Medb suddenly turned to look at Lancer, who was atop her horse.
"Hey, Lady Knight over there, I've got an interesting idea."
Waver frowned.
"Hey! Rider, what are you plotting now?"
But Medb ignored him, smiling as she gazed at Lancer.
"Go ahead and share."
Lancer's expression remained calm and unchanged.
"You see, I'm the Queen of Connacht, Saber is the renowned King of Knights, and you must also be royalty from somewhere, right? Thanks to the Holy Grail War, queens from different timelines have gathered together. Don't you think that's pretty interesting? So, I was thinking..."
Medb deliberately paused, building suspense.
She completely ignored Waver, who was shouting, "Medb, what nonsense are you planning now!?"
She squinted her large, almond-shaped eyes into a playful arc and revealed her plan.
"A tea party between queens... What do you think?"
Upon hearing Medb's suggestion, Waver slapped his forehead. In some ways, Medb was shockingly similar to the King of Conquerors. Both were self-centered, lived life to the fullest, and had a way of making decisions without consulting anyone.
'Is it because I'm destined to live a life of constant toil that I ended up summoning these two? Is that why I connect so well with Zhuge Liang?'
Waver thought to himself, feeling a bit disheartened.
Lancer, whose face had been expressionless, suddenly seemed intrigued, as if she had discovered something new and interesting. She scrutinized Medb from head to toe.
"Oh, stop staring at me like that! You're going to make me blush!"
Medb cupped her cheeks in her hands and put on a shy expression.
If a normal girl had made that face, it would seem forced and fake, but on Medb, it had a certain innocent charm, like a playful young girl.
It perfectly fits the description of her: both innocent and pure, yet seductive and dangerous.
At that moment, Lancer finally spoke.
"First, let me correct you. I am the Emperor of the Holy British Empire. And second, Queen of Connacht, I find your proposal quite interesting, so I shall allow it."
Lancer remained seated on her horse, her tone calm and matter-of-fact.
However, the natural authority she exuded was like an arrow that pierced straight through Medb's heart.
Medb's heartbeat quickened with excitement.
She realized she had fallen in love again!
'The Holy Grail War is such a wonderful thing! It allows me, the Queen, to meet so many outstanding companions from different periods. I couldn't be happier!'
Medb was filled with joy.
As for the Holy Grail? That stupid cup meant nothing to her.
Only excellent companions were the Queen's eternal pursuit!
"So, it's settled! As for the time~ let's make it tomorrow afternoon. And for the location, let me think... Hmm~ I remember that Saber's base is a beautiful castle, perfect for hosting a tea party!"
"That's fine. I happen to know an excellent pastry chef. I'll bring him along tomorrow."
The two self-willed queens and empresses had finalized all the details for the tea party without considering the opinions of anyone else who would be involved.
Waver couldn't help but sigh deeply from the sidelines.
...
"So, this is the reason you've come to find me..."
Ryou looked at Lancer, who had just burst through the window, with an expression of disbelief.
Early that morning, he had still been lying in bed when a figure on horseback crashed through his window.
Just as he thought an enemy was attacking, Lancer's words had left him stunned.
Medea, who had rushed over thinking it was an enemy assault, was equally dumbfounded.
The queens and empresses were holding a tea party, and Lancer had come to ask him to serve as the pastry chef.
Ryou sighed.
"So, why me? You know we're technically enemies right now."
"Because your pastries are delicious."
Lancer answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Well, that was a strong reason, indeed.
Ryou felt his eye twitch.
Aren't you worried I might add something else to the pastries?
Like poison! Or maybe... that unspeakable kind of drug!
In the end, Ryou agreed to Lancer's request, half-confused. They agreed to meet outside the Einzbern castle that afternoon.
Then, Lancer leaped back onto her divine steed and flew out the window again.
"Master, why did you agree to her?"
Medea asked, looking puzzled.
"I don't know. I feel like I was tricked."
Ryou wore an expression of resignation (╯□╰).
But soon, a smile crept onto his face.
"I get the feeling that this Empress knows me pretty well. It's like she understands my habits and thought processes better than I do..."
There was one crucial thought that he hadn't voiced.
