Shortly after managing to calm Morgan down, it was decided it was time for us to return to our hometown, Carmarthen, taking Artoria with us. And so, we were in the courtyard where we were seen off by Uther and Morgan along with a few soldiers who wanted to talk with Ector. Apparently, they were his subordinates during his time working in the castle, so they wanted to take the opportunity to talk with him.

"Please be careful out there, Artoria. I can't help but worry knowing that you'll be trained by Merlin of all people. And be sure to tell Ector and Kay if she bullies you. I don't know about Ector but I'm sure that Kay would put her in her place if she goes too far." Morgan said, crouching down to Artoria's eye level who nodded at her sister's words.

"I wonder why nobody trusts me around here?"

"Why don't you put your hand on your heart and think about it? ...And no, don't start fondling yourself. We can't have you seducing the guards." I said when I saw her rub her own chest, moaning softly in the process, making a few guards glancing at her with apparent blush on their faces.

"Oh my… I already knew you love me and everything, but to think you'd also be possessive that you don't want other men to look at me with their perverted eyes." Merlin said as she gave me a large grin before she hugged me close from behind. "Honestly, I wonder what I should do with you?"

"For starters, let go of me. I don't want to deal with their jealousy." I said, feeling some heavy gazes upon me making me let out a sigh. And much to my misfortune, Merlin proceeded to hug me closer, making the guards glare at me harder.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. And I find it funny that you aren't embarrassed or try to push me away despite your words."

That's because I'm exhausted and I won't admit to her that I quite like the feeling of her breasts being pushed against the back of my head. And I don't think those guys are going to do anything against me. The rumors about me beating the guards who were against my knighthood already spread around so, unless they are confident in their skills, they won't come after me.

"You two seem to get along really well."

"I'm almost offended to hear such words, Lady Morgan." I said making the princess let out a giggle while Merlin started to poke at my cheek, seemingly unhappy with my words.

"What? Are you saying we don't get along?"

"I never said that, so can you not put words into my mouth?" I said to Merlin, looking up at her before I felt her chin hit my forehead a few times. "Hey, stop that."

"Oh yes, Kay." Hearing Morgan call out my name, I turned to her as I pushed back Merlin's chin. "Before you go, I would like to speak with you in private. Can you come with me for a few minutes?"

"Of course, you don't need to ask." I nodded and tried to make Merlin let go of me which she didn't, prompting me to jab her armpits.

"Nyah!" I was a little surprised at how quickly she let me go.

Looks like her armpits are really sensitive, good to know.

"I'm right behind you." I said to Morgan who was trying to hold back a laugh, looking at Merlin, before she nodded and walked away in a spot which would hide us from the others' view.

I wonder what she wants to talk about...

"Kay, I know I already told you earlier but I'm really counting on you to look after Artoria, she's my dear sister so I can't help but worry for her."

"I understand. As I promised you earlier, I will protect her, even if it costs me my life."

Perhaps right now is a good time to ask her...

"If you don't mind me asking, why won't you come with us to Carmarthen, Lady Morgan? I'm sure that there is no need for you to marry King Lot and part from your sister?" I asked her, but to my surprise, she shook her head with an apologetic expression on her face.

"I'm sorry but I can't."

"Is it because the marriage was arranged by the king?"

"In part, yes... Although the marriage was arranged by him and I don't want any part in this, it is my duty as the crowned princess to do it. Also, let me tell you a little secret. You see, my father, Uther, doesn't have much time left to live as his days are numbered. "

"Is that true?"

"Yes, it was prophesied by Merlin that he would die in a few days from an attack led by Vortigern, besieging Londinium with his whole army along with the Saxons he invited from the lands overseas."

Vortigern, Uther's brother and the girls' uncle... I don't know much about him but I wonder if he's similar to Oberon-Vortigern...

"And his lordship gave into his fate, accepting his death?" I couldn't help but to ask, not really believing that he would not try to change his destiny by many means, but Morgan simply nodded.

"Yes, he does. This is the reason why he decided to marry me off to Lot, whom he chose to become his regent after his death, something he announced the day his death was prophesied. And I believe that, as Uther's eldest child, it is my duty to inherit the throne and take control over his territory once he's gone, even if it means I have to marry that man."

I don't really know what to say... I may be the last person to say it since I'm not that bright but I find this idea naive. I'm sure there must be other ways for her to cross. Also, I honestly don't think that people, especially nobles, won't take it kindly to have a young girl like her as their ruler, even if she's Uther's daughter. Unless, since she's Merlin's Magecraft disciple, she can hypnotize Lot to be her puppet and make him act as her guise.

But still, it seems like she doesn't know yet that Artoria was sired by Uther for her to become his heir, and not her. I'm nearly certain that once Merlin announces that prophecy, the one involving Caliburn, that the one who retrieves the sword in the stone will be the future king of Britain, Morgan would take it badly, the same can be said for Lot as well.

