episode_0233

*

The place where Serpina and I headed was where the annex was located.

“It’s been a long time since we came here together.”

From the day Serpina challenged me to a duel to test my abilities.

Until the day I first drank with her – she and I had spent quite a bit of time here.

When I think about it now, a lot has happened.

“Sit comfortably. I’m going to bring you some alcohol.”

One thing I learned a while ago.

It is said that this annex was a building that was used as a warehouse during the days when the Eingart Mansion burned down to ashes on the day of a series of ‘Prince Wars’.

Nowadays, it is the only remaining space that has not been lost, and it is still a space that Serpina touches by taking care of the surrounding garden.

What would it be like to spend time alone in the place where your brothers and sisters died?

Suddenly, her sudden confession comes to mind.

‘No one was killed…’ … la.’

I almost got emotional for a moment.

Hearing Serpina’s voice quickly brought me to my senses.

“It would have been nice if there had been some food to go with it.”

In her hands were two glasses of wine and two glasses.

Even at first glance, it looked very expensive. After all, there is no way that something someone like Serpina would drink would be cheap.

“No. I like drinking from that can.”

“By gang?”

“Uh… … It is a word that roughly describes drinking only alcohol without any side dishes.”

She sits down and hands me a glass.

As soon as I accepted it, I heard her voice.

“This is my first time hearing this word.”

“This is a word that was often used where I was.”

“If you were there, do you mean your hometown?”

“It’s my hometown… … .”

Serpina skillfully uncorks the wine, takes my glass, and fills the inside with ruby light.

A gurgling sound was circling around the gloomy room.

“If it were my hometown, it would be my hometown.”

“Now that I think about it, Swen. I don’t think I’ve ever asked where you’re from.”

I accepted the wine glass Serpina handed me.

As soon as I held it and brought it close to me, a luxurious scent that was difficult to describe in words hit my nose. I think it smells a little sweet… … Is this what Serpina likes?

“Are you from the central region as expected?”

Because I’m from there.

There was no need to be honest.

He acts like he’s drunk even though he hasn’t drunk yet and that he doesn’t want to lie to her.

“I came from a slightly different place.”

“Somewhere else?”

“Yes. It’s not related to the continent, it’s a little further away than that… … The place.”

You might be thinking what kind of bullshit this is.

Instead of asking about my situation, Serpina fills her glass with wine and then gently aims it at me.

I responded to her by gently tipping my glass.

“You’ve had a hard time coming to a foreign country, Swen.”

“What? In fact, no matter where you live, humans have no choice but to do penance.”

After saying that, I took a sip of wine.

As expected, it is not only sweet but has a strong sweetness for a red wine.

When I think about it, the drink I had last time while serving her seemed to have been a bit on the sweet side.

Serpina seems to have a taste for sweet drinks.

“There are different types of penance. Isn’t there anything more difficult than enduring each day by your side? As you know, the worst witch on the continent… … Because he is a tyrant.”

She said that and smiled.

I didn’t bother to correct that.

What she wants to carry, Eyngart’s cross, which she has redeemed whether she wants it or not.

Because it was clear that the mask of a tyrant would definitely be helpful in supporting that.

So we shared a drink together without saying a word.

When we feel empty, we fill each other up and take a sip, two sips.

When I came to my senses, I felt my face getting hot.

I could also tell that her face was turning red.

“Swen.”

“Please speak, my lord.”

“I want to hear stories about your master.”

“… … yes? By lord, do you mean Serpina?”

Serpina burst out laughing as if she was amused by what I said.

“Hehehe, Swen. I’ve thought about it for a long time, but although you have brilliant wit, you’re really clumsy when it comes to changing words.”

“… … .”

but.

There is no need to ask questions about Serpina herself. Because she wasn’t the type of person who satisfied her need for recognition in that way.

My lord… … Lunarien.

I thought for a moment about where to start explaining, but then I opened my mouth.

“… … He is an upright man.”

She didn’t answer but looked straight into my eyes.

I could easily tell that it was a sign of listening.

“You can feel that he truly loves Young Ji-min. When you have to make a decision, you know how to make it… … He is the kind of person who has an aura that is different from others.”

While talking about Lunarien, I was able to naturally feel it.

Surprisingly, it is difficult to describe her in detail.

And, it’s been a really long time since I broke up with her.

The period they spent together wasn’t short, but it wasn’t long either, and the situation the Lunarien army faced at the time was too harsh to get to know her more humanely.

