(Einar's POV)
It had been several months since I had taken Mordred under me. In that time, I taught her swordplay with martial arts along and some riding skills. She also grew a little exactly the height of her counterpart, Artoria i.e. 154 cm.
Here she is growing just like that within few months while I was working my ass off just to grow a single centimeter. By the way, my height is 156 cm now so I was satisfied since because of Rhongomyniad divinity, I didn't stop growing.
Anyway, another thing I did was increasing Mordred's life span. I didn't tell her about this since I was using a complex divine rune and its effect would be revealed after more than 10 years. So until that, I decided to conceal that info from her.
On those days, I also took few tours to my territory and capital but didn't interact with either Artoria or Merlin. I did come close to other knights of the round table who were a little ashamed of what happened last time but I forgave them. I neither do have any energy nor reason for holding any grudge.
My only grief was Artoria who betrayed me in the end. That was something I would never forgive.
Problems were piling up for the people of this isle and except Camelot; every other city was facing endless trouble. This time, however, I didn't force my views about solving these problems since I don't care for these selfish people. Britons were becoming shameless as to put the blame of all their problems on Artoria.
I also didn't contact Morgan in the meantime so I just guessed that she went underground for now.
Galahad was the only one nagging to work under me here in Joanton but I denied the proposal. He would definitely conflict with Mordred if he finds out. Plus, he was the core knight of the round table so I couldn't take risk of him finding out about Mordred.
"Teach, my butt is starting to get sore…"
"Shut up and focus."
It was not what you guys are thinking.
We were in the middle of a hunt in the wild one day. It was mid-June so it was warm to teach her some techniques about surviving in wild and we had been sitting on behind a bush and waiting for animals to pass so that we could sneak attack and get some meat and fur.
I want to teach her something new but as expected from this brat. She started to complain just when we were in the middle of finding some targets.
"But you are using magic pants to ignore the coldness."
"Because I could use magic but you can't. So you should have to rely upon what is at your disposal." I explained to her properly. I tried to teach her some basic magic spells but she was unable to learn even a single spell unlike Artoria except Mana Burst and Instincts which are Artoria's basic core skills. But then I found something amiss from what she said. "Wait, how do you know that I use magic on my pants?"
"Eh…? W-well… cough* when you go for a bath, I sneaked in and tried sniff your clothes- I mean to try out how it feels to wear magical clothes. But please forgive me Teach, it was just for once! I promise that I would never do that again!"
I could only stare at her in a stupor. Now that I think about it, I had been wondering how the hell my pants get sticky when I came back from the bath!
I shook my head and then recalled that I did the same with Artoria's clothes. The only difference was that I never left any clues.
Is that retribution for my sins?
I shook my head from these useless thoughts and warned Mordred, "Never do that again or forget about meat for a month."
"I won't Teach!"
"Okay keep your mouth shut and let's change the spot."
"Ai, Teach!"
With soft steps, we went to another place and saw some deer but-
"Hey Teach, what is that deer doing on top of another deer? And why is he vibrating like that?"
It is exactly what she just asked. In short, it was mating season and they were having sex.
"It is…"
I didn't know how should I explain that to her.
'Mordred, they are fucking each other to have offsprings!'
I am pretty sure that I would dig my own grave by saying that as she would ask more and more.
"It is something you shouldn't concern yourself."
"Then should we kill them?"
"What? No! Let them finish first."
We then decided to wait for them to finish their holy ritual. While watching I noticed Mordred was beet red so I smacked her head lightly.
"Oww, what was that about, Teach?"
"Why are you blushing?"
"W-what? I don't know but aren't you also blushing?"
I then realized that I was also feeling hot and was dreaming of doing this with Artoria, Scáthach, and… her?
"Shut up and don't talk."
I shook my head while she looked at me with a look, 'What the hell is this guy's problem?'
