Chapter 233

The place Lady Serpina and I headed to was, as it happens, the location of that annex we’ve mentioned before.

“It’s been quite a while since we’ve come here together.”

Since the day she challenged me to a duel to test my abilities…

Until the day we shared our first drink together—Lady Serpina and I spent quite a lot of time in this very spot. Thinking back on it now, so much has happened.

“Please, make yourself comfortable. I shall bring out some drinks.”

There’s something I learned not too long ago. This annex, during the time when the Einhardt Grand Mansion stood tall—before it was incinerated into oblivion during the infamous ‘Crown Prince incident’—was used as a warehouse. Now, it remains as one of the few spaces untouched by destruction, still cared for by Lady Serpina herself, who occasionally tends to the surrounding gardens.

What must it feel like to spend your days alone in a place where your siblings once perished?

Suddenly, her abrupt confession comes to mind.

“I didn’t kill anyone… or so they say.”

I almost got lost in thought but snapped back to reality at the sound of Serpina’s voice.

“If only we had something to pair with this drink.”

In her hands were a bottle of wine and two glasses. Just looking at them, you could tell they were expensive. Of course, someone of Lady Serpina’s stature wouldn’t be drinking cheap swill, would she?

“Not at all! I actually enjoy drinking without any snacks.”

“Without snacks?”

“Ah… It’s a term we use to describe drinking alcohol without anything to munch on.”

She handed me a glass as she sat down, and just as I took it, her voice reached me again.

“I’ve never heard that word before.”

“In the place I came from, it was a term we used often.”

“The place you came from… do you mean your hometown?”

“Hometown, huh…”

Serpina skillfully uncorked the wine and filled my glass with a ruby-red hue. The sound of the cork popping echoed through the quiet room.

“I suppose it could be called my hometown.”

“Come to think of it, Swen, I’ve never asked where you’re from.”

I took the glass of wine she offered. Even holding it close, an indescribably luxurious aroma hit my nose. There’s a hint of sweetness—it must be Lady Serpina’s taste, right?

“Probably somewhere in the central region?”

Place of origin…

Though there was no need to be honest, for some reason, even though I hadn’t taken a sip yet, I felt tipsy and stubbornly didn’t want to lie to her.

“I’m from a bit further away.”

“A bit further?”

“Yes. Somewhere beyond the continent… far, far away.”

As absurd as that might sound, Serpina didn’t pry into my situation. Instead, she poured herself a glass and lightly gestured toward me with it. I tipped my glass in response.

“You’ve gone through a lot coming here, Swen.”

“What can I say? Humans are destined to endure hardships wherever they go.”

After saying that, I took a sip of the wine. As expected, it wasn’t just sweet-smelling; it tasted sweet for a red wine. Reflecting on it, the wine I drank last time when I was serving her also leaned toward the sweeter side. Lady Serpina clearly prefers sweet wines.

“There are different kinds of hardship. Staying by someone’s side every day is no easy task, is it? Especially since you know me—the worst witch on the continent, the tyrant.”

She smiled as she said this, and I didn’t bother correcting her. The cross of Einhardt she bears willingly, whether chosen or not, surely benefits from the mask of tyranny to support it.

So, in silence, we shared another toast. When one glass emptied, we refilled each other’s, taking sip after sip. Before I knew it, I could feel my face heating up, noticing hers had turned slightly red too.

“Swen.”

“What is it, my Lord?”

“I’d like to hear about your lord.”

“…Pardon? Are you referring to Lady Serpina?”

At my words, Serpina chuckled softly.

“Ho ho ho, Swen. Though you have flashes of brilliance, you’re surprisingly awkward when dodging questions.”

“…”

It’s true. There was no need for her to ask about herself. She wasn’t the type to satisfy her ego that way.

My lord… Lady Lunarien. Where should I start? After briefly pondering, I opened my lips.

“…A person of integrity.”

She looked directly into my eyes without answering. I easily understood that this was her way of listening attentively.

“She truly cares for her people. She knows how to make decisions when necessary… possessing an aura unlike anyone else. That’s the kind of person she is.”

Talking about Lady Lunarien made me realize something naturally. How difficult it is to describe her in detail. And how much time has passed since we parted ways. We spent a decent amount of time together, but it wasn’t long enough, especially given the harsh circumstances the Lunarien Army faced at the time.

