Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki

"Merlin, I've said it many times. There's no need to discuss the matter of 'taking a wife' any further. Besides, the members of the Round Table haven't brought it up again, so why are you as enthusiastic about it as the common people?"

Inside the workroom, Artoria said with resignation as she organized the grain reports from various territories on her desk, glancing at the white-robed magus in the room who, for some reason, had a teasing look on his face.

"Is that so? In that case, I'll just have to go back and tell En not to prepare for it. I won't bother you with this matter again in the future."

With that, Merlin let out a regretful sigh and turned to leave. But under his hood, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, as if he were waiting for something.

Sure enough, as he had expected, he had only taken a single step before the girl's anxious cry came from behind him.

"Wait!"

"Hm? Wait for what?"

Merlin turned back to look at Artoria, who had unconsciously stood up. Her pretty face now wore an expression of disbelief, yet also excitement, as if she were afraid she had misheard.

Only when she noticed Merlin's teasing gaze did Artoria realize her reaction was a little off. She coughed awkwardly, sat back down, and after a moment's hesitation, she finally stammered.

"...W-What did you mean by that, Merlin?"

"Exactly what it sounds like! Since 'King Arthur' can't put off getting married forever, to put the people's minds at ease, I discussed it with En, and that child has agreed to be your 'Queen Consort'."

"Really!?"

Artoria shot up from her seat again in excitement, but she immediately realized her feelings were a little too obvious, and that this was not how a king should behave.

And so, as if to hide her emotions, she used one hand to pretend to casually arrange the items on her desk, while the other lightly brushed a strand of golden hair that had fallen beside her ear. Her eyes avoided Merlin's "Ah, so you really do feel that way" gaze, scanning the room aimlessly.

But after a while, she sensed that there was something wrong with Merlin's words. Thinking of his usual unreliable nature and her adoptive brother's innocence, Artoria frowned and looked at the white-robed magus with suspicion.

"...Merlin, you didn't trick En, did you?"

Although her mind had indeed gone blank for a moment when she first heard the news, and the thoughts she had been suppressing deep in her heart had grown wildly in a joyous manner, if anyone else had told her this, she would have believed it immediately. But with Merlin, it was a matter that required further consideration.

"...How could I? Heh heh. En definitely agreed to help you with the 'marriage' matter. If you don't believe me, you can go ask him directly later."

"R-Really?"

Hearing Merlin's guarantee, no matter how much she suspected him, Artoria was somewhat convinced. After all, this was something that could be confirmed with a single conversation. Plus, her own heart held a small glimmer of hope.

The girl seemed to have accepted this fact. A hint of nervousness and fluster appeared on her pretty face, her crystal-clear earlobes tinged with a faint blush, and the strand of hair on her head stood straight up, for reasons unknown.

Seeing Artoria like this, Merlin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It was a good thing he had anticipated that, with the girl's personality, she would certainly not take the initiative to ask the boy, "Will you be my queen consort?" Otherwise, his whole plan would have been exposed right then and there.

"But even if En agrees, what do we do during the w-wedding? En's a boy. Are you going to make him wear a dress?!"

Her thoughts instantly jumped to the wedding arrangements, and she even began to consider the details. Artoria stammered, completely devoid of her usual kingly demeanor.

"Ahem, I was just about to tell you about that. In fact, although we call it a wedding, the main purpose is to deceive the public. So, at that time, I will use an illusion to make En appear female in everyone's eyes. As for what comes after that, it will be much easier to handle."

Merlin explained with a straight face. After all, if he were to actually make Aozaki Rin wear a dress and disguise himself as a girl, he estimated that even if the boy were slow on the uptake, he would still be suspicious of the matter.

Right now, the best method was to place a layer of illusion on him, then tell him that he wouldn't need to say or do anything special, just quietly go through the motions.

This way, the boy, who could not see the outside world, would probably not realize what was actually happening.

Although he felt this method was somewhat "despicable," to appease the people, Merlin could only resort to this underhanded plan.

Who else was to blame but his own disciple, who was pretending to be oblivious, having the feelings but not the courage to act on them?

"But doesn't that just amount to a 'fake marriage'?!"

Seemingly disappointed by Merlin's proposal, Artoria's tone subconsciously took on a hint of rebuttal.

In the girl's eyes, to act in such a way was no different from "deception." Perhaps the boy had only agreed to Merlin's plan because of this. To think she had believed it was all real, but in the end, it was just to appease the people...

But after the words left her mouth, Artoria realized she was being a little too greedy, and her pretty face flushed red. Merlin, at that moment, was also giving her a look that said, "Well, if you've got the guts, go for it yourself," disdaining the girl's dissatisfaction.

"I-I understand. Let's do it that way then... But even so, did En really agree, Merlin?"

Although it was a "fake marriage" in a sense, Artoria still seemed to be in disbelief and asked again.

She had thought that such a thing would have to wait several more years, until the situation in Britain was more stable, and after she had mentally prepared herself, before she would even try to bring it up with the boy. She had never expected Merlin to just skip all the steps for her.

"Rest assured, this is absolutely true. That child has indeed agreed to help you deceive the public and hold this 'ceremony' called a wedding with you."

As for whether this 'ceremony' can become real later on, that will be up to you...

Merlin casually affirmed, his words containing no falsehood.

He looked at the girl, who was now becoming nervous, a mixture of anxiety and hidden, hopeful joy on her face, and smiled silently.

—This is as far as my assist can go, Artoria.

[You have agreed to Merlin's request to help with the "ceremony." ]

[What you don't understand is that since that day, for some reason, the Knights of the Round Table all smile with satisfaction when they see you, but they won't tell you why when you ask.]

[Furthermore, your sister Artoria has also become somewhat unusual, seeming to deliberately avoid you, and for these past few days, she has not come to your room at night as she usually does.]

[You feel somewhat confused, with a sense that something is quietly developing without your knowledge.]

[And as the days pass, one by one, the day of the "ceremony" that Merlin spoke of finally arrives.]

-------

Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!

Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA

I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (63 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (172 Chapter)

Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (180 Chapter)

MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (60 Chapter)

BLEACH: Blade of Purification (57 Chapter)

Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (227 Chapter)

My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (65 Chapter)

The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (37 Chapter)

Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(35 Chapter)

If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.