Fate/Lost Horizon [ Dogs of War]. Volume 1

Chapter Fifty Four

(I wonder how they're doing?) Artoria thought to herself.

The king could be seen walking down a narrow hall, one that would lead out into the ballroom. Where she'd be free to greet his people. At her sides were lanterns that lined the walls in sets of two. Lighting the way as she walked.

(I can hear them all from here. Good, that only means they're enjoying themselves.) Artoria thought to herself, feeling a bit happy. Glad to know her people were in such high spirits, joyed that their plight had been ended. It was her duty to make such a thing happen, it was her duty, and she was glad to have succeeded. A smile was present on his face.

she had ridden through the streets, and seen their faces. Their praise, love, and even admiration were something she was glad to have. But, as glad as she was to have it, she did not need it to love them. They were her people, her responsibility. It was only right, to Artoria, that she gave them her all. And with the aid of her roundtable, he would continue to do so.

"Yet, it seems I shall soon lose one of them... But, it is his decision to make." Artoria said somberly, her smile disappearing for a moment. Shaking his head, she would have continued to walk, but...

"Yo. What took ya so long?" The familiar voice of Y/n asked.

Artoria looked in the direction of the voice, watching as out from a corner came Sir Y/n. The redhead greeted her with a smile as he walked up to the blonde. The knight's arrival seemed to brighten the mood of Artoria, evident as her smile returned once more.

"Sir Y/n, I expected to find you with Gawain, or even Merlin?" Artoria asked, earning a small laugh from the man. Artoria then noticed the man's choice of clothes, causing the blonde to laugh a little.

"Hey, why the heck are you laughing?" Y/n asked, causing his king more laughter from his expression.

"Nothing, nothing at all. I just never expected a wild man to dress like a nobleman." Artoria said, joking, earning a groan from Y/n. "But, you do look nice, it's different, but I do like it," Artoria explained, finishing as Y/n sighed.

"Good, I asked Merlin to find something that matches you..." Y/n explained, looking slightly away from Artoria. Hiding his rosy cheeks.

"I see, well I'm happy to know you consider me that important," Artoria replied, with a bit of humor in her voice. Having seen the man's face.

"Oi! I just wanted us to match, it's not that deep...brat." Y/n said, beginning to mumble under his breath. "Let's just go already... Everyone is waiting on you, and who better to introduce you than me...your knight." Y/n explained, well between mumbles, motioning Artoria to come forward.

"Yes, but I must know..." Artoria suddenly said, causing Y/n to stop, and look at his king. The blonde showcased a look of worry in her eyes. "How much longer will you be my knight? I don't think I can go on without a proper answer...Y/n." Artoria explained, looking towards the redhead with a face that seemed ready for defeat. Y/n wasn't a man that could be chained down forever, so the king, the king, had made the decision herself.

(I guess... It's now or never, I gave him my word after all.) Y/n thought, resolved to give Artoria his answer, and possibly much more.

Walking up to the blonde, Y/n prepared himself, taking in a deep breath. Getting down on one knee, the knight held his king's right hand. Squeezing it, yet not daring to look up at the blonde, staring down at the ground, at his king's feet. The lack of eye contact began to worry the king, only solidifying what the blonde thought was coming.

"Arthur, you're probably the closest thing I've had to a true brother, but still...It's much more than that." Y/n began, stopping to think, looking for the right words to use.