11 — Morgan

Morgan was deeply moved by Arthur’s words. Although they had been childhood friends for many years, she had always viewed him as nothing more than a naive, privileged prince—never in a favorable light.

Despite Britannia being rife with problems, he’d allowed himself to be used by nobles and indulged in his whims. To her, that kind of prince was not someone worthy of respect.

“But… he was different all along, wasn’t he…”

He had been quietly sharpening his fangs. He had obeyed the nobles to lull them into complacency, hiding his intentions while secretly gathering the knowledge and insight needed to one day save the kingdom with his strategy.

In truth, Morgan had witnessed the entire exchange between Arthur and Greed when the maid was being harassed. Like a noble version of a housekeeper spy, Morgan had seen it all.

She despised nobles who flaunted their power. Her motto had always been noblesse oblige—that those with great power had a duty to act responsibly and work for the good of all.

So when she saw Greed berating the maid, she’d intended to intervene. She hadn’t paid much attention to Arthur arriving, because—based on the Arthur she knew—he would have either ignored it or sided with Greed.

But he had acted differently.

“If anyone’s at fault, it’s me. I’m sorry. Could you try to let go of your anger?”

He had bowed his head… for a maid. A commoner. That kind of thing was unthinkable in Britannia, where the divide between nobles and commoners was immense.

Normally, even if a noble committed a wrong, they would scream and shout, and the commoner would be expected to take it in silence.

And that wasn’t the only surprise.

“I’m sorry… Morgan’s been nagging me lately, saying a prince should at least do some work. Can you bring me the ledgers for my finances?”

Arthur, who had always obeyed without question, had spoken back to Greed. And he’d deliberately mentioned Morgan’s name. That’s when she realized.

Arthur must’ve known she was watching. And he had subtly told her to take action.

‘Leave it to me.’

Morgan had smiled back, hoping he would understand—and then acted swiftly. Though she was puzzled when Arthur quickly made himself scarce, she moved immediately and successfully gathered the evidence of Greed’s corruption.

And then, Arthur had arrived at Avalon with impeccable timing.

He even helped deliver judgment upon Greed.

This must be the signal that he’s finally ready to move.

After speaking with Arthur, her suspicions became certainty. The issues he pointed out were ones Morgan herself had sensed for some time. But she hadn’t thought of them as clearly or in such practical terms—and certainly hadn’t known how to address them.

But Arthur had promised her. That he would gain power and influence and take action.

“I was the foolish and childish one…”

Morgan knew full well that she had a sharp tongue. And that it often rubbed people the wrong way. It was a defensive habit—one she’d developed after inheriting her father’s position at a young age, trying to prevent others from underestimating her.

But as the new head of Avalon, she had no powerful backing. Any attempt she made to implement change was bound to be blocked by other nobles. So the fact that Arthur had shown up, offering to be her ally—that meant everything.

Arthur was sharp enough to have been acting all this time. He’d predicted that Greed would protest to her, and had waited for the right moment to strike.

“You’re saying I was worth placing your trust in…”

She stared dreamily at the chair where Arthur had just been sitting. She had thought she would have to fight alone. But her ally had been close by all along.

And that… filled her with joy.

Once Arthur saved that orphanage, attention would flock to him. After all, that orphanage was special to him…