Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

Ding-dong~

The doorbell rang.

Souma headed over to answer it.

Outside stood two little girls dressed in new down jackets.

One was Illya, with snow-white hair, wearing a purple down jacket and eyes as beautiful as rubies.

The other was Miyu, with short black hair, dressed in an off-white down jacket.

Both of them beamed sweetly: "Happy New Year's Eve! We're here to visit~"

"Welcome, welcome! It's cold outside—come in and warm up. Let me pour you some black tea first."

Souma quickly ushered the two little girls inside.

Looking at the three lolis now in his home, he couldn't help but feel a faint sense of danger.

Nameless tied on an apron and headed into the kitchen to start cooking.

"Big Brother, let me help you."

Miyu followed him in, naturally slipping on a smaller apron hanging nearby.

"Sure, then could you help me slice the yuzu peel and rapeseed greens?"

Souma nodded.

On New Year's Eve, the custom here in Japan was to eat toshikoshi soba.

He skillfully began frying tempura while smiling and asking, "Tempura, rapeseed greens, fish cakes, long green onions, and a bit of yuzu peel. Do you know why we eat soba noodles?"

"Mhm, I know. Soba noodles are easier to cut than other noodles, symbolizing cutting off misfortune and welcoming a safe new year. They're also long and thin, representing longevity and good health," Miyu answered with a smile.

This was all basic knowledge.

Back at home, her mother often taught her these things, hoping to raise her into a capable future wife.

Back then, Big Brother had always protected her. Now, she wanted to be able to help him in return and become his most suitable wi—

Little sister!

A faint blush suddenly appeared on Miyu's face, making her look utterly adorable.

In the living room.

Illya, comfortably nestled in the kotatsu, glanced at the two busy figures in the kitchen and suddenly felt like the third wheel again!

No, wait—the fourth wheel!

Roya was here too.

She couldn't help but grit her teeth. "Damn it, when I get home, I'll have Mom teach me how to cook… Oh wait, Mom doesn't know how to cook at all!"

Illya felt a headache coming on.

Her mother, Irisviel, was the epitome of a noble lady who had never lifted a finger in the kitchen.

She even treated luxurious mink down jackets as everyday wear for ordinary people.

Asking her to cook would be no different from bombing the kitchen!

Maybe… I should try learning myself?

Just as Illya entertained the thought and was about to crawl out of the kotatsu, a sudden chill ran down her spine, making her quickly tuck her feet back in.

Never mind, staying in the kotatsu is way more comfortable!

When dinner was finally ready.

Roya sniffed the air. "It's here! Smells amazing!"

"Go wash your hands!" Souma scolded half-heartedly.

Truly, the infamous "Britain's Ruin Stove" lived up to its name, making both the troublemaker and Illya too lazy to move.

Look at Miyu—so adorable, helping her brother cook.

Indeed, living with a little sister was the best.

"I'm not eating with my hands anyway!"

Roya gleefully eyed the three giant fried shrimp in her bowl. "This is so extravagant! Three at once? You're really splurging this time!"

Normally, they'd only get one per meal!

"Um, thank you for the meal, Souma," Illya said with a sweet smile.

She felt a tiny bit guilty about freeloading this time.

She'd originally planned to bring a gift, but all the shops were closed.

"Don't mention it. Make yourself at home."

Souma felt a twinge of nostalgia.

It had been a long time since the house felt this lively.

Back in the day, Saber, Rin, and the others would always wait for him to cook, too.

Then.

Miyu placed one of her tempura shrimp into Souma' bowl. "Here, have some more, big brother."

"Ah, no need! You're still growing—you should eat more," Souma insisted, quickly returning it to her bowl.

She was still in her elementary-school-loli phase, after all. She needed the extra nutrition.

Unlike the troublemaker, who was bound by his "love restraints," Miyu wasn't restricted in the same way.

"Then give it to Roya."

Miyu passed it to the troublemaker beside her.

"Eh? Thanks, Miyu! You're the best!" Roya beamed.

Even though they were around the same age, Miyu acted like a tiny mom, always looking out for her.

"Then I'll give you one too! Eat up!"

Illya also picked up a shrimp and placed it in Roya's bowl.

"W-Wait, at this rate, I won't be able to finish it all!"

Roya was now faced with a happy dilemma.

Three shrimp was already luxurious, but now she had five—this was next-level extravagance. This bowl of noodles could easily sell for dozens of dollars outside!

"Why not give one to Fou? Maybe he'll let you pet him then," Souma suggested.

"No way! Not giving him anything!" Roya flat-out refused.

Every time she got close, that furball would puff up and act hostile. No way was she going to bribe it!

"Then I'll give him one."

Souma placed a shrimp in Fou's bowl.

Watching the heartwarming scene unfold, a smile spread across his face.

No more battles were needed.

From now on, enjoying these ordinary yet heartwarming daily moments would be more than enough.

How wonderful…

...

At the Fuyuki Grand Hotel.

The British delegation had returned early, seething with anger.

Tonight was China's New Year's Eve, and tomorrow was the Spring Festival. Naturally, no one would continue attending meetings with them.

Artoria stood by the window, gazing at the distant sea of lights.

Back then, it seemed she could have lived an ordinary life by his side, just like any other girl.

How unimaginably distant those days felt now.

Mordred approached and asked, "Father, what do you think of the earlier proposal?"

"It's quite good. A marriage alliance could indeed erase the negative fallout from this incident. You've put thought into this," Artoria nodded.

"Really?"

Mordred was instantly overjoyed.

Did this mean her father had finally chosen to give up?

Happiness had come so suddenly that it felt unreal, like a dream.

"Of course, it's true."

Artoria stepped before her and suddenly reached up to remove the crown from her own head.

With Mordred staring in disbelief, she gently placed it upon her daughter's head.

"Mordred, you've always longed for my acknowledgment. Now, I acknowledge you—I pass the throne to you."

King Arthur's saintly blue eyes gazed calmly at her. "I myself shall marry the Imperial Tutor of China to atone for my sins!"

***

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