[You and Morgan roamed leisurely.]
[Perhaps because there was no one to see you, Morgan's demeanor grew bolder.]
[Or rather, her hints grew bolder.]
She said nothing.
Yet her pale hand drifted over to rest atop Rei's, where he held the reins.
Her index and middle fingers parted slightly, tracing small, deliberate movements against his own.
Rei knew exactly what this meant.
"Your Highness."
"Mm?"
"Your hands are remarkably soft."
Rei pulled lightly on the reins.
The horse beneath them slowed to a halt, standing steady and obedient.
"And I doubt they are the softest part of you."
"Rei." Morgan pressed her fingers firmly against his. "Do you know what you're saying?"
"A fool like me would not," Rei replied with a faint smile. "But a brilliant woman such as yourself certainly does."
At his words, Morgan withdrew her hand.
She spoke softly:
"Rei. Hold me."
"As you wish, Your Highness."
[You wrapped your arms around Morgan's waist.]
[No matter how many times you held her, its delicate slenderness always left you enchanted.]
[With your guidance, Morgan turned elegantly in the saddle, now facing you.]
"Rei."
Morgan patted his cheek lightly.
"Have you forgotten something?"
"You are a knight being punished—not a lover indulging in pleasure."
"My apologies, Your Highness. That was my mistake."
"Mm." Morgan nodded in satisfaction. "Then, as further punishment, answer me another question."
The princess leaned back, resting against her warhorse.
Her cascading silver-blonde hair spilled into the steed's sleek mane, blending together in a striking contrast of color—distinct, yet harmoniously intertwined.
(TL Notes: Living Morgan has Silver Blonde hair, but Ruler Morgan has white-silver hair.)
"Rei."
"Do you know?" Morgan gazed up at him. "It is no easy thing to let another person sit upon this horse."
"I must ensure that it understands—you are my piece, my knight sworn to me."
"This process is neither simple… nor entirely stable."
"So—"
Morgan's lips curved slightly, revealing a playful smile.
She gently hooked Rei's chin with her fingertip.
"If the horse senses too much disturbance, it might get startled and run off."
"Foolish knight, how do you plan to follow my command while also solving this problem?"
"I'm very curious."
—
"I see," Rei replied to Morgan. "It seems I may not be able to solve this problem."
"But I believe that you, Your Highness, must have a solution."
"Oh—?"
Morgan twirled a lock of Rei's hair around her fingers.
"But Rei, even if I know how to solve it, what does that have to do with you?"
"Indeed, Your Highness knowing the solution may have nothing to do with me."
"However—this will be the key to what happens next."
"Rei, what do you mean by that?"
"Your Highness, there is no need for speculation—I shall now unveil the answer for you."
Rei completely released the reins—this was, after all, a well-trained warhorse, maintaining its disciplined stance even without guidance.
With his hands now free, he took hold of both of Morgan's hands, while his other hand settled gently at her waist.
"Your Highness, I believe I have found a place even softer than your hands."
"And it may just be the key to solving our predicament."
"Rei."
The princess, her hands held within the knight's grasp, felt the unspoken intent behind his touch.
Yet she did not resist—she merely posed a single question.
"I imagine you're not a master of all arts, are you?"
"But one must always seek new experiences."
Rei replied with perfect decorum—by now, he had already devised a solution to their "problem."
"Your Highness, would you be willing to grant me the opportunity to test my solution?"
"Why not?"
Morgan's gaze locked onto Rei, his figure reflected in the depths of her sapphire eyes.
"I'm rather curious to see just how brilliant your answer will be."
[You and Morgan begin deliberating over the challenges of horseback riding.]
[Your hand finds something softer than the princess's own.]
[As you caress it, a memory surfaces—of a beautiful seashell you once discovered on the shore one summer past.]
[Its surface was smooth and pristine, unmarked by any pattern. Inside, it was warm and inviting—a delicate beauty that demanded admiration.]
[It was a perfect shell, and you cherished it.]
[The princess's legs trembled.]
[She realized, too late, that she had underestimated the knight's talents beyond swordplay.]
[She sought to reclaim control in a manner befitting her, only to discover the battle was already lost.]
[According to the rules of this "challenge on horseback," she understood that she was now the one being tested.]
[The predicament she had once devised to trouble the knight had, in turn, become her own downfall.]
She had lost.
[In the garden of Camelot's princess, the gentle melody of flowing springs played softly.]
The sun dipped below the horizon.
The princess's warhorse lowered its head, nibbling on the tender grass by the stream.
It had no notion of where its riders had gone—but this newfound weightlessness granted it a rare sense of freedom.
"Princess..."
"Hmm?"
Nestled against Rei's back, Morgan's deep blue eyes peeked out from behind him.
"Do you have any objections to me riding you instead of the horse?"
"No, I have no complaints."
"Good, then be my obedient steed."
Morgan flashed a triumphant smile.
"This is your reward for winning."
The First Law of Loyalty for a Knight: Never attempt to defeat Morgan in any contest—it is far more painful than losing.
But Rei didn't mind.
After all, even if their positions were reversed, he could still breathe in the intoxicating scent of her.
And that was enough.
However—
There was still one thing that needed clarification.
"Your Highness." Rei glanced at the unfamiliar forest surroundings, a trace of doubt in his voice.
"Why have we come here?"
"So you can marry me." Morgan declared without hesitation.
"I need to weave my magic near the capital, and this is the ideal place for the ritual."
"Under its influence, you will take me as your wife in the most reasonable and natural way possible. Do you understand?"
"…Your Highness."
"Whatever you have to say, save it for later. Just focus on marrying me."
Morgan leaned her head against Rei's shoulder, whispering softly into his ear:
"Rei, you will never escape from me in this lifetime."
"Understood, Your Highness."
Just as Rei finished speaking, Morgan abruptly turned her head.
"What's wrong, Your Highness?"
"Rei." Morgan's brows furrowed slightly.
"There are traces of another magic in this area."