“…You may all withdraw.”
After dismissing everyone speechlessly, Artoria could no longer keep her bitter face straight.
What kind of situation is this?
If I had known, I wouldn’t have asked.
“Pfft~.”
Perhaps because her expression was truly too spectacular, the Magician of Flowers, who had been hiding his form, finally couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“Merlin!”
Artoria looked in surprise at the white-haired youth who had revealed his form in the corner of the hall and no longer hid himself.
“Since when were you there?”
“I have been there from the beginning.” Merlin replied with an uncontrollable smile on his lips and a hint of schadenfreude: “My dear disciple, I must say your expression was truly extremely interesting.”
The Magician of Flowers, who loved to watch the drama unfold, strode from the corner to Artoria; without exaggeration, he was smiling like a dandelion in full bloom by the roadside.
The teasing in his eyes was not concealed in the slightest.
“…Merlin, your schadenfreude is too obvious.”
Artoria pursed her lips, feeling deeply speechless, and her helpless gaze fell upon the Magician of Flowers who had already walked up to her.
She tilted her head, trying to subtly shift the awkward topic from just a moment ago.
“The fireworks during the parade today were beautiful.
I didn’t expect that such magic existed.
Magic is truly amazing.”
“I studied that magic for a long time before I succeeded.
It is truly great that you like it.”
The white-haired youth laughed softly, his expression filled with pride.
Seeing that Merlin’s attention had been diverted by her, Artoria couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief in her heart.
‘Very good, it seems the topic can finally be ended.’
However, was it really that simple to get her way?
Too naive; one must know that life is full of disappointments.
Just as Artoria was rejoicing in her own wit, Merlin changed the subject and steered it back to the original topic.
“If you like it, I can perform it again at your wedding.”
“…!” Artoria was completely stunned by this unexpected remark.
She turned to look at the Magician of Flowers, who now had a pleasant smile on his face.
That smile made her feel as if a breath was stuck in her chest, neither going up nor down, which was exceptionally uncomfortable.
—Ah.
Why did I just think Merlin would act according to my wishes?
“Weddings and such…, that is simply impossible.”
Artoria raised her hand to her forehead, looking like she had given up on life, and said: “You clearly know, that is the fact that I am a woman.”
Yes, this is exactly the reason why Artoria did not want to continue discussing this.
If her gender were still male like in her previous life, she would absolutely be happy to let Britain have a Queen, but in the current situation, it is obviously not something that can be solved so simply…
“Marriage is a matter between two people.
Even if I don’t mind becoming a husband and wife with a woman, but…”
She paused, a trace of confusion and unease appearing on her exquisite face.
“But what would the woman who enters into a marriage contract with me think?
You know I have no way to give her the happiness she deserves; this is practically marriage fraud.”
Speaking of this, Artoria lowered her head, and a haze rose in her originally bright turquoise eyes.
A husband who was married with full joy turns out to be a woman just like her; that scene is truly too pathetic.
She would destroy the other person’s life; Artoria knew this deeply.
Perhaps because the disciple in front of him rarely revealed her vulnerable side, the Magician of Flowers, who had been grinning, slowly restrained his smile.
“But this is necessary; it has nothing to do with your own wishes.”
Merlin placed the facts before Artoria in a slow and firm tone.
“From ancient times to the present, politics has never been a purely political issue; it is always intertwined with all aspects, and marriage is just a political tool.”
Merlin heartlessly ignored the pleading gaze Artoria directed at him, and he continued word by word: “King Arthur needs a Queen, and Britain needs a Queen.”
“Now, after three years of development, Britain has gradually gotten on the right track, but the time is still too short.”
The young man in the magnificent white robe seemed exceptionally ruthless at this moment, his words piercing Artoria’s heart like knives.
“Britain still needs to continue consolidating and strengthening its domestic political situation, and at the same time, we must establish good military alliance relationships with other countries.
Furthermore, in our foreign strategy, we also need to seek support from other countries.”
Magician of Flowers sighed deeply and, amidst Artoria’s increasingly downcast expression, continued: “Moreover, through a political marriage, Britain can find political allies.
A strong alliance between the two nations will allow Britain to radiate new vitality.”
“You know it well…, this is the best plan for Britain’s development at this time.”
Having said this, Magician of Flowers finally stopped.
His lavender eyes looked at Artoria, quietly waiting for her answer.
“…”
Of course I know!
This is a heavy responsibility that King Arthur cannot escape.
“It is truly…
too painful…”
Artoria’s green eyes, which looked exceptionally gentle when she smiled, were now strikingly beautiful even in her sadness.
She leaned powerlessly against her throne, her eyes half-lowered.
Choosing to sacrifice an innocent young girl for the sake of political necessity, marrying a queen while posing as a man, selfishly disregarding the other person’s happiness.
From then on, the young girl who becomes queen will have her freedom stripped away for a lifetime, even though she will also possess the glory of being a queen.
But is this truly glory?
No, it is a shackle that imprisons that young girl.
Even if the queen finds her true beloved in the future, she will likely only be able to sadly look on and hold back.
The false marriage will be maintained by lies.
That young girl will be pushed into the abyss by Artoria’s own hands.
Her thoughts tangled into a web, tightening further until it reached her heart, only ceasing after a dull ache.
Artoria remained silent, and only the shallow breathing of her and Magician of Flowers echoed in the vast hall.
For a long time, she raised her head and opened her eyes, her gaze filled with desperate determination.
“I understand.”
She heard her own voice trembling slightly, “If this is the best choice for Britain, then let it be done.”
“Then, Magician of Flowers, please tell me.”
The blonde, green-eyed girl slowly looked at the Magician of Flowers standing to the side.
“Who should take on the role of King Arthur’s queen?”
Hearing Artoria’s question, the white-haired young man stepped back slightly.
He placed his right hand on his upper left chest and bowed to the girl sitting high on the throne.
“Your Majesty,” he answered solemnly, “Princess Guinevere of Scotland is well-deserving; she will be the most perfect queen for Britain.”
It really is her…
Magician of Flowers’ suggestion was identical to the candidate for queen in Artoria’s mind.
It had nothing to do with romance; it was purely because an alliance with Scotland was the choice that best served Britain’s interests.
Will and fate often run in opposite directions; at this moment, she deeply felt the helplessness of life.
In the dim light, wearing a noble crown on her golden hair, dressed in blue clothes and white armor, she sat firmly on the pedestal in the vast, empty palace.
The emerald color in the king’s eyes seemed stained with ink.
Finally, a heavy sigh escaped her lips: “Two days from now, I will submit a request for a marriage alliance to Scotland.”
I am very sorry, Guinevere.