(Einar's POV)
Since Mordred's existence could cause problems so I have to hide her from other's eyes. So I went to the round table to attend the meeting.
I didn't talk to anyone there and remained indifferent to every one. My presence made an awkward atmosphere but I just want to get a job done.
It was not pleasant for me either. Consider if you have to attend the board of general meeting and the CEO is the girl that cheated on you.
Anyway, since I want a place that requires work, I naturally took a small territory at the southern edge of this island. It was the perfect place I was looking to spend a year with Mordred.
"Argg, why are we using horses when you could just fly?!"
"Shut up!"
I said and smacked that brat's head.
"Ouch! Why do you always hit me!?"
"If you ask another question, I will hit you even more."
"Okay."
I was on a horse and heading towards a small city called Joanton. On my back was Mordred who doesn't know when to stop talking. She was nagging me for quite a while as to why I was doing all of this. I don't know why but except for her looks, she didn't inherit even a single elegance from Artoria, even Morgan was a proper lady.
[She sounds like your daughter though.] It was Elaine whom I ignored.
I have a good memory and I knew perfectly well that my dick never tasted the forbidden fruit in its entire life.
Anyway, there are several reasons as to why I choose another place other than my own territory.
First, I didn't want to find out what I am doing and with whom I am interacting. In my territory, people knew me so it will be hard to hide Mordred's existence especially from Galahad who was leading my territory on my behalf.
"Then how long I have to wear this collar?"
She was wearing a jade collar around her neck that I made using several primordial runes.
Another reason why I was going to such a small and deserted place was to hide Mordred from Merlin's clairvoyance.
Living with him, I learned how his clairvoyance works. It doesn't give a very specific of the future but it gives him the end result. Although he would eventually found out about Mordred, I don't think he would spill any beans considering how shallow his 'advice' was.
So I made a plan to make a bounded field to stop Merlin's clairvoyance from reaching me.
The collar on Mordred's neck was specifically made to hide her.
"Would you keep quiet for a second?" I massaged my head. I think it would be a good experience in raising children.
"Artoria…" I sighed. Whenever I think about my future, she always comes to my mind. That was quite troublesome.
Soon we reached the city.
The weather was cold but warm enough to sustain life. It was dawn so we first went to the chieftain's office.
I asked Mordred to wait outside so that I could talk to the person in charge. Since it was the southern part, most of the civilians were Saxons but as expected from the people's king, she placed a Briton noble in charge of this place. He happily handed me the authority of this city and went out for leave.
When I came back, I saw Mordred chasing a cat like a cat.
"This brat…" I shook my head.
Though she looks like a young teen, she was hardly a year old. So her mentality of being like a child was not a surprise but still hard for me to accept since she was more of a homunculus than a proper human.
I then took Mordred to a small mansion that meant for our proper residence.
"Whohoo! I am finally out of that shithole!" Mordred whooped when we entered and I placed a bounded field to warm the mansion.
"Language, Mordred." I scolded her dryly.
"But you also mentioned Capital like that…"
"Ugg…"
I can't believe that she replied with a comeback. I seriously need to control my language too.
"Anyway, there are warm clothes for you. Change it while I prepare dinner." I said then gave her some warm clothes.
I didn't bring any of her clothes so I let her wear old Artoria's clothes. Don't ask me what the hell they were doing in the storage of my book.
"Yay~" She cheered again and pulled clothes from my hand and was about to undress in front of me when I stopped her.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing?"
"Changing clothes?"
"Don't you know proper manners?"
"Manners?"
"Sigh* Go to other room and change. Don't take off your clothes in front of me ever again."
"But I am a boy…"
"Go!"
When I yelled, she vanished in instant.
I shook my head and then decided to first make some adjustments in the kitchen and then cook something.
As I was preparing, I saw Mordred coming out wearing a loose nightie. She was still a little shorter than Artoria.
"You look cute in that outfit." I complimented her while placing dishes and plates.
"Humph looks girly though…" She snorted with pink cheeks.
We then sat at the table. I prepared normal vegetable soup with bread. It was a simple dish yet I did see stars in her eyes and drool on her mouth from just aroma.
She was about to eat when I stopped her.
"Mordred, first of all, I should answer your questions."
"Eh? Can't we do that after dinner?"
"No."
"Fine… so…"
"My name is Einar Sirius but you can call me teacher for now."
"Then Teach, I will ask you this…"
She then raised some questions like why I am doing this for her even after knowing that her mother was raising her for the sole purpose of claiming the throne. I just answered that she won't be able to betray the king once she starts serving under King Arthur.
As to why I am doing this, I told her that she was an important person to me. Plus, I was close with Morgan so looking after her was also my duty.
"It's no use Teach… I am not like others so you don't have to treat me like any other ordinary person…" I saw sadness in her eyes.
I inquired something about her from children in the church and they told me that there was indeed a monster girl who used to play with them but after witnessing her growth, they distance themselves from her.
"Mordred, no from now on I will call you Molly from now on. Is that okay for you?"
"But that sounds so girlish-"
"So it is okay for you. Listen, Molly, I am well aware of who you are but I am not the type of person who treats others like puppets or toys… except some. Anyway, rest assured that my only intention is to look after you for the time being. So don't worry much and just focus on training." I smiled and caressed her cheek.
"Y-you won't beat me…?" She asked with red cheeks, perhaps because of cold weather.
"Of course I will beat you if you don't listen to me." I smiled.
"Okay, I will listen!"
And she immediately agreed. Well, now I can finally handle children.
After that, I taught her how to eat with a prayer. At least she knows the basics since Morgan was also teaching her some knowledge related to knighthood.
"Yumm~" Her face lit up with a delightful smile when she took the first bite.
I immediately recalled the expression Artoria made when she first tasted my food. It was such a happy moment in my life. Even after so much happened, I still couldn't forget her…
"Man this is only vegetable soup but still tastes so delicious. Mother was right about your cooking. Hey, Teach, Teach! Why are you crying?"
I woke up from my dream when Mordred shook me.
"Huh?"
I touched my face and felt tears in my eyes. I smiled and shook my head. Maybe I would never be able to forget about her.
I wiped my tears then asked Mordred, "So how is the food?"
"It is awesome, Teach! I can't believe that vegetables could taste this good." She forgot about my crying face and started praising vegetable soup.
"Haha, I am glad you like it. I will prepare even more delicious food for you but for now, go to your bed and sleep well. Tomorrow we will start our new work." I patted her head and began preparing to sleep.
"Teach."
"Yes, Molly?"
"T-thank you…"
"You're welcome, Molly."
She smiled brightly with pink cheeks before running to her room.
'Maybe raising children is not so bad either.'
I thought then shook my head with a smile before going to my bedroom.
Next day.
"Sooo sorry Teach…" The next day, Mordred can be heard apologizing while I was thinking about how to deal with her.
She peed on the old Artoria's mattress that I prepared for her to sleep.
I take my words back, raising children is quite troublesome.
****
Drop all the power stones and leave.
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