episode_0278

Thump, thump.

My heart was pounding so hard it felt like I was going to vomit.

More than any other moment, this moment was making me the most nervous.

Even more than that day… … back when he stood alone on the wall and seemed to have called down a meteor upon everyone.

Serpina, as if she understood all of my feelings―

Once again, I am conveying my feelings as a woman, not as a monarch.

“Opening… … I don’t know much about this.”

“What kind of behavior of a woman is attractive, what kind of approach should I take to fully convey this feeling… … things like that.

“By the time I was young, the empire was falling apart. It was absurd to learn how to behave as a princess, or how a woman should behave. So, I don’t know what to do about men… ”

She says so and takes my hand and gently caresses it.

From the tips of her finger joints to the tips of her fingers… …her pure white hands trample on my hands.

“But… …this feeling is real.”

“Swen, this desire to become one with you is clearer than anything else.”

“So… … I don’t know anything else. Because men like women’s bodies. If they like just that, then it doesn’t matter… … .”

Her fingers penetrated between mine.

When we clasp our hands together, I notice her looking up at me again.

His pure white face turned red as if it would burst at any moment.

The pupils were at a loss, unable to find a place to rest.

A thin moan is heard from between her slightly parted lips.

“Swen, if you want… … Yeah. That’s okay.”

“No, I’ll be honest. It doesn’t matter who it is. It’s just because it’s you, Swen. I don’t need a man. I… …need you, Swen.”

“This is not an order from a monarch. I will not ask you to take responsibility for anything. I will not force anything on you. I will take full responsibility for everything. So… … please, can you… … lend me… … just a little bit… … ?”

“My lord… … .”

Apparently, she was much more sincere than I thought.

It meant that it was not an action done on a momentary impulse.

What is Serpina talking about now?

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t notice it.

She was now… …asking for a night with me.

Why are you suddenly making such a demand? Is it because of a desire that no human being can have?

That may be so, but the emotion in her eyes told me that she wasn’t coming to me simply because of desire.

Loneliness.

What stood in her golden eyes was a loneliness so deep and intense it was suffocating.

I asked myself quietly.

What do you really want?

I was a young man, even though I didn’t have a very good body. The essence of the old world and the present world has not changed at all.

It goes without saying that he has a natural attraction to women.

There was a time when I thought it would be a little rude. No, just a moment ago… … I almost had all sorts of fantasies about Irene.

If you think about it from that perspective, Serpina’s offer of ‘spending time with me without taking responsibility for anything’ cannot be anything but an attractive offer.

It probably didn’t matter at that point whether it was a request or an order.

Serpina had the most beautiful appearance of any woman I’ve ever met.

A woman’s body with a strong feminine charm, a voice that envelopes your ears, and the scent of yuzu that naturally ties it all together.

I could be sure that there were few men who would refuse to sleep with a woman like this.

okay.

If you think about it ‘only’ from that perspective.

But, right now, I couldn’t think only from that perspective.

“… … Serpina.”

I slowly released my grip on her hand and placed both hands on her shoulders.

It may have been the most disloyal act for a subject to dare to touch his master’s body―

If Serpina had approached me as a woman, I believed that it would be polite for me to approach her as a man and not as a subject.

okay.

Let’s talk to her calmly.

What I’m thinking right now.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do this right now.”

“… … !”

At my words, her expression became as if she was about to cry.

A woman who hides her expressions so well, but who shows her emotions so fiercely at a single word from me… … Honestly, it was cute.

“As expected… … Is this body, not working… … ?”

“A tyrant like you cannot pursue the happiness of an ordinary woman… … Are you saying… …?”

“That’s not it.”

I lightly wiped her eyes with my hand.

I suddenly wondered what had happened while I was away that had made you so weak… … Well, I guess I could think about that later.

