don't have time to listen to insecure child".
Morgan snatched Guinevere's necklace, the one Guinevere always wore and never let go (because for her, it was not only the last thing she had from her adopted parents, but it also had the Crests of both her biological parents considering what Lily said). After Morgan threw it to the river, Guinevere jumped to catch her necklace despite the fact she couldn't swim that time. As expected, she fell to the river with rather swift current and she was drowning. Lancelot happened to see it when he and Arthur were looking for Guinevere and Morgan. Arthur was about to jump into the river to save her but Lancelot stopped him because Arthur couldn't swim too. Taking off his upper clothes, Lancelot jumped to the river after asking Morgan to take care of Arthur. Unbeknownst by Arthur and Morgan, Lancelot turned into his Alicorn form to detect and wrap Guinevere within his water orb.
After they got out of the river and safely landed on the riverbank, Lancelot turned into his human form and tapped her cheeks "sister! Get yourself together!".
When Merlin, Morgan and Arthur arrived there, they saw Guinevere coughed, vomiting the river water after Lancelot gave the CPR. Once she regained back her consciousness, the first thing Guinevere was looking for, was her necklace. After Lancelot sighed heavily and offered her necklace back to her, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and cried in relief, thanking him for saving her and the necklace. Lancelot carried her on his arms, telling her to clean themselves before they caught a cold. Both Morgan and Arthur felt the pang on their heart, funny, because how could they feel jealous to them when in fact, Lancelot and Guinevere were siblings (not that they could be blamed either, considering they didn't even know about it). Merlin grumbled about how could she fall to the river when she clearly couldn't swim and now she caught a cold. Tristan and Isolde went to the market when this happened, so when they were back from the market, they were clueless as to why Lancelot, Merlin, Arthur and even Morgan chose to stay by the bed-ridden princess.
Morgan felt her body tensed, she prepared herself to get scolded by Tristan and her Master (considering their protectiveness to the little princess) for her fault. Perhaps even Arthur and Lancelot also would hate her after this.
Instead, surprisingly Guinevere lied to them as she sheepishly hid her lower face under the blanket "...I wanted to catch my dolphin doll who was about to fall to the river, but then the chain of my necklace broke and it fell to the river, so I caught it".
"and you fell to the river?", Tristan sighed and shook his head, inspecting the necklace "you should be more careful next time, princess. You're lucky because Lancelot was there to save you".
Merlin twitched her eyebrow "remind me, I really should teach you to swim once you get better".
"now, now, just let the princess sleeping and rest", Isolde waved her hand after she put the wet rag on her forehead. Looking up to Lancelot, Isolde blinked "but you didn't get the cold, Lancelot?".
Guinevere scoffed "like people said, usually someone stupid will not get the cold".
Lancelot ruffled her head "that's what you said to your life-saver, huh? Sleep, so you can get better".
The past vision was ended as Lancelot ended his 'Dive'. Looking down to Morgan who dropped to her knees, Lancelot crouched in front of her "...about you who deliberately threw that necklace to the river and barely endangered my sister's life, I knew it".
Morgan lifted her face and gasped "since when did you—".
"—ever since I saved her. Many times, I wanted to confront you and I always kept the distance between us due to my Prejudice. If not because of my sister who asked me to shut my mouth and do nothing to you, perhaps I have done something", looking up and down to her in the way that sending chill on her nape, Lancelot sighed "but you regret it, right? The proof is, you even said that you don't deserve my love".
Morgan cried silently, wiping her tears "and it's the truth...".
"it's enough, right? Let's just say that we're even and let's stop beating ourselves over something that have been bugging our minds. Let the past be the past, Morgan. There's no way I'm gonna turn my back against you when you always look straight onto me face-to-face", standing on his feet, Lancelot smiled broadly and reached out his hand to her "but if you still feel guilty... I think if there's someone who should earn the apologize from you for what you've done, it's not me but my sister".
Morgan smiled after she wiped the last of her tears. She reached out her hands to accept his "...I guess I also owe the gratitude to her".
Isolde was clueless as they kept walking and walking, far away from "Sir Tristan, where are we going? What do you want to do?".
Tristan stopped on the flower garden that he had found "here".
Flower garden was always her favorite place, especially Lily and Rose flowers. She didn't remember her past-lives memories and miraculously, she hadn't awakened yet but she had awakened temporarily. It was only the matter of time until she fully awakened. That was why, in the little time they had, he'd cherish it and spend it with her no matter how short it was, no matter how painful it would be for them later.
