A few hours ago.
“Huhk, huhk, huhk… wheeze…”
Reika woke up from her slumber, wiping the cold sweat off her forehead. Gradually regaining consciousness, she confirmed her surroundings and realized she was in her own room.
“A dream…?”
It was a horrifying nightmare. Not one where she herself appeared, but rather one featuring Swoen. In it, he was walking straight into a fiery pit with his own two feet—a bizarre and surreal scene.
No matter how hard she tried to call out to him, her voice wouldn’t reach him. When she attempted to follow, there was an insurmountable distance between them, leaving her flailing helplessly—until she finally snapped back to reality, realizing it had all been a dream.
“Why am I having such dreams…?”
She rarely dreamed, let alone nightmares this terrifying. Naturally, unease began bubbling up inside the mind of the twenty-year-old maiden.
“Could something be happening…?”
Upon reflection, she hadn’t seen his face for several days now. A growing sense of foreboding gnawed at her thoughts, complicating matters further.
While nervously biting her nails, she remembered that today was the day her father was home. Perhaps if she asked him, he might provide some answers.
After quickly changing clothes, she headed straight to the study and inquired about the situation from her father.
“Swoen, you say?”
“Yes. I’m curious when he’ll visit next…”
“What’s wrong? Didn’t we agree that magic training could wait for a while?”
Though Reika’s progress in magic was rapid, recent events led to the decision that staying indoors would be better for now. Even without him, she could manage meditation on her own.
“Well…”
Zinoru looked oddly at Reika, who hesitated to speak.
“Do you miss him?”
“…Eh?”
“Let me rephrase: Do you want to see him?”
Hearing this, Reika’s face turned unmistakably red. She couldn’t hide her surprise; after all, her adoptive father wasn’t usually one to ask such personal questions—even though he generally treated her well. This was their first time discussing something so human, leaving her stammering as she struggled to articulate her thoughts.
“N-no! It’s not like that… it’s just… because I had a strange dream…”
“A dream, huh?”
Reika explained her nightmare to Zinoru. Reflecting on it, talking about dreams with her father seemed unprecedented.
“Hmm… so that’s what happened.”
“How has Sir Swoen been recently? Is he involved in any special missions? If there’s anything I can do to help, I’d like to assist. Of course… with your permission, Father.”
“…”
Lost in thought, Zinoru slowly nodded and muttered under his breath.
“Indeed, today is the day.”
Today was the day he was heading to Hisfil Castle, where Serpina currently resided, for negotiations. While Reika’s dream wasn’t particularly significant to Zinoru, given that she wasn’t someone known for fortune-telling or divination—and even though humans often attribute mysticism to dreams, Zinoru himself didn’t place much stock in them either.
Considering Swoen’s example, Zinoru knew methods existed to use magic to glimpse the future, but he saw no evidence that Reika possessed such abilities.
Having roughly sorted through his thoughts, Zinoru then asked Reika directly.
“So, if you’re worried, I can take you to him.”
“Really?! Are you serious?!”
Reika’s eyes widened in astonishment. Such an easy approval for an outing was unexpected.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“It’s just… I wondered if going outside would be alright…”
“Interesting. Once you’re married, you’ll follow your husband’s wishes, not mine.”
“Wha…?”
Startled by the sudden word, Reika questioned him, but Zinoru remained calm.
“Why? Surely you don’t care about someone you don’t have feelings for, right?”
“Ahhh…”
Once again, she bowed her head, her ears turning red as she fumbled awkwardly to respond.
“Well… uh… it’s just…”
Reika pondered. Did she truly harbor feelings for Sir Swoen? Was that why she felt so concerned?
For someone inexperienced with romantic emotions, recognizing feelings for a man wasn’t an easy task.
Meanwhile, Zinoru assessed the situation from his perspective, calculating the pros and cons. Building ties with Swoen wouldn’t hurt, especially if Reika also reciprocated those feelings. However, certain confirmations were still necessary.
“Reika.”
“Y-yes!”
“Swoen plans to travel to the territory of the Serpina Army today.”
“The Serpina Army…?”
“Exactly. He’s going as an envoy, accompanied by guards, for negotiations. Therefore, I must ask you something seriously.”
“Y-yes! If I can answer…”
Looking directly at Reika, Zinoru continued.
“While your dream may be unrelated, traveling to the Serpina-controlled region isn’t without risks. If you’re genuinely worried, Reika, you could protect him by standing by his side.”
“Me…?”
“That’s right. You’ve grown strong enough. After what happened at Hisfil Castle, hiding your abilities indefinitely isn’t feasible anymore. But remember…”
Zinoru’s words carried weight.
“You might have to risk your life. While unlikely, the opponent is Serpina.”
“Ah…”
Seeing Reika hesitate, Zinoru felt a sudden unease. Come to think of it, when did dealing with the Serpina Army become so perilous?
Serpina von Einhardt. As a close confidant of the emperor, Zinoru recalled her younger self—a bright and intelligent young woman—but never imagined she’d become a bloodthirsty tyrant. The fact that he himself now considered the mission potentially life-threatening was unsettling.
Regardless, that wasn’t the immediate concern. After organizing his thoughts, Zinoru asked Reika earnestly.
“Still, do you wish to accompany him?”
