[FMMIKA] Chapter 263: Creating Happiness

"This modern attire, Big Brother really likes it."

"Is this what they call 'fashion'?"

"Hehehe—Mmmhhh~"

After a joyful laughter, it was followed by even more delightful mental and sensory stimulation which caused a delightful moan.

"I came here to help you with something serious, you know..."

As Artorius carried Mordred in a princess carry towards the bedroom, she playfully protested.

"Balancing personal and professional matters." Artorius replied with a smile, "Plus, your presence here proves that the empire's intrusion into Singularity has deepened. That's worth celebrating."

As Artorius said that, he gently kissed Mordred's thigh, making her both excited and a little embarrassed.

Speaking of which, her breasts may be lacking, but she certainly possessed an excellent pair of legs. Her athletic, tomboyish charm was quite appealing. She was arguably the best among the Artoria Species.

"But..."

"There are no 'buts.'"

"What about that fellow? Big Brother, you want her, don't you? Shouldn't you be helping?"

Mordred seemed a bit flustered. Crossing over from the empire to Singularity, even for an 'Imperial Heroic Spirit' came at a significant cost.

Mordred wasn't like Artorius, who had the Third Magic and an endless supply of energy, so her body was a bit depleted at the moment.

If she were to engage in the lewd activities Artorius had in mind, the consequences could be quite serious.

So when the opportunity arose, Mordred had a fleeting urge to stop.

But had it gone too far to stop now?

In the end, amidst Mordred's struggles and cries, the two Pendragon siblings vanish into the bedroom.

Simultaneously, the head maid, Sella, bowed and closed the door, drawing the curtains. This allowed the siblings, who hadn't been alone for quite some time due to the Artoria Species, to have a heart-to-heart 'conversation'.

It might be a waste of time and frustrating, but it was also undoubtedly enjoyable.

Just the thought of having his usually stubborn little sister all soft and cuddly in his arms, calling out "Brother~" with a spoiled tone was enough to make Artorius feel excited.

===

At the same time...

Jalter: "..."

This time, after a conversation with Gilles, she didn't act like a recluse child and curled up in a corner of the room like before. Instead, she lay on the bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling.

From a normal person's perspective, this might seem strange, as the two might sound the same. But in reality, they were different.

The former signified that Jalter had given up on thinking. The latter indicated that she had started to think again.

"..."

"If Gilles isn't the answer, then what should I do next?"

As things unfolded, just as the clever Mordred had surmised, if Artorius were to appear at this moment, and use sweet words and promises, he would most likely—no, he should undoubtedly be able to win over Jalter's heart and make her 'his own.'

However, Artorius had much more profound expectations for Jalter, far beyond simply making her 'his own.'

If he only wanted a woman with a pleasing appearance and a personality like Jalter to join his empire, that would be simple to achieve, and women of that sort were in abundant supply.

But Artorius was even willing to give someone like Medb a second chance. When faced with Jalter, who was a cute girl as pure and innocent as a baby, how could he not treat her with extra care?

Yes, Artorius liked Jalter, loved this girl. He wanted to mold her into the shape he needed, the shape he anticipated.

That's why he would be more patient. He would wait for the most suitable moment to close the net.

Obviously, it was not because he got excited at the sight of his long-lost sister and let the opportunity slip through his fingers.

===

And so, Jalter waited in her room for an entire day. While Artorius had his own activities throughout the day, just as Mordred did.

It wasn't until the next day when Mordred was exhausted and fell asleep that the cheers from outside and the glaring sunlight caught Jalter's attention as the maids delivered food, dishes, Saint Quartz, and Ether Crystals for her.

"What's happening outside? Why is there so much excitement?" Jalter couldn't help but ask one of the maids, her voice carrying fatigue.

"Does Your Excellency Jeanne not know?" The maid replied with a smile. "Today is the day when the Bluebeard, Gilles de Rais, is being executed. Everyone is out on the streets watching, which is why there's so much celebration."

"Gilles... is dead?"

Hearing the maid's words, Jalter's mood sank once again. For a moment, she wanted to scream or rush to the execution site to save him. But in the end, she only looked down.

"Yes, he's been executed. It's one of the signs of the empire's revival, I suppose." The maid responded.

"Empire's revival..." Jalter mumbled, "It's not like it matters to me..."

"Would you like to meet His Majesty then?" The maid inquired. "If you're bored, there are tea parties, chess, and fairy tales..."

"I don't want any of that!" Jalter exclaimed impatiently.

"So, Your Excellency, what do you want then?"

"What I want is..."

But Jalter couldn't finish her sentence.

—Jeanne, you must find happiness!

Gilles's last words echoed in her ears.

"I want happiness. Can you give it to me?" Jalter said something so whimsical to the maid.

"If it's happiness from something like purses or cosmetics, that's not a problem. Or maybe candies and desserts that make people feel happy when they eat them..."

"It's not that!"

"Well then, Your Excellency, true happiness isn't something someone can give you. You have to create it for yourself."

'... Create it.' Jalter fell into silence. 'But at the very least, I need a path...'

As Jalter was still contemplating, a noisy duo—or rather, one who was always making noise, Carmilla, and one who tolerated her, d'Eon—walked past Jalter's room whose door was open.

'Those two are causing trouble for Chaldea, right...? Then...'

As Jalter took a glimpse at the faces of the two Servants, she found 'happiness' on their faces. More precisely, it was 'creating happiness'.

It was the desire and anticipation of happiness, the joy of imagining obtaining happiness, and the fear and adversity of failure.

A path.

It seemed like Jalter could see a path, though not necessarily one leading to her own happiness.

It was better than nothing.