She dropped the sugar into the amber-hued black tea and stirred with a teaspoon. As it swirled, the sugar gradually dissolved away. Morgan lifted the cup and took a small sip. The taste was just right, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.
She set the teacup down and looked toward Shiomi, Baobhan Sith, and Habetrot seated at the table. All three were watching her reaction closely.
"Mm… full marks," Morgan said, offering a clearly biased evaluation.
The tea had been brewed by Baobhan Sith. Taking advantage of the short break before the operation began, the four of them had gathered for afternoon tea, with the main topic being an assessment of Baobhan Sith's handiwork.
"Mother-sama always says that," Baobhan Sith replied happily. "Father-sama is much more objective."
Habetrot giggled as she added, "But it's true that her skill has improved. Just like with tailoring, if she keeps at it, she'll become a master sooner or later."
"Hard to say," Shiomi commented. "But for a princess who only started taking care of her own daily life not long ago, this level is more than enough."
Baobhan Sith collapsed limply onto the table, smiling so hard her eyes nearly closed. "So the overall conclusion is that I've improved, but not by much, right?"
Even so, as she drank the tea she had brewed herself, she could clearly tell that the taste was much better than before.
It seemed Sakura hadn't held anything back. Every time Baobhan Sith went to her for advice, Sakura would share plenty of little tricks and tips.
"But…" Morgan set her teacup aside, a gentle warmth flowing through her gaze. "Sitting together like this, having tea, always makes me think of our pilgrimage days."
Shiomi nodded. "Yeah. Back then, it wasn't just the few of us. There were Wryneck, Ector, and Grímr as well. Looking back now, the only one we might still have a chance to meet again is that Grímr fellow."
"Uh…" Baobhan Sith didn't know how to respond.
She knew all about the Fairy Calendar era, when Aesc the Savior and the Sage traveled on pilgrimage with their companions. But death and rebirth had left those memories feeling more like reading someone else's diary than recalling her own past.
She couldn't imagine herself ever having been that weak and easily hurt.
"Still, after everything that's happened, being able to sit together like this, without having to think about anything, is already pretty nice," Habetrot said cheerfully. "Making clothes for everyone in Chaldea is way easier than managing the textile department in Londinium."
"As long as you're used to it," Shiomi replied with a nod.
"Especially the female staff. They're always asking Habetrot to make new outfits," Morgan said with clear satisfaction. "I've seen you surrounded by them several times and decided not to interrupt."
Habetrot immediately broke into a mischievous grin. "If you're looking for me, just come over directly. I'm not really that busy. Most of the time I'm just listening to a bunch of strange requests. Humans really do have endless bizarre ideas."
"Saving the world is honestly pretty dull," Shiomi agreed. "Designing new clothes, making them, and wearing them, whether for work or leisure, all count as decent entertainment."
Just then, Habetrot suddenly beckoned Shiomi over, signaling for him to lean closer.
Shiomi did as she asked. She looked as if she were whispering, but her voice was loud enough for Morgan and Baobhan Sith to hear.
"Do you remember the outfit I made for Morgan before the coronation ceremony?"
"Hm? Ah… that…" Shiomi thought for a moment. "If I remember right, during the Night of the Long Swords, I had you pack it into the spinning wheel and take it with you. After that, it should have been left at the old residence in Orkney."
After the Fairy Calendar gave way to the Queen's Calendar, Shiomi never returned to Orkney. Northern Britannia effectively became the domain of the Queen of Winter, while he continued to hold Londinium in the southeast.
"When I rose in arms from Orkney, I entrusted that outfit, the one I never even wore, to Habetrot for safekeeping," Morgan said, shaking her head. "Later, she stayed with me in Camelot… Wasn't it left in the Camelot palace?"
At Morgan's question, Habetrot looked stunned. "So that's why you never asked about it. I thought you felt the design was too old-fashioned and didn't want it anymore."
"What a perfect misunderstanding," Baobhan Sith said, covering her face, unable to watch any longer.
Morgan, still shocked, quickly asked, "So—"
"Actually, after Morgan and Shiomi went back to war with each other, I had a feeling Camelot was about to fall again," Habetrot explained. "So I packed up the clothes I'd hidden away and brought them onto this ship."
"I see." Morgan's cheeks flushed slightly, and a hint of anticipation shone in her eyes. "Will the size still fit?"
"Should be fine." Habetrot hopped down from a chair piled with three soft cushions and circled Morgan twice. "Mm. Other than the bust, everything else looks basically unchanged."
"Being a fairy makes it pretty easy to maintain a fixed form," Shiomi said as he rubbed his shoulder. "I'm about the same now, actually. Also stuck in a fixed state."
Morgan rested her chin on one hand and gave Shiomi a long, searching look. After a brief discussion with Habetrot, the two of them left the cafeteria together, clearly heading off to see whether the clothes could still be worn.
Before leaving, Morgan said to Shiomi, "Come to my room in half an hour."
"But we haven't even eaten the desserts yet. I was hoping to have Mother-sama try them," Baobhan Sith said with some regret, looking at the cake she had made.
"We'll talk about it after the Lostbelt matters are settled," Shiomi replied, gently patting her head.
"Anyway, it's just wearing that outfit for Father-sama to see in private," Baobhan Sith teased him in return. "For me, all my memories of Mother-sama are from the four hundred years before the Queen's Era. Father-sama, on the other hand, raised me on his own for another two thousand years after that."
"Mm? And?" Shiomi asked with interest.
"It might be a bit unfair to say this, but I think Father-sama has had it harder than Mother-sama, both back then and now." Baobhan Sith rested her chin in her hands. "Things like saving the world or becoming a god… even if I can understand them in theory, I can't truly grasp what they mean."
"You don't need to force yourself to understand," Shiomi said, looking at her. "I just hope that once everything returns to normal, you'll come to like the world of Proper Human History."
"If you're together with family, then what kind of world it is doesn't really matter," Baobhan Smith said, shaking her head.
"That's true," Shiomi replied, sipping his tea. "For many people, it's the same. The world is just that small space within their sight, yet it's irreplaceable. Countless irreplaceable little worlds come together to form the greater world."
Baobhan Sith nodded vigorously, then asked, "But I'm not a princess anymore, and Father-sama has become a god… so does that mean I can be considered a divine maiden...?"
"That wouldn't be impossible."
Amused by her question, Shiomi chuckled and raised a hand to flick her on the forehead.