Reika paused to reflect. If it were merely routine diplomatic work, perhaps worrying unnecessarily wouldn’t be wise—but after having such a dream, she feared wasting the day consumed by anxiety. Moreover, should anything happen to Swoen, she’d blame herself for doing nothing.
He was the first person to grant her a small measure of freedom, teaching her that life held meaning beyond magic. With these thoughts, deciding what to say became less difficult.
“…Yes. If I can be of help, I’d like to go with him.”
“Is that so.”
Zinoru nodded approvingly.
“Return to your room and prepare for the trip. I’ll send servants to assist you. Just follow their instructions.”
“Understood! Thank you very much!”
“Is that how it happened?”
“Ah, yes… So… since I came to the royal palace to serve as a guard, and the person I met last time showed up…”
Thus, this peculiar duo formed.
At that moment, Iren approached me and asked.
“Swoen.”
“Yes?”
“Though ordered by the strategist, bringing along what appears to be an ordinary young lady seems risky, doesn’t it?”
“Oh, don’t worry. Miss Reika is stronger than she looks.”
“Hmm? Her frail appearance suggests otherwise. She doesn’t seem like someone accustomed to battlefield survival…”
I briefly considered revealing her magical prowess outright but decided against it. Given Iren’s trust in me, detailed explanations weren’t necessary. Besides, she’d find out eventually.
“Don’t worry. She’s stronger than me.”
“Is that so… Very well, if you say so…”
“And anyway, there’s always Lady Iren to watch over us. What’s there to fear?”
Iren smiled faintly, seemingly pleased with my comment.
“That’s true. Even against Serpina, I’m confident I can protect you.”
“I trust you, Lady Iren.”
“Hmph.”
With that, the three of us boarded the carriage. Our destination: Hisfil Castle, where Serpina awaited. Though the journey promised to be long, traveling with these two made it feel less burdensome.
The only issue was Reika’s excessive shyness. Despite meeting Iren briefly before, they were practically strangers.
‘Will they get along?’
Surprisingly, my concerns proved unfounded.
“Lady Iren, did you start wielding a sword from a young age?”
“Yes. It was the only path available to me.”
“Wow… That explains why you radiate such an aura. Training from childhood must have honed those skills.”
Reika quickly struck up a conversation with Iren. Her admiration-filled gaze reminded me of someone venerating an idol. The same girl who once stumbled over her words now spoke fluently with Iren.
“Ah! By the way, that thing at your waist—isn’t that tea?”
“Hmm? Can you identify it?”
“Yes! It pairs perfectly with sweet snacks. We have some at my house too. There are a few varieties similar yet distinct in flavor.”
“Is that so? Quite an intriguing topic.”
Their world revolved around idle chatter, prompting me to interject lightly.
“You two sure got friendly fast.”
“Ah…”
Reika finally noticed me, lowering her head apologetically.
“I-I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to leave you out…”
“Feeling lonely, Swoen?”
“Not you too, Lady Iren!”
“Hehe.”
Iren chuckled softly, slightly blushing with amusement. Her elevated mood was evident even from the playful banter earlier—something rare for her reserved nature. Reflecting on it, this might be the first time I’ve seen her engage in casual conversation with a peer.
Perhaps she found a kindred spirit in someone who understood her world?
In any case, watching them interact harmoniously was heartwarming. Their peaceful camaraderie evoked imagery befitting the word “peace.” Simply observing filled a corner of my heart with warmth.
Back then, when I ventured alone to negotiate the fate of the Lunarien Army…
At that moment, Zinoru’s words echoed in my mind.
”Though swords and shields are useful, wouldn’t it be better to have someone skilled in magic by your side?”
‘…’
If Iren accepted my proposal and became my wife—and if we followed Zinoru’s suggestion to welcome Reika as a second wife…
Would I be able to preserve such tranquil scenes forever?
I envisioned my future alongside these two women. For the first time, the idea of having more than one wife didn’t seem entirely unappealing.
“Is this the place?”
Hisfil Castle, revisited. The damaged wall we breached previously appeared fully repaired, looking pristine once more. Serpina was supposedly here.
‘So, she was inside the castle when I used magic?’
After bribing the guard lightly, we entered the castle grounds. The atmosphere within was tense, likely due to lingering unrest among the populace, who hadn’t easily shifted allegiance to Serpina despite prolonged Brance Army control. Especially after witnessing the castle wall collapse…
Contemplating this, we arrived before the palace within Hisfil Castle.
‘Serpina is inside here.’
Gulp.
As I swallowed dryly, Iren’s voice reached me.
“Swoen.”
“Yes?”
“Are you nervous?”
“Me?”
“Yes. Your expression differs from usual.”
Nervousness…
Was I indeed anxious, as she suggested? After all, I merely came for negotiations—no reason to be tense… or was it precisely because our opponent was Serpina?
I felt a hand rest on my shoulder—it was Iren.
“Don’t worry, Swoen. Everything will be fine. I’m here by your side. I’ll protect you.”
Those weren’t just anyone’s words—they belonged to Iren, the most trustworthy person in my current life.
I managed a small smile.
“Lady Iren, please take good care of Miss Reika.”
“Of course. Good luck, Swoen.”
Whatever mysterious unease lingered in my heart would surely vanