Fate: How About a New Savior?

Shiomi was awakened by the aroma lingering at the tip of his nose. The sweet and bitter notes intermingled—the scent of melting chocolate.

He opened his eyes on the living room sofa and naturally saw Morgan standing in the kitchen, seemingly busy with something.

"Husband, come here," Morgan called softly.

"Ah, alright."

As he got up, he glanced at the calendar on the wall and paused at today's date. Time hadn't flown by. It had already been two or three months since the Fourth Holy Grail War took place back in November. And yet, what happened in just those few days had been more intense than most of his life—barely a moment to breathe.

"What is it?" Shiomi asked as he stepped into the kitchen.

He saw an assortment of ingredients laid out on the stove, along with an absurd number of molds.

"Looks like we're short one ingredient. Do we still have any left?" Morgan asked seriously as she handled the ingredients. "I mean soy lecithin powder."

The way she focused on the task was more meticulous than when dealing with the Greater Grail that housed the Third Magic.

"Ah, I think we have some." Shiomi opened a cabinet in the corner and pulled out an unopened pack of powder—it was something he'd bought just a few days ago. "Still, this is a bit much. I thought it'd be simpler."

"I do have some experience... or do you prefer things to be simpler?" Morgan smiled slightly. "Aren't you quite good at making handmade sweets yourself?"

If Shiomi were the one making the chocolate, things probably wouldn't look much different from Morgan's setup.

"I'm just surprised that we're so alike in this sort of thing," Shiomi said with a smile, showing his understanding. "It's like we've lived together for years."

"...We will." Morgan's voice dropped, her tone soft and drawn out, like time itself lingering in the air.

"You say that, and now I feel shy," Shiomi chuckled, thinking she meant she'd be staying here from now on. "I'm really looking forward to the finished product."

Morgan turned to look at him. "I can tell you are. Just remember, next time, put the return gift somewhere I won't check—like the car's glove compartment."

Shiomi nearly dropped the magazine in his hands. He covered his face with the book, peeking out just a little.

"So you noticed?"

"Next time, don't bother using perception-interfering Magecraft when hiding things. It just makes it more suspicious." Morgan let out a light, amused smile. "I honestly thought it was some cursed, dangerous object—"

"You looked inside?" Shiomi asked quietly, turning his eyes away.

"No, I didn't. But my name was written on the packaging in gold paint." Morgan reached up to adjust her apron. "Even the densest person would know what that means, don't you think?"

Shiomi put his hands together, the closed book pressed between them.

"Well, now that it's out in the open, there's nothing I can do. Honestly, I thought you'd just buy me some chocolates at a store. I didn't expect you to make them yourself."

"For a Magus, making something by hand isn't just about the product. If you're going to do it, do it right." Morgan's voice carried a calm confidence that made Shiomi's heart sway.

She took the soy lecithin powder from him, then gave him a gentle push on the chest.

That was her way of telling him to get out of the kitchen.

"This is... my 'workshop'?" Shiomi asked, trying to suppress a laugh.

"If you can use the Magical Workshop, then this place is no different." Morgan was already acting like the mistress of the house. At this moment, everyone in this house, including Shiomi, had to obey her.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Shiomi grumbled and left the room. "What else do you want me to do?"

"Prepare a gift in return and wait patiently for my finished product."

"Understood."

After taking out the prepared gift, Shiomi hugged it and settled back onto the sofa to watch TV. Before he knew it, he had fallen asleep again...

By the time he woke up, it was already afternoon—almost time to drive out and pick up Sakura and Caren. Morgan was already seated next to him, letting his head rest on her lap while she sipped a cup of afternoon tea.

"I'm done."

Shiomi slowly sat up, but the words caught in his throat the moment his eyes fell on the artwork displayed on the coffee table.

He could still recognize it as chocolate, but it had clearly transcended the category of food. It was a work of art—too exquisite to eat.

"I made the first batch of chocolate for my husband in the style of the Fairy Kingdom of Camelot," Morgan said, setting down her teacup. "At first, I was aiming for realism and detail, but that would've made it completely inedible."

"...Even now, with all its fairytale charm, I don't think I could bring myself to eat it," Shiomi said, staring in awe.

He noticed several figures arranged in front of a castle-like structure, reminiscent of chess pieces. One of them was unmistakably Morgan.

"Let me introduce the characters," Morgan said, clearly enjoying herself as her tone turned lively. "The 'close queen and princess,' the 'young brave general,' the 'two trustworthy knights,' and the 'minister who is difficult to agree with but still worthy of praise'—"

It was only then that Shiomi noticed she was holding another "piece" in her hand, one that bore a strong resemblance to him.

"Why didn't you include me in the display?" Shiomi asked naturally. He didn't actually mind—after all, this creation likely drew inspiration from Morgan's own experiences.

"Because His Majesty the God King is still asleep," Morgan replied, giving the "Shiomi" in her hand a little shake.

"I'm sorry. Falling asleep while waiting was my fault," Shiomi apologized sincerely, not even asking why he was the "God King."

"If you always woke up this easily, it would be much less of a hassle." A faint touch of melancholy flickered through Morgan's smile, quickly hidden behind her usual composure. "Never mind that—what about your gift?"

"You're asking so casually, now I feel embarrassed... Maybe I could wait until next month—"

Shiomi stopped midsentence as Morgan silently held out her hand. He had no choice but to pass the gift to her.

"No matter what kind of gift it is, it has its own value," she said, unwrapping it.

It was a finely crafted little box that fit neatly into her palm. Inside was a wooden comb, the carving work precise and masterful, with a small bird spreading its wings at one corner. It was clearly handmade by Shiomi.

"My husband is quite skilled with his hands..." Morgan handed the comb back to Shiomi.

"I told you it wasn't that great. Let me make something better—"

He was in the middle of apologizing when he saw Morgan undo her hair.

"This is for combing my hair, right? Or... were you planning on letting me do it myself?"

"Is this enough?" Shiomi asked as he took the comb and gently lifted her long, silken silver hair.

Near the ends, the strands glowed with a beautiful blue sheen—a shade no dye could ever replicate.

"It's been a long time since you combed my hair."

"A long time? Didn't I just do it this morning when you woke up?" Shiomi asked, puzzled.

It really has been a long time... Every day spent like this, with you by my side. Morgan kept the thought to herself.

Two thousand years—a span one only truly feels when looking back. During the time they were apart, each meeting was from across the battlefield, only able to catch a distant glimpse.

"There's no helping it. From now on, I'll handle your hair. Even if I know you can use Magecraft to braid it," Shiomi said with a smile.

"Okay. I'll be in your care."

She had so many things she wanted to say, but in the end, only those heartfelt, gentle words made it out.

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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