Chapter 144

“Have you gotten a place to stay?”

“Yes. My lord was kind enough to offer me one. Miss Reika was truly delighted as well. She said that just having a kitchen where she can freely cook makes her happy.”

“Oh, that’s right. Reika-san bakes bread really well, doesn’t she?”

In the small garden within the Einhardt Castle grounds, on a bench…

I was enjoying a peaceful chat with Iren, just the two of us.

Apparently, she had been appointed as the deputy commander of the occupying forces.

Only after hearing this did I fully understand the conversation Serpina was having with one of her subordinate commanders earlier.

Being the deputy commander means not quite the commander, but still holding a fair amount of military authority—something that might not sit well with the existing members.

Especially since Iren has already gone through changing rulers twice now.

Considering I’ve changed rulers three times, we’re probably getting similar side-eye looks.

That’s why Serpina keeps speaking up to protect us.

‘Still, it’s good to see she’s taking it pretty well.’

Here, gossiping like this is probably worth less than chicken blood anyway.

After all, considering what Swoen endured in the Brance Army…

As we talked, my eyes naturally wandered to the neatly worn red knight’s uniform Iren had on.

The Einhardt family crest engraved on the silver steel breastplate covering her chest felt oddly familiar by now.

‘But… this is kinda surprising.’

I’d noticed that Iren wore compression bandages around her chest, but…

Considering her original bust size, this armor must feel pretty suffocating.

Though, given how well she seems to be doing overall, it might not bother her that much.

Or maybe she’s toughed it out through physical training?

By the way, there was that time when my lord’s—Serpina-sama’s—chest accidentally pressed against me.

It was definitely an overwhelming size for any woman, but because I’ve always been around Iren, who has such world-breaking proportions, it didn’t seem too extraordinary.

“Swoen…?”

“Yes?”

“Is something troubling you? I may have been thoughtlessly talking about myself without considering your feelings…”

Seeing her fumbling awkwardly, I understood.

She probably mistook my thoughts about her chest for some kind of worry.

There’s no way I can admit I was distracted thinking about Lady Iren’s massive chest while not focusing on our conversation.

“It’s nothing serious, so don’t worry about it.”

“That’s good… Still, if anything ever bothers you, please let me know. You can talk to me or even Miss Reika.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

With that, our casual chat wrapped up.

“Hmm… ahem.”

“What’s wrong?”

Her unnecessary cough gave away what she was thinking. It’s been a while since we’ve had moments like this, and even these little actions bring back a sense of normalcy.

“You seem to have something to say.”

“Eh?! No, it’s not—well…”

“Isn’t that right?”

Iren blushed, bowed her head, and remained silent for a long while before finally looking up at me with a resigned smile.

Her pink lips looked incredibly moist as she prepared to speak.

“Swoen… You truly seem to see right through me.”

“Well, we’ve spent so many years together, haven’t we?”

“I guess so… Anyway… umm…”

After hesitating for a long time, I waited patiently for her to speak.

Waiting for her safe return from the battlefield would be far worse than waiting for anything else.

“Swoen… Though things are still chaotic right now, I’m not suggesting we do anything immediately… But once the situation stabilizes a bit more…”

Finally, she looked straight into my eyes and spoke her heart.

“Would you… live with me?”

“Together?”

“No, I mean… Well, there are rooms! The side wing building is larger than expected, and there are plenty of empty rooms. There are also quite a few maids to help, but I’ve been feeling lonely… Of course, it’s not like I’m inviting you just because there are extra rooms—I…”

Watching her flail her hands nervously made me chuckle involuntarily.

“I’d be happy to. I’ll just inform them at the dormitory.”

“Really? …Thank goodness.”

Then, a curious thought arose.

“Why were you so nervous about this?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Tilting her head, a strand of her red hair fell over her shoulder. Her violet eyes gazing up at me were inexplicably cute.

“We’ve been together since we first met. In a way, this feels more normal, doesn’t it? Like we’re returning to how things originally were.”

“That’s true, Swoen… But…”

Iren hesitated again before carefully continuing.

“Until now… It was always due to circumstances. At first, you came to my house because Lin asked you to. Then, Yuri provided accommodation… I never officially asked you to live together.”

