MTLNOVEL Chapter 54: 55. Even a King Has the Right to Cross-Dress
King Arthur likes to cross-dress. This was a piece of gossip Mélusine had incidentally heard while researching the Sword of Promised Victory, Caliburn. She had no idea who started it. However, Mélusine had no opinion on the rumor. The reason was simple: what other people wanted to do was their own freedom. Even a King has the right to cross-dress. If anyone were to jump out and say, "King Arthur absolutely cannot cross-dress," Mélusine felt she would definitely be the first to lead the charge. She would defend everyone's right to cross-dress!
But the problem now was... that so-called "liking to cross-dress" was built upon the fact that she was, in fact, a woman. Which meant... the "cross-dressing" was what Artoria should have been wearing all along, and the thick, sturdy cape and battle armor she wore daily were what she used to disguise herself!
"Eh?" Hearing the sound of the door being pushed open, Artoria looked over. The moment she saw Ian, a happy expression appeared on her face. It was the kind of expression one could only have after seeing someone they truly cared for.
But— The moment she saw Mélusine beside Ian, that expression instantly froze in place. "Hey, what are you doing here?" "..." Mélusine felt she was truly doomed this time. First, she broke the Sword of Promised Victory, Caliburn, which symbolized the throne. And now, she had stumbled upon Artoria's true appearance. "Um, that is—" "I suddenly remembered I have something to do, I'll be leaving first!" Saying this, Mélusine turned around, preparing to make a run for it. Maybe I should just fly away with my wings—if I stay, I'll definitely be killed! However... Just as Mélusine turned, she heard Artoria shout, "Halt! Mélusine, you will stay right there!"
I'm screwed... Mélusine came to her senses and waved her hands dismissively. "I didn't see anything today—Artoria, no, Your Majesty, rest assured! I absolutely won't tell a soul!" "Hm? What's there not to say?" Ian replied to Mélusine's words. "Isn't it just seeing Artoria?" "Eh?" Ian's reaction made Mélusine pinch herself again. "Ow! It's not a dream... why do I feel like I don't understand anything?" "..." Watching Mélusine's reaction, Artoria hesitated for a moment, then walked to the great door and pushed it shut.
And so, only the three of them remained in the throne room. "Mélusine, come here for a moment." "..." Although she felt uneasy, Mélusine still did as Artoria said and came to her side. "Your Majesty, rest assured." The moment she arrived, Mélusine immediately gave her guarantee. "I will not speak of this. Your secret will be bound to my life, forever!"
"Don't be nervous," Artoria said with a small smile. "I know you're not the type to gossip, but—please don't be so agitated. Otherwise..." Artoria glanced at Ian, who was standing not far away. "...if he figures it out, the problem will become very complicated." "Eh?"
Artoria's one sentence made Mélusine realize something. She looked at her, then at Ian, and suddenly understood. "You mean to say—" Mélusine stood on her tiptoes and whispered in Artoria's ear, "—he doesn't realize you're a woman? Even at times like this?" "..." Artoria's throat bobbed several times before she finally nodded.
"You're right, Mélusine. That's exactly it. He... does not realize I am a woman." "..." Mélusine now understood why Ian's reaction was so different from her own. To see the King, who usually wielded a sword, be such a cute girl in private—what kind of person would not be surprised? But then again—if he never realized she was a girl in the first place, then of course he wouldn't be surprised. "Then..." Mélusine pointed to herself. "Is he unable to recognize any girl? For example, does Ian think I'm not a girl either?" "I don't know," Artoria lowered her voice. "But... at least for me, that's how it is."
"..." In just those few sentences, Mélusine could feel the King's heartache. She was not slow. She quickly sensed the deeper, hidden circumstances. "Your Majesty. If my research is correct, you and Ian are from the same village. You drew the Sword of Promised Victory, Caliburn, together. You created the Knights of the Round Table, but have only inducted him. If it weren't for him speaking up, I wouldn't even have been qualified to see you. Your Majesty... you have special feelings for him, don't you?" "..." Artoria turned her face away, not answering Mélusine at all. It was silence. But—it was also the most accurate answer. People only fall silent when a sensitive point is struck that they cannot answer. I see. To think my earlier thought that "the relationships in Camelot are messy" would become reality so quickly. Mélusine's feelings were a little complicated. "Well then—Your Majesty, if that is what you feel, why don't you just tell him? I think if he could understand your feelings, he would be very happy."
"I cannot do that, Mélusine." Artoria clutched her chest, which was no longer restricted in its growth after Caliburn had broken. "I am the King of Britain. I have my responsibilities; I must be responsible for every single person in Britain. I... cannot reveal my identity, can I?" Mélusine quickly understood. For Artoria to explain everything to Ian, she would inevitably have to expose her identity as a woman. And if that happened, she would surely be rejected by the people of Camelot. They might even become furious—the King who had ruled them for so long was actually a woman disguised as a man!
"I understand," Mélusine said. "In that case—" She drew the two Arondights from her waist. "—Your Majesty, then knight me into the Round Table at once! Let me! Not as Lancelot, but as the knight named Mélusine! Let me protect you both!"
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