Founding Festival

After eating a late-night meal with Morgan and returning to his room, Arthur was subjected to Kei’s strange concerns:

“Are you alone? As your exclusive maid (big-sisterly role), I’m relieved, but is it really okay not to spend time with your fiancée?”

She also scolded him with,

“Lord Arthur, you have something on your mouth… don’t tell me you snacked…”

Despite all that, Arthur kept thinking about the “Resolution of the Food Problem” written in the Good Deed Notebook.

Even so, how could he get everyone interested in rice…?

That thought didn’t leave him even during a rare meeting he was called to. Incidentally, the agenda was the upcoming “Founding Festival.”

Since it was a royal-led event, not only the king and his closest retainers attended, but of course Arthur, his older brother Rod, and his younger brother Mordred were also present.

“This time, guests for the Founding Festival will include the Saintess of Jerusalem and even royalty from other countries.”

“Oh, the famous party-hating Lady Elaine… how wonderful!! This too is the power of Britannia’s prestige, Father!”

At the words of Dinadan, the king’s confidant and chancellor, Rod spoke joyfully. Yes, ever since seeing Elaine during a diplomatic mission to Jerusalem, he had fallen in love at first sight with her.

He even kept a portrait of Elaine in his room, a secret shared only with Maid Number Fifteen.

“Heh, if that were true, it’d be good… but it seems she’s interested in Arthur. Isn’t that right, Dinadan?”

“Yes. Lady Elaine even sent a personal message asking us to take good care of Prince Arthur. It seems the two became close at the last gathering. Impressive as always, Prince Arthur.”

“Arthur… really…?”

Rod scowled at his father and Dinadan’s praise of Arthur, but Arthur himself was too flustered to care.

‘Elaine wants me to be looked after…?’

At those words, Arthur broke into a cold sweat. He had no memory of taking care of Elaine, nor of doing anything deserving such words. The letters she regularly sent—he had Kei write safe, generic replies for him.

That left only one possibility.

It must be payback…

When he went to Jerusalem, Arthur had put Elaine in her place. As revenge, she must be planning to show off her Saintess power in Britannia.

If that was the case, then the answer was obvious. There was no way he would lose in healing ability…

“Tell her I welcome it.”

“Ho ho, reassuring indeed. Still, Prince Arthur, you’ve just become engaged to Morgan. As they say, heroes are fond of romance, but be careful with your little affairs… isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”

“Ugh… I know… That’s not something to say in front of my sons…”

At Dinadan’s words, the king groaned bitterly. Arthur wondered what on earth they were talking about when he suddenly felt a piercing gaze.

It was Rod. For some reason, he was staring at Arthur with intense pressure.

‘Ah, Rod-niisan is just being overprotective. He must be worried I’ll lose to Elaine.’

Arthur gave him a reassuring smile and a wink. But then, for some reason, Rod let out a groan—“Nn…”—and squeezed the cup in his hand so hard cracks spread across it. Hopefully none of the contents spilled…

“And… I would like each of the three princes to provide some form of entertainment for the guests. Please present some ideas by the next meeting.”

“This is done every year, but it’s also your chance to show other nations your strengths. I expect good things.”

“Of course!! I’ll show them I’m worthy of being king!!”

“Sounds like a lot of work… if I can manage, that is…”

Rod responded with fiery determination, while Mordred, in contrast, muttered with a curious smile. Arthur remembered that in his past life, he himself had shown off his healing ability, Mordred had performed a sword dance, and Rod had served a lavish feast using wheat from his vassal nobles.

Arthur had loved the melon bread he ate there. Just as he was thinking of that, Mordred spoke to him.

“Arthur-niisan, I’m sure you’ll do something amazing. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Ah… yeah…”

‘Why’s this guy smiling at me like that?’

Seeing Mordred’s smile reminded him of being killed by him in his previous life, so Arthur gave only a vague reply.

And then, just as the meeting ended and Arthur was about to return to his room—

“Hey Arthur, perfect timing. I’ve got something to talk about. Lend me your ear.”

“Ah, sure, I don’t mind, Rod-niisan.”

For some reason, he had been invited for tea.