NOVEL WEB Chapter 278
Thump, thump.
My heart was pounding so violently it felt like it might leap out of my chest.
Never before had I been this tense. Not even during that time when I stood alone by the castle wall and summoned a meteor for everyone to see.
Serpina, as if she could read my mind entirely—she conveyed her feelings not as a monarch, but as a woman.
“I… don’t really know about these kinds of things.”
“I have no idea what actions women should take to appear alluring or how to approach someone to fully express my feelings… I’m talking about those sorts of things.”
“When I reached puberty, the empire was falling apart. It was absurd to think about learning proper etiquette for a princess or the attitudes women were supposed to adopt. So… I don’t really know how to deal with men.”
Then she took my hand and gently caressed it.
From the tips of her fingers to the knuckles, her pristine white hands ravaged mine.
“But… this feeling is real.”
“Swoen, this desire to be one with you—it’s clearer than anything else in my life.”
“So… I don’t know anything else. Men seem to like a woman’s body, right? If you just liked that part of me… it wouldn’t matter…”
Her fingers slipped between mine.
As we intertwined our hands, I noticed her looking up at me again.
Her usually pale face was now flushed crimson, as if it would burst any second.
Her eyes darted around nervously, unable to settle on a single spot.
Between her slightly parted lips came soft sighs.
“Swoen… if you want… yes, it’s fine.”
“To tell you honestly, it’s not that I don’t care who it is. It’s because it’s you, Swoen. I don’t need a man. I… need you, Swoen.”
“This isn’t an order from your ruler. I won’t ask you to take any responsibility. I won’t force you into anything. I’ll bear all the responsibility myself. So… please, can you… lend yourself to me… just for a little while?”
“Lord…”
It seemed she was far more sincere than I had imagined. This wasn’t some impulsive act.
What exactly was Serpina saying?
If I didn’t catch on, that’d be a lie, wouldn’t it?
She was asking for a night together.
Why would she suddenly make such a request? Was it due to some inhuman desire?
That could be possible, but the emotions in her golden eyes told me otherwise.
Loneliness.
Her golden gaze carried an overwhelming depth of loneliness.
I quietly questioned myself.
What do I truly want?
Though my body wasn’t particularly strong, I was still a young man. The essence of attraction towards women remained unchanged from my past life.
I had entertained inappropriate thoughts before—heck, just moments ago, I almost indulged in fantasies about Irian.
If I only considered her offer—”no responsibilities required, just spend time together”—it would be undeniably tempting.
Whether it was a plea or an order didn’t matter at that moment.
Serpina was more beautiful than any woman I had ever met.
Her striking feminine allure, the voice that brushed against my ears, and the scent of yuzu that tied it all together naturally.
I was confident very few men would turn down a night with a woman like her.
Exactly.
If I only thought about that.
But I couldn’t limit myself to just that perspective anymore.
“Serpina-sama…”
Slowly, I released her hand and placed both of mine on her shoulders.
Though it might’ve been disrespectful for a servant to touch their lord so freely—I believed approaching her as a man, rather than a servant, was the proper way to show respect.
Yeah.
Let me explain calmly.
Everything I’ve thought about.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can accept your request at this moment.”
“…”
Upon hearing my words, her expression immediately shifted to one of imminent tears.
Seeing her, a woman who usually hides her emotions so well, react so fiercely to my single sentence… honestly, it was kind of cute.
“Is it… because of my body? Am I unsuitable…? Are you saying someone like me—a tyrant—can’t pursue the happiness of an ordinary woman?”
“It’s not that.”
I gently wiped away the tear threatening to fall from her eye.
I wondered what had happened in my absence to make her feel so vulnerable—but that was something I could ponder later.
“If you weren’t important to me, Serpina-sama, I might have accepted your offer. You mentioned not knowing much about what men like… frankly, under the assumption that you’re unaware of your notorious reputation, there aren’t many men who dislike you. You’re incredibly beautiful, extremely feminine, and full of charm. From a man’s perspective, there’s no real reason to refuse such an offer.”
As I spoke, her eyes widened in real-time, resembling a cat’s.
“But I don’t want to spend a meaningless night with you, Serpina-sama. If we were to share such a moment… I would want to take responsibility—for you. That’s why I can’t accept your request right now.”
“What… does that mean…?”
“It means Serpina-sama is very important to me. Too important to treat lightly.”
“…!!”
Right.
When I thought about marriage, her face naturally came to mind as the third person.
It was Serpina-sama.
Somewhere along the line, I had unconsciously started associating the keyword “marriage” with Serpina-sama.
Unlike Irian, whose feelings I had confirmed, or Reika, with whom I had discussed engagement, she was different.
Because she was merely my ruler.
I had never felt this way about any ruler I had served before.
At first, I thought it was sympathy.
But even when Lady Luna rebelled, I couldn’t willingly return. My plans had unraveled.
The conclusion—”Serpina must remain on the throne for Lunarien to unify the continent”—had conveniently become a great excuse.
To keep my promise, staying by Serpina-sama’s side seemed like the right choice. She relied on me, so I could stay here until Lady Luna secured her position. With Jinoru there, my absence wouldn’t matter for now…
Thinking all these things desperately… wasn’t it just my subconscious trying to rationalize this situation?
“But… Swoen. Someday… will you…?”
“Yeah.”
Still, because this feeling is genuine.
I nodded slowly and said,
“There may come a day when I can’t be by your side. Even so… Serpina-sama has become important to me. Truly.”
“…”
“To be honest, I don’t know what to do right now. But I believe if I keep thinking, I’ll find a way—a way to take responsibility for you and fulfill my duties properly.”
“To take responsibility for me…?”
“Yes.”
Only when I can fully commit to her do I wish to claim her.
It might sound foolish, but it’s true.
A way to take responsibility for everyone and honor my promise to Lady Luna…
“So until then… can you wait just a little longer?”
Serpina silently stared into my eyes for a long moment.
“…Alright.”
With that, she nestled her head back into my arms.
Thinking about it, both Lady Irian and Serpina-sama seemed to enjoy hugging.
Gently, I stroked her golden hair.
Without hesitation, she entrusted everything to me.
Naturally, I thought:
There’s no way I can leave Serpina-sama behind. No matter what happens.
From the moment I contemplated marriage, this emotion wasn’t mere sympathy.
I couldn’t abandon her either—her, who is hated by everyone for sins she hasn’t committed.
――Even if it means not returning.
Lady Luna’s face flashed through my mind.
Lady Lunarien. The ruler I am duty-bound to serve.
Why must I choose between the two?
Isn’t there a way where I don’t have to?
“Let’s find a way.”
While my predictions always come true, actions can always lead to different outcomes.
If I can create a scenario where Serpina-sama and Lady Lunarien coexist…
If that’s how I can defy fate… then I’ll gladly do so.
Afterward, I spent quite some time holding Serpina-sama in my arms.
Though I missed the welcoming ceremony… being here with her like this was enough.
* * *
A few days passed after the welcoming ceremony.
Both Irian and Reika had gained unparalleled influence within the nation, unmatched by anyone else.
The plague that once loomed over Central Continent like a predator had finally quieted down. At least now, there was no need to sever travel due to fears of the epidemic.
Naturally, the blockade between the Northern and Central Continents eased somewhat. Though not as free as before, simple procedures now allowed people to move between Kelshtain Castle and the Northern Continent.
Things were gradually returning to normal.
The only difference? Our Army remained a formidable force, whereas most nations in Central Continent, except for Brance Army, had lost their strength.
So what remained?
Re-entry into Central Continent.
Once again, the timing for battle was steadily approaching.