MMMS 56

She stared at her sister's outstretched hand, teeth clenched. 'Are you going to take what should be mine again, Arthur!?'

With his clothes nearly ripped apart, he clicked his tongue. ["Queen Morgan, enough."]

"...?" Artoria watched the pair leaning against each other, confused by the strange look on his face.

She glanced at the boy, then at her sister bristling like an angry cat behind him, and finally understood.

"What... Could it be that you actually don't welcome me, Master?" Artoria asked with a teasing expression.

"No! That's not it!" He jumped up, hands fidgeting. "It's a huge honor to be the King of Knights' Master. I've been your fan forever. But a handshake might not be necessary. If Caster doesn't want me to shake hands with you, I've decided to respect her wishes."

"...!" Morgan stared at her Master in shock.

Why would he do this? Instead of taking Arthur's offer, he'd chosen to back her silly jealousy? Completely blindsided, Morgan felt her heart pounding so hard it drowned out her thoughts.

"...Hmm," Artoria raised an eyebrow. "I see. Caster means a lot to you. Just what I'd expect from my big sister—always excelling at power games and schemes, wrapping men around her finger."

"...Hmph!" Morgan took the sarcasm as praise. She ducked her head like a shy girl, hiding her glowing blush in the darkness.

"Let's go back. This damn forest is freezing!" Arms crossed, Morgan marched toward the castle deep in the woods like she couldn't get away fast enough.

"Yeah, back to Einzbern Castle." He followed her lead, with Irisviel and Artoria right behind.

"I've been wondering something. Master, why does your Command Seal look like that?"

On the way back, Artoria slowed down and spoke to him as he brought up the rear.

"Huh? What's wrong with my Command Seal?" He glanced at what he'd taken from Kiritsugu, not seeing anything odd.

"It looks strange."

"Does it?" He held the back of his hand up to the moonlight, trying to see what she meant.

In that moment, Artoria reached out. Her slender fingers, wrapped in blue knightly gauntlets, grabbed his smaller hand.

Their fingers locked together.

Where Morgan couldn't see.

"...!?!?"

His heart hammered in his chest.

Though just as soft, unlike her sister's cool touch, King Arthur's hand was full of warmth and strength. He looked anxiously at Morgan's back, then turned to see Artoria's face perfectly calm.

She studied the hand she was holding, examining the crimson Command Seal on the back—the mark of their new bond.

"My mistake. Your Command Seal is fine."

Then she glanced at her sister's back and gave him a knowing, charming smile. "Let's go, Master... It wouldn't be good to worry big sister."

…

"Iri, where's your bedroom? I want to sleep with you tonight. That okay?"

The moment they passed through Einzbern Castle's main gates, Ryuuto showed his true colors. He'd just sent the bickering Pendragon sisters away with a casual excuse.

"Someone might've spotted us fighting in the forest. You two keep watch tonight. And don't start arguing when I'm not around, got it?"

The second Morgan and Artoria disappeared, the boy's cheerful mask slipped. He turned to Irisviel, who'd just lost her husband, with a predatory smile.

"It's settled! I'm sleeping in your room from now on, Iri. I am the new master of this castle, after all."

"..."

Irisviel felt the blood drain from her face as he gripped her hand. Despite being a homunculus who'd spent nine years locked away in this castle, she knew exactly what he meant.

Though he looked young, there was nothing childish about the look in his eyes. Tonight, he planned to make her his—

"...Ah!" Her heart hammered against her ribs, forcing her to press a hand against her chest.

She clutched at her purple blouse, her body traitorously remembering the feel of Ryuuto's lips on hers.

"...Mmm."

Why? Even though I hate this. Even though I swore to fight for that man's dream. Even though this boy is the enemy who tore Kiritsugu and me apart. Even though my husband never once spent a night in this castle—

So why is my body burning up like this? she thought, hating herself for the heat spreading through her veins.

"What's wrong, Iri? Your face is all red." His eyes lingered on her flushed skin as he tightened his grip on her hand. "You okay?"

"No—I mean yes, I'm fine." Her voice caught. "Just feeling a bit off. Probably from being out in the cold forest."

"Can't have you getting sick." He nodded, his thumb drawing slow circles on her palm that made her skin tingle. "Let's get back to your room. Now."

Time stretched between them before she finally whispered, "...Yes."

She licked her lips, mouth suddenly desert-dry, and nodded. "This way, Lord Ryuuto." Every muscle in her body went rigid as she led him forward, feeling his eyes boring into her back with each step.

He'd let Kiritsugu go free from the start, she realized. All so he could have her. If she pushed back now, he might... No. She couldn't risk defiance. Whatever happened tonight, she would endure it.

"Drop the 'Lord' stuff." His voice dropped to something darker, more intimate. "Just call me Ryuuto-kun, Iri." His hand left hers only to slide against the small of her back, sending an electric shock up her spine.

"..."

Her crimson eyes studied him. He stood a head shorter than her, his face still round with youth, but the hunger in his eyes belonged to someone much older. Despite herself, she felt her nipples harden beneath her blouse.

