Chapter 20. The Capital, Things Have Changed
[Walking down the familiar road, you have returned to the capital.]
[Although much later than expected, no one raised any questions about this.]
[The residents of the capital cheered for Morgan's return, while also feeling curious about you, the person who was by her side.]
[Sitting on the back of the warhorse, facing those gazes, you suddenly realized something.]
[That information in Britannia was not transmitted as smoothly as imagined.]
[News from the front lines took a very long time to reach the capital.]
[You recognized that there was value in this that could be utilized.]
[You looked at Morgan and realized she was also looking at you.]
[Both of you exchanged glances, aware that you both had noticed certain things, but due to your respective statuses, you knew it wasn't the right time to talk.]
"Ian, come to my room tonight."
Morgan said calmly, then declined the royal guards' offer to guide her, choosing to ride back on her own.
"Excuse me, would you like me to guide you, Princess guest?" The guard asked carefully.
It had been many years since Ian left the capital. Although everything here seemed unchanged, he didn't recognize any of the guards.
'Things have changed,' he thought, perhaps this was the feeling.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't need it," Ian smiled and said.
"I'm very familiar with this place."
"And also—"
Ian drew his sword from his side, the blade reflecting silver light under the sun.
"I am not the Princess guest."
"I am her knight."
[Talent "Affinity Perseverance" has been replaced by "Affinity Knight Aura".]
[Activating "Affinity Knight Aura": Although this is the first time the guard has met you, the aura you exude makes him feel you are no ordinary person. He fully trusts the title you have given.]
[He looks at you with admiration and informs his fellow guards.]
[Quickly, your status is established through this spreading reputation.]
[They step aside to make way for you and send you off with respect.]
[You don't immediately return to your quarters, instead walking around near the palace.]
[You dismount from the horse, using some gold to buy apples and other things, distributing them to the people on the street.]
[They are very willing to talk with you, and you gradually learn more from their words.]
[Young girls are continually drawn to your charm and generosity, wanting to converse with you for longer.]
[But you refuse them, saying they will meet better people.]
[Time passes until evening.]
[As agreed, you avoid the eyes of others on the street and stand before Morgan room.]
Knock knock.
Ian knocked on the thick, heavy door.
Soon after, the door opened slightly, and Morgan's beautiful blue eyes appeared through the gap.
"Ian, you finally arrived."
The large door closed, and everything fell silent.
Inside the room, Morgan shut all the windows, ensuring that the moonlight outside could not enter even a little.
A few red candles on the royal stand flickered, casting soft golden light, warming the cold room.
The high-quality wine rested quietly in the glasses, releasing a gentle fragrance.
"Ian, kneel before me!"
As soon as she sat down on the bed, Morgan ordered her knight.
Although Ian didn't know exactly what was happening, he still obeyed her command.
When Morgan saw him kneel, she extended her foot, gently lifting his chin.
"Ian, just returned and already starting to flirt?"
"I heard they say that all afternoon you were only looking for other girls to talk to. Do you even know what you're doing?"
"I remember I never said I allowed you to do that."
So that was the issue.
Ian sighed helplessly.
"Princess, I think you misunderstood."
"I wasn't looking for sweet conversations, but gathering some information that we might need."
"Information we might need?" Morgan furrowed her brow.
"Yes, Princess, I'm sure you've noticed some things today, just like I did."
"As for the other people of the opposite sex coming close to me, I'm not interested in them at all."
"Princess, I'm sure you understand this."
"That sounds like a reasonable explanation," Morgan released Ian's chin.
"Go get the wine for me, let's have a few drinks."
"Yes, Princess."
Following Morgan's command, Ian brought over the glasses filled with wine.
"Tell me then."
Morgan took the glass, gently swirling it.
The wine inside maintained a delicate balance, not spilling despite being shaken.
"What did you discover?"
"Yes, Princess." Ian replied respectfully.
"Although it might trouble you and the King, the connection between the capital and the frontline battlefield seems weaker than I expected."
"In my exchanges with them, I sensed a noticeable delay."
"Mm." Morgan nodded.
"After all, if even them don't recognize you, I doubt they understand much about the battlefield."
At this, the two exchanged a look.
They both knew that the next topic they would discuss was a secret that needed to be kept hidden.
"Let's have a drink first."
Morgan took a sip of her wine and then offered the glass to Ian.
[You took the glass and sipped from it.]
[You realized that Morgan had used Magecraft in the wine, and your communication was concealed within it.]
[Thanks to this silent method, you both quickly completed your exchange of ideas.]
[You learned that Morgan also intended to use the delay in communication between the battlefield and the capital to block information from the frontlines.]
[This way, at least in the capital, she would no longer be the princess cast out by King Uther.]
[Thus, at the moment the war was clearly failing, you and Morgan would hold the most advantageous positions.]
[The prerequisite is that you both manage to keep everything hidden.]
The wine was finished.
The exchange of information between Morgan and Ian was now complete.
"Ian, do you think it will succeed?"
"I can't predict it, Princess." Ian answered honestly, "But at least it sounds like a plan worth trying."
"Ian, in front of me, you've never been afraid."
Morgan looked at the knight in front of her, her blue eyes less cold than usual.
"Each time, I have to gamble with my life."
Ian smiled faintly.
"Then at least that shows my head still has some value to you, Princess."
"Really?"
Morgan slowly extended her foot.
It was soft, white skin, smooth like milk, and even in the gentle candlelight, it exuded an irresistible allure.
"Then perhaps the useful thing on you isn't just this 'head.'"
A soft clink echoed.
The wine glass fell beside the bed.
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