episode_0265

* * *

After leaving the building where she was with Swen, Reika quickly ran to a place where there was no one.

Only after reaching a secluded spot outside the camp did she realize that she had unconsciously kissed Swen.

‘Ugh, ugh …

What on earth have I done… … ?

But, I moved without even realizing it.

Because Swen is so kind.

Because of the smell that came from him, something I had never felt before, something that told me that he was a ‘person of the opposite sex’ with a completely different sex from mine…

As if bees are drawn to flowers, so naturally… …they smack their lips together.

The moment our lips touched, he pushed his tongue in as if he was breathing.

Because it felt like his refreshing touch was still on the tip of my tongue.

Reika would hit the roof of her mouth with her tongue, tap her teeth, and brush them.

“~~~!!!”

With a red face, he finally comes to his senses.

I kissed you.

I kissed Swen.

That too, and not even a child, but a sudden impulse that he couldn’t overcome and he just pushed it in. Not someone else, but himself!

It was my first kiss.

I decided to have my first kiss with the man I’m going to marry!

Of course, it’s not like I hated the kiss itself or anything.

In the first place, it was impossible to do something you didn’t like… … unconsciously.

Just, what should I say? At that time… … I wanted to do something. I knew I would probably be told I was stupid… … but I wanted to repay Swen in some way.

I love the way he always tells me that it’ll be okay whenever I’m having a hard time and tells me with sparkling eyes that he’ll never abandon me.

Because he’s more handsome than any man I’ve ever seen in my life.

‘cadet…….’

But still, it shouldn’t have been like this.

A woman who tries to kiss him without his consent. And they aren’t even close. They say there was a marriage proposal, but it was literally just a ‘proposal’, and even that marriage proposal fell through when he became distant from his adoptive father, Jinor.

So, I know full well that if I keep going like this, I’ll just end up being a nuisance…

‘Why are you like that… … Idiot… … !’

Reika just sat there.

Thump, thump.

My heart was pounding faster than ever. I couldn’t stay still, as if something big had happened.

She quietly focused on the sound of her heartbeat, as if trying to meditate.

She felt the pounding sound of her heart beating hard against her chest… …and she recalled what had just happened.

Ever since I escaped to this place, my stomach has been churning like crazy.

The desires in her heart were much more honest than what Reika showed to others.

I want to… … one more time… … kiss Swen.

Not just a kiss, but something more… … I think it would be okay. Because you are kind, affectionate, and gentle… … .

Reika knew. When she was doing things for Airen, and when she was doing things for Serpina… … she didn’t show it to anyone, but she was clearly carrying so much on her own.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to explain the loneliness or desolation that I sometimes see in your expression when you’re alone.

Reika really thought so.

When Swen would sometimes make a serious expression, it was impossible to tell that she was actually thinking seriously about the ‘Lunarien Army’, so that was the best conclusion she could come up with.

She wanted to be on Swen’s side like that.

She may not be able to do anything great. Magic is, after all, just a weapon for war, and her activities will ultimately be for Serphina, not Swen.

But didn’t Swen say that? That I’m a worthy person even without using magic.

In that case, I thought, even if it wasn’t magic… … there must be many things I could do for him.

Baking delicious bread next to him. When he’s having a hard time, lending him your knees. When he’s worried, putting our heads together, when he’s crying, shedding tears with him…

After thinking about it that much, the conclusion came to me very naturally.

me.

I want to marry Swen…

I wanted to be Swen’s wife.

This was definitely different from the vague thought I had when I first met him, ‘Isn’t that okay?’

It wasn’t just okay… …now, I had come to the point where I didn’t want to get married to anyone else.

‘Swen… … .’

Although Reika’s actions were slow, she was quite quick-witted.

Especially since they were living together. Naturally, it was impossible not to feel the subtle tension between Swen and Irene.

But it was okay. Swen and Irene… they were all such wonderful people.

A second wife, no, a third or fourth wife would have been fine.

I was confident that I could treat Lady Irene as my older sister and get along well with the other wives without any feuds. The women that Lady Swen chose would surely be as wonderful as she was.