"Isolde", Tristan called and approached her after she stopped running around the flower garden like an excited girl "I've planned to do this once we finish our mission on Liones, but looks like I can't wait anymore".
Isolde blinked "to do what? Can't wait for what?".
"to make you mine", Tristan grabbed her hand and put the ring on her palm "will you marry me?".
Isolde's eyes widened "...what?".
"...it's okay if you don't want—".
"NO!", Isolde tried to get herself together, unable to look straight to him "no, wait! I mean.. if it's my older sister Merlin, I understand but I don't understand... why me?".
"because you are the one who stay by my side and know all my battle scars. You give me the reason to live my life again. I want you, because I love you, simply that", intertwining his fingers in between her knuckles, he leaned his forehead on hers "so your answer?".
Isolde burst out into tears, she cried out in joy and leaped, wrapping her arms around his shoulders "yes!".
"yay! Mission complete, Aunty!", Tristina lifted her fingers "phew, finally I could feel the weight off of my shoulders a bit".
Nel Hativa crouched beside her, chuckling and letting her hands down to the side as she ended the far-distance vision she had put on her "Tina, you sounded like an old woman that way, you know?".
Standing right beside Tristina who still sat on top of Hawk and Nel Hativa, Meliodas deadpanned "and here I wonder since when did you two have fun peeking on lovey-dovey couple as your hobby?".
"good for him then~", Ban whistled, sincerely feeling happy for Tristan and Isolde, also Lancelot and Morgan. Looking down to Jericho, he smirked "now, what should we do with her?~".
Before Dawn Roar or any of Seven Deadly Sins even considered to kill her, Lily took over with overly sweet smile on her face "so, Jericho dear~ I think we need to discipline you for earning magic power with improper way. Don't you agree, my son?".
As a good son he was, obviously Elias would agree to help her "okay, mom~".
After Lily clapped her hands and her underlings appeared through the portal on the air, (coming from their hidden Kingdom, Enchanted Woods) Lily introduced them to her underlings who turned out to be the twin "they are dopplegangers".
The older one lifted its right hand "my name is Castor".
The younger one lifted its left hand "and my name is Pollux".
After Castor and Pollux changed their form into Jericho and Elias, the spectators stunned. Lily explained the plan, where they would keep real Jericho with them as a hostage while Castor and Pollux who had changed their form into Jericho and Elias would go to the Capital of Liones and sneaked into Liones Castle with help from Dawn Roar.
Jericho protested "wait! I refuse! Why should I stay here with you all as a hostage!?".
"should we remind you of what happened to Sir Dale?", Elias sternly scowled, earning her flinch "it's not that I don't understand your desire to be stronger and earn magic power, but you earned magic power improperly with wrong way due to the Demon blood on your body and we need to get rid of it before it's too late to save you when you transform like Sir Dale. I can do it but I need help from Lady Isolde as a healer and my mother here".
"the problem is, your eyes will change back from these dark orbs into its previous colors before you drank the Demon blood. We can't let them know that you're no longer affected by Demon bloods", Lily chirped, cupping her cheek "so yes, until we invade Liones Castle, you stick close with my son".
Slader dubiously asked "but what if one of her comrades came here to find her? Or, either Castor or Pollux get caught".
Lily explained "no way in hell, unless they use the special spell to recognize people. The dopplegangers have been known as the best spy, thanks to their ability to copy appearance, memory and characters of someone. Their accuracy even reached 100% so we needn't to feel worry about their disguise get caught by someone, unless someone see it themselves when they changed from their human form into their fairy form".
Elias added "and there's a specialty of my Sacred Treasure, Gate Of Babylon, named Alice's Room. It can create a room within another dimension to prevent someone detect us. We just need to keep her in Alice's Room and no one can track her presence since we keep her in another entirely different dimension".
King stared with far-distance looks at how get along well Lily and Elias could be as mother and son. He even felt a bit sympathy to paled-face Jericho "what a terrifying mother and son".
Diane patted him in the shoulders "indeed".
Elias turned to Lily "not that I mind to do this task, mother, but you know I still can infiltrate to the Liones Castle with my partner as long as I keep her within Alice's room, right? Don't tell me this is an order from the princess too?".
Lily smiled innocently "no, it's fully my decision. You stick close with your brother until you two have your reconciliation".
Oh? King felt grateful for her but on the opposite, Elias protested "mother!".