Of course, it is true that I also felt something about her that other monarchs like Rin and Yuuri did not have, but-

In fact, the basis for my judgment about Luna was that the prediction of intelligence of 100 accounted for more than 90%.

[Can Runarien Inien become the monarch who will unify the continent?]

[Yes.]

If you think about it, these two Zen questions were close to the entire image I had of Luna.

But that wasn’t everything.

Rather, there was something more important than that.

“And… … You trusted me.”

“You trusted me?”

Serpina, who had been listening to me in silence, finally raised her voice and asked a question.

“Yes. No matter what nonsense I said, they listened to it all. They didn’t ask for any evidence and just believed what I said. When I think about it now, I think I remember that part the most.”

“I trust you… … That’s it.”

After finishing speaking, Serpina looked at me quietly, then filled her glass again with a gurgling sound.

“… … !”

I poured it all down my throat in one go.

“… … Swen.”

“Please tell me.”

“Someday… … You are planning to return to your lord, right?”

The end of Serpina’s voice trembled slightly.

Before I knew it, my red face was staring at the table instead of my eyes.

He is not befitting a charismatic monarch who always looks people straight in the eye and speaks in a confident tone – rather, he looks more like a girl.

“Someday, when the time comes… … You, the lord who trusts you… … Will you go back?”

“… … .”

in due season… … .

That was planned, Serpina.

And in fact, the time has already come. Because Luna raised an army. Because it showed up. So, I tried to go back, but… …

I care about Serpina.

Things like Serpina’s eyes and the scent of citron. The figure that was crying towards me. A side view of people paying their respects towards the tomb. Those who gave their lives for Irene… …

I’m so worried about everything, I just can’t leave Serpina alone.

Sentences wander around the tongue without being able to leave the mouth.

don’t say No, there is no way I can say it. to her… … Because I couldn’t bear the burden any longer.

Serpina was about to say something more, but then stopped and-

After drinking wine again, he sighed briefly and said.

“… … It’s okay if you don’t answer, Swen.”

Serpina, who continued to look at the table, slowly raised her head and made eye contact with me again.

… … Golden eyes were twinkling.

“Just… … I’m jealous. The very fact that I can become your master… … I’m really jealous.”

I didn’t think it would be comforting, but I couldn’t keep quiet even after seeing that expression, so I opened my mouth for no reason.

“The person I am serving now is Serpina.”

“Didn’t they just take him from Yuuri through a bet?”

“Even so, Serpina is special to me.”

“What… … ?”

… … Am I a little drunk too?

The words that I should have kept hidden inside me are flowing out of my mouth, as if things were leaking out one by one from a warehouse that had been stuffed in and the door was closed.

“Rin Brans or Baranga Yuuri Acious. These are the people I once served. Everyone had their own pros and cons. Although Lin was arrogant, he was definitely capable. In its prime, it could rival our Serpina army, right? Yuuri maintains a higher bond with his colleagues than any other monarch. Of course, there were times when I was dragged around because of that, but in times like these, having a close friend who won’t betray you no matter what happens is definitely a great asset. But—”

“―All that aside, I never gave my heart to anyone. To be honest, I didn’t think it was my lord. People you just pass by, people you will never see again. It would not be an exaggeration to say that these are people who will turn away after doing everything they can.”

Why am I telling her this now?

Is it because I saw Serpina’s expression that looked like she was about to cry, or is it because I was really drunk?

“Serpina is different.”

I confess the truth that has bloomed in my heart.

“Serpina… … Seriously, he’s a monarch worth worshiping… … I thought.”

“Swen… … .”

Only after spitting it out that far was I able to put the brakes on my tongue.

Because I couldn’t go any further than this by torturing a hope that I couldn’t protect.

I didn’t lie, but… … She was a woman closer to the word ‘monarch’ than any other monarch I had ever served.

“… … .”

Serpina looks into my eyes without saying a word.

pretty.

He is a sculpture-like person.

If I only look at her appearance, I have never seen a more beautiful woman than her.

So we looked at each other in silence for a while and then-

“… … Really?”

Finally, Serpina breaks the long silence.

“In that case… … That’s it.”

Instead of going on further, I slowly picked up the wine and handed it to her.

She smiles, holds out the glass, and fills the empty glass again.

“For now, this is enough.”

Then, the esophagus was again soaked with wine.

… … also.

I love this person and Luna… … I keep thinking about being happy again.

Can we do that?

Nothing can be certain, but… …

For now, I just enjoyed having a drink with her like this.