Chapter 171

“Excuse me for my rudeness these past times.”

“Nonsense. Please come in.”

After exchanging final farewells with the guard at the entrance of the familiar accommodation, I headed toward my new place of residence.

For some reason, my footsteps felt unusually light today.

Was it because I only brought minimal luggage, or was it the excitement of heading to a new place that made it feel this way?

How far had I walked along the well-decorated streets of the capital city, Einhardt, bustling with people?

When the area became slightly less crowded, a rather impressive manor came into view beyond.

“Wow…”

The iron fence in front of the grand building reminded me of the old Nacht Hart family estate.

No, it was far better than that. It surpassed even the noble style of Falahart from the eastern continent, which couldn’t compare to the sophistication of the imperial capital, Einhardt.

Approaching the gate, a guard noticed me and spoke up.

“What brings you here?”

Before I could answer, another guard nearby interrupted.

“Fool, that’s Sir Swoen. The young gentleman with white hair.”

“Ah…!”

As soon as he finished speaking, both guards bowed respectfully to me.

“Our apologies, Sir Swoen. Please enter.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

After exchanging pleasantries lightly, I entered the building.

Passing through the neatly landscaped garden and walking further inside, I encountered a young woman dressed impeccably.

Her tidy updo, modest attire, and pristine apron skirt left no doubt she was a maid. She immediately greeted me with a deep bow.

“Welcome. Are you Sir Swoen?”

“Yes.”

“Welcome. Our master awaits you inside. Please come in.”

She opened the door after saying this.

It was the most honorific treatment I’d ever received—almost ceremonial. Though slightly awkward, since this wasn’t somewhere I shouldn’t be, I didn’t shrink back unnecessarily.

“Welcome.”

“Sir Swoen, welcome.”

“The master has spoken much about you. I will serve you faithfully going forward.”

As soon as I entered the building, maids from all over began greeting me.

At first, it was a bit embarrassing, but eventually, I grew accustomed as I walked down the expansive mansion’s corridors.

‘The master…’

Had she risen to such a position where she was addressed this way?

Feeling inexplicably happy for her, I finally stepped into the reception room where ‘the master’ awaited.

And—

“Swen!”

“Swen, over here!”

The red-haired knight, deputy commander of Serpina Army’s occupying forces, and the mistress of this mansion, Miss Iren, along with Reika sitting beside her, welcomed me.

“Hello.”

“It seems the procedures ended earlier than expected. Your early arrival caught us off-guard before we could prepare…”

“Not at all. I’ve already received an overwhelming welcome from so many people—it feels like countless handshakes or something.”

“Countless handshakes…?”

Reika tilted her head in confusion at my words, prompting an involuntary smile from me as I replied.

“Something like that exists.”

“I see…? Well, if you say so, Sir Swen…”

“Have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Then let’s fill your stomach first. You must have been tired from the long journey.”

“It wasn’t that long of a trip, really.”

“It makes me feel better. Swen, since I find it inconvenient not to take care of things for you…”

“I understand. Thank you.”

Only after hearing my response did Iren smile faintly.

Unlike Serpina, who had recently worn a precarious smile, Iren’s smile radiated unwavering strength, as if she could overcome anything.

From being abandoned by her lord like a hunting dog to now being called “master” by maids—this transformation seemed almost novel-worthy.

Starting today, I would begin cohabitating with them in the grand mansion bestowed upon Iren by Serpina.

Though technically just returning to normalcy, our lives together had always intertwined since meeting Iren.

Even during my time with Brance Army and Aishias Army, she had shared my days and nights. Only upon coming here did I realize how natural it had become.

“The master, dinner is ready.”

“Hmm. Let’s go then.”

I followed Iren to the dining hall.

It had been quite a while since I enjoyed a lavish spread on a massive table.

Though limited by the era, using quality ingredients still produced delicious meals. Naturally, the table of a general holding a prominent position in the powerful Serpina Army would feature only the finest.

‘This expensive meat is excellent.’

“It’s so delicious… hmm.”

Seeing Reika cry tears of joy while eating suggested the meal surpassed what was provided at the Nacht Hart household.

After finishing the meal,

A maid approached hesitantly with tea, but Iren raised her hand to stop her.

“Could you leave this to me?”

“But…”

“It’s fine, please.”

“Well… Excuse me then.”

The young-looking maid, unsure of what to do, deeply bowed before retreating.

Iren skillfully brewed tea using the set the maid had brought.

In front of tea utensils, she was more adept than any average maid.