"no buts, Elias", feeling the stare from grinned Meliodas, Lily smiled nervously "...is there something on my face?".
Meliodas reminisced the old times "no, I just thought of how motherly you have been now, when in fact, you were a fearsome Warrior Queen, you were so stern, stone-cold-hearted woman to the point you said that you didn't need a King, a man to be your husband to rule your Clan and you didn't like children".
Elias gasped and felt like on the verge of crying "you didn't like children?".
"Elias, I did, when I hadn't had a child of my own, Oberon and you. Now, I love children instead after knowing how adorable they are", Lily reassured him with sweet smile, hugging him before pointedly glared to Meliodas "also, that was when I hadn't met with Dahlia yet, please! And why did you bring it up so sudden here and now?".
Meliodas chuckled "well, when I think how all grown-up you have been as an adult and mature woman, I can feel it that you're so much like your mother".
Lily rolled her eyes, thinking it wouldn't bring harm to give a little revenge "telling your own daughter that she's so much like her mother, it only makes you sounded old, father".
Meliodas pulled her cheeks "cheeky".
"horhive he (forgive me)...", after Meliodas let her go, Lily rubbed her stinging cheeks when she felt the ogling from the others "what?".
"what do you mean by 'what'? Don't give us that when we are the one who should say it!", Ban lifted his shaking fingers to Lily and Meliodas "did you seriously say that you...".
"father, I'm not too surprised that no one of your comrades knew about us, considering you normally would keep us, your children, as well-hidden secret", Lily quirked her eyebrow "but is it a secret?".
Meliodas contemplated it and grinned broadly when he thought it was interesting to see how the others would react over this, not to mention they were also his allies, so it was safe to just tell them all "well, not entirely, Lancelot has so openly revealed his identity as my son, after all".
"well then, I guess it's only fair if I introduce myself properly. My name is Lily Titania, The Queen of Fay Clan from Hidden Kingdom Behind The Mist, Enchanted Woods. And yes", Lily smiled broadly, pointing to Meliodas with her thumb "I am his biological daughter".
As expected, the chaos ensued "WHAT?!".
Ban gawked in shock "how many kids do you have, you bastard!".
Knowing that Meliodas was Lily's father, which meant he was also Dahlia's father-in-law, King lost at it and lifted his hand above his eyebrow "salute to Your Majesty".
Perhaps thanks to King who broke first, Diane snapped out of it and shook her friend's shoulders despite her broken heart "King, get yourself together!".
Meliodas waved his hand flatly "no, King. It's not like that. It's just a coincidence that her mother was the Fay Queen".
Lily sighed in understanding "yes, Spriggan did told me about how you dislike the complicated things for being the part of Royalty".
Nel Hativa laughed out loud, smacking the ground beside her "you successfully broke them, Mel!".
Elias narrowed his eyes "wait, biological... but Lily, old man Spriggan told me once that both your parents passed away since long time ago when you were born? Your mother was due to childbirth and your father—".
Wait, come to think of it, Nel Hativa also mentioned how she had been Lily's godmother after demise of Lily's parents.
"Elias", Lily covered his mouth and gave her best stern, cold gazes "sometimes, there are things that better to not spoken of and kept hidden".
Elias gasped and covered his mouth "I'm so sorry, Lily!".
"no, it's not that I'm angry to you. I apologize, it's just...", Lily waved her hand and reassured that yes, she wasn't angry to him "I'm just surprised Spriggan told you about it. He talked too much".
Elias fidgethed the edge of his jacket with his fingers "does it bad?".
Lily smiled "no, it's good because when Spriggan talked too much to someone, it means he already trusted you".
Elias was still confused "but... old man Spriggan isn't the type of someone who would tell a lie?".
"he is. Whatever he's told you, it's the truth", Lily nodded her head with the looks as if saying 'please do not ask further' after this "the clue is, just like how people born and die, in the cycle of life, people do reincarnate, do you understand?".
Elias tapped his little fist on his palm "oh, I see! It explains why your father looks younger than you".
Lily scowled "are you telling me that I'm an old hag now?".
"no, not that's what I mean! Indeed, you look older than him, but it's not that I'm telling you that you're old or even dare to tell that you're an old hag, not at all, Lily! I mean, despite your age, you always look so young and beautiful! I always think Lily is so beautiful from the first time I saw you and... uh...", Elias waved his hands before blushing scarlet "well, maybe I never told you this out loud before, but... like you know, I don't remember my parents to the point I don't even know how do they look like, so I'm so grateful that you've taken a great care of me, I'm lucky to have you as my mother, although we aren't related by blood... and I wouldn't trade you with anyone in this world".
