Ch.61Chapter 61. Transferring Allegiance to Aeshas (2)

“Shall we sleep together?”

When I asked, Irene was startled and began stammering.

Her face, which had been flushed since cleaning time, was now as red as a radish.

“N-no… that’s not what I meant! I just meant, it’s time to sleep…! I mean…”

“…”

She was the one who brought it up, yet she’s this embarrassed about it.

Despite myself, a smile spread across my face.

Yes. The Irene Juliette I knew was exactly this kind of woman.

I glanced at the bed.

Huh?

This… the blanket is spread out wide, but… looking closely, it seems like two single beds pushed together.

“Lady Irene.”

“Y-yes?!”

“This bed. We can separate it. Like this…”

I said as I separated the bed.

The double bed easily split into two single beds.

“So, there’s no need to be so embarrassed.”

“Oh… I… I see.”

Irene said that, then lowered her head and mumbled something.

It was too quiet for me to hear clearly.

After a moment, as if she had sorted out her thoughts, she spoke in a clean tone.

“…Yes. Right, that’s right. Okay. Swen. Let’s go to sleep then.”

“Yes.”

Sleeping together in a double bed wouldn’t be bad from my perspective as a man.

But from her perspective as a woman, it would be quite embarrassing.

We’re not even married yet, so it would naturally be burdensome.

‘Marriage…’

Since things have come to this.

Should I just take Irene as my first wife?

To be honest, I liked Irene. I don’t know how she feels about me, but I think I would marry her without much hesitation if I could.

She’s pretty, has large breasts, child-bearing hips, and high combat ability.

But that’s not all her value. I also really liked her beliefs, pride, and consideration for those beneath her despite her high position.

What man could refuse Irene?

In the game, to get married, you had to keep talking to them, giving gifts, completing quests, and fighting together on the same battlefield to raise their affection.

Naturally, there would come a point where you’d think, “I guess I can propose now.”

But in this place where the game has become reality… how should I go about it?

Since it’s reality, there’s no visible “affection meter,” so I can’t help but be cautious.

Most importantly-

In this game, if you fail a proposal, not only does the affection drop to 0, but things become so awkward that you can barely speak to each other.

If you failed to meet certain triggers or were unlucky enough to fail the proposal, marriage with that female general would be impossible unless you loaded a saved file.

I think my affection with Irene has increased quite a bit, and I sense a stronger bond between us than ever before…

But I wanted to avoid failing a proposal and making things awkward with her at all costs.

I need to maintain a good relationship with her until I safely escort her to the Lunarian army.

If our relationship sours here, I’d end up only doing Yurie a favor.

Perhaps the best timing would be after Lunarian’s uprising.

If I propose after joining Luna’s army, everything should be OK.

Even if I’m rejected, our relationship would sour, but working under Luna’s army wouldn’t change.

Of course… my heart would be very hurt, but if we continue to be close until then, the affection would increase and so would the success rate, right?

Even if not after joining Luna’s army, the timing might come naturally as we spend time together.

What’s certain is that there’s no need to rush and ruin things.

“Good night, Lady Irene.”

“Yes… good night, Swen.”

And with her turning off the lantern-

Our long day finally came to an end.

*

After arriving at the new house with Swen, Irene’s thoughts upon seeing the double bed were quite simple.

Amusingly, they were about… her first experience.

Irene had lived her whole life wielding a sword. Growing up without knowing men, even the object of her loyalty was a female ruler.

Her appearance wasn’t lacking, so many men had approached her, but she had rejected them all for her training.

Besides, that was only in the early days.

After it became widely known that she was disliked by Lynn Brans, no one reached out to her.

No matter how beautiful she was, no one was willing to go against their lord to have her.

The first person to reach out to her and share the stigma of being a traitor was the man beside her, Swen.

Of course, Irene knew. The reason he left the Brans army was entirely because of her.

Even if he was waiting for Lunarian’s uprising, working in a country the size of Brans would be much more convenient than coming to this small country.

Knowing that he had given up that convenient path for her sake, she had sworn to wield her sword for him.

