"Good girl!" Morgan gritted her teeth, glaring at her daughter, Gawain. The intense gaze was so piercing that even while Gawain was hugging her father, Lott, she could feel the chills running down her spine.
"Mom, I love you too!" Gawain quickly released her father and hugged Morgan tightly, trying to dispel the anger radiating from her mother.
Morgan, feeling the warmth of her daughter's embrace, softened her expression and nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, you're forgiven for now," she said with a small smile.
Lott, who had been watching this exchange, extended his hand and patted Gawain gently on the shoulder. "You're a general now, Gawain. Remember to act like one."
"Yes, Father." Gawain released her mother and straightened up, nodding confidently.
The fairy version of Morgan had been standing nearby, observing the entire scene. As the interaction came to an end, she approached Morgan, curiosity etched on her face. "Judging by your expressions, it seems like everything went well this time?"
"Of course!" Morgan exchanged a knowing smile with Lott.
"What did you two do?" Fairy Morgan inquired, unable to contain her curiosity.
Lott stretched the moment, drawing out his response, then finally said, "We've arranged for you to be the lord of the fairies. You'll handle the formalities for us later and take your rightful place as their leader."
"And don't even think about refusing," Morgan added, her voice firm. "If you don't take up the position, the four major clans will plunge into a civil war."
"What!?" Fairy Morgan's eyes widened in shock. "I've already made it clear that I don't want to be the ruler of the fairies again! How could you do this?"
Altria's March
Meanwhile, in another part of the land, Altria was not idle. Unlike most of the fairies, her operations had no significant issues, and she was preparing her forces. Before she left, she had been full of energy and confidence. But as soon as she started her journey, she faced a disappointing realization: the cook she had brought along was the same one from Camelot before Lott had moved to Chalk City.
Upon this discovery, Altria's face turned pale. "What dishes can you prepare?" she asked, trying to mask her dismay.
"Black bread," the cook replied, his voice shaky. He knew very well the legend of Commander Altria's enormous appetite. If the bread was toasted, one hundred pounds might just suffice for a midnight snack.
"And what else?" Altria pressed, hoping for a better answer.
"Well, black bread without sawdust," the cook added, nervously scratching his head.
Hearing this, Altria's ahoge, the iconic lock of hair atop her head, almost stood up on end. At that moment, if anyone had dared to tug on it, she might have snapped.
"What about other food?" she asked, her patience wearing thin.
"Fried fish or baked potatoes," the cook responded honestly.
Altria took a deep breath, suppressing her rising frustration. She knew the problem wasn't with the cook, so there was no point in lashing out at him. "Alright, then prepare that for the soldiers," she instructed, trying to keep her composure.
Just as she was about to walk away, Guinevere approached, her voice soft and gentle. "I have some snacks. Would you like to try them?"
Guinevere had followed Altria's forces, wanting to stay close to the knight she admired. Despite Altria's true gender still being a secret and the absence of Lancelot, Guinevere's feelings for her had only grown deeper. Seeing Altria struggling with the inadequate food supply, Guinevere didn't hesitate to offer her treasured snacks.
But Altria hesitated. She wasn't blind to Guinevere's affections and knew they were based on a misconception. The princess was infatuated with the image of the male knight she believed Altria to be. Accepting this kind gesture would only complicate things further.
"No, thank you. You keep those for yourself," Altria said firmly, grabbing a piece of black bread and biting into it resolutely.
Gurney Vale, feeling both admiration and disappointment, watched as Altria chewed on the tough bread. "Why can't you see my feelings for you?" she thought, feeling wronged and determined to find a way to express herself more clearly.
"I won't give up. I'll make sure you can't refuse me next time," she resolved, clenching her fists in determination.
Altria's Campaign
Oblivious to Guinevere's turmoil, Altria focused on her military campaign. With each city reclaimed, her resolve only strengthened. She led her troops with unparalleled valor, her sword, Caliburn, cutting through enemy lines with ease. Her determination to drive out the fairies of the Wind Clan was fueled not only by her sense of duty but also by her desire to return home to Camelot and enjoy a proper meal.
Every attack saw her at the forefront, her sword blazing with light as she carved a path through the battlefield. Under her leadership, Camelot's forces reclaimed city after city, leaving the Wind Clan reeling. Her relentless assault culminated in her army cutting off the Wind Clan's retreat, achieving what Lott and Morgan hadn't expected so soon.
Confrontation with the Fairy Morgan
Back at the camp, Lott and Morgan, now satisfied with the progress made by their forces, decided it was time to meet with Altria. But before they could, they had to finalize their arrangements with Fairy Morgan.
"Now that everything's set, you'll be taking on the role of the lord of the fairies, Fairy Morgan," Lott said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Fairy Morgan shook her head in disbelief. "You two really are something else," she muttered, still coming to terms with the sudden responsibility thrust upon her.
"Don't worry," Lott assured her. "You'll do just fine. And we'll be here to support you."
Return to Camelot
After ensuring that Fairy Morgan was in control, Lott and Morgan made their way back to Camelot. They found Altria's forces already engaged with the remnants of the Wind Clan. As they entered the camp, they were greeted by the sight of their daughter, Gawain, rushing towards them.
"Father, Mother!" Gawain's voice was filled with excitement as she threw her arms around Lott.
"Gawain!" Morgan exclaimed, extending her arms, expecting to receive her daughter's embrace as well.
But Gawain, in her enthusiasm, was oblivious to her mother's outstretched arms and remained clinging to her father. Morgan's face froze, a mixture of shock and annoyance flashing across her features.
"Gawain, dear," Morgan said, forcing a smile, "your mother's waiting for a hug too, you know."
Realizing her mistake, Gawain quickly turned and wrapped her arms around Morgan. "I'm sorry, Mother! I'm just so happy to see you both!"
Morgan's irritation melted away as she held her daughter tightly. "It's alright, my brave little knight," she said softly, glancing at Lott with a look that said, "We'll talk about this later."
Lott, sensing the impending conversation, simply grinned and nodded, knowing he'd be in for it later. For now, he was content to enjoy the moment of reunion with his family.
The future seemed brighter With their family reuniting and the fairies now under control. But for Lott and Morgan, the challenges were far from over. With Camelot's stability secured, new horizons awaited their attention.
The stage was set for the next chapter in their journey.