In the world of Type-Moon, it all begins with becoming Morgan's husband!

The little girl, whom Irisviel called Ilya, tilted her head and looked at Artoria for a while before calling out her name as her mother instructed.

"Sister~"

"Eh?"

Artoria blushed slightly.

Although she was the former queen of Britain, she was actually just an ordinary girl in private, and naturally she also had a fondness for cute things.

Especially when Ilya, who fits this description, calls out in a sweet voice, the combination of the two makes the feeling even more obvious.

"Hahaha."

Seeing Artoria's slightly shy expression, Irisviel laughed.

"How about it?"

"Saber, I wasn't lying to you, was Illya?! Illya is so cute—!"

“That’s true.” Artoria nodded.

"The Master's daughter is indeed as lively and adorable as previously described."

"Just looking at her like this, I feel that my soul has been healed to a considerable extent."

Artoria did not temporarily change her way of addressing Irisviel.

This was something the two of them had agreed upon.

Since Kiritsugu Emiya has completely transferred Artoria's command authority as a Servant to Irisviel.

Then the corresponding address must also be changed—otherwise, it will be recognized in an instant.

"Of course."

Irisviel's tone was full of pride.

"This is my and Kiritsugu's daughter~ How can she not be cute?"

Watching her mother and Artoria chatting away, the little girl named Illya couldn't contain herself any longer.

She grabbed Irisviel's sleeve and pointed with her little finger at the swordswoman on the other side.

"Mom, who is this lady?!"

"..."

Irisviel glanced at Illya, then at Artoria, a hint of hesitation creeping into her eyes.

She loves her daughter very much.

However, casually mentioning a Servant's name during the Holy Grail War is a rather dangerous thing.

This is because it would mean that their real name would be known, and the weaknesses formed by their past experiences would likely be exposed as well.

That would be tantamount to putting oneself in a passive position.

Knowing this, Irisviel chose the safest option: to keep it a secret.

“Ilya, this is Daddy’s guest.”

"You... just call her Saber."

“Saber…?”

Ilya nodded, then looked at Artoria and said happily.

"Saber, hello there~"

"Hello, hello," Artoria replied very politely.

Seeing that her daughter and Artoria had no conflict, Irisviel felt her mood improve.

"Illya, Saber, it's too cold here, let's go upstairs first."

"It wouldn't be good if they got too cold."

"Okay~ / I understand, Master."

After some time, the three arrived at a room in the castle.

This is where Irisviel usually rests.

It seems that he wanted to ensure his wife's sleep quality, or perhaps he simply didn't want to see Artoria, who was fulfilling her duties as a Servant.

Kiritsugu Emiya is not here at the moment.

"Wow~ It's Mom's room in the castle!"

As Ilya said this, she ran forward and finally jumped onto the bed, starting to bounce around as if she were in her own personal playground.

This behavior is obviously quite impolite.

Having received an aristocratic education, Artoria instinctively wanted to stop Ilya from doing such a bad thing.

But she quickly noticed Irisviel's expression beside her.

That's the unique empathy a mother feels when she sees her child happy.

The familiar scene reminded Artoria of the cottage by the sacred lake.

Mordred was just as unruly back then.

She climbs trees, swims, and does whatever is dangerous, as if she's afraid that her adoptive mother won't worry.

but--

Even though Mordred was really naughty back then, she didn't find it annoying at all.

Understood.

I completely understand.

Artoria looked at Illya once again.

This time, the girl could only see the little girl's happiness; everything else seemed to have been automatically filtered out.

So cute...

I wish I could see Mordred as a child again.

What would it be like if she jumped around on this bed?

It should be very cute, right?

Artoria fully understood what Irisviel was seeing.

but--

This understanding did not last long.

Because Irisviel soon subtly inquired about Artoria beside her.

"Saber, isn't Illya cute like this?"

"..."

Artoria wasn't really keen on lying to her good-natured substitute Master.

She nodded and responded to the other person's question.

"Yeah, it's really cute."

"That's good." Irisviel breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought you'd be very angry to see her behave like that at your age."

"After all, this looks exactly like the naughty child everyone talks about, doesn't it?"

"..."

“Perhaps.” Artoria’s gaze swept over Illya. “But I believe that if she is properly educated, she will definitely become an outstanding person in the future.”

"Will you become an outstanding person in the future?"

Irisviel's expression became complicated, a mixture of sadness and longing for Artoria's words.

"I really hope her situation will turn out as you wish."

"Saber, do you know?"

"Kiritsugu and I promised that if we could win this Holy Grail War, Illya could live a good life."

"It's the kind of ordinary life where you communicate and interact with the people around you, and find happiness in those interactions."

Doesn't that sound amazing?

"..."

Artoria thought for a moment, then nodded.

"It is indeed the case."

"After all, many things are not as meaningful as people imagine... especially things that seem to bring status and prestige."

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

"I only understand this principle today."

“But—” Artoria gave a wry smile, “it seems a little too late.”

"Nothing."

Irisviel's eyes reflected Artoria's image.

"It's never too late, no matter what, as long as you can realize it."

"Many people still don't understand what they are pursuing, or what they truly want."

"The fact that you can understand this already puts you ahead of them, I think~"

"Thinking about it this way, he truly deserves to be called the former king of Britain."

"but--"

Irisviel took Artoria's hand.

"Although my command has no binding effect on you."

"But if it were possible—"