So… if Swen were to ask her to sleep with him.

She was prepared to accept it.

They say the first experience is pleasant, or rather, painful… what if she troubled Swen due to her lack of knowledge?

What if her unusually large breasts seemed dull to him?

These worries, as a normal woman in love rather than a warrior, had newly taken root in her mind.

That’s why today’s bath was inevitably longer than usual.

Irene looked down, examining various parts of her body.

Having walked the path of a warrior, her body was far from the ideal woman she envisioned – white, beautiful, and smooth.

Somewhat rough, firm rather than soft, with small muscles here and there, and small scars visible in places.

Her trained body had always been her pride, but why did it seem so unsightly today?

‘Would Swen… like… this kind of body…?’

Even if it’s an unsightly body, it would be fine if he praised it.

After somehow calming her racing heart.

As bedtime approached… just as she was preparing herself-

“This bed. We can separate it. Like this…”

When she heard those words, she half sighed in relief-

But clearly, half of her was disappointed.

So, without realizing it, she let her true feelings slip in a small voice.

“That’s a shame…”

After saying it, she was startled and checked his reaction.

Fortunately, Swen didn’t seem to have heard, as he made no comment.

So they lay in separate beds.

Irene looked at the bed where Swen was sleeping and thought.

‘Swen… if you want me… I…’

Irene suddenly felt a tickle in her stomach.

Like before… in front of him, she could feel a side of herself she had never known.

This was a feeling she had never experienced with any other man.

Naturally… Irene couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.

* * *

In the royal palace of Anel Castle.

Farfalle, kneeling, spoke to Lynn with great remorse.

“I apologize. If only I had come directly to Anel Castle instead of going south… I could have realized something was wrong.”

Irene Juliette had surrendered to the Aeshus army with over 30,000 soldiers.

This surrender wasn’t just about losing soldiers and generals.

It meant the sudden evaporation of surplus troops that could move freely without being stationed at the border.

For the Brans army, which had already lost about 20,000 soldiers due to Kalintz’s blunder, this was a critical blow.

Moreover, the opponent was the Aeshus army.

Wasn’t the Aeshus army the biggest obstacle for the Brans army, which was trying to quickly control the central region and confront the northern and southern regions?

Besides the soldiers, Irene was an exceptionally skilled general. What if her sword was pointed at our army…?

“…”

Lynn said nothing, seemingly calm as she twisted her hair, but.

Farfalle, who had served her for a long time, could tell.

She was barely suppressing her anger right now.

In all his time serving her, he had never seen her this angry.

That’s why he was afraid.

The sparks could easily fly in his direction.

So he bowed his head and prostrated himself. Because he wanted to live.

“I sincerely apologize for not making the right judgment. I will accept any punishment.”

“…”

Honestly.

As someone who knew better than anyone how Lynn had treated the loyal general Irene-

Farfalle wasn’t surprised by Irene’s betrayal; it seemed inevitable.

Rather, he had never understood why she had stayed by Lynn’s side all this time, desperately trying to earn recognition.

But.

The betrayal of Swen, a new general who had claimed to want to achieve merit for Kalintz, was a great shock to him.

Moreover, he had shown cunning by sending a letter to distance himself from Lynn.

The reason she believed that letter was because she never thought he would betray her.

Unlike Irene, whose betrayal was understandable, he had no reason to betray.

He had already proven his abilities to some extent, and if he continued, he could have competed for Farfalle’s position as state advisor.

From Farfalle’s perspective, if Swen had continued to produce miraculous results and give correct advice, he would have accepted losing his position.

No… actually, that wasn’t entirely true.

If one “assumption” was added, his reason for betrayal became ridiculously simple.

‘To save… Irene Juliette?’

It’s a faint memory now, but.

On Swen’s first day of appointment, he stayed at Irene’s house on Lynn’s orders.

It wouldn’t be strange for a young man and woman living in the same house to develop feelings for each other.

What’s interesting is that if you add the reason “to save Irene Juliette,” it also explains why he fought to the death at the northern fortress.

Because she was there.

He risked his life to protect her.

