MMMS 82

By the time Ryuuto returned home, chauffeured by Irisviel, night had already fallen. As a reward for faithfully tagging along on his sudden day-and-night excursion, the silver-haired woman had earned a special treat: an evening off.

“Lord Ryuuto… I’ll take Lancer out for a bit. We’ll be back before ten,” she said with a bright smile.

“Oh? Heading into Shinto?”

“Of course! Why?”

He hesitated for a second, then shook his head. “No reason. Just… be careful.”

“Got it! I’ll keep Lancer out of trouble!” she gave a playful salute, patted her chest with confidence, then turned and disappeared into the castle.

Now alone, he finally had a moment to think about the evening—and what came next.

Conquering Aoi hadn’t been part of the original plan. That moment had been pure impulse. Still, things had worked out. Everyone got what they wanted.

Well… almost everyone.

“Tokiomi, rest easy. I’ll make Aoi and Rin happy in your place.”

As for Fanatic… there were still no answers. Just one thing he knew for sure: she was killed. And he was going to find out who did it, no matter how long it took. If it was even possible, he’d bring her back.

‘I’m not done playing with her yet.’

And as for tomorrow…? He’d deal with it when it came.

“You’re back, Master.”

A calm voice floated in from the foyer. Pulled from his thoughts, Ryuuto turned and saw Morgan approaching. She moved like a shadow in her flowing black gown, eyes locked onto his as she crossed the polished floor.

Morgan slipped her arm through his and flashed a smile so radiant it could topple empires. “Welcome home, Master. You must be exhausted. Just for tonight, forget about the Holy Grail War. Relax, alright? Come, let’s head inside.”

The way she spoke—soft, affectionate—felt almost like a newlywed greeting her husband at the door. Ryuuto blinked, caught off guard. ‘What’s with her today…?’

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Morgan was always stunning, but right now, there was something different. She was unusually gentle. Attentive. So much so that for a moment, he nearly forgot who she really was.

‘If I didn’t know better, I’d fall for this and end up wrapped around her finger like some lovestruck fool.’

“What are you spacing out for?” Morgan gave him a teasing look. “Let’s go, Master.”

Before he could answer, she tugged him forward, leading him through the castle doors, still clinging to his arm.

…

In the dining hall of the Einzbern Castle—

“Master, this karaage is from a little shop deep in the mountains of Shinzan Town.”

“This one’s seafood yakisoba… and here’s beef stew with potatoes. It’s from a family restaurant in Shinto that’s all the rage right now.”

“As for dessert—strawberry tiramisu. I got it from a brand-new cake shop near Homurahara Academy.”

The table was absolutely packed. Morgan introduced each dish one by one, her voice full of excitement as she encouraged Ryuuto to eat while everything was still warm.

She was acting… a little off today. Not in a bad way. Just different.

Still, Ryuuto wasn’t the type to get suspicious over something like this. Whatever her reason, he trusted her. If Morgan was plotting something, well, he’d deal with it later. Right now, there was food. And it smelled amazing.

“…Did something good happen today?” he asked, mouth full of karaage.

“Something good?” Morgan blinked, then gave an exaggerated pout. “So I’m only allowed to spoil you when something good happens?”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… you really went all out. You must’ve been running around Fuyuki nonstop.”

“I had the homunculus maids handle the errands.”

“Oh… in that case, forget I said anything.”

Morgan giggled.

“By the way, Master… do you have any plans after dinner?”

He glanced up from his plate. “Not really. Why?”

“No reason.” She rested her chin in one hand, her gaze lingering on him as if weighing something. “Just wondering.”

Watching her drift off into thought, he let out a quiet sigh. “Caster, if something’s bothering you, just say it. I’ll help however I can.”

“…Can you really satisfy me, Master?”

He froze.

Before he could even start to respond, Morgan delicately plucked a strawberry from the tiramisu and brought it to her lips. Her fingers moved with effortless poise as she slipped it into her mouth.

Gulp.

The way she ate it felt straight out of some forbidden romance drama, the kind he definitely shouldn't be watching before bed.

“…Ugh.” He swallowed hard. Somehow, the yakisoba on his plate had lost all flavor.

“Oh? Master… did you want the strawberry?” Her voice was innocent on the surface, but the curl in her smile said otherwise. “You should’ve told me.”

She covered her mouth with a soft laugh, but the glint in her eyes made it clear she was enjoying this way too much.

“…”

“Mmm~ did I ruin your appetite?” Her voice dipped lower, teasing. “If you’re upset and want to punish me, I won’t resist.”

Her icy blue eyes sparkled, daring him to do something. Tempting. Bold. And definitely not safe.

He had seen that look before.

Morgan wasn’t just teasing—she was testing him. Seducing him, in her own playful way. No Mystic Eyes, no enchantments, yet the atmosphere buzzed with temptation.

If he were just some clueless magus—or even his usual self on any other day—he might’ve folded. Might’ve let the moment sweep him away and—

But no. Not tonight.

He was fresh off an unforgettable night with Lady Tohsaka. His heart, his soul, and... well, everything else had already been drained to the limit.

Right now, he was riding the clear-headed high of someone with absolutely zero desire left in the tank.

‘Damn, she’s hot,’ he thought, purely as a neutral observation. Like noting the weather. Or tax deadlines.

Keeping his cool, he calmly slid the dessert—minus the strawberry—onto his plate.

“I really do appreciate the dinner, Caster. You’re so loyal,” he said, offering her a warm, measured smile. “How could I ever punish you for that?”

“…”

Morgan’s brows twitched. She crossed her arms under her chest and gave him an exaggerated pout. “Eat, eat, eat. That’s all you ever do.”

Ryuuto just laughed and went right back to his meal.

Eventually, he polished off every last dish on the table. And as the saying went—once the stomach is satisfied, the mind starts craving other things. The post-meal clarity faded, and with it, his inner philosopher slipped away.

“Now that I think about it… Irisviel and Arthur went out tonight, didn’t they?”

Morgan stood and circled behind him. She leaned down, draping her arms around his shoulders, and rested her chin near his ear. Her silvery hair brushed softly against his cheek, and when he turned slightly, her face was right there—stunning, close, impossible to ignore.

“Master… come to my room,” she whispered.

There was no hesitation. Of course he agreed.

Inside her room, the atmosphere was different. The lights were low. The bed was perfectly made, with two pillows placed side by side.

Morgan walked ahead of him and sat on the bed. She reached up and pulled the tie from her hair, letting it fall loose across her back like liquid silver. With her legs crossed and posture poised, she looked every bit the queen she claimed to be.

Ryuuto lingered near the doorway, unsure.

She flicked one heel off with a playful nudge of her toe. Then the other. “Why are you just standing there? Sit.”

He did.

He sat beside her in silence, then gave her a look. “Alright. Out with it. What’s this really about?”