Boy? Girl

A youth walked across a meadow, accompanied by a herd of horses.

Though appearing to be a beautiful boy, she was in reality a young girl with golden hair.

Her name was Artoria Pendragon. Despite being a girl, she had been raised according to the standards of a male in both her conduct and daily life.

"Lia!" a male voice called out from the distance.

"Brother Kay," Artoria murmured.

A tall, handsome young man came running from the horizon.

His name was Kay, Artoria's foster brother and the eldest son of Sir Ector.

"What is it, Brother Kay?" Artoria asked politely.

"Uncle Anno is here, and Father is calling us back," Kay said with some excitement.

"Mr. Anno is here? I understand." She paused, a bright smile appearing on her face. She whistled to the herd of horses and walked toward home side-by-side with her foster brother.

Artoria was fourteen years old this year. Over the years, she had lived with her father and brother, farming and herding horses. Sir Ector also taught her and Kay swordsmanship, spearmanship, and horsemanship, while the court mage Merlin taught her the knowledge required of a future king within her dreams.

She was clear on her future destiny, and for the sake of Britain, she would accept it.

Anno would visit every so often to check on Artoria, bringing playmates and rare, delicious food for the two children.

Although he was a knight, he possessed an unexpectedly high talent for cooking.

But this time, Anno had brought more than just food and playmates.

Clatter.

The cup in his hand fell to the floor, shattering into pieces as tea flowed across the ground.

"Lord Anno, is what you say... true?" Sir Ector, who had begun to show his age, trembled all over.

"Yes, it is true." Anno's voice was also incredibly heavy.

Anno was now thirty-four. His features had become more rugged, and though his black hair remained the same length, his calloused hands showed that this man had not lived a peaceful life over these years.

He had brought grave news this time.

King Uther, who had been severely wounded in the battle against Vortigern fourteen years ago, could no longer hold on, even with Merlin forcibly extending his life.

King Uther was in critical condition.

As a friend and subject of King Uther, Anno had arrived at Sir Ector's home, his heart heavy with grief, accompanied by Lancelot.

"This, this..." Sir Ector sat in his chair, still unable to believe it.

"The King... it is time for him to be released," Anno said powerlessly.

"Ah..." Ector froze, on the verge of anger, but suddenly realizing something, he let out a sigh instead.

King Uther truly needed to rest.

"Father, we're back!" Kay's voice carried from afar.

Shaking his head, Anno stood up from his chair. "It is too early for grief. The King is still alive. Let us... go see the children first."

Sir Ector nodded and wiped his eyes. "You are right."

The two men walked out of the room and saw three half-grown youths walking toward them, though one of them was a girl.

"Kay has grown up, too," Anno remarked with a sigh.

Kay was several years older than Lancelot and Artoria, who were of similar age, and he was the tallest of them.

"I intend to have him join your knight order within the next two years to fight for Britain," Ector said with deep emotion.