Chapter 192

A few days later.

Her eyes fluttered open as the sunlight playfully tickled her cheeks.

“…Mmm…”

She gently rose from her spot and stretched. A pristine white negligee barely concealed her incredibly feminine curves.

First things first: a bath.

After filling the tub with warm water, she used the waiting time to tidy up the bedding while seated. Such menial tasks felt strangely awkward for one who was a ruler of a nation. Serpina wasn’t even a feudal lord but hailed from the royal family of the former empire. Naturally, there should’ve been two or three maids to help her with such trivial chores, yet she preferred doing it herself. This entire process was a kind of ritual—a way to leave behind the identity of “Serpina” before stepping into her role as the heir of the Einhardt family.

Besides, this bedroom was sacred ground.

No one besides Serpina could enter freely. It was an intensely personal space where she could finally breathe easy.

Thus, leaning on just a towel, Serpina slipped into the wooden bathtub. The sound of water overflowing accompanied a soft exhale from her pink lips.

Perhaps due to her unusually large bosom, the water took quite some time to settle before an eerie silence enveloped the room.

‘…’

As the warmth of the water caressed her skin, the face of a certain man naturally came to mind.

The person who had intruded upon this forbidden sanctuary not once, but twice.

“Swoen…”

Blushing, Serpina submerged her mouth underwater. The bubbling sounds seemed to mirror the growing complexity in her thoughts.

Every time she thought about him, her heart raced.

Every time she thought about him, her stomach tingled.

He was the first person to enter her private chambers.

The first person to accompany her in paying respects at her brothers’ graves.

He said he would protect her.

He said he believed in her words.

And… he shared a secret with her that even Iren didn’t know.

At first, all she felt was curiosity. A mysterious young man kept appearing in her dreams. She wondered what kind of person could drop stones and corner their own army so effectively. She wanted to meet him.

Next came greed—specifically, greed for talent. Jena wasn’t an incompetent commander, but Swoen possessed an overwhelming insight that was unmatched within the Serpina Army. His bold move of proposing a wager to her, despite being the ruler of an enemy nation, suggested someone with no physical strength but immense courage. Instinctively, Serpina knew Swoen would be a crucial puzzle piece in her path to unification.

And now, the emotion she felt was… desire.

Not greed, but desire. An uncontrollable urge as a woman towards the opposite sex—an urge even Absolute Ruler Serpina couldn’t resist. Curiosity, greed, and desire mingled together, creating a complex cocktail of emotions that overwhelmed her.

Confused by these unprecedented feelings, a sudden thought crossed her mind.

He claimed to have the ability called “Mind’s Eye.”

Since everything he predicted so far turned out to be true, it was highly likely his claim was genuine.

But…

Was he really using that power for her?

“I’ve heard… his track record when moving from Brance Army to Aishias Army—and even until he became a commander in Brance—is suspicious.”

Apparently, before joining Brance Army, Swoen was a lone strategist in a small fortified castle, surrendering to Lin after being abandoned by his ruler.

Back then, she only vaguely thought, “It’s strange because someone with such remarkable insight wouldn’t easily get betrayed by a minor ruler.”

But now, considering the existence of “Mind’s Eye,” things seemed much more complicated.

Could someone with such abilities truly be discarded so easily by their ruler?

Or maybe there were things even he couldn’t foresee, like whether he’d be abandoned or not? After all, he failed to predict many things.

Still… Serpina’s instincts told her Swoen wasn’t acting so carelessly.

“Perhaps he…”

—has a much more intricate relationship with his rulers than expected.

This hypothesis was based on numerous suggestions from soldiers under Brance Army.

A ruler who suddenly fled with all the money, supplies, and troops.

The ease with which a strategist known for manipulating Lin fell into her hands.

These oddities had already circulated among Brance Army, though they eventually faded away.

Reflecting on Swoen’s history of switching allegiances, one conclusion became clear:

His heart belonged to someone else—not her.