If Swen hadn’t performed a miracle, Irene would certainly have been killed by Serpina’s army.

His claimed reason for the siege, to protect Kalintz’s honor, could only be an excuse at the point of betrayal.

So in the end…

Because Lynn needlessly persisted in antagonizing Irene, she lost both Irene and Swen.

Moreover, it was Lynn herself who provided the decisive connection between the two.

Later, it was discovered that this expedition itself was decided after Swen advised, “If Irene is put at the forefront, her life could be in danger, so it would be better to send another general.”

In other words, Lynn had tried to kill Irene. She was just betrayed in the process.

Swen had skillfully exploited that “intention to kill.”

‘What was bound to happen, happened.’

Farfalle, with his sharp mind, realized that everything was ultimately Lynn’s fault.

But… because his mind was sharp, he could never voice this fact.

One wrong move, and it could be his head that would roll.

At that moment.

Lynn, who had been silent, slowly parted her lips.

“Farfalle.”

“…Yes?”

“What do you think?”

“…What do I think…?”

Unlike Farfalle, who was trembling with fear.

Lynn’s attitude was very cold and calm.

“It was Irene who did it, right?”

“Pardon…?”

“Irene seduced him, right? Swen. With that vulgar and lewd body.”

“…???”

“Otherwise, this situation… doesn’t make sense, does it? Swen just said he wanted to rise in the world, right? He said he would give me the world. So why… does he betray me? Swen? Why would Swen, whom I personally brought, betray me?”

“…Well, that…”

From the beginning, that “wanting to rise in the world” was just a smokescreen.

From the start, Swen must have planned everything to get Irene out of here.

The evidence lies in the fact that he first mentioned “it would be dangerous to take Irene” – it would be good if he could say this, but.

He simply couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Lynn couldn’t accept it.

The fact that Swen, whom she had chosen, had rejected her.

She’s fine with choosing others, but it’s impossible for her to accept being rejected herself.

So, once again, she finds the reason in Irene, whom she hates.

Because that’s much easier to accept.

This wasn’t a good habit, but… for a leader who must maintain mental stability in any situation, it could be considered an advantage in a way.

“…Irene Juliette… she betrayed me in the end. I thought she would. I never liked the look of that woman from the start. Born to a good father and serving me… so arrogant… don’t you think?”

“…”

“The Aeshus army, you said? Where that woman took Swen and fled.”

“…Y-yes.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll have to show her. Right before her eyes, Swen becoming truly mine… don’t you think?”

“…”

“Let’s quickly settle the western side. We’ll be busy for a while. We must repay the insult we’ve received. Right, Farfalle?”

Once again, Farfalle couldn’t say anything.

He just hoped this tsunami would pass quickly…

He hoped that when his lord regained her composure, she would eventually realize her mistake.

After all, except for matters related to Irene, he still believed that Lynn Brans had the qualities to become an excellent ruler.

So, after Farfalle somehow withdrew.

Alone in the royal palace…

Lynn stood up from her seat and threw the decorative sword that was beside her.

“…Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!”

Crash!

The thrown sword made a rough sound as it left a mark on the floor.

Only after throwing everything else she could get her hands on… did she gradually regain her composure.

Betrayal.

To be betrayed.

And of all people, by Irene Juliette.

By the woman she hated so much, wished dead…

And taking Swen, whom she had personally brought…!

‘Irene Juliette… I’ll never forgive you, never…!!!’

She bit her lower lip hard as she vented her anger.

Sensing a slight taste of blood, she suddenly began to laugh.

That laughter was so cold and sharp that it gave the impression of being stabbed by a pointed icicle.

“Haha…ha. Yes. Before your eyes, I’ll take back… what you hold most dear.”

Sitting back on the throne, Lynn thought with a snicker.

What reflected in her dead eyes was pure madness itself.

‘…Wait… Swen. I’ll make you open your clouded eyes, temporarily bewitched by a stupid woman like Irene…♥’

Seeing that she had no intention of changing her mind no matter who spoke-

Farfalle’s decision not to advise her was undoubtedly a wise choice in terms of self-preservation.