"That won't be necessary, Lord Ryuuto." She clung to this tiny rebellion even as her traitorous body responded to his touch, her breath coming faster with each passing second.

…

Irisviel's bedroom was at the heart of Einzbern Castle—and from tonight, it would be theirs.

The room was breathtaking. While the castle's exterior stood cold and gray against the night sky, stepping inside was like entering another world. Rich crimson tapestries hung against gold-accented walls, warm light dancing across surfaces studded with precious stones.

As expected of the Einzberns, who possessed something as rare as Avalon itself.

Magical artifacts and glittering gems filled display cases around the room. At its center stood a massive bed, draped in deep wine-colored velvet that looked impossibly soft, from the plush mattress to the heavy quilts.

The air felt warm despite the castle's chill—especially with Irisviel standing there, her silver hair catching the light as she waited by the bedside like a servant awaiting orders.

He spun slowly, taking it all in. His years in Tokyo suddenly seemed pathetically ordinary.

He flung himself across the mattress, spreading his arms wide before turning to look at Irisviel, still standing stiffly nearby.

"Loosen up, Iri." His voice softened. "I've never seen you as a servant. You're special to me... more like family, really."

"Thank you. I don't deserve such kindness." she kept her eyes down. With Kiritsugu gone, only Illyasviel remained as her family.

"I told you before." He propped himself up on one elbow. "You're like a sister to me. Or a granddaughter."

"Your kindness is wasted on me, Lord Ryuuto." Her voice remained flat, emotionless.

"God, you're being boring." He sighed dramatically. "Whatever. Let's just sleep."

"Yes." She nodded once, then reached for the light.

Darkness swept over them. She just wanted this nightmare to end quickly.

In the perfect silence that followed, even her quiet movements seemed thunderous as she slipped into bed beside him. The whisper of fabric against skin, the slight dip of the mattress—each tiny sound plucked at his nerves like fingers on a string.

The two lay side by side on the massive bed. This wasn't just any bed—it was a huge canopy bed over five meters wide. You could fit the royal sisters of Britain on it with room to spare.

He made a mental note to try that sometime. Rolling onto his side, he propped his head on his fist and drank in the sight of her. The quilt rustled softly as he shifted.

Even in the darkness, Irisviel's eyes caught what little light remained—twin rubies glowing in the shadows. She pointedly ignored his stare, fixing her gaze on the canopy above them, her cheeks flushed pink.

"It's actually colder in here than outside," he said, breaking the silence.

Now that he thought about it, the castle felt icier than the forest had been.

"Einzbern Castle is a winter castle. That's just how it is."

"Don't you have any heating? Air conditioning?"

"Great-grandfather hates modern electrical appliances." She spoke to the ceiling, not to him. "He forbids such things in the Einzbern household."

He bit back a laugh. That old man... he's basically a magical AI himself, running on pure energy! He made up his mind then and there: first order of business when he officially became the Einzbern’s master—central heating throughout this freezing tomb of a castle.

"Iri, can you come a little closer?"

A brief pause, then the whisper of fabric as she shifted beside him. "I understand."

The mattress dipped as her warm body moved nearer, bringing with it the subtle scent of orchids. He pressed his forehead against her shoulder. "Iri, you're burning up. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I-I'm fine..."

That first touch made her curl inward, muscles tensing. So now it begins, she thought. He'll show his true self. Those same hands that hurt Kiritsugu will tear at my nightgown, pull down my... Her breath caught. But this is fine. If surrendering my body means no one else gets hurt...

She closed her eyes, trying to still their trembling. I'm sorry, Kiritsugu...

But the violent assault never came. Instead, he simply wrapped an arm around hers, his touch unexpectedly gentle.

"Tell me if you're uncomfortable," he murmured, eyes already closing. "Good night, Iri."

"Good night, Lord Ryuuto... wait, what?" Her eyes flew open, staring in disbelief at the young man curled against her arm.

After using so much magical energy during the night's battle, he slipped into deep sleep within seconds, leaving Irisviel wide-awake and utterly confused.

How... did he just fall asleep?

She lay there, rigid with shock. Wasn't tonight supposed to be when he... when they...? Her mind raced as she listened to his breathing in the darkness.

His breathing was steady, his face peaceful. Sleep had stripped away his usual mischievous demeanor. Irisviel studied him, reaching out to brush his messy black bangs from his forehead. How strange—this boy had shattered her happiness, yet his sleeping face looked as innocent as Illya's, almost angelic.

Without thinking, she leaned down and pressed her lips to his forehead. "Good night, Ryuuto-kun," she whispered.

Her eyelids grew heavy as she began to drift off beside him. Just as sleep was about to claim her, something firm pressed against her thigh, its presence impossible to ignore. Her eyes snapped open.

Irisviel's cheeks burned. "Oh god, is that...?"

The next morning when Ryuuto woke, he found Irisviel glaring at him with dark shadows ringing her bloodshot eyes.