Ch.276Chapter 276. I Missed You

The memory that comes to mind as soon as I hear the name Ineanne.

“It’s just that when I see the princess, I’m reminded of my younger sister. My sister is around the same age as the princess. She’s still an immature child with many shortcomings… That’s why I find myself drawn to the princess. Ah, of course, I’m not saying the princess is immature or anything…!”

‘Could it be…’

…No.

It could just be someone with the same surname.

However, I had only seen someone with the surname “Ineanne” once before. Considering that most territory residents lived without surnames…

“…My lord? Is something troubling you?”

At Irene’s words, Serpina regained her composure and asked naturally.

“It’s nothing significant. Rather, you seem to know something about this woman called Lunarian.”

“You mean that?”

“Yes.”

Including knowing the undisclosed surname of a ruler, Irene’s attitude strongly suggested she was acquainted with that person.

Serpina’s thoughts were confirmed as Irene slowly nodded.

“Yes. I once briefly… crossed swords with her.”

“When you say ‘once’?”

“It was during my time with the Brans army.”

Knowing about the unfair treatment Irene had received from Lynn, Serpina asked in an even more careful tone.

“If it’s difficult to talk about, you don’t need to explain.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s in the past, and I’ve already overcome it.”

For Irene, Lynn was now someone who no longer stirred any emotion in her.

She had no lingering attachments, not even a desire for revenge—a completely separate existence.

Therefore, explaining wasn’t particularly difficult.

“Lunarian was one of several small-scale lords who once ruled the western continent.”

Irene continued her explanation, recalling that time.

How she had given the Brans army trouble a few times, how after exchanging a few blows she proved to be an extraordinarily powerful heroine, and how they finally defeated her in battle and conquered her territory after the third invasion.

“I see. So she was originally a lord.”

“Yes. She was just one of many lords of small nations scattered across the western continent… but she certainly left a special impression.”

“If someone of your caliber calls her strong, that must be true…”

Serpina fell into thought for a moment, then looked into Irene’s eyes and said:

“Then, do you remember her face?”

“Yes.”

“I’d appreciate if you could describe it.”

Though Irene wondered why she was asking this, she judged it wasn’t the kind of information that fell under ‘cannot be disclosed right now,’ so she slowly described the woman’s appearance.

“Light blonde hair… with red eyes. She possessed incredible strength that seemed impossible from her delicate frame… Is that sufficient?”

“…”

For a moment, Serpina’s pupils contracted slightly, but Irene didn’t notice.

“…I see.”

“…”

Normally, Irene would have asked questions like ‘why are you asking about this,’ but—

Fearing she might say something wrong, she maintained silence instead of expressing her confusion.

After all… if Serpina were to ask why they had invaded that small country three times,

or how that tiny nation had managed to defeat the great Brans army twice, it would be difficult to explain for various reasons.

Fortunately, Serpina didn’t seem curious about that part.

Instead, after being lost in thought for a while, she gave Irene an order.

“Irene.”

“Yes.”

“I’m planning to go on an inspection soon, so I’d like you to make preparations. Wouldn’t it be better to finish everything that needs to be done before receiving him?”

Is this the end of the conversation about Lunarian?

Though it felt somewhat unsatisfying, it was better than risking saying something wrong.

While she could actively deceive if she wanted to… Irene didn’t want to actively deceive Serpina.

“Yes. After completing the preparations, I’ll wait at the palace gate. Please come out whenever it’s convenient for you.”

After Irene left the royal palace,

Serpina approached the window and lightly bit her nail.

Her slightly frowning expression as she was lost in thought was incredibly beautiful. So beautiful that anyone facing her might lose themselves for a moment.

‘Red eyes… light blonde hair…’

Two testimonies about Lunarian’s appearance.

As soon as Serpina heard this description, she could easily picture her face.

It was natural. Aria Ineanne had looked exactly like that.

Eyes as red and vivid as melted rubies, and light blonde hair like whipped cream.

Considering they shared the same surname—she felt she could now be certain.

‘So Aria’s younger sister is Lunarian, the leader of the rebel army.’

If that was true, it would also somewhat explain why Kail von Einhart was there.

Though the old man was quite capricious and she couldn’t be certain—if she was related to a woman who had connections with Algot, it would be better than choosing just any lord.

Irene’s testimony that “she was a very strong person,” combined with her current achievements in the southern continent, proved that Kail hadn’t chosen her based on that alone.