From his perspective, Lancer hadn't ordered him around like an Empress. Rather, it felt like she had requested the position of a family.
This strange dynamic between the two made it impossible for him to refuse.
"This might not be such a bad thing."
Medea looked curious.
"Why do you say that, Master?"
"I think she wants to ensure the tea party goes off without a hitch, and she'll help me with something in return... This is a rare opportunity to get my hands on the key."
A sharp glint flashed through Ryou's eyes.
"Well then, we should start preparing! Medea-chan, you can be my taste tester. My cooking soul is already itching to get to work!"
Ryou rolled up his sleeves as he spoke.
"Eh!? So early? And what exactly do we need to prepare?"
CMedea gasped in surprise.
"Of course! Since I promised her the tea party would go perfectly, I won't go back on my word. This is the basic principle of any chef!"
...
Time flew by as Ryou tried out various (potentially dangerous) recipes and Medea sampled (and endured) them.
In just six hours, he used his superhuman stamina and superb culinary skills to create over 100 different types of pastries.
He eventually selected 10 varieties, incorporating elements from the great pastry traditions of England, France, and Japan, all of which had been improved and refined. He also chose two types of black tea and one fruit tea to pair with the desserts.
After cleaning up the kitchen, Ryou turned to Medea.
"Medea-chan, it's almost time. I need to get going."
At this point, Medea's cheeks were flushed, and her long legs—capable of making anyone envious—were instinctively pressed together, rubbing against each other. Her large eyes were moist as if they were about to drip with water, and she was muttering in low voice things like "Master, yamete kudasai," which could easily be misunderstood.
Her eyes were almost turning into hearts, and her tongue was nearly sticking out.
Did I overdo the doses? Is she broken?
Seeing Medea like this, Ryou couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
"Master, I want more~"
Who would've thought that, upon hearing his voice, Medea would suddenly snap out of it and sit up, using an incredibly coquettish tone to whine.
Ryou was instantly speechless.
The body of a Heroic Spirit is truly amazing. No matter how much they eat, they never get full, and their figure never changes.
You had to understand that Medea had eaten the equivalent of 20 to 30 people's portions of sweets!
Through this experience, Ryou came to understand one important truth: never underestimate a woman's desire for desserts.
Especially when she realizes she won't get bloated or gain weight no matter how much she eats—at that point, her appetite becomes terrifying.
Crash!
At that moment, the wall of the kitchen was smashed open, and Lancer appeared at the gap, riding her divine steed.
Ryou let out a sigh.
Does this lady have a grudge against my house or something?
Lancer, having barged into his base, forcefully pulled him onto her horse.
With no other choice, Ryou found himself seated behind Lancer. Meanwhile, Medea, due to her small frame and the wide back of the horse, ended up sitting in front of Artoria. The three of them swiftly rode toward the Einzbern castle on the outskirts of Fuyuki City.
After a while on the Dun Stallion, Ryou realized something odd about their seating arrangement. Shouldn't he be in the middle? How did Artoria end up in the prime spot?
Sitting at the back of the horse, Ryou grew a bit bored, and his thoughts started to wander. His mind soon drifted in an unexpected direction.
Perhaps because of the upcoming tea party, or maybe out of consideration for his feelings, Artoria wasn't wearing her usual full armor. Instead, she was dressed in a luxurious, majestic robe of gold and blue.
As he held onto Artoria's soft waist from behind, he could trace the graceful curves of her back through the loose robe. A faint, elusive fragrance filled his nostrils, and an odd sense of intimacy hung between them.
Feeling flustered like a novice experiencing romance for the first time, Ryou scolded himself and decided to break the silence with some idle chatter.
"Are you comfortable with me sitting behind you, Lancer?"
Artoria suddenly turned her head, her eyes calm and steady as they locked onto Ryou's. She stared at him long enough that he felt a chill at the back of his neck before she softly spoke.
"I trust you."
Ryou smiled wryly. That simple, sincere statement was more effective than any amount of flowery words. Whether she was acting or not, the fact that she was willing to expose her back to him said it all.
As a skilled warrior, she was undoubtedly aware of the risks of letting someone potentially dangerous sit so close behind her. It meant she had entrusted her life to him.
