boyutpedia Chapter 16 Candlelight
Chapter 16 Candlelight
It was the third day since Morgan officially took office as the Archon of Magic.
The long-abandoned old tower on the east side of Camelot Castle has been lit up again.
That tower was once King Uther's magic workshop, but after the old king's death, it was abandoned and covered in dust and cobwebs.
Morgan cleaned it up in less than a day and set up his own magic barrier on top of the tower.
From that day on, Camelot's knights and servants often saw the eerie blue light shining through the windows at the top of the tower.
Sometimes it's late at night, sometimes it's dawn, and sometimes it lasts for an entire day.
"Doesn't that woman need to sleep?" Kai stood on the training field, looking in the direction of the tower, frowning.
Bedivere, who was tidying up documents beside him, said without looking up, "Witches probably have their own routines."
"Her schedule is all about tormenting others," Kai muttered.
"Last night, her barrier suddenly exploded, shaking my window open."
"She's testing the defensive formation." A calm voice came from behind.
Kay turned around and saw Arthur walking towards them.
The king was not wearing armor today, but only a dark blue casual outfit, with the sword in the stone hanging at his waist, and a faint smile in his emerald green eyes.
"You seem to know her very well," Kai said.
"She is my magical archdeacon, and I need to understand her work."
Arthur walked to the edge of the training ground and watched several newly recruited knights practicing their swordsmanship.
"Moreover, she hasn't slept for three days."
Kai was taken aback: "How did you know?"
"I went to the tower to talk to her late last night. She was carving a fairy magic trick, and the area under her eyes was all dark blue."
Arthur's voice was calm, but there was a hint of concern in his tone that he himself was unaware of:
"I told her to go and rest, but she said, 'Let's talk about it after this formation is completed.'"
"and then?"
"Then I took her carving knife away and forced her to go to sleep."
Kai's lips twitched: "She didn't turn you into a frog?"
Arthur smiled slightly: "She tried."
Bedwell looked up, her silver prosthetic leg reflecting a faint light in the sunlight:
"Your Majesty, your trust in Prince Morgan... exceeds the expectations of many."
"She's talented," Arthur said.
"Britain needs her talent, and as for trust... trust isn't built in a day, it takes time."
He turned and walked toward the tower.
"I'll go check if she's awake."
The tower's doors were unlocked.
Or rather, the door itself is part of the magic, and only certain people can push it open.
As soon as Arthur's hand touched the door, it opened automatically with a slight creak.
The interior of the tower is completely different from what it was three days ago.
The once empty circular hall on the first floor has now been transformed into a small library.
The bookshelves against the wall were neatly arranged with various magical tomes, some of which Morgan had brought from his own collection, and others of rare books from Camelot's original collection.
In the center of the hall stood a black stone table, on which lay parchment, a quill pen, several bottles of unknown liquid, and a stone slab engraved with fairy magic.
A faint herbal scent filled the air, mixed with a cold, wintery aroma, like the first snow of winter.
Morgan sat at the stone table, a quill pen in his hand, writing something on parchment.
She changed her outfit; instead of the gorgeous Gothic gown, she wore a simple black high-necked robe, and her long, silvery-white hair was casually draped over her shoulders.
Her face was still pale, but it was a little better than last night.
"I don't think I allowed you in," she said without looking up.
“You didn’t forbid it.” Arthur walked to the stone table and sat down opposite her. “Besides, this is Camelot’s tower, and theoretically, it’s mine.”
Morgan put down her quill, looked up, and stared coldly at him with her icy blue eyes.
Are you reminding me 'who's the master?'
"No, I'm reminding you that it's time to eat breakfast."
Arthur took a basket from behind him and placed it on the stone table.
The basket contained bread, cheese, a few slices of smoked meat, and a pot of hot milk.
Morgan stared at the basket for a few seconds, then turned her face away.
"I'm not hungry."
"You haven't eaten for three days."
"Witches don't need to eat three meals a day like ordinary people."
"What do you need?"
Morgan remained silent for a moment.
"I need you to leave so I can get back to work."
Arthur didn't move. He opened the basket, took out bread and cheese, and placed them in front of Morgan.
Then he stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and randomly picked out a book to read.
Morgan looked at the food on the table, a complex emotion flashing in her icy blue eyes.
"You're such a hassle..." She picked up the bread, took a bite, and said, "You're really troublesome."
Arthur didn't turn around; he just smiled slightly.
"I know."
Morgan finished her bread, drank a few sips of milk, and then continued writing.
Arthur sat in a chair next to the bookshelf, quietly reading.
Inside the tower, the only sounds were the rustling of quill pens across parchment and the occasional chirping of birds from outside the windows.
After an unknown amount of time, Morgan put down his pen and rubbed his temples.
"Why do you want to be king?" she asked softly.
Arthur closed the book and looked at her.
"Because I want to protect Britain."
"that's all?"
"that's all."
Morgan stared at him for a long time.
Don't you think that reason is too naive?
"Perhaps," Arthur said, "but sometimes the line between naivety and sincerity is very thin, and I choose sincerity."
Morgan's lips twitched slightly, but she didn't laugh. She lowered her head and continued writing.
"You can go now," she said. "I need to get to work."
Arthur stood up, put the book back on the shelf, and walked towards the door.
Morgan.
"What?"
Thank you for staying.
He pushed open the door and went out.
Morgan sat at the stone table, his hand holding the quill pen trembling slightly.
She looked up at the doorway, but there was no one there anymore.
Thank you for staying.
She repeated the sentence, something flickering slightly in her icy blue eyes.
"Idiot," she whispered.
Then, she lowered her head and continued working.
The pale blue light shone again from the tower's windows.
That night, Arthur stood on the city wall, looking at the light in the tower window.
Mary emerged from the shadows, holding a cup of hot tea, which she had somehow obtained.
"Is she still working?" Mary asked.
"Um."
"Aren't you going to let her rest?"
"She won't listen," Arthur said.
"Moreover, her work is very important. Britain's magical defense system has been neglected for many years and needs to be rebuilt."
Mei Li took a sip of tea, her amethyst-like eyes gazing in the direction of the tower.
"You know what? That woman looks a lot like you."
"How is it similar?"
"They're both stubborn, both lonely, and neither of them is willing to admit that they need someone else." Meryl turned her head to look at him.
"But she's better at pretending than you. At least you can say 'thank you,' but she can't even say 'thank you.'"
Arthur remained silent for a moment.
"She will tell you, it just takes time."
Mary shook her head.
"You really are... never mind."
She turned and disappeared into the shadows.
Arthur remained standing on the city wall, watching the light from the tower.
The light was cold, an icy blue, like Morgan's pupils.
But it continues to shine in the darkness of the city, like a star that refuses to fall.
"Welcome home, sister," he said softly.
No one answered.
But the light in the tower window flickered slightly.
It was like a silent response.