"thank you", Lily felt grateful and relieved that the main topics had shifted but now she was confused "I know it and I can feel it although you don't tell me about it out loud, but why so sudden?".
"ooh, perhaps he felt homesick already and he missed his mother so much~", Nel Hativa poked Elias' cheek "you are truly loved by kids, after all".
"Aunt!", Elias yelled before mumbling "well... but it's true...".
Lily squealed before hugging Elias, burying his face on her chest "then let's sleep together tonight~".
Jericho scoffed "hah, what a spoiled brat".
Elias rolled his eyes "and let me make it clear, you are far younger than me, brat".
Meliodas chuckled "you sure spoil your kids rotten, Lily".
"like you didn't?", Lily smiled bittersweetly before turning to Nel Hativa "and I think it's your turn to be honest, Aunt".
Nel Hativa blinked before the realization hit her "oh, about me and Gowther".
"also, if you can~", Ban slipped his hands on his pocket "can you tell us who is this Sophia, Cap'n?".
Lily, Nel Hativa and Meliodas stiffened and froze at their place. Without looking to anyone, with his bangs covered his eyes, masking his expression, Meliodas answered "...Sophia was my little sister, half-sibling. We shared the same father. She's dead and it's my fault. That's all I can tell you now".
Veronica, Griamore, King and Diane wondered what did he mean by that. Ban was about to apologize and Elizabeth was about to approach him to soothe him, whatever she could do, but they were surprised when Nel Hativa kicked Meliodas and sent him flying. On the other side, Lily facepalmed, she already knew this would happen.
Once Meliodas came back, he rubbed his stinging back where Nel Hativa had kicked him "what is it?".
Nel Hativa put her hand on her hip, hovering above him "that's for what you said just now about Sophia, you idiot. You should have known it better than anyone that she would never blame you, ever, neither she would even have the thought of blaming you. You weren't there when she died, simply that. No one can save everyone, Meliodas. If I ever hear you say it again, that Sophia's death is your fault, then it will not be ended with a simple kick".
Elizabeth exchanged the heated glances between them, wondering "what happened to Lady Sophia? Come to think of it, Lady Sophia's mother is Lady Lilith, so it means not only Lady Sophia is also the sister of Lady Merlin, Lady Neiva and Lady Isolde, right? I see, no wonder they're so close...".
When Elizabeth thought it was enough and they needed to stop them, Lancelot and Tristan appeared right beside Meliodas and Nel Hativa, surprisingly pouring two buckets of water to Meliodas and Nel Hativa. In result, Nel Hativa and Meliodas were soaking wet now.
Soaking wet Nel Hativa stomped on Lancelot's head "what are you doing, you insolent brat?".
Lancelot choked "give up".
Tristan dropped the bucket on his hand to the ground "we don't know what happened as long as we're away, but we do think you need to 'cool' down your head".
Soaking wet Meliodas smacked Tristan's head with the empty ale mug on Tristan's head "thank you for your intention to help, but it doesn't mean you have to literally cool us down with water like this, you cheeky brat".
"geez, I can't believe this", Nel Hativa nonchalantly took off her clothes, revealing the gruesome battle scars such as burns, arrow wounds, stabs, cuts or sword slashes, on her voluptuous body (don't worry, she still had the bandages wrapping her breast). When she felt the stares from the others, she blinked "what?".
"not what, right!", Veronica yelled "change your clothes in our shared room!".
Elizabeth blushed furiously, covered her with white cape that thankfully she earned from Lily "that's right, Lady Neiva! Let's hear your explanation about your relationship with Sir Gowther later after you have changed your clothes. You have to change your clothes too, Sir Meliodas, before you get a cold".
Both Nel Hativa and Meliodas smiled "so motherly like always, Elizabeth".
Yeah, they still should take care about Gowther after this.
