Tiamat, I'm going to find a girlfriend!

“I think if you, as her mother, were to give this shield to Mash, she would be very happy.”

"By the way, this was Ian's idea."

Artoria said this, then leaned close to the dragon and took his arm.

That was a captivating allure that Camelot's king would never normally display, yet it was now undeniably before everyone.

“Eh, this…”

Mei Liuqina's expression became somewhat embarrassed.

She felt ashamed of her previous doubts about Artoria and Morgan, but at the same time, she was pleased that Ian was thinking of her.

"Is that so?"

"Why, don't you want to?"

Morgan crossed his arms, looking displeased.

"Is this shield that my sister and I forged together something you shouldn't have?"

"Or--"

"You don't want us to do this at all?"

"Nothing!"

Melyuchina quickly refuted Morgan's words.

"I was just very surprised."

"surprise?"

Artoria frowned slightly.

"Mm." Mei Liuqina nodded.

“I didn’t expect you to care so much about Mashu, as if… you were her mothers too.”

"Isn't that a matter of course?"

Artoria laughed.

"I do indeed treat her as my daughter."

“It might not have been appropriate to say this before, but now I think I can openly admit it.”

“Mash is my daughter.”

"..."

While Melyuchina was still in a daze, Morgan spoke first.

What are you saying—

"What do you mean by 'your daughter'?"

“Yes, yes.” Mei Liuqina was about to say something in response, but Morgan’s next words choked her up.

Because that's what she said:

“It is our daughter, Artoria.”

"You, don't even think about taking it for yourself."

"..."

That's right.

Her attitude was almost identical to, or even surpassed, that of Artoria.

Morgan also readily acknowledged that Mashu was indeed a daughter worthy of his attention.

"My sister always nitpicks over some strange things."

Is this really a good thing?

"Aren't you the same, Artoria? Didn't you also use some strange tricks on me?"

Despite their seemingly hostile exchanges, Artoria and Morgan appeared completely relaxed, as if they were simply joking.

Meiliuqina blinked, then thanked her very shyly.

"Thank you, thank you all."

"I thank you on Mashu's behalf."

"..."

"..."

Artoria and Morgan exchanged a glance, and then both laughed.

"I always feel that there's something irresistible about listening to you say those things."

"Sister, please don't say that."

Artoria smiled and waved.

"However, that is indeed the case."

Unlike the sisters' leisurely demeanor, Melyuchina was quite nervous.

"I am truly grateful to you!"

"In that case, let's get going."

Artoria handed the shield to Ian.

"Mash, we must have been waiting for you for a long time."

“Hmm,” Morgan echoed.

"Let's go before we change our minds."

"..."

"understood!"

After a while.

sunset.

As dusk fell, Melyuchina and Mashu sat together.

It was on a bench in the garden—a scene that made the two look like an old married couple.

Before them stood Mash, beaming with joy at receiving her new shield.

"Amazing……"

"so beautiful……"

Seeing Mashu's overjoyed expression, Melyuchina naturally showed a gentle expression as well.

However, she soon began to whisper to Ian beside her.

"Speaking of which-"

How did you suddenly notice this?

"I...I definitely didn't tell you that, did I?"

The encounter on the street was purely accidental, and Melyuchina was certain that she had never brought up such a thing with Ian before.

This stupid dragon already has enough to deal with, and I don't want to add any more pressure to him.

in other words--

This was something Ian himself thought of doing.

"Can't we know if they don't tell us?"

"..."

Ian's answer surprised Melyuchina.

"Isn't that a given?!"

"Since I'm not saying anything, you should know nothing, right?"

"Otherwise, wouldn't that make me look like an idiot?"

"Do not."

Ian shook his head.

"not like this."

"When you like someone, care about someone, or fall in love with someone, it's impossible not to notice what the other person wants."

"So, I think I know."

"Eh……"

Meiliuqina blushed.

Although she knew that Ian might not have meant anything by "confessing," she couldn't help but sense his seriousness.

"Do you know what you're talking about?"

"I need you."

I want to see you.

Melyuchina had barely uttered those words when Ian interrupted her.

The latter looked at her with a serious and pure gaze.

“Meliuchina, you are just as important as Artoria and Morgan.”

"..."

The world fell completely silent in an instant.

Meliuchina could only hear the sound of her own heartbeat.

At that moment, she realized that she seemed to understand what Ian meant by "liking someone means knowing what they want."

kiss.

That's right.

He wants this.

The petite swordsman stopped being coy and took the initiative to attack.

She put her arm around his shoulder and whispered in his ear.

"I need you too."

"I... want to see you too."

Without saying another word, Melyuchina kissed his lips.

Although she may not be the only one doing this, she doesn't mind at all.

but--

"Mom, what are you and Dad doing?"

"Hey, this!"

Mashu's words startled Melyuchina.

"No, it's nothing, children shouldn't ask so many questions!"

"But Mom looks very happy—"

Mashu pressed her fingers against her chin.

"That must be a very happy thing!"

"I also want!"

"No, your father is mine!"

"Mom is so selfish!"