For Morgan, her birthright was denied by her father who chose her little sister instead of her. If anything, I wouldn't be surprised if she thinks that Artoria might have stolen her right to the throne in a fit of madness. And as for Lot, to be told that he would only be a regent, temporarily ruling over his late lord's territory only to yield it to a child, I'm sure his pride would take a heavy hit. I may not know this man, but I kinda pity him.

Perhaps separating Artoria and Morgan… from Morgan le Fay, the one said to be the real ruler chosen by this land, may be the better choice after all but...

"Is there any way you can reconsider your decision? For your sister's sake…" I asked Morgan, a bit hopeful that she wouldn't be as stubborn as her father, but she shook her head with a remorseful look on her face.

Yeah, I knew it... Damn it, no matter how I see it, the future is rather bleak...

"Please don't look so sad."

"I've thought of something more interesting..." I heard Morgan say, snapping me out of my thoughts, as I looked at her to see Morgan gazing at me gently. "I don't know when that will happen, but I'm sure I'll be able to end this war and unite the country under my banner. I'm sure of it."

I'm sorry, princess, but seeing you look so hopeful is what makes me sad.

"Hey, Kay. Once I manage to end the war and become this country's ruler, will you do me the honor of becoming my champion? I believe that with you and your talents by my side along with Artoria, I may be able to create a new golden age for Albion, our country, so…"

As I saw Morgan ask this with her cheeks a bit red, I didn't know what to feel for her.

Sadness for the girl's fate? Or perhaps pity? In any case, I can say for certain that I felt bad for her. While I'm not too confident about my eloquence, or have a way with words, I want to try to give her some hope, even if it's a small glimmer of it.

"As long as you remain the kind and caring person that you are today, I will become your champion and stay by your side as long as you desire... so please, I ask of you to not change from the being you are right now." I said as I knelt before Morgan who let out a little smile before she presented me with the back of her hand, making me guess that she wanted me to kiss it in order to show my allegiance, to finalize our little promise. So, I took her hand in mine and approached my lips to her fingers.

Breaking an oath... is nothing new to me, but I really hope I won't have to do it.

"As expected, I think it's best to do it this way."

I suddenly heard Morgan mumble, making me blink before I looked up at her only to see the same smile Merlin would always wear on her face, sending shivers down my spine. And I noticed that her blond hair seemed to have turned a little pale, her eyes now being as blue as ice. And before I could say anything, Morgan quickly grabbed my face and I blinked when I felt her lips on mine.

What the… Eh?

I could only stare dumbfounded at Morgan as she withdrew her face from mine, licking her lips as she looked at me with a cunning gaze.

"Well then, I'll take your words to heart, Kay, so don't forget them. Because I won't ever."

Is she really the same person I talked to just a moment ago? And that appearance... don't tell me this is Morgan le Fay? But why would she emerge now? I don't understand...

Not trusting the words that would come out of my mouth, I decided to go for a little joke.

"Lady Morgan, I believe that you should reserve your lips to your future husband... To think that you would engage in such debauchery before you even got married."

"Indeed, but I'd rather have my first kiss with someone I love than a man Uther decided for me."

Her first kiss... I feel like that if Uther or Lot knew about it, they would send their guards after me. I mean, isn't women's purity a huge deal in this time period?

"I wasn't aware that you loved me, considering that our first meeting was only yesterday."

"I wouldn't say that I love you, but it is true that you certainly caught my attention."

For some reasons, I felt a bit relieved as I started to wonder if all women in this era were this quick to love people and bold enough to act upon their feelings. If that was the case, I would have started to be a bit scared of the future...

"Kay, where are you?! It's time for us to go!"

Hearing Ector call for me, I quickly stood on my feet and gave a quick bow to Morgan.

"It was nice meeting you, my lady, but it looks like we must part ways."

"Yes. Then let us go, we shouldn't keep them waiting."

Nodding at Morgan, we walked back together to the courtyard where Ector and the others were waiting, all eyeing us suspiciously.

"What were you two doing behind that wall together?"

"Nothing really important, Father. Lady Morgan wanted to say a few words so she beckoned to come with her."

"Is that so? In any case, it's time for us to go home. Lady Merlin, anytime you want."

"Sure. Artorius, if there is anything you want to say to your sister, this is your last chance." Merlin said to Artoria who looked at Morgan, a lonely look on her face.

"When will we meet again?"

"One day, that's all I can say for now. But as long as you stay safe and well with Kay, I'm sure that we will meet again." Morgan said to Artoria who slowly nodded at her words before she shyly grabbed on my pants and looked down, seemingly not wanting anybody to see her face but we all could see the sadness becoming apparent on it.

"Looks like you finished. Alright then, let's go."

And as Merlin said that, she snapped her fingers making a bunch of flower petals surround us, and just like that, we were teleported back home to Carmarthen, ending our little two-day trip to Londinium.