Ch.265Chapter 265. Clashing Sincerity (1)

After leaving the building where she had been with Swen, Reika ran straight to a deserted place.

Only after reaching a quiet spot on the outskirts of the camp did she realize that she had unconsciously kissed Swen.

‘Ugh, aah, aaaah…!!’

What on earth did I just do…?

But truly, she had moved without even realizing it herself.

Because Swen was being so kind.

Because of that scent-like thing emanating from him, something she had never felt before, telling her he was of a completely different gender—a “man”…

Just like a bee drawn to a flower, so naturally… their lips collided.

The moment their lips touched, she pushed her tongue in as naturally as breathing.

The soft sensation of his touch seemed to linger on the tip of her tongue.

Reika nervously tapped her tongue against the roof of her mouth, knocked it against her teeth, and ran it along them.

“~~~!!!”

With her face completely flushed, she finally realized it.

She had kissed him.

She had kissed Swen.

And she wasn’t a child—she had pushed herself on him, unable to resist a sudden impulse. Her, of all people!

It had been her first kiss.

She had decided to save her first kiss for the man she would marry!

Of course, she didn’t dislike the kiss itself.

After all, one couldn’t unconsciously do something they disliked.

It was just, how should she put it… at that moment… she had wanted to. Though she might be called foolish for thinking this… she had wanted to repay Swen somehow.

He always told her everything would be okay when times were tough, and his eyes sparkled when he promised never to abandon her—he looked so magnificent.

He was more handsome than any man she had ever seen in her life.

‘Oh no…’

But still, she shouldn’t have done it.

A woman who attempts a kiss without consent. And they weren’t even in a relationship. There had been marriage talks, but they were just “talks,” and even those had fizzled out since she was separated from her adoptive father Ginor.

So she knew that pushing herself on him like this would only be a burden…

‘Why did I do that… you fool…!’

Reika sank down where she stood.

Thump, thump.

Her heart was pounding harder than ever before. As if something terrible had happened, she simply couldn’t stay still.

She focused quietly on her heartbeat, as if attempting meditation.

Feeling the intense pounding striking her heart… she recalled what had just happened.

Ever since she had fled here, her stomach had been unbearably ticklish.

The desires in her heart were much more honest than the Reika others saw.

With Swen… I want to… kiss again.

Not just kissing, even more than that… would be fine. Because he’s considerate, kind, and gentle…

Reika knew. When he was working for Irene, and when he was working for Serpina… though he didn’t show it to anyone, he was clearly shouldering too many burdens alone.

Otherwise, she couldn’t explain the loneliness and melancholy that could be read in his expression when he was alone.

Reika truly thought so.

Because she was someone who couldn’t know that when Swen occasionally wore a serious expression, he was actually thinking deeply about the “Lunarian army,” the best conclusion she could reach was just that.

She wanted to be on Swen’s side.

She might not be able to do anything great for him. Magic was ultimately just a weapon for war, and her achievements would inevitably end up being for Serpina, not Swen.

But hadn’t Swen said it himself? That even without using magic, she was a person of sufficient worth.

If so, there must be many things she could do for him besides magic, she thought.

Baking delicious bread for him. Lending him her lap when he was tired. Putting their heads together when he was troubled, and crying with him if he broke down in tears…

After thinking that far, the conclusion came all too naturally.

I…

I want to marry Swen.

I want to become Swen’s wife.

This was definitely different from when she first met him and vaguely thought, “He seems good enough.”

Not just good enough… now she thought she didn’t want to marry anyone but him.

‘Swen…’

Reika might be slow to act, but she was quite perceptive.

Moreover, they were living together. Of course, she couldn’t help but notice the subtle atmosphere between Swen and Irene.

But that was okay. Both Swen and Irene… were such wonderful people.

She would be fine being the second wife, no, even the third or fourth wife.

She was confident she could respect Irene as her elder sister and get along well with the other wives without conflict. After all, the women Swen would choose would undoubtedly be as splendid as he was.

