Chapter 165

“……Huh?”

I couldn’t help but ask again, wondering if I’d heard wrong.

But she simply repeated her words to me without changing her expression.

“This night, remain by my side. That is my command to you, Swoen.”

Serpina said this then let out a soft chuckle as she slowly emptied her glass.

So… she wants me to stay with her tonight?

“Are you asking for my protection?”

“If it’s a joke you worked hard on, sorry, but it’s not very funny.”

“No… It’s not a joke…”

Of course, I had no intention of making a joke like that.

And I didn’t really believe she was actually asking for my protection.

‘Could it be…’

Serpina stared at me intently then smiled as if amused.

“If I were to ask you to attend to me tonight, would you be angry?”

“I wouldn’t dare get angry with you, my Lord.”

“Hmph hah hah. Swoen… Despite your words, you look quite troubled. Seems I’m not very appealing to you?”

“…It’s not that.”

“I want an answer to my question.”

With a sigh, I decided to play along.

“My Lord is a very charming person. I believe others would agree, and certainly I do as well.”

“Then why do you look so flustered?”

It wasn’t that I disliked her, but getting too involved was dangerous.

Especially in this situation where she was drunk – touching one’s lord in such a state could be disastrous.

I had no clan backing me, no power supporting me from behind. If things went wrong, I could easily be eliminated.

Even if things went well, problems would arise. Serpina couldn’t unify the continent; her fate was to eventually fall to Lunarien. When that time came and I had to leave her, having developed a deeper relationship would only create complications.

In short, there was no need to throw myself into a minefield over fleeting attraction.

Though the yuzu-scent lingering in the air all day had shaken me more strongly than ever…

Now was the time to endure.

“…My Lord, you’ve had quite a bit to drink.”

“Are you avoiding something? I’m being very serious here.”

“I’m not avoiding anything. If you truly mean what you say, wouldn’t it be better to have this conversation when we’re both clear-headed?”

Upon hearing my words, Serpina’s pupils slightly dilated.

Good. Let’s use this slight weakness to gently deflect…

“Thus, while attending to you overnight isn’t possible, I can keep you company for a while. Since I have nothing else to do anyway.”

“You’re more straightforward than I thought. Or perhaps someone else already holds a place in your heart?”

“…”

“Though I have more to say, I’ll stop here. I don’t want to incur your dislike. Didn’t I say I wanted to make you mine? I’ll work hard to win your favor.”

She chuckled then drained her glass again.

Following her lead, I took a sip of wine.

The pleasant grape aroma mixed with the bittersweet taste flowed smoothly down my throat.

Afterward, we exchanged glances in silence.

I refrained from speaking, sensing this was a moment to listen rather than talk.

A few minutes passed before Serpina finally spoke.

“Swoen… I’m… very lonely.”

Her eyes turned toward the empty wine glass.

Like a penitent in a confessional booth, she murmured in a somewhat sorrowful tone.

“Driven by the mission to rebuild the fallen empire, I kept running without rest. Even without anyone by my side, it was fine. A ruler must overcome loneliness, after all. Whether I wished for it or not, I was born with Einhardt’s blood, believing these were things I naturally had to bear. And I climbed to this position thinking so.”

I slowly refilled her empty glass.

Without a word, she accepted and drank. The whole process flowed as naturally as water.

“With one of the vows I made to become a ruler rebuilding the empire being that I would always trust those who stood by me. Aren’t they people working solely for me in this chaotic era? But… already so many times, so many people have left me. Always cursing me in their final moments. From the same lips that once talked about the future… it didn’t take long for blades to be drawn against me. It’s quite the ridiculous sight, isn’t it?”

“Lord…”

“Yesterday, all the rebels were executed. I can’t forget the hate-filled gazes of those who repeatedly swore loyalty to me. I… am tormented. I feel like all this is my fault, that I failed to prevent something that should have been preventable because of my foolishness.”

Serpina emptied her glass again.

Had she witnessed the betrayal of generals countless times?

What must it feel like to realize those who swore undying loyalty were secretly sharpening their swords against you?

Especially when it kept happening every few months.

An ordinary person’s mental state would have shattered long ago. I doubt I could have remained sane myself.

By the time she reached this point, it seemed the thing she relied on wasn’t people but alcohol…

And somehow, my heart slightly leaned toward her.

“I’ve lost count how many times now. Continuing Sidemid’s will, carrying on Algord’s spirit… Every time I feel the ghosts of my deceased brothers haunting around me for years… Do you understand why I question whether I’m doing the right thing? Whether this seat I sit in now is one I truly deserve?”

Serpina’s golden eyes looked incredibly melancholy as she spoke.