But he had no intention of betraying that trust. Despite his ruthless and cunning nature, he lived by a certain code.
For a wrong done, he would repay it tenfold! For a drop of kindness, he would repay it a hundredfold!
Such was his way of life.
Ryou couldn't shake the feeling that this version of Artoria from a parallel world seemed incredibly familiar to him, as if they had shared many battles in the past.
Thanks to the legend and power of belief, the Dun Stallion, which had once been an ordinary horse, had evolved into a mythical creature on par with dragons and Pegasus. It covered the several dozen kilometers to the castle in mere moments, effortlessly breaching its bounded field.
...
In the courtyard, Saber stood with a stern expression, while Irisviel tried to comfort her. Saber was frustrated—most likely due to Kiritsugu Emiya sneaking off to wreak havoc elsewhere. As a knight of noble character, Saber couldn't tolerate Kiritsugu's underhanded tactics. With no other choice, the gentle Irisviel had taken on the role of mediator.
Just then, Irisviel swayed, nearly collapsing, and Saber quickly caught her, looking concerned.
"Irisviel, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine, Saber. It's just... someone has breached the castle's bounded field."
Irisviel's concern was evident.
With Kiritsugu hiding out in a cheap Shinto apartment with Maiya Hisau, the castle was left under the protection of Irisviel, Saber, and two homunculus maids.
Saber swiftly donned her magical armor and, with Irisviel in tow, rushed to the courtyard, where they encountered three unexpected intruders. Among them was Lancer—the one Saber regarded with the most wariness.
Upon seeing a face so similar to her own, Saber frowned and demanded, "What is your purpose here?"
Ryou glanced at Lancer, who had reverted to her cold and aloof demeanor upon seeing her parallel self. Sighing, he stepped forward.
"Don't worry. We're here at Rider's invitation to attend a tea party."
"Huh?"
Saber looked dumbfounded and instinctively turned to Irisviel.
"Irisviel, did Kiritsugu mention anything about this?"
Irisviel shook her head, a puzzled expression on her face.
"No, he didn't tell me anything."
Ryou sighed, feeling a sense of helplessness.
"That Queen of Connacht does as she pleases..."
"Ara~ Did I hear someone mention my name? Could it be that another brave soul has fallen for my unmatched charm~?"
A lively, honeyed voice accompanied the sound of rapidly approaching hooves. Moments later, a strange iron chariot burst through the castle's front gate and sped into the courtyard, leaving chaos in its wake—red carpets, decorative statues, and vases were reduced to ruins.
A bead of sweat appeared on Ryou's forehead. Not only had Medb failed to give prior notice, but she had also trashed the place. Wasn't this a declaration of war?
Ryou exchanged a glance with Waver, who sat behind Medb on the chariot. Both shared a look of exasperation.
Sure enough, Saber immediately raised her sword, pointing it at Medb with a cold expression.
"Rider! Are you here to start a fight?!"
But Medb remained unfazed. Casually brushing her slightly messy hair aside, she replied, "I wouldn't bother with something so troublesome. I'm here to host a tea party."
With that, she began inspecting the castle as if it were her own.
"Hm~ This castle is a bit shabby for a tea party hosted by a queen. But considering it's in the impoverished place, I suppose I can make do."
Watching Medb act like she owned the place, Saber's eyebrow twitched, and a vein popped on her forehead. At that moment, she desperately wanted to send this presumptuous woman flying with a single strike.
Seeing that the tea party guests were about to start fighting before the event had even begun, Ryou, who had promised Lancer the party would go smoothly, had no choice but to intervene. He cleared his throat with two polite coughs.
"Ahem! Saber, as a ruler, you must know that conflict between nations isn't only waged on the battlefield. Negotiation is also a form of war. You could think of this tea party as a battle fought at the dining table."
Ryou emphasized the words dining table.
Sure enough, the legendary phrase left behind by a certain internet troll instantly worked its magic on Artoria. He could see her eyes light up, though she quickly put on a serious expression.
"Even if it's a battle at the negotiation table, I have no reason to retreat. I accept this challenge!"