Camelot Kingdom
After Gelda explained about Gwen's real identity as princess Guinevere Cameliard, Margaret cluelessly followed Gelda. Gelda had helped her to disguise herself, so no one would recognize her as first princess of Liones Kingdom. Right now, with blonde hair that tied in bun and white cape to cover around her body and shield her from the bit crisp of wind of the late night, Gelda and she arrived on Camelot. They walked around to the hallway to blend with the crowd who gathered on the throne room. They saw the young King sat on his throne, surrounded by his Knights Of Round Table. One of them, the one whom Margaret thought as the most intimidating of them, was a tall muscular man with mustache, he had blue eyes and orange hair. Somehow, something about him was familiar to her. Margaret silently asked if it was alright to just come to the crowd like this but Gelda told her that it was the best way to prevent the suspicion on the others with blend themselves in the middle of the crowd like this. Well, Gelda had the point here. To be honest, Gelda also had a little knowledge about what happened here as long as she went away, so she called Sir Bedivere. Bedivere approached her and recited what happened, that right now, King Arthur opened the trial to the Assassin who dared to poison princess Guinevere. With note to pester Merlin later, once Bedivere went back to the King's side, Gelda tried to calm down Margaret (the latter was still too shocked of what happened today, from how she departed from Liones with the teleportation orb, Gwen's real identity as princess and now this? When she just was about to meet with her again?).
Arthur closed his eyes, lowering his head solemnly and reminiscing the old days as he sat on the throne with both hands intertwined on the hilt's butt of his Sword.
"I know to enter the court is gonna be fulfilled with so much formality and other stuff blah blah blah", Arthur sighed heavily and groaned, rolling on the ground "but when you experienced it yourself, it sucks!".
Guinevere cleared her throat, calmly sitting beside him and reading the magic spell book on her hands "watch your mouth, prince".
"yes, yes, princess", Arthur sat back "but honestly, can you tell me?".
Guinevere lowered her book "about what?".
"you've changed compared to the first time we met, or it's just me", Arthur tilted his head "why do I feel like you always have those sad looks on your eyes?".
"well, I can't describe it very well", Guinevere described about how did she feel after the Seven Deadly Sins were framed, without telling Arthur out loud about them "and I can't describe, actually, this feeling of void in my heart... what should I call it?".
On the opposite, Arthur knew that feeling really well "do you feel lonely?".
"...oh, so this is what people called as loneliness?", Guinevere blinked her eyes, as if she just found the answer of something that she had been looking for all this time before she looking down "perhaps I do".
When Arthur caressed her head, Guinevere blushed and shifted to lay on her side above the ground in order to hide her blushing face "...Arthur, what are you doing?".
Arthur saw it already and he grinned broadly "because I think you're cute!".
Blushing deeper, she only covered her face with her book "...you idiot".
"cute!", he thought before he demanded more "don't hide your face. Let me see!".
Guinevere laughed before she ran away "no way!".
They ran on the garden without worry about the burden of the world. Guinevere who had been the moon of his life in the middle of darkness, who never lost her light even in the darkness and still radiated the gentle and warm light no matter how worst the battle scars she had gotten, just like the moon, only give the light without ask something for the salvation. She had cried in joy and told him that he's her sun, but for him, she was his moon, his light, the love of his life.
...He couldn't bear to lose her this fast...
The loud voice from one of Knights of Round Table sternly ordered the Assassin and snapped Arthur of his reverie "you are in the presence of the Knights of Round Table and King Arthur Pendragon, the son of King Uther Pendragon. On your knees!".
"no need", Arthur stood and opened his eyes. They flinched and cowered in fear after they could see the raging fire of Wrath from usually-cheerful young King. Arthur sauntered to approach the Assassin in front of him, ignoring the protest from his Holy Knights before he stabbed his sword on the floor in front of the Assassin. As a King, Arthur demanded, no, ordered him with voice fulfilled with authority "now, before I lose my patience and accidentally cut off your head from your body, tell me... does it true you poisoned my beloved soon-to-be-Queen? Tell me, why her and who ordered you?".
"you know nothing of her, Your Highness", strangely, the Assassin laughed maniacally "just like she did on Cameliard Kingdom, she only will bring the the fall of Camelot Kingdom!".
Margaret was entranced by how the people and Holy Knights here were enraged by this mad Assassin's ridiculous words, she couldn't help but feeling fascinated by how they adored and tried to defend their princess and young King. With them as the sovereign, no wonder Camelot Kingdom had been arose to where the light had been, back from the darkness era they once had been sinking on after the death of King Uther and the emptiness of the throne. Margaret yelped in fright but Gelda covered her eyes when Arthur stabbed the Assassin's thigh with his dagger.
Arthur growled as he pulled out his dagger "you're gonna pay for what you did to her and what you said".
