Gawain and Agravain

Amid the cheers of the entire city, Leon's procession slowly entered the palace.

After they stopped, Leon still didn't emerge. Luther, whom the others had once again chosen to approach him, tiptoed over. When he heard no sound from inside the carriage, he knocked on the door.

"Your Majesty, we've arrived at the palace."

Creak.

The carriage door was slowly pushed open from within, and Leon stepped out, looking relaxed and serene, like a saint in deep meditation.

Morgan followed close behind him, her brows knitted and her expression cold. Only after stepping down did she discreetly kick him in the shin.

Luther looked at the two solemn-faced figures, then noticed that the armor at Leon's waist was no longer as neat as before. He looked away.

"Leon, go discuss state affairs with the ministers. I'll return to my chambers first."

At Morgan's words, Leon nodded and headed toward the council chamber, surrounded by his ministers.

Only after watching Leon disappear around the corner did Morgan leave with measured steps.

In the council chamber, Leon listened as his ministers reported on Camelot's condition during the two months he had been away.

Perhaps it was the fatigue that came after the fighting, but Leon struggled to focus and seemed distracted. After getting the general picture, he quickly brought the briefing to an end.

Rubbing his eyes, Leon sighed. Camelot was still too small.

At least the palace was large.

When he returned to his chambers, he found two boys there besides the guards on duty.

Leon immediately frowned. He ordered the guards to seize the boys and bring them before him.

"Who are you, and why are you in my chambers? Are you assassins?"

One boy had black hair, the other blond. They looked about twelve or thirteen. The black-haired boy was thin and had a sinister look about him, hardly the face of an honest person. The blond boy was sturdy and mild-mannered, with a touch of simple innocence.

"We're not assassins!"

"Exactly! We were summoned to the palace."

Leon's gaze turned cold. "Who summoned you?"

How had he not heard about this?

The palace was his domain, yet someone had dared to issue orders without his knowledge and invite people into his chambers. They clearly had no regard for him.

Damn it!

"It was—it was your order."

Perhaps Leon's imposing aura had frightened the boys. The black-haired one hurriedly explained, speaking quickly but coherently.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're the Lion King. We're Mother Morgan le Fay's sons. Mother said she had your permission, so she sent someone to bring us both to the palace to pay our respects to you. You can ask her about it."

Leon remembered. Morgan had indeed mentioned it in the carriage, saying she wanted him to meet her two sons and arrange their studies and training. At the time, he had been occupied with something urgent, and it hadn't seemed important, so he had agreed without much thought.

Morgan wasn't the only one who had brought it up. His father, Luther, had also told him that Morgan had returned to Camelot less than a month after Leon left on campaign, bringing two boys with her. Luther had told him to keep an eye on the situation.

Looking at the two children, Leon hadn't expected Morgan to act so quickly. Judging by the timing, she must have given the order as soon as she got out of the carriage.

So these two boys were Agravain and Gawain.

"You two, call me Father."

After releasing the boys, Leon was overcome by a mischievous urge. He wanted to see Morgan's sons squirm with embarrassment.

Agravain nodded as if it were only natural. "Since you married Mother, you're naturally my father."

Gawain, on the other hand, looked indignant. "Yes, you're my third father."

Hah, what a temper!

Leon could see it clearly: Agravain was gloomy and stern, while Gawain was earnest and carefree. Each had his own nature.

Gawain's sharp words weren't really because he had a problem with Leon. He resented his mother, Morgan, and that made him dislike Leon for marrying her.

"Aw, my good son. Say it a few more times."

"Father!"

"Father!"

"Heh heh, good boy. That's my good son."

Leon answered loudly, then made them say it three or four more times. Once he'd satisfied his mischievous streak, he led them into his chambers.

He needed to tell Morgan not to bring people into the palace so casually. Even her own sons were no exception, especially young children. Anyone who saw them might think he was one of Jesus's disciples.

"Morgan, I've brought our two sons over!"

After entering the inner chamber and walking a few steps, Leon saw Morgan reclining on the bed, her staff propped against the headboard.

Her shapely, full figure was hidden beneath black and blue, its curves exquisite and alluring. Even doing nothing, she drew the eye and held it captive with her mature charm.

Don't get the wrong idea!

Leon was talking about the staff, long as a halberd.

The moment he saw Morgan, Leon immediately sent the maids out of the chamber.

Then he sent his two stepsons away as well, ordering them to go to Luther.

"Morgan, now it's just the two of us..."

"No!" Morgan refused at once.

She'd tried it in the carriage earlier, and it had hurt so much that she was still sore. Morgan figured she'd need another two or three days to recover.

Leon was too big.

"Let me hold you for a while. Don't worry, I won't do anything."

Leon moved closer and gathered Morgan into his arms. He buried his face in her pale golden hair, breathed in its faint fragrance, and murmured:

"Morgan, you're so beautiful."

Clearly, Leon hadn't kept his promise.

Afterward, as he gazed at her lovely face, he suddenly thought of the original protagonist of the island of Britain, Artoria.

"Morgan, what's your relationship with Arthur? Are you sisters?"

As everyone knew, Earth and the Moon had separated, and so much time had passed that Leon had always thought he was in Warhammer. He'd long since forgotten some of the lore from Type-Moon.

"Artoria—that is, Arthur—and I have the same father, but different mothers."

Morgan rested her head on Leon's arm, her slender, pale fingers gliding over his chest and occasionally pressing against his abs.

"I'm the child of a human and a Fairy, and I was born to be the Lord of the Island. Artoria is Britain's Red Dragon. She was created to ensure Britain's prosperity would continue."

"Then King Uther must have been quite a man."

A human and a Fairy, a human and a dragon—what a wild imagination.

"Why did you suddenly ask about Artoria?" Morgan narrowed her eyes, suddenly wary.

Leon explained, "My coronation is in a couple of days. It'll establish my lawful claim to this country, and I hope Artoria can attend too, to lend my throne some prestige."

Morgan immediately lost interest. "Oh, there's no point asking me about that. Go ask Merlin. I remember he hid Artoria away before. If you want her to show herself, you'll have to ask him."

Leon nodded, thoughtful.