“I believe in you, my Lord… Lady Serpina.”

That statement carried an unusually sincere weight.

But was he truly referring to her as his Lord?

Why did he add “Lady Serpina” at the end?

Of course, interpreting it as “I believe in Lord Serpina” still made sense.

Until now…

Whenever she declared she wouldn’t care who held his heart and would speak earnestly regardless,

Swoen never denied her words.

Who could it be?

Who is the “Lord” Swoen holds dear in his heart?

Would Iren, who has worked alongside him since Brance Army days, know the answer?

Yet, it wasn’t something she could casually ask. She didn’t want to burden Iren unnecessarily—not just because she was an excellent general, but also because she feared alienating Swoen by provoking her.

Certainly…

She had resolved to wait patiently until he opened up.

Even if it took months or years, she vowed to win his heart.

But now, with the unsettling feeling that those warm gray eyes gazing at her might vanish someday, her body began to heat up.

“…Haa.”

After soaking for quite a while, Serpina slowly emerged from the bathtub, finishing her bath.

She dressed herself, wrapping her entire body in a scent reminiscent of her favorite childhood place.

The fragrance of yuzu was her armor. By donning it, she transformed from the gentle youngest princess of the imperial family into the golden-eyed absolute ruler, Serpina von Einhardt.

With the final touch of a distinctive hairpin, she was ready to step out.

“Welcome back, my Lord.”

Exiting her room and heading toward the royal palace, she gave a light nod to those greeting her as she made her way to the throne.

Upon arriving, her first task was receiving updates on recent affairs.

“No signs of rebellion… hmm.”

While reading a lengthy report sent by Jena, soldiers occasionally approached to update her on various matters.

Thinking she’d spend the day this way without issuing new orders,

she received unexpected news.

“My Lord, a letter has arrived from General Irian.”

Irian was currently patrolling near Kelshtain following Swoen’s advice.

Serpina accepted the letter handed to her by the soldier.

* * *

Rewinding time slightly, at Roze Castle.

“Did the Lord personally select me?”

“That’s correct.”

Irian, who had been overseeing the troops stationed at Roze Castle in Iren’s absence, tilted his head curiously.

“Isn’t there another capable general who could handle reconnaissance?”

“That may be so, but this is the Lord’s wish…”

“Not that I question the Lord’s decision. I’m merely curious why I was specifically chosen.”

Perplexed by Irian’s musings, the adjutant delivering the message hesitantly responded.

“Well, it seems… the man’s will.”

“The man?”

“A certain Swoen, I believe. Lately, he spends quite a bit of time with the Lord, offering various pieces of advice. Rumors suggest that the puzzling orders lately are all connected to him. Of course, these are just rumors…”

Upon hearing this, Irian frowned uncomfortably.

“You surprise me. I didn’t know you had the audacity to spread baseless gossip about others right in front of me.”

“No, that’s not what I meant!”

“If I forgive you this time, take greater care with your words going forward.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Understood. Now, go fetch General Veniel.”

“Understood.”

After dismissing the adjutant, Irian fell into deep thought.

“I don’t trust malicious rumors, but even if they’re true, Swoen surely deserves trust. There must be a reason for choosing me for this mission.”

Irian was well aware of the whispers circulating between Swoen and their Lord, Serpina.

However, ever since the incident involving Zenis, his allegiance leaned toward Swoen.

What possible motive could there be for defaming a man who might become his brother-in-law if the timing aligned?

“I’ll leave this place to Veniel and prepare to depart immediately.”

Regardless of whose suggestion it was, it didn’t matter.

If given an order, he followed it—that was how Irian lived.

* * *

Back at Einhardt Castle.

Upon receiving Irian’s letter, Serpina trembled slightly in disbelief.

“…”

“He said sending Irian would be the most efficient method.”

Once again, Serpina witnessed the accuracy of that man’s words firsthand.