But still… …we are at war now.

In a situation where Irene is holding back, I can’t just confess my feelings without any tact.

Because I never wanted to do anything that would be a nuisance to anyone else, especially Swen.

‘Then why did you kiss me… … .’

After that, Reika remained with her head buried in her thoughts for a long time.

That appearance was closer to that of an ordinary girl in love, rather than the greatest wizard on the continent.

* * *

The capital of Serpina County, the royal castle of Eingart Castle.

It was Irene, who was still serving as an escort knight, who welcomed Serpina after she finished her work.

“Thank you for your hard work today, my lord.”

“Hmm. Irene. You’ve had a hard time too. I hope nothing special happened?”

“Yes. Sir Siegfried is patrolling outside, but I haven’t heard anything special from him either.”

“Is that so… … .”

Since there had been an assassination attempt, Irene had continued to serve as a bodyguard voluntarily.

It might not have been a very honorable position for the deputy commander of the occupying forces… … but he had no complaints, as he wanted to repay Serpina, who had saved his life, even if only a little.

Before Swen left, he had a favor to ask of me.

“What do you want to say?”

“This is advice from the bookkeeper. He said he relayed the lord’s order to withdraw the relief camp. ”

If it’s a bookseller, is it from Jenna?

It seemed like he reported that he had carried out the order he had spoken about yesterday.

Now that the plague has subsided, it’s probably time to stop operating the camp.

It was also a situation where I had completely won the public opinion war with the Ashes Army… … and more than anything, I wanted to see his face little by little.

“Yes. Everyone really worked hard. They worked hard in my name instead of me. When they return, I will have to give them a proper reward.”

“… … If it’s hardship, I think the lord has done it too.”

“… … ?”

For a moment, Serpina tilts her head slightly as she looks at Irene.

Irene bowed her head and spoke in a serious tone.

“There were ridiculous stories about spreading the plague using magic, right? It’s really painful to be the subject of gossip just because of a rumor. I’m glad the rumors have died down.”

Irene said that with a faint smile.

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

Back then, when she was in the Bran’s Army – Irene had been isolated and demoted to a lowly position like a gatekeeper guarding the safe capital city walls or managing the second barracks, despite her great achievements, due to malicious character assessments intentionally spread by Lin.

In terms of scale, she thought that Serpina, who was hated by the entire continent, would have a harder time than herself, who was limited to the Bran’s Army, but she also knew very well that it was not desirable to argue about who was having a harder time in this situation.

Serpina stared blankly at Irene for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said.

“But wasn’t it Irene – your former master – who started that rumor?”

“It was just a fleeting relationship. I never really thought of her as my real master.”

It might sound harsh, but that’s what Irene really thought.

In fact, I didn’t intend to draw the line like this. However, after Yuuri touched on something that should never have been touched – Swen, it was true that Irene also had a much more negative view of Army Aishus than Army Branth, who had looked down on her.

Irene hated touching Swen more than touching herself – that was her true feelings.

Did he read Irene’s inner thoughts?

Serpina looked at her face quietly-

“Irene.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“When the relief camp is over, he will come back too.”

He brought up a very provocative topic for small talk.

“… … Swen, are you talking?”

“Yeah.”

“… … .”

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

“Irene. I want to ask you something.”

“What are you talking about…?”

“Do you love Swen as a man?”

“Yes, old… … ?!”

Irene looked at Serpina with a surprised expression.

Serpina just smiled as if she found it amusing and remained relaxed.

“I mean, literally. I’m asking you if you love Swen.”

“Ah… … That, that… … .”

Irene was momentarily taken aback by the sudden question, but-

Actually, if you think about it a little, this isn’t really a problem to worry about.

“… … Yes.”

When I admit it so coolly, Serpina smiles brightly as if she finds it amusing.

“I see.”

As if nothing happened.

It’s as if we’re talking about the weather today, naturally.

“It’s the same even if it’s ”

“… … Yes?”

He stares clearly into the purple eyes of the dumb Irene and confesses his feelings.

“She also said that she was in love with Swen.”