“This is the first time. The first time I’ve properly expressed my feelings to you.”

“…”

Hearing those words…

My head felt hot.

My body grew warm.

―She’s so lovable.

This person is so wonderfully lovable.

“So it was bound to be difficult. This is the first time.”

Iren smiled faintly.

“Holding a sword and risking my life on the battlefield is easier for me than telling you, Swoen, these simple words… Isn’t it foolish? Living a lifetime pining for someone who doesn’t even look at me… Interacting with people feels like the hardest thing in the world.”

“No.”

Not foolish at all.

“I don’t think that way.”

For even a moment, I’ve never thought Lady Iren was ridiculous.

“Lady Iren is an amazing person.”

Even in situations where most people would despair, she persevered without breaking down.

No one could mock or belittle her.

“I’m glad you told me this first.”

And…

Thank you for trusting me and following along when you realized Lord had abandoned you.

“Alright.”

“Huh? Does that mean…?”

“Yes. We’ll live together.”

“!!”

Her eyes sparkled upon hearing my response.

They shimmered like a starry night sky, full of galaxies.

I’ve never seen such clear eyes.

“I’m so relieved… Truly, I’m so relieved.”

“But… isn’t this natural?”

“However… Given the situation, I thought you might have only stayed with me out of obligation… Always, always.”

I could feel her voice becoming choked up.

Despite it seeming trivial from my perspective, it seemed she had suffered mentally quite a bit.

Iren, despite appearances, tends to cry easily.

Actually, whenever we lived together, she always apologized for possibly inconveniencing me.

Because of the gender difference and her being my superior officer.

Even when forced to bring a subordinate of the opposite sex into her home by royal decree, instead of getting angry or causing trouble for me, she kept apologizing repeatedly.

But…

“That’s not true.”

Without hesitation, I can say I’ve never found her bothersome.

I enjoyed watching her smile. I was pleased seeing her regain confidence.

On the contrary, these past few days felt hollow.

Enough to realize just how important she was to my life.

Wishing these feelings would reach her,

I quietly took her hand in mine.

She startled momentarily but—

—did not reject my touch.

“Actually, this place might not be our final destination. But wherever we are, I want to be with Lady Iren.”

“I feel the same…”

“Wherever we end up, please stay by my side. I’d be at a loss without Lady Iren around. Understood?”

“…Yes.”

Gripping her nodding hand tightly,

During the Brance Army days,

Even after making significant contributions to conquering Central Continent for the Brance Army and being demoted,

She continued striving tirelessly to gain recognition, fragile and precarious like she might break at any moment.

Now, standing before me,

is a woman who gazes at me steadfastly with unwavering determination.

* * *

On a night when everyone was asleep,

Serpina lay awake in her bedroom, not far from the Royal Palace, lost in thought over the test Swen had posed.

Her current attire—a negligee that slightly revealed her skin beneath.

A highly private outfit she wore only in places no one else could approach.

No one had ever seen her dressed this way.

The delicate lines of her negligee accentuated her nearly perfect feminine figure.

Currently, she was examining a map, analyzing the geopolitical situation.

If an alliance with our nation would benefit—

“The Brance Army.”

It would allow them to minimize their frontlines and defend against southern offensives without worry.

Eishias Army lacked the troops to launch a major offensive against Brance.

Still, she argued forming an alliance with Brance would be beneficial for us.

And claimed she was in a position to understand why.

“If it benefits Brance yet somehow also benefits us… Perhaps they don’t see it that way internally…”

Serpina considered how Brance Army would perceive this situation.

Strategically advantageous aside, if she were part of Brance Army?

If she were Lin Brance or one of his subordinates?

“!!”

Serpina stood up, seemingly realizing something.

“Could it be…?”

“Isn’t there something you’d inevitably feel if you were in that position?”

“Serpina-sama. I trust you’ll soon understand the reason.”

‘I see now, Swen…!’

Having reached a plausible conclusion, it was time to put it into action.

“If… If everything goes according to my plan, then…”

Serpina’s face flushed red as she chuckled.

An entirely new emotion, one she’d never experienced before, filled her heart.