novel-books Chapter 85 The Lingering Warmth of Winter and Gems
Chapter 85 The Lingering Warmth of Winter and Gems
Inside the study, Tokiomi Tohsaka personally poured Arthur a cup of fine black tea.
As a magician who pursues ultimate beauty, his actions at this moment are not only a courtesy to his guests, but also a form of respect for the "absolute strongman".
"Since you have decided to personally protect this child..."
Tokiomi put down the teapot, his gaze falling on Arthur's silver chainmail, his tone revealing a seasoned scheming.
"Then, I naturally have no reason to refuse. Although the Tohsaka family reveres the demonic path, they would never be so foolish as to refuse the entry of a 'King'."
Arthur picked up his teacup with a natural and elegant movement, a demeanor honed through Morgan's rigorous training.
He looked at Tokiomi, his emerald green eyes scrutinizing him:
"I have only one request: stay by Sakura's side. In exchange, I will ensure that the Tohsaka residence is the safest place on this land."
"Deal." Tokiomi's lips curled into a confident smile.
In his view, this was nothing short of a gift from fate, with the impending Fourth Holy Grail War hanging like a sword of Damocles over his head.
Arthur's appearance not only saved Sakura, but also gave him an invaluable strategic foothold.
He then proposed:
"To outsiders, I will claim that you are a distant European noble relative of the Tohsaka family."
I'm temporarily residing here as a 'family guest and mentor to the two sisters.' What are your thoughts on this arrangement?"
"A guest advisor? Do as you please." Arthur nodded slightly, seemingly unconcerned.
In the time that followed, Tokiomi treated this suddenly arriving "king" with the utmost elegance.
The alliance is now in place.
For Tokiomi Tohsaka, this was not only a turning point in family affairs, but also a gamble that risked the reputation of the head of the family.
He rose, straightened his perfectly wrinkle-free waistcoat, and with an undeniable elegance, led Arthur deeper into the mansion.
"This place is closest to Sakura's room. Although it's not as grand as Camelot Castle, I hope this tranquility will please you."
Tokiomi pushed open the door to the guest room, which was filled with a clash between Taisho-style and Western-style decor. The window faced the Tohsaka family's meticulously manicured courtyard.
Following behind Tokiomi Tohsaka, Aoi Tohsaka leaned against the wall as if all her strength had given out after hearing Tokiomi say that "Sakura will stay."
This magician's wife, who was always known for her gentleness and resilience, could no longer maintain her composure and dignity.
"Thank you...really, thank you so much."
Kui quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Arthur.
Tears streamed silently down her cheeks, soaking her kimono.
That wasn't just tears of joy, but also the lingering fear of a mother being pulled back from the brink of losing her young daughter.
"Aoi, mind your manners. You mustn't be impolite in front of our guests."
Although Tokiomi reminded him in a low voice, a rare hint of tenderness flashed across his usually calm eyes.
Arthur nodded slightly, his tone calm and gentle:
"Madam, I was merely responding to the child's call. As a knight, protecting children is my duty."
The Tohsaka couple left the room amidst their complicated thoughts, leaving Arthur with this moment of peace.
However, Arthur was not alone in the room.
After leaving the study, Sakura's thin little hands gripped Arthur's clothes tightly.
Even though it was bedtime, and even in her own room, she was still like a frightened little animal, even her breathing became cautious.
"Sakura, it's all over now. Your father let you stay." Arthur crouched down, his gaze level with the girl's.
Sakura didn't speak, but stubbornly shook her head, her fingertips gripping Arthur tightly and refusing to let go.
In her mind, only this silver figure was real.
The words about "sending away" that she had just heard in the hallway still terrified her.
Arthur sighed. He knew that the terrible experience of being abandoned by one's closest relatives could not be erased in a few words.
"Then, let's rest here tonight."
Arthur gently carried Sakura to the bed, his movements as tender as if he were lifting a feather.
He didn't leave, but sat on the chair by the bed and held that cold little hand in his palm.
He began to describe the forests and lakes of Camelot in a gentle tone.
Under the soothing influence of Arthur's seemingly magical voice, Sakura's tense body finally relaxed.
Her breathing gradually calmed down, and she drifted into a peaceful, deep sleep.
The next morning, the thin fog in Fuyuki City had not yet dissipated.
As Arthur pushed open the door to head to the courtyard, a small figure stood before him like a statue.
Rin Tohsaka.
The future heir to the position of head of the family was dressed in a neat white shirt with a red bow tie and had her hair tied in pigtails.
She stood with her hands on her hips, her delicate face filled with a seriousness beyond her years.
She had clearly heard all the rumors from her mother...
Regarding the news about "the man who suddenly appeared" and "Sakura doesn't need to leave".
As the eldest daughter, she had to personally examine this unexpected change that suddenly barged into the Tohsaka family and even made her father bow down.
"Hold on!"
Rin raised her head and scrutinized Arthur with a proud gaze that would make any boy her age back down.
She first spoke fluent Japanese, then seemed to feel that this was not enough to demonstrate the "international style of the Tohsaka family".
He switched back to his childish, somewhat halting English and began questioning me point by point:
"Where do you come from?"
Why are you staying in my house?
"And...what do you want from Sakura?"
She spoke her last sentence very quickly, her eyes flashing with a sharp light like sapphire, a light that was unique to Rin Tohsaka—her protectiveness and sense of responsibility.
Arthur was not offended by the childish commotion.
On the contrary, he saw in this girl an extremely precious quality... a true leader's spirit that could support civilization even in ruins.
Just as he had done to Sakura the night before, he once again knelt solemnly on one knee, maintaining the same height as Rin, and answered with the seriousness one would show when facing a roundtable meeting:
"I come from the other side of the stars, guided by a certain call. The reason I stay here is because I promised Sakura that I would protect her smile."
Arthur paused, his emerald eyes meeting Rin's large, questioning eyes, and spoke earnestly:
"As for what I'm after... I guess it's that the sisters in this mansion will no longer have to cry over something as meaningless as 'fate'."
For a knight, this is the highest reward.
Rin was stunned.
She anticipated that the man would try to fob her off with magic tricks, or use the kind of condescending head pat that adults usually use to get rid of her.
But she never expected that the other party would answer these childish questions so seriously, even somewhat devoutly.
Rin fell silent. Her face, tense with nervousness, flushed slightly. Her proud pride prevented her from immediately expressing gratitude or welcoming her.
She simply mimicked her father, letting out a heavy snort before abruptly turning around.
"Don't think you can get away with this! I'll be watching you!"
Rin stood ramrod straight, each step making a resounding thud, exuding the air of a king surveying his territory, before finally disappearing at the end of the corridor.