Almost 15 minutes had passed and there was no sign of them finishing anytime soon. The male dear was like a freaking H-protagonist who becomes energetic just after taking a minute of break.
"Mordred, make your aim and kill one. I have had enough of this."
"Which one, the one riding or the one being ridden?"
"…the one riding."
And so she took her aim and shot straight at male deer's head.
Sorry paw but you have achieved the ultimate desire of your life but most importantly I was fucking jealous of him who had a girl to fuck while I was still a damn virgin for freaking 40 years!
After skinning the animal and taking the meat, we decided to rest in the tavern of a village near the forest.
"I am so sorry but we only have a single room to spare, Lord Einar." The receptionist apologized.
"No problem, we are used to sleep with each other!" It was Mordred who blurted that out.
Everyone in the pub glared at us with weird looks since we do look like minors according to our heights.
I glared at Mordred and tried hard to stop myself to give a good beating in front of everyone.
She, on other hand, started to sweat and looked away from fear.
I then agreed and asked her to bring something to eat while we went to an empty table.
"Hey, Teach. Why are those guys licking each other's lips?" Mordred again asked something that I didn't want to answer.
I turned around and found a couple smooching. The man was even fondling the woman's breast while his other hand was reaching to her neither region.
I went to their table and slammed my hand.
"Don't do that here or…" I glared at them with instance killing intent. They became frightened and ran away.
I then came back to my seat and looked at Mordred with face, 'One more question and I will beat the shit out of you!'
After that, we had a peaceful meal with no one enough balls to disrupt us.
Then we came back to our room.
As usual, I offered Mordred to sleep on the bed while I on the floor but she snuggled back to my arms.
In past, I tried to stop her from sleeping with me by beating her or threatening to cut her meal but she didn't listen even once since she just loved to sleep in my arms. I then decided to let her do whatever she wants for the time being since I only got a year with her and she knew that.
"What?" I asked due to her being staring at me with scornful gazes.
"Teach, you said that you would answer my every question but you didn't tell me what those deer and people were doing."
I shook my head since I indeed told her that I would answer her every question. Of course, I refused to answer some affairs related to the round table and the person named Artoria so I was in pretty bad shape as to how I should explain the matters related to love.
"Look Mordred, those deer… let's say that it was something you will find soon on your own. As for those people, it is called kissing and people who love each other tend to kiss like that who would soon marry."
When explaining, I felt a deep pain in my chest. How wonderful it would be if it is true. Artoria and I used to kiss and made several promises and yet…
"Teach… do you love me?" She asked with hopeful eyes. I knew it was coming.
"As your guardian, yes. As someone of the opposite gender, no. Mordred, let me make this clear, I have taken you under me so that you should learn something important and develop your own will rather than doing what your mother told you to do. If you force your personal feelings then I would have to return you to your original place. So don't make me regret my decision."
I explained briefly. I knew it would come to this. Even though I told her this, I myself had developed some feelings for her but immediately crushed those feelings since I didn't have any more strength to give my heart to someone else.
"I… I am sorry, Teach. Please forgive me." She looked sad and immediately apologized when I showed my displeasure.
I smiled and caressed her cheek. "It's fine but the real reason is that my heart is already crushed. I won't ever fall in love. Something I am not very good at. Anyway, stop talking and close your eyes, we have the training to hit in the morning." I explained and closed my eyes to sleep.
After several minutes, she was still not asleep and had been staring at me.
She then closed the distance between our lips and kissed me.
"I am sorry, Teach… I don't know what this love is but there is a feeling inside me to do something for you and make 'us' happy. I like you, Teach, a lot…. Zzzzzzzzz"
And she fell asleep just like that.
Shortly after, I opened my eyes and looked at her with trouble on my face.
'What the hell I should do…?'
I shook my head and the best solution for all these problems is just to ignore them. I was too tired to answer unwanted love.
****
I will allow your imagination to run wild here. You can imagine plot from here on a little.
By the way, new omake in next chapter.
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