Undoubtedly, there’s something unique about her that I’ve felt, something not present in other lords like Lin or Yuri—but honestly, most of my judgment about Lady Luna stems from Divinity 100 predictions accounting for over 90% of it.

[Will Lunarien Iniyan become the ruler to unify the continent?]

[Yes.]

These two lines of dialogue, thinking about it, pretty much encompass my image of Lady Luna.

Not that those are all there is. In fact, there’s something more important than that.

“And… she trusted me.”

“To trust?”

“Yes. No matter how absurd my stories were, she listened to them all. Without demanding any proof, she simply believed every word I said. Looking back now, that part stands out the most in my memory.”

“To trust… I see.”

After finishing her sentence, Serpina quietly stared at me for a moment before filling her glass again with a soft pop.

“…!”

And then, she gulped it down in one go.

“…Swen.”

“Yes?”

“One day… will you return to your lord?”

Serpina’s voice trembled slightly at the end. Her reddened face was no longer looking at my eyes but at the table. Unlike the charismatic ruler who always meets people’s gazes head-on, she looked more like a young girl.

“One day, when the time comes… will you go back to the lord who trusts you?”

“…”

The time had come, Lady Serpina. Lady Luna has already risen. She’s revealed herself. I intended to return, but…

I’m worried about you, Lady Serpina. Your eyes, the scent of yuzu, the way you sniffled toward me, the side profile as you paid respects at the graves, the way you sacrificed your life for Lady Iren—all these things weigh heavily on my mind. I couldn’t possibly leave you behind.

The sentences lingered on my tongue, unable to escape. I couldn’t say them. Not to her. I couldn’t burden her with any more responsibilities.

Serpina hesitated for a moment as if she was about to say something else but stopped. Then, after drinking more wine, she sighed softly and spoke.

“…You don’t have to answer, Swen.”

Still gazing at the table, Serpina slowly lifted her head to meet my eyes again. …Her golden irises shimmered.

“I’m just… envious. Envious that you can serve such a lord… so genuinely, so deeply. Truly, I envy that.”

Though I knew my words wouldn’t console her, I couldn’t help but speak up seeing her expression.

“But the one I currently serve is you, Lady Serpina.”

“Just because you were won over in a bet from Yuri, doesn’t it?”

“Even so, Lady Serpina means something special to me.”

“…Huh?”

…Am I a little drunk too? Words I should have kept hidden began spilling out like items leaking from a tightly sealed warehouse.

“Lin Brance and Baranga Yuri Aishias. They were people I served once. Each had their strengths and weaknesses. Lin was arrogant but undeniably capable, especially during his prime when he could rival our Serpina Army. Yuri maintained an unparalleled level of camaraderie with her comrades, which sometimes pulled me along too, but in this era, having friends who’ll never betray you no matter what is undoubtedly a great asset. But—”

“Setting all that aside, I’ve never given my heart to anyone. Honestly speaking, I never considered them my lords. To me, they were just people passing through, ones I’d eventually lose contact with. People I’d adequately serve and then turn my back on when the time came. That’s not too far off the mark.”

Why am I telling her all this now?

Is it because I saw her on the verge of tears, or am I really a little drunk?

“Lady Serpina is different.”

I confessed the truth bubbling up inside me.

“Lady Serpina… I truly believe she’s a ruler worthy of devotion.”

“Swen…”

I finally managed to stop myself from saying more. Any further would just be false hope I couldn’t fulfill. Though it wasn’t a lie… she was closer to the ideal of ‘ruler’ than any lord I’ve ever served under.

“…”

Serpina silently stared into my eyes.

Beautiful.

She’s a work of art. If judged solely by appearance, I’ve never seen a woman more beautiful than her.

For a while, we silently stared at each other—

“…Is that so?”

Finally, Serpina broke the long silence.

“That’s… enough.”

Instead of saying more, I slowly raised my glass of wine and offered it to her. She smiled and extended her glass, refilling it once more.

“For now, this is sufficient.”

And with that, she sipped the wine again.

…Of course.

I wish both this person and Lady Luna happiness. Can I make that happen?

Nothing is certain, but…

Right now, just sharing this moment of raising our glasses together feels good.