She who always exuded an untouchable charisma…

At this moment, she appeared unusually fragile.

Like Lady Iren from the days when she repeatedly recalled the Brance Army’s loyalty…

Back then, Lady Iren gave off a precarious feeling like she might break at any moment, and the same applied to Lady Serpina now.

“Swoen, tell me. How much more blood must I consume? How many more allies, former comrades… must I send away with my own hands, directly, just because I sit in this position given to me?”

“…”

I tried entering her question into the system, but as expected, all I got was “Unknown.”

If only I could give her some meaningful words here…

“Yes. I know. I shouldn’t be weak over such matters. I’m fully aware sitting in this forbidden seat comes with responsibilities. Because I inherited Einhardt’s will… Because I carry the mission to unify this continent…”

Serpina finished with a rather bitter smile on her lips.

What should I say to her?

I mentally prepared a model answer.

“Lord, you must strengthen your resolve. If you waver, they will only grow more emboldened and national discipline will collapse… This should suffice.”

Yes.

Once I found what could pass as a model answer, I just needed to repeat it verbatim.

“…Lord.”

“Speak.”

“I won’t tell you to strengthen your resolve. You’ve likely heard enough of that from others, and you understand it best yourself.”

Looking into her melancholic eyes…

I couldn’t bring myself to deliver a calculated response.

“It’s a chaotic era. Still, there’s no one who grows accustomed to taking lives. I believe it’s necessary to occasionally pause and regain strength. So…”

“For today, perhaps letting yourself feel vulnerable isn’t such a bad idea.”

“…”

I looked around then retrieved another empty glass from the cabinet, filling it with wine.

“You mentioned you shouldn’t be weak over such matters, but ordering the deaths of dozens of people, especially former allies, isn’t something to be taken lightly. Discovering those you trusted aimed blades at you isn’t something trivial either. I understand the weight of it. Whether a ruler of a nation or an ordinary person, few easily take others’ lives.”

“Swoen…”

Was it simple sympathy?

Or an attempt to win her favor?

Or… What exactly were the feelings I experienced now?

One fact was certain: I wanted to be a source of strength for her right now.

Above everything else, this desire shone clearly.

Serpina stared at me silently for a long time with her flushed face before slowly opening her lips.

“Swoen. Can you not stay with me?”

“As I’ve said, I serve you under the Serpina army. Is that insufficient?”

“…Will you not leave my side?”

“That goes without saying-”

If only I could have easily responded with that phrase, how convenient it would have been.

However, those words refused to emerge from my throat.

I simply couldn’t lie to this crumbling Serpina before me now.

“Swoen. You may think whatever you wish… My life has been a continuous series of days where no one can be trusted. Commanders called me a witch and went mad trying to kill me, advisors plotted assassinations behind my back. They always pleaded for my trust, and I believed them. Of course, I granted all their requests… But the result was always the same. Everyone left my side.”

“But you were different. You never forced me to trust you. Instead, you showed results. Without demanding anything in return from me, you subtly yet effectively demonstrated your contributions… Not only did you catch signs of rebellion twice, but you even saved my life before I knew it.”

Naturally, I couldn’t force trust upon anyone.

The reason was simple: I didn’t know the basis for trust myself.

Apparently, to Serpina, what I considered normal behavior was rather special.

“It’s simply my duty.”

“Yes. I expected you to say that. If only you asked for something, I might have been able to hold onto you…”

She said this then gave a bitter laugh, shaking her head shortly after.

“No. I still have time. Time to persuade you.”

“Time?”

“To convince you, Swoen.”

She smiled again after saying this.

Strangely, it felt like the innocent smile of a child.

“It’s embarrassing to say this, but even looking like this, I’m quite a decent woman. If I can somehow win your affection, wouldn’t you stay even if I told you to leave? Hmph hah hah.”

Serpina said this then raised her glass toward me.

I quickly realized she was suggesting a toast.

The refreshing sound of clinking glass filled the quiet room.

“I mentioned earlier, spending today together is fine, right? I’d appreciate it if you’d honor that, Swoen.”

“Understood.”

And so, I spent the night with her.

Honestly, I could have refused if I wanted to.

Given she wasn’t forcing the issue, she probably would have let me go if I asked…

But I simply wanted to stand by her side as she was swaying like this.

The reason…

‘You said you sat in a position merely given to you…’

That sentence flowed from her lips so casually.

Perhaps in reaching that position, there were things unknown to me…

No, things unknown to anyone…

Anyway.

Deciding to guard her side was entirely my judgment.

That my heart, which only held Lady Luna until now, had slightly wavered…

Was something I couldn’t deny.