Chapter 19. In the Joy that Ambition Is Born
"Ian, what are you saying!"
Morgan stood up, took a few steps to the side, and turned her back to Ian.
"I command you to take back what you just said."
Morgan's words did not make Ian step back.
He stood up and walked over to Morgan's back.
"Princess, I will take back what I said earlier."
"Just—"
"Princess, don't you truly want to consider this possibility? Surely, back then, you cried deeply beneath me. I even felt like the entire forest was shedding tears for you."
"Are you teaching me what to do?!"
Morgan turned around, her face filled with concern.
"Don't forget, you are just a pawn that I can discard at any time! And now, you dare to turn back and criticize me?"
"Princess, it is true that I am just a pawn that you can discard at any time," Ian said earnestly.
"But at the same time, I am also a knight who admires you."
"I cannot bear to see you suffer like this, I believe you deserve everything."
"Ian, I won't allow you to say such things!"
Morgan trembled as her emotional wound was touched.
"Kneel, kneel down!"
[Although he knew these were Morgan angry words, you still knelt down as she had commanded.]
[You remained silent, like a stone statue.]
[Seeing this scene, Morgan realized she had once again hurt you loyalty.]
[She wanted to find a way to make it right.]
"That, Ian, I didn't mean it like that." Morgan tilted her head slightly. "I didn't mean to tell you..."
Before Morgan could finish her sentence, Ian spoke first:
"Princess, you don't need to explain anything to me. I am your knight. Whatever you command me to do is always right."
"I will have no complaints."
Ian's indifferent attitude made Morgan feel even more guilty.
Finally, she took the initiative to bend down and help Ian up.
"I'm sorry, Ian."
"I didn't mean to blame you, but what you said earlier was truly too much... I can't accept something like that."
"Then, Princess—"
Ian's gaze was direct and sharp.
"Princess, can you accept that you might not become the king?"
Ian might not be the one who understood Morgan the most.
But he was certainly the one who understood her pain the best.
Lies don't hurt anyone; only the truth is as sharp as a knife.
Morgan's face became grim, but because of what had just happened, she didn't let herself lose control of her emotions like before.
"Ian, even if I can't accept it, so what?"
"Then overthrow everything," Ian said firmly.
"Are you going to go against my father?"
Ian shook his head.
"Not that."
"Because if there's a king in Britannia, why shouldn't it be you?"
"Because my father said I won't be that king," Morgan looked at her hands, and sorrow was evident in her eyes.
"Ian, you have to understand this better than I do."
"But even a king can sometimes be mistaken," Ian continued. "Princess, are you truly ready to accept that the heir you've never met could replace you?"
"But what if they really is more capable than I am?"
"Then they won't exist anymore," Ian said, each word clear and deliberate.
"That way, no one will be more capable than you."
[Morgan was shaken by you words.]
[She looked at him, trying to determine if you was just speaking impulsively.]
[But she quickly realized that you was serious and seemed utterly determined.]
"Ian, do you know what you're saying?" Morgan's blue eyes stared intensely at the man in front of her.
"I'll allow you to take back those words right now, and I'll pretend I didn't hear them."
"Princess, I understand," Ian didn't hesitate. "If I can't help you get rid of Vortigern, at the very least, I must eliminate those competing for the throne with you."
"Even if it means using dishonorable means, I will achieve this goal."
Morgan took a deep breath.
She knew that the Ian in front of her wasn't cruel. Even when he was under Vortigern's command, he couldn't forget the knights he had killed due to their opposition, let alone now.
It was all for her.
"Ian, do you really need to go this far?"
Morgan brushed her hand, still feeling the warmth lingering from him.
"If it's just because of a moment of blinded desire, I can forgive you this time."
"After all, you've already wasted a period of time for me without reason."
Ian shook his head.
"Princess."
"I truly have an endless desire for you, and I once hoped you could fulfill it for me."
"But I also deeply admire your vision — I long to witness the moment you step onto the throne of Britannia."
"..."
Morgan remained silent for a long time.
"Ian, do you really think I have the ability to do this? Even though my father once told you that."
"Princess, if I didn't believe you could do it, you wouldn't be sitting here with me in this forest, sharing this joy."
"Let me think for a moment," Morgan replied.
"Ian, come sit with me."
[You and Morgan sat under a tree by the lake.]
[You noticed her thoughtful expression, feeling an emotion you had never experienced before.]
[You silently observed everything until she turned around and warned you not to stare at her.]
[But even with the warning, you realized Morgan had taken your hand.]
[You realized that while she was contemplating everything, she was also a little scared.]
[You tightly grasped her hand, using this gesture to reassure her that there was no need to worry.]
[She didn't provide an answer immediately.]
[That night, Morgan couldn't sleep and used your presence to ease her worries.]
[Her fingers gently twisted yours under her hand.]
[By dawn, she finally fell asleep on your shoulder.]
[You couldn't bear to wake her, quietly protecting her in that moment.]
[In the afternoon, Morgan woke up.]
[When she saw you guarding her side like a soldier, she once again allowed you to do something for her.]
[After a pleasant time on the meadow, you and she adjusted your clothing and prepared to set off.]
[You brought the warhorse and assisted her onto it.]
[The sound of the horse's hooves quietly echoed on the narrow forest path as you both arrived at the forest's edge, ready to return to the court.]
[At this point, Morgan stopped her warhorse.]
"Ian."
"I'm here."
"When we leave this forest..." Morgan turned to look at the beautiful scenery of the forest.
"We won't have a way to turn back."
"Do you really not regret betraying my father for me?"
Ian smiled lightly.
"Princess, once you've made your decision, I will never regret it."
"Really? I hope you're not lying to me."
In the light conversation between the two, the warhorse gradually left the forest.
Only the clear waters of the lake began to cloud, silently telling the story of Morgan ambition, awakened in joy.