IBHJ Chapter 951

Laughter drifted in from outside. Illya turned to see a man and a woman hauling a hefty pile of potatoes, chatting and laughing as they entered.

The man was quite handsome, with polished manners that screamed "English gentleman." The woman was classically beautiful, though her skin was a bit pale and delicate. Standing together, anyone would take them for a couple.

"Welcome back, Shirou-niisan, Artoria-neesan," Illya called out to them.

"Mm," Shirou and Artoria nodded with a smile.

They put down the potatoes. Artoria's nose twitched, and she looked at Illya, asking, "Is Mordred making fish soup?"

"How did you know?" Illya looked at her in surprise.

Artoria smiled and pointed to her nose. "I smelled it."

"It's not surprising to smell fish, but to even know what kind of dish she's making..."

Illya didn't know whether to praise Artoria's physical nose or her ability to identify food.

"Hmph hmph hmph." Mordred stood at the doorway, arms crossed, and looking at Artoria. "As expected of the Eternal King, you have some insight after all."

"You say that as if you have more insight than me."

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore." Shirou smiled, then pointed at the potatoes on the ground and said to Mordred with a smile, "Mordred, we harvested a lot of potatoes, but unfortunately, we didn't get the King of Potatoes."

Looking at the potatoes scattered all over the ground, Mordred's face instantly soured. "I hate potatoes the most, and you brought back so many at once... Mom, have you forgotten about Uncle Gawain's mashed potatoes?"

He winced. "I haven't forgotten about that..." he smiled wryly. In his era as king, Britain was still struggling with food shortages. By the time of Morgan le Fay, due to the kingdom's openness, the development of trade, and the lack of aversion to magecraft, a group of magi from South America came to Britain, bringing potatoes with them. Therefore, during Artoria's time, the kingdom did have potatoes, which gave birth to a famous dish - mashed potatoes.

Artoria had raised Mordred on a diet of rich seafood and mashed potatoes, so Mordred's resentment towards potatoes was deep-seated.

"I believe that Chef Mordred can definitely make very delicious potato dishes," he said with a smile.

Hearing this, she crossed her arms and said proudly, "Then you're in for a treat tonight. Watch my performance!"

With that, she grabbed a few potatoes and marched back into the kitchen.

"Since you're making fish soup, let me help you, Mordred," Shirou said with a smile as he moved to help her. He wasn't entirely comfortable letting Mordred handle the cooking alone.

Artoria watched from the side.

"Speaking of which, hasn't Mordred noticed anything yet?" Illya whispered to Artoria.

"Probably not. She still acts the same way around me," she replied softly.

"Seriously? Even I've picked up on it. How could she miss it? Should we say she can't see the forest for the trees? But then again, it took me forever to even consider the possibility."

Illya sighed, then peeked into the kitchen, watching the 'mother' and daughter working together in perfect harmony. She turned back to Artoria and asked quietly, "Artoria-neesan, how much longer until you can switch back?"

"The King said about fifteen more days," she said. "I've also been feeling a strange pull lately, as if my consciousness is being drawn out of the King's body."

"So, we have to wait another fifteen days or so? That must be tough. Being given the cold shoulder by Mordred for so long must be painful, right?"

"No, not at all," she shook her head and smiled. "Actually, I'm really happy."

"Huh? Why?" Illya looked at her, completely confused.

Artoria gestured toward the two people working in harmony in the kitchen, a smile gracing her lips. "Isn't this scene heartwarming, no matter how you look at it?"

"It really is. Shirou-niisan and Mordred don't usually get along, and they can only interact peacefully like this... Wait a minute!"

Illya seemed to have a sudden realization and whipped her head around, staring at Artoria with wide eyes. "Artoria-neesan, the reason you've been trying so hard to keep the body switch a secret, could it be that you want to..."

Before she could finish, Artoria gently placed her index finger on Illya's lips.

"Shh!"

Illya understood instantly.

No words were needed.

"'Shirou', dinner's ready," Shirou called out to Artoria from the kitchen.

"Don't let it slip, okay?" After quietly reminding Illya, Artoria walked towards the kitchen: "Coming."

"Just in time, my delicious food isn't for lazy people," Mordred declared. "Mom and I made it, so you can carry it to the dining table... Hey! Y-you, how dare you steal a bite!"

"Mm. It's delicious."

"You're unbelievable!"

"Alright, alright, enough bickering. And you, stop snacking. I'll take it to the table, and we'll all eat together," he said.

Illya sighed, "What's with all the fuss?"

But then...

Looking at the three of them - a couple and their child, Illya couldn't help but smile a little. "I feel like I'm intruding on a family moment."

"Illya, dinner's ready," Shirou waved her over. "We're having a potato feast with fresh fish soup tonight."

"Coming," she said, joining them.

Mordred: "Oh! You didn't do anything, and you're eating so much! That's not fair!"

Artoria: "I brought the potatoes."

"I specifically took the pile Mom brought!"

Artoria: "I picked that pile too."

Mordred: "I caught the fish!"

Artoria: "I prepared all the seasonings."

He sighed, "...Can't we even have a meal in peace?"

Illya silently nibbled on a potato.

Suddenly, the food didn't taste quite as good anymore.

...

Shirou sat comfortably on the sturdy roof beam, with little Mordred nestled snugly in his lap. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she gazed up at the night sky. The cool evening breeze ruffled their hair as he pointed out different constellations to her in a soft and warm voice.

"See that one? That's the Southern Cross constellation. It's one of the most recognizable southern sky constellations, stuck between Centaurus and Musca in the Milky Way. We're lucky to see it so clearly here. Back in Britain, it's almost impossible to see."

"Oh, oh," she nodded, then turned her head and looked at him with confusion. "Mom, there are so many stars in the sky, how do you remember the name of that constellation? I can't remember even one. Am I dumb?"

"No, that's not it," he smiled.

"Then why?" she asked curiously.

He chuckled. "Because I'm making it up. I don't actually know if that group of stars is the Southern Cross. I just remember that the southern hemisphere, where South America is, is the best place to see it, so I just pointed at a random one."

Mordred: "..."

"So Mom was just messing with me." she pouted, crossing her arms and turning away. "I'm so mad."

"Sorry. When we get back, I'll ask Director Marisbury to teach me astronomy. Next time, I definitely won't point at random stars and make stuff up. So, can Mordred forgive me this time?" He clasped his hands and gave her a hopeful smile.

"Hmph. I really can't stay mad at you. Fine... just this once!" She crossed her arms but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips.

"Okay, okay," he nodded, smiling.

She turned back and snuggled into his embrace, hugging his waist. Then she looked up and asked, "Mom, when are we going to the Holy Land?"

"Once we go there, we probably won't have such relaxing moments anymore, so let's wait a couple more days. Why? Are you eager to get your age and smarts back?" He stroked her little head affectionately. "Don't worry, we'll all help you get them back."

She buried her head in his chest and mumbled, "Actually... I don't want to get my age back."

He blinked, surprised. "Why?"

Her voice was muffled against his chest. "Because if I get my age back, Mom will surely hate me again."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because, because it was me who made Mom lose everything and sign a contract with Alaya," she said, her voice filled with worry. "If I grow up, Mom will surely hate me just by seeing my face."

He smiled and gently patted her head again. "I've never hated you, Mordred. No matter what you become, my feelings for you won't change."

"Really?" Her eyes welled up as she looked into his blue eyes.

"Yes," he nodded.

She beamed and buried herself back in his hug, squeezing his waist tightly.