In the World of Type-Moon, Starting as Morgan's Husband

[Every word Morgan says is etched into your heart.]

[Though you've never seen the King of Beasts, Vortigern, you know from his and his army's ability to ravage all of Britain that he is no ordinary foe.]

[You realize this is a mission with no chance of success.]

[Morgan's actions are no different from sending you to your death.]

However, even realizing this, Ian did not hesitate.

His response to Morgan was just a brief sentence:

"I understand, Your Highness."

Morgan looked at Ian, who was kneeling before her, and her deep blue eyes rarely showed a hint of emotion.

But there was still not the slightest hint of affection, only doubt.

"Ian, do you think you can accomplish such a thing?"

"No." Ian shook his head. "I have never seen Vortigern, but I know that he will be a powerful enemy."

"Then why don't you refuse me?"

"No knight would refuse the orders of the one to whom they have sworn allegiance," Ian answered without hesitation.

"I am no exception, Your Highness."

"But what if you never return?" Morgan looked at the knight kneeling before her.

"Then I will not return."

[Morgan fell silent.]

[She had planned to mock your cowardice, provoking you into accepting this challenge out of pride, but she never expected you to be far more loyal than she had imagined.]

[You didn't even ask what you were supposed to do; you just agreed.]

[She chooses to trust your loyalty, and this is the first time she has ever done so.]

"Follow me, Ian."

Morgan stood up.

"I permit you to bathe in my presence."

It was sunset, and the palace corridors were bathed in golden light, a scene as beautiful as a picture sung in poems.

Ian looked at all this, feeling a slight sense of disorientation—he realized it had been a long time since he had seen the outside world by day and night.

"Ian, do you like it here?" Morgan suddenly asked as she walked ahead.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I like it too." Morgan caught a falling leaf in her hand, showing a rare smile.

"So if I have the chance, I would stay here forever, letting the glory of Britain shine upon it."

"Your wish will surely come true, Your Highness."

"…"

Morgan seemed to sober up in an instant, her smile fading.

"I hope what you say is true."

Morgan pressed the leaf in her hand into Ian's mouth.

"Swallow it, and pretend you saw nothing."

Watching the knight obey her command, Morgan felt slightly better.

[Morgan wasn't joking.]

[She truly brought you to the bath reserved only for royalty.]

[She dismissed everyone else, leaving only the two of you there.]

[She had you remove your armor and enter the bath.]

[You realized that she was about to reveal her plan.]

"Ian."

Morgan sat by the edge of the bath, lightly dipping her foot into the water—a special magic-infused water that remains pure year-round.

"What do you think betrayal is?" She asked as she placed her foot against Ian's firm chest.

Clear water trickled down Ian's chest, slowly flowing back into the bath.

"To me, betrayal means defying your orders and going against your will," Ian replied respectfully.

"Heh, that's just like you to say that."

Morgan's foot traced up Ian's chest, stopping at his neck.

To be honest, if someone else had done this, Ian would think they were seducing him.

But Morgan was the only one who didn't make him think that way.

He never truly received her affection.

All he experienced was physical pleasure.

"But I must tell you, that's wrong."

"True betrayal requires that the person values you completely, but I do not value you; you are a pawn I can discard at any time."

"So, your understanding is entirely wrong. You can betray anyone, but not me."

[You are not disappointed because Morgan has emphasized many times that she does not value you.]

[After she presses her toes against your lips, you hear her plan.]

[She has decided to have you approach Vortigern as a wandering knight who hates Britain and gain his favor.]

[You will be Morgan's blade, planted beside Vortigern, and at the most critical moment, you will betray this king who ravages Britain, striking at his throat.]

[She firmly believes that this despicable method suits you well and that you will grievously wound Vortigern.]

[Additionally, she has something else to give you.]

Swish.

The sword left its scabbard.

Morgan took out a sword—it seemed she had prepared it for a long time.

"Ian, do you remember this?"

"Yes," Ian nodded. "This is your sword, but…"

Ian remembered that the last time he saw this sword, it was engraved with Morgan's name, but now that spot was empty.

And Morgan had already anticipated what Ian would think.

She gently brushed her hand over the blade, and a line of carved letters appeared on it.

"I hid it with magic within the sword; don't question too much, it's still the same sword."

"But, Ian," Morgan looked directly at the knight she had pinned by the forehead.

"I command you, no matter the circumstances, to use this sword when assassinating Vortigern."

Although he had many doubts, Ian understood that he had no right to ask questions.

"Understood, Your Highness."

[In the following time, you and Morgan did not bring up the matter again.]

[She brought wine and ordered you to drink it.]

[Watching you drink, her expression seemed complicated.]

[You felt a sense of hope emanating from her, though you did not know why such thoughts arose in her.]

[She poured you cup after cup of wine, drinking herself as well.]

"There's no time to waste. Tonight, when the moon is full, you will leave."

A slightly drunk Morgan said to Ian.

"I have arranged everything on the road, and after you leave, you will be accused of killing two fellow knights."

Morgan did not intend to give Ian any way back.

When the moon rose, it was already determined that he would not be able to return to the palace in the usual way.

But in the face of all this, Ian still calmly accepted:

"As you command, Your Highness."

[Under the moonlight, Morgan watched you depart.]

[The princess stood on the city wall, watching for a long time until you became a dot on the horizon, disappearing from her sight completely.]

[She realized she was somewhat unaccustomed to having no one kneeling before her.]