[Morgan listened to your words.]
[Deep inside, you hoped—just a little—that she would show even the slightest sign of hesitation.]
[But reality betrayed that wish.
She did not look at you with regret.
Her gaze remained as calm as ever—
As if what you had just said was the most ordinary thing in the world.]
[You felt a small pang of sadness—
But you quickly accepted it.]
[A knight has no right to ask for anything from the one they serve.]
"Rei."
Morgan's deep blue eyes reflected his kneeling figure.
"Do you understand what your words truly mean?"
"Yes, Princess."
Rei nodded without hesitation.
"I understand perfectly."
"My life shall end by your hand."
A brief silence.
Then, Morgan spoke again—her voice steady.
"Rei—
Are you doing this just to make me feel guilty?"
"No."
Rei shook his head.
"I know that you, Princess, would never feel guilt over me."
"I only wish to do as you said—
To fulfill my final role as your pawn."
"That way, my life will burn until its very last moment."
"I truly believe that Britain belongs to you,
And no one else."
[Morgan did not doubt you.]
She knew your loyalty was genuine.
She knew you would truly do this.
[Yet still, she hesitated.]
[You wondered if it had something to do with you.
Morgan's next words confirmed that suspicion.]
"Rei, do you truly believe your death holds that much value?"
Morgan's expression was difficult to read.
"You…
You might be overestimating yourself."
"Princess, you may not believe this, but I will tell you anyway."
"To everyone except you, I am already Vortigern's claw.
I have slain countless British knights.
I am already Britain's sworn enemy."
"And you—"
Rei lifted his head,
His gaze unwavering, steadfast.
"Are Britain's undefeated Princess."
The invincible blade of the battlefield."
"If you execute me—
It will be exactly what the people desire.
Every knight will welcome it."
"As my head falls, they will raise their swords and cry your name."
And the wise king will see that your strength is undeniable."
"He will have no choice but to recognize you."
Vortigern once said,
Morgan was unfit to be king.
That she was not worthy of being his adversary.
But Rei never believed that.
To him,
No one in Britain deserved the throne more than Morgan.
"Rei—"
"Do you regret this choice?"
"I will never regret it."
Rei answered without hesitation.
"From the moment I swore my oath to you—
I have never once known regret."
Silence.
Morgan fell deep into thought.
Then, finally—
"I understand, Rei."
"Before my father—
I will take your head.
And I will bury it beneath my feet."
[No one knew of the promise you made that day.]
[Morgan declared that you were to be brought before Uther for judgment.
She traveled with you alone.]
[No one objected.
To them, you were nothing but a defeated prisoner.
They never once considered that you could harm Morgan.]
[During your journey,
Nothing changed between you.
You were still her knight.
[You held the reins for her.
Tended to her horse.
Cared for her along the way.]
[It felt like old times.]
Nightfall.
"Princess, here—this is your share."
Rei respectfully offered Morgan a piece of roasted fish.
Morgan took it, her expression slightly surprised.
"Rei—"
"I didn't know you could do this."
"Yes."
Rei nodded.
"I was born a commoner,
So naturally, I know how to prepare food."
Morgan looked at the fish in her hand, then at the one in Rei's.
"Why... Is Yours So Small?"
Morgan stared at the grilled fish in her hand.
It was clear as day—hers was significantly larger than Rei's.
And she was not imagining things.
"Why..."
She frowned.
"Why is yours so small?"
Just as Morgan had noticed, despite them both having grilled fish, Rei's portion was much smaller.
And yet, when she questioned him, Rei simply smiled and answered without hesitation:
"Princess, you are the future ruler of Britain."
"Everything on this land belongs to you.
I merely serve to bring them to your side as you desire."
"It would be unthinkable for me to selfishly claim something for myself."
"The fact that you allow me to serve you at all is already my greatest fortune."
Morgan fell silent.
Holding the grilled fish, she curled up her legs, her gaze falling upon the flickering flames.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Rei..."
"Do you truly believe I can become the ruler of Britain?"
"Princess, it is not a matter of belief. It is a certainty."
Rei waved away the insects drawn to the firelight, ensuring they would not trouble her.
"You are the rightful ruler of Britain.
The knights of this land will feel honored simply by your presence."
"But you are the only one who has ever said such things to me..."
The fire reflected in Morgan's eyes like a crimson sea,
its glow casting a faint pale sheen over them.
She seemed tired.
"There is always someone who must be the first," Rei said gently.
"And you can be certain, Princess—
I will not be the last."
His voice carried the conviction of one who had already seen the future.
"I was merely fortunate to be the first you acknowledged."
"And my death shall bring you even more loyalty."
Morgan turned to look at Rei—
His scarred face, marred by the stones thrown at him,
His absolute trust in her, unwavering.
She realized something.
This was the first time she had truly noticed his wounds.
Rei had endured endless torment and condemnation.
And yet, he had done so willingly, because he believed in her.
Morgan opened her mouth—
But swallowed her words.
Instead, she gave a quiet command.
"When you keep watch tonight—"
She shifted her gaze back to the fire, voice steady.
"Sit closer. By the fire."
"No one will know."
Rei lowered his head.
"As you command, Princess."
[The British army's battlefront was not far.]
[Your journey with Morgan quickly reached its end.]
[As proof of her victory, she presented you before King Uther.]
[Morgan declared she would execute you before the gathered knights, to inspire Britain's warriors.]
[You believed this would finally make Uther acknowledge her worth—
But then, his gaze fell upon you.]
[Uther wished to speak with you alone.]