The Assassin dropped to his knees, laughing madly "and you're gonna lose everything if this goes on, Your Highness. You know nothing of what you're gonna have to face in the future! Our Kingdom and everything!".
"King Arthur!", Merlin barged into the throne room "Her Highness has regained the consciousness! She's safe now!".
The audience cheered in joy and relief. Arthur immediately called the trial off before asking the Holy Knights to throw the Assassin into the jail and interrogate him further. Merlin and Escanor, with Gelda and Margaret in tow, followed Arthur who made a mad dash to Guinevere's chamber.
After Arthur barged the door, panting on the door in front of her chamber, Guinevere who conversed with the several healers and maids, looking up "...Arthur?".
Next second, what she knew, she was enveloped by his strong arms. Feeling all eyes on them, Guinevere patted his back, not to mention she still felt shy because she was still on her white sleeping gown "wha— Arthur, wait! Everyone's watching—".
"you scared me to shitless, you moron", running his fingers on her hair, Arthur inhaled her scent and kissed her forehead "I can't help it... I can't lose you...".
Guinevere sighed and hugged him back "...you idiot, no one said I would leave you, ever".
Standing near the door and leaning her back on the wall, Gelda asked "...don't you want to see her, princess Margaret?".
"well, of course I do", Margaret couldn't help but crying in joy and relief "but I still can wait. Right now, let's give them privacy".
Unfortunately, Guinevere fell asleep again so it was only them now. Escanor closed the door behind him and stood in front of the door, to make sure no one would listen to their conversation. It was only him with Margaret, Gelda, Merlin and Arthur who sat on the edge of her bed. They discussed about who the main culprit was. Obviously not Liones Kingdom, because (they had no idea about Dreyfus, though) Hendrickson would want Guinevere alive.
When Arthur asked about the reason, Merlin asked him about whether he still remembered about how to remove the seal of Goddess Clan and Arthur nodded his head "yes, I do know. In order to remove the seal, they have to gather all pieces the Coffin of Eternal Darkness and give the sacrifice in form the blood of the Apostle of the Goddess Clan. At least, there isn't any from the Druids of Istar, right?".
Gelda scoffed "who said that? There is".
Margaret and Arthur gasped "what? Who!?".
Merlin lifted her fingers and started to count "as far as I, Neiva and Gelda have known, there are four of them. One Druid and three others are not even the Druids but they are still the descendant of Goddess Clan, thus their bloods can be used as the key to break the seal. First, Lily Titania, the Queen of Fay Clan. Second, my dear little sister, Isolde Marianna. Third, princess Elizabeth Liones of Liones Kingdom, she is the only one who possess Druid's blood. Last, in Liones Kingdom she's known as the White Enchantress Gwen but to be more precise, she's far known by people of Camelot Kingdom as princess Guinevere Cameliard, the lost princess of fallen Cameliard Kingdom who have been raised under King Uther's court, fiancée of young King Arthur Pendragon and soon-to-be Queen of Camelot Kingdom".
Gelda added "I hardly say that they can reach Lily. She lives on the Enchanted Woods. Not to mention Fay Clan was known as the Legion of Demon King, sort of Warrior Clan that deliberately created by Lady Lilith. I presume they will aim for someone that easier for them to reach on, like Isolde or princesses".
Margaret clenched her fists "wait, it means my sister Ellie and Gwen are in the utmost danger, right?".
Gelda touched Margaret's shoulder gently "we will not let anything to happen to them, princess. Not again".
"as an adult, we will try our best to protect her but when we can no longer protect her", Escanor touched Arthur's shoulders "then it's your turn to protect her. Not only her body, but also her heart, soul and mind".
"without you ask, I will do it", Arthur crossed one arm before his chest with determination on his eyes. Looking down to her sleeping figure, he caressed her hair "I will protect her no matter what, even if it will cost my life, because I love her".
Margaret smiled broadly "...I was worried, what kind of life she's been going through here but I'm glad to know that she's under care of good hands. I'm really relieved now. For helping to take care of her, thank you very much, King Arthur".
Arthur waved his hands with slight blush when Margaret bowed her head "ah, no need, princess! I just did what I should do! Besides, it's mostly Merlin and the others who helped me...".
A/N :
Okay, so we have another big secret revealed next chapter! If you're wondering when will I start the Liones Arc, be patient, it will happen after about two or three chapters after this chapter. I'm still working on it. Sorry if you think I made Arthur or the others kinda OOC here, anyway. Just see what happened next chapter to them~