“Here, please take it.”

Taking the tea she offered, warmth spread deep within my chest—not just from the heat or aroma, but because…

Yes, precisely speaking, it finally felt like I had returned home.

My time with Jenis wasn’t bad, but when returning to my lodging, it always felt more like arriving at a temporary resting place than coming home.

‘Home should have Iren’s tea.’

Savoring this familiar taste after so long, it gently refreshed my throat.

“Hey? Isn’t this that one? The black tea with a smoky scent.”

“You remember, Swen.”

“Of course. Naturally, I remember. We drank plenty of this at Anel Castle.”

“Hehehe.”

“Wow… This smells deeper than last time you brewed it?”

Reika clearly enjoyed the tea leaves too, her face slightly flushed as she blew gently to cool the hot liquid, sipping it with delight.

“Swen.”

“Yes, my lady?”

With a slightly blushed face, Iren spoke earnestly.

“While serving you tea… it finally feels like I’ve come home.”

“Same here.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Hearing my reply, she lit up with a star-like smile.

“…I’m glad.”

In a calm voice, restraining her emotions, Iren slowly continued.

“I… Swen, being able to drink tea with you again… I’m so happy.”

Despite usually maintaining formal etiquette, she sometimes showed a girlish side in front of me—a side impossibly cute to describe.

“Do you… perhaps remember what you told me?”

“What exactly do you mean?”

“At that moment… In the fortress located north of Kelshtain Castle, the words you said to me.”

“Ahh.”

Embarrassing now upon reflection, but it still needed to be mentioned.

“When there was an ember left, you asked me to boil water for tea.”

“Yep.”

Iren smiled brightly upon hearing those words.

Back then, she was—like a fragile candle flame in a typhoon, likely to be extinguished by the slightest rough wind.

Having endured harsh persecution from Lin, unrecognized despite her achievements, and exiled to the brink, it’s understandable.

That once breakable her now wears such a lovely woman’s smile—what a magnificent transformation!

Why?

During that moment, which felt incredibly blissful to me…

The unstable figure of the golden-haired female monarch crossed my mind.

――Will Lady Serpina ever smile like that someday?

“…No.”

Now wasn’t the time for such thoughts.

“Because we promised. To boil water for tea… So, I’m glad we can… do this again now.”

Apparently, living apart was quite lonely for Iren too.

Realizing this made me happy. I wasn’t alone in my loneliness.

Understanding that we shared similar feelings resonated deeply with me.

“I’m glad too.”

“…Yeah.”

“…”

Turning my head, noticing Reika’s beet-red face floundering slightly was somewhat concerning… But what could be done?

Since Lady Iren was sincere, so was I.

“Thank you for waiting. Sorry for being late, Lady Iren.”

“…No. Swen. Welcome back. I’ve waited.”

Among our memories of drinking tea together at Anel Castle, the northern fortress, and Falahart Castle—

An unforgettable moment in Einhardt Castle was added.

* * *

And.

“Woow…”

There was a girl who couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of those two.

Reika awkwardly observed their interactions.

“Seriously… These two seem to really like each other a lot…”

Can I get along well between them?

Ideally, I wanted to.

Lady Iren was truly admirable—strong yet kind. As a fellow woman, there were many aspects worth observing and learning from.

Sharing the same husband meant becoming family. Reika seriously thought that if she could choose someone to spend her life with alongside the same man, she would pick someone like Iren.

―However.

Reika’s heart began to flutter in a different direction.

It wasn’t always like this before.

Was it because Master Swen seemed cooler after reuniting after so long?

Or maybe due to the thrill of working together as partners using magic to solve an incident a few days ago?

Reika felt a tinge of loneliness.

If only I could share such glances with Master Swen…

“…Is the marriage proposal still valid?”

Didn’t Master Swen tell me to think about it a little more?

That means—it wasn’t necessarily a rejection, right?

But… What if his thoughts changed in the meantime?

After all, Master Swen never looked at me with such affectionate eyes.

Reika liked Iren. And Swen… started catching her attention too.

Whether swept away by the atmosphere or simply feeling lonely, she couldn’t pinpoint it accurately—but…

She envied Iren.

She wondered what it would be like if she were in Iren’s place.

The tiny emotion Reika felt toward Iren now—

An inevitable human sentiment, though never experienced before—

―Jealousy.

Reika was feeling jealousy toward the admired Iren.

“…I need to express my feelings a little more…”

Between the two who exchanged gazes filled with years of shared experiences—

One woman began to gradually recognize her own emotions.