Still… they were at war now.

In a situation where even Irene was showing restraint, she couldn’t thoughtlessly confess her feelings.

Above all, she didn’t want to be a burden to Swen of all people.

‘Then why did you kiss him…’

Reika remained buried in her thoughts for a long time afterward.

She looked less like the continent’s greatest magician… and more like an ordinary girl in love.

* * *

In the royal castle of Einhart in the capital of the Serpina army.

It was Irene’s duty, still serving as a guard knight, to welcome Serpina after she finished her official duties.

“You’ve worked hard today as well, my lord.”

“Hmm. Irene. You’ve worked hard too. There were no unusual incidents, I presume?”

“Yes. Sir Siegfried is patrolling outside, but there have been no reports from him either.”

“I see…”

Since there had been one assassination attempt, Irene had voluntarily continued to serve as a guard knight.

It might not have been a particularly glorious position for the deputy commander of an occupying force… but she had no complaints, as she wanted to repay Serpina who had saved her life.

Swen had also asked this of her before he left.

“Any messages?”

“A statement from the strategist. She says she has conveyed your lordship’s order to withdraw the relief camp.”

The strategist would be from Jenna.

It seemed she was reporting that she had carried out the order discussed yesterday.

Now that the plague had subsided, it would be fine to stop operating the camp.

They had also completely won the public opinion battle against the Aeshus army… and above all, she was starting to miss his face.

“Indeed. Everyone has worked very hard. They have labored in my name on my behalf. When they return, I must reward them accordingly.”

“…I believe you have worked hard as well, my lord.”

“…?”

Serpina tilted her head slightly as she looked at Irene.

Irene bowed her head deeply and spoke in a serious tone.

“There were those absurd rumors… about using magic to spread the plague. Being the subject of others’ gossip based on mere rumors… it must have been very painful. I’m truly glad the rumors have died down.”

Irene said this with a faint smile.

In fact, Irene was the person who could understand and empathize with Serpina’s current feelings more deeply than anyone else.

Back when she served in the Brans army, despite her great achievements, Irene had been isolated and demoted to guarding the capital’s walls or managing the second garrison due to the malicious rumors Lynn had deliberately spread.

In terms of scale, Serpina being hated by the entire continent might be harder than her own experience limited to the Brans army, but Irene knew well enough that comparing who had it worse wasn’t particularly constructive.

Serpina stared blankly at Irene for a moment, then gave a bitter smile and said:

“But it was your former lord who spread those rumors, wasn’t it, Irene?”

“It was merely a passing connection. I never particularly considered her my true lord.”

It might sound cold, but Irene truly felt that way.

She hadn’t intended to draw such a clear line. However, after Yurie had touched something that should never have been touched—Swen—Irene had come to view the Aeshus army even more unfavorably than the Brans army that had looked down on her.

She disliked someone touching Swen more than someone touching her—that was Irene’s true feeling.

As if reading Irene’s inner thoughts, Serpina looked at her face quietly and said:

“Irene.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“When the relief camp ends, he will return as well.”

She had brought up a rather provocative topic for what should have been small talk.

“…You mean Swen?”

“Yes.”

“…”

As Irene was choosing her words carefully, Serpina asked another question.

“Irene. I wish to ask you something.”

“What… would that be?”

“Do you have romantic feelings for Swen as a man?”

“Yes, wha…?!”

Irene looked at Serpina with a shocked expression.

But Serpina merely maintained her composure with an amused smile.

“It’s exactly as I said. I’m asking if you have feelings for Swen.”

“Ah… th-that…”

Irene was momentarily flustered by the sudden question—

But really, this wasn’t something to agonize over if she thought about it.

“…Yes, I do.”

After admitting it straightforwardly, Serpina smiled amusedly and said:

“I see.”

So casually.

As naturally as if discussing today’s weather.

“I feel the same.”

“…Pardon?”

Looking directly into Irene’s stunned purple eyes, she confessed her own feelings.

“I am saying that I also have feelings for Swen.”