[FMMIKA] Chapter 287: Jeanne the Shepherdess

The next day.

After giving a peck on the cheek to the peacefully slumbering and contented Marie, Artorius got dressed and left the royal chambers to meet up with his sister, who was waiting outside.

"..."

Leaving his adorable little sister behind and busy doing naughty activities with his harem, Artorius faced the disdainful and complaining gazes of Mordred.

However, as Artorius smiled and playfully pinched and ruffled Mordred here and there, she soon broke into a smile, albeit with a slightly awkward expression. She gazed at Artorius with a mixture of complaints and affection in her eyes. It wasn't just sourness but a bittersweet taste with a touch of smugness.

'As I thought, Big Brother's favorite is still me.' Mordred thought happily and forgot her previous resentment.

Just this was enough to keep her content and happy. Once pacified, she enthusiastically grabbed Artorius's hand and they quickly left the Palace of Versailles and made their way to the outskirts of Paris.

"So, are we going to that fellow's ranch today?"

Mordred asked Artorius while looking at him.

"Yeah..." Artorius nodded, affirming Mordred's question.

"It's already the third time..." Mordred grumbled with a hint of annoyance as he acknowledged it. "Brother, you've visited her three times already. Can't you at least make a decision?"

"Little Mo, the way you put it makes it sound like you want to force her to marry me or something..." Artorius replied half-jokingly.

Thanks to the empire's construction efforts, the outskirts of Paris were well-developed, and there were hardly any traces of 'wilderness'. All the landscapes had been meticulously altered by human hands, exhibiting a sense of order and beauty.

Hand in hand, Artorius and Mordred walked down the country lanes toward the farm currently managed by Jeanne.

As they strolled, the two siblings exchanged playful yet somewhat serious words.

"It's about time, I suppose. Besides, if that fellow becomes a general in the empire, I don't believe you won't make a move on her." Mordred remarked, half in jest.

Artorius had intended it as a joke, but he hadn't expected Mordred to respond that way. Now, the awkward one in the conversation was Artorius himself.

While he wanted to assure his sister that he was a decent man who wouldn't engage in any indecent activities, his past actions didn't lend much credibility to his words. Mordred, instead of being convinced, would likely respond with a look of disdain.

So, Artorius chose to remain silent.

The two quickly changed the topic and began discussing the empire and its future.

"The situation with this singularity is mostly resolved. This Age of Steam forged with this singularity is ready to be engraved into the annals of new human history."

"Yeah, but what comes next?"

Although her heart wasn't really in it, when Artorius broached the topic, Mordred's expression turned solemn and thoughtful.

"Next up, we're heading to Chaldea." Artorius grinned with delight. "We're going to Chaldea headquarters for the next round of singularity conquest. It's the next step in shaping human history."

"I see..." Mordred nodded thoughtfully. "So, is that why you've been so nice to that red-hair grunt?" She added with a sly grin. "As I thought, Big Brother would fall for anyone as long as they are women..."

Mordred got a light tap on the head from Artorius at this point.

"Don't say that."

Slightly disgruntled, Mordred pouted, but Artorius managed to pacify her, and she continued walking without saying a word.

The two siblings made their way to the hillside where Jeanne was tending to the sheep.

Under the azure sky and warm sunlight, well-cared-for sheep bleated while grazing on the grass. Together with a shepherdess sitting under a leaning tree, the scene looked like something out of a painting.

"Ugh..." Mordred couldn't help but feel a bit envious when she saw the beautiful, blonde-haired woman wearing a straw hat, holding a whip, and sporting a serene and gentle expression.

If it was about looks, Mordred was confident she could stand up to anyone. What bothered her was the sense that she was somehow 'losing', and it had to do with the atmosphere.

The tranquil atmosphere around the blonde woman across from her was something Mordred couldn't mimic or learn no matter how hard she tried.

This frustrated Mordred.

"Don't worry..." Artorius, sensing her displeasure, reached out to touch her hair. "My Little Mo has her unique charm that's second to none."

Comforted by Artorius, Mordred regained her composure and watched her beloved brother approach and strike up a conversation with the hero of France.

The woman who had once been France's finest warrior seemed to have completely let go of her warrior's vigilance.

When Artorius and Mordred approached, Jeanne didn't react immediately.

"Jeanne!"

She only turned in his direction when Artorius called her name, displaying a gentle smile.

"No wonder..." Artorius muttered when he saw Jeanne's smile.

His 'no wonder' referred to something he had recalled. Since ancient Greece, Europeans had held a kind of 'shepherdess complex' harboring a peculiar fantasy about countryside shepherdesses, believing them to be pure, kind, gentle, and lovely women.

Artorius had previously thought this was simply a post-Renaissance myth and fantasy that bored urban youth indulged in, somewhat like how Easterners daydreamed about ghost ladies, fox ladies, dragon ladies, or anything of the sort, who could bestow upon them wealth, fame, women, and houses without any regrets.

But every time he saw Jeanne in her shepherdess mode, Artorius couldn't help but be deeply moved.

It seemed that the fantasies of those bored city dwellers were, at least in part, based on reality. Myths, legends, and fantasies were coming to life before him, in the form of Jeanne.

With this in mind, Artorius returned the smile and joined Jeanne, taking a seat beside her.

Mordred fell silent for a few seconds, then turned and left, pouting.

She wanted to stay but couldn't shake the feeling that she was just a third wheel and there was no place for her in between them.