“My lord… … If Serpina hadn’t been so important to me, I think I might have accepted Serpina’s offer. You said you don’t know what men like… … Honestly, assuming you don’t care about her notoriety, there aren’t many men who would dislike Serpina. She’s incredibly beautiful, and very feminine and charming. From a man’s perspective, it’s not like there’s any need to push her away. ”

Her pupils dilated in real time in response to my words.

Its appearance was just like a cat.

“But I don’t want to spend an irresponsible night with Serpina. If I were to have that kind of time… …I want to take responsibility. Serpina. So, I can’t grant you that request right now.”

“That’s… What does that mean…?”

“Serpina is someone who is very important to me. I can’t treat her carelessly.”

“… … !!”

that’s right.

The third face that came to mind so naturally when I thought about marriage.

It was… …Serpina.

At some point, I started to think of Serpina just by thinking of the keyword marriage.

It was different from Irene, who confirmed each other’s feelings, or Reika, who had a marriage proposal.

Because he was just a monarch.

I have never felt this way about any monarch I have ever served.

I think it was sympathy at first.

However, even though Luna had risen, I could not willingly return there. The plan had gone awry.

At that time, the conclusion that ‘Serpina must maintain her position as monarch in order for Lunarien to unify the continent’ became a very good excuse.

In order to keep my promise, it would be right for me to stay by Serpina’s side for now. She relies on me, so it would be okay for me to stay here until Luna-sama finds her place. Jinor will be there too, so it would be okay for me to be gone for the time being… … .

I have a feeling that the reason I desperately came up with these thoughts was because I was unconsciously trying to rationalize the situation.

“But… …Swen. You, someday… … .”

“That’s right.”

Still, this feeling is sincere.

I nod slowly and say,

“I can’t always be by your side. But… …I really do believe that Serpina has become an important person to me.”

“… … .”

“Honestly, I don’t know what to do right now. But I think if I keep thinking and thinking, a solution will come out. A method that will allow Serpina to take responsibility and do what I need to do.”

“You’re taking responsibility for me… … ?”

“Yes.”

I want to take her when I can take full responsibility for her.

It may sound a bit silly, but I mean it.

How to take responsibility for everyone and at the same time keep my promise to Luna… … .

“So, until then… …could you please wait just a little longer?”

Serpina looked into my eyes for a long time without saying a word.

“… … Okay.”

After saying that, he quickly burrows his head into my arms again.

Irene and Serpina too… I had a feeling that they both secretly liked being hugged.

I slowly ran my hand through her golden hair.

Serpina entrusted everything to me without any hesitation.

Looking at that sight, I naturally start to think.

also.

I can’t abandon Serpina, no matter what happens.

From the moment I thought about marriage, this feeling wasn’t just simple sympathy.

I cannot abandon her, who is hated by everyone for a crime she did not commit.

――Even if there is a chance of not going back.

At that moment, Luna’s face flashed through my mind.

Lady Lunalian. The one who is worthy of my lordship as a subject.

Why do you have to choose only one of the two?

No matter how many times you think about it, it doesn’t work?

‘Let’s find a way.’

My predictions are always correct, but my actions could have led to different results.

If we can create a situation where Serpina and Lunalien can coexist.

If I could defy fate with it… …I would gladly do so.

After that, I spent a long time holding Serpina in my arms.

I couldn’t go back to the welcoming ceremony… … but for now, just being with her like this was enough for me.

* * *

A few days passed after the welcoming ceremony.

Irian, who had achieved great things, and Reika, who had left behind great footprints in succession, now had a position that no one in the country could compare to.

The plague that had been threatening to devour all the people of the central continent had completely subsided. At least now it had calmed down to the point where there was no need to stop traveling out of concern for the plague.

Naturally, the blockade on the Northern Continent was also somewhat reduced, and although not as many people were able to freely travel between the Northern and Central Continents through Kehlstein Castle as before, it was possible to travel by following simple procedures.

Little by little, everything was returning to its original state.

The only difference is that our military still has a strong army, while the countries of the central continent, except for the Bran’s military, have all been ruined.

So what remains is―re-entering the central continent.

Once again, the time for battle was approaching.