Then, did Lunarian know that her older sister had died?

If she died, how she died, who killed her… had she thought about such things?

‘…’

Serpina placed her hand on her forehead.

Strangely, as soon as she learned that Lunarian was her younger sister… a sense of guilt began to rise from deep in her throat.

The reason she hadn’t spoken despite feeling an odd sense of déjà vu while Irene was explaining about her was partly because she trusted that Irene had her reasons for not bringing it up—but also partly because she herself was somewhat afraid to talk more about that subject.

Algot, who had killed all his siblings with his own hands after saying he would entrust everything to her.

The dying gaze of Aria, who had stayed by Algot’s side until the end, apologizing for passing on such a heavy burden…

‘If Lunarian knows that her sister is dead and resents me for it, I…’

Serpina fell to her knees right there.

Her body trembled. Once again, she felt that everything in the world was against her.

The sins of Einhart that she had shouldered began to tighten around her neck again.

* * *

Irene, who had been waiting to proceed with the inspection, soon heard that the schedule had been postponed until tomorrow due to urgent matters.

She considered returning to her lord’s side, but according to the soldier, she was asked to help the advisor Jenna with sending off those who had operated the plague relief camp.

‘Is something wrong?’

She was concerned because the atmosphere had changed strangely as soon as she brought up Lunarian…

But naturally, Irene was in a position where she couldn’t be completely honest in front of her.

‘If I were to mention Swen, it might cause trouble for him…’

The reason the Brans army was obsessed with conquering the small nation of Lunarian.

The reason why her own army had been defeated twice in battles that should have been overwhelmingly favorable to the Brans army due to the significant difference in military strength, including the battle she participated in.

To explain everything, she would have to mention Swen’s existence.

Irene remembered Swen’s words.

Hadn’t he told her many times that his lord was Lunarian, and that he would eventually return to Lunarian’s side?

However, returning to Lunarian meant—essentially leaving Serpina’s side.

Would she eventually have to leave the woman who had saved her life, the woman who was closest to her ideal of a ruler?

‘Sigh…’

Irene let out a long sigh inwardly.

When her mind was troubled, she always thought of that person.

Just like she had done several times before, she wanted to be held in his arms.

Then all these complicated thoughts would fly away. She wanted to listen to his heartbeat without any worries or concerns.

At that moment.

“It seems they’ve arrived. Everyone, please line up.”

At Jenna’s voice, Irene cleared her mind and corrected her posture.

And soon after—a man wearing armor with the Einhart imperial family’s emblem clearly drawn on it was walking from over there.

Irian Al Caskie.

The temporary lord of Kelstein Castle and the commander-in-chief of the relief camp.

The soldiers lined up on both sides saluted him in unison.

The story of how he had raised the status of Serpina’s army through life-risking relief activities without fearing the plague in an uncertain situation, despite having magic, had already spread widely throughout the capital.

In simple terms—at this point, they were heroes. Heroes who had elevated Serpina’s name without fighting.

Behind him… the soldiers who had worked with him.

And behind them—the pink-haired magician Reika, and beside her…

‘Swen…!’

“I greet you, Advisor.”

“Lord Irian, you’ve worked extremely hard. We’ve heard about your achievements through rumors. Our lord will never forget all the merits you’ve earned this time.”

“I only did what needed to be done.”

“We’ve prepared a grand welcoming ceremony, so I hope you’ll rest from your journey’s fatigue. Our lord has ordered that the report can wait until after that.”

“The welcoming ceremony could wait until after the business report… but I’ve learned that being somewhat flexible is the way to avoid being disliked by the soldiers.”

“You’ve become quite good with words, Lord Irian.”

The somewhat tense atmosphere quickly relaxed as Jenna and Irian exchanged light banter.

After the situation was settled and Irian led the way to the royal palace for the welcoming ceremony,

Irene immediately ran to that man.

“Ah, Lady Irene…?”

Reika’s voice was heard from the side… but right now, the person in front of her took precedence.

The white-haired advisor. The benefactor who had saved her life multiple times.

That man smiled as soon as he saw her and asked:

“Lady Irene. Have you been well?”

Yes.

That voice.

That’s the voice I’ve been longing for…

Before answering Swen’s question—

Irene spread her arms and embraced him, who felt somewhat unfamiliar.

“Lady Irene…?”

“Swen…”

Instead of answering, Irene burrowed into his embrace with all her might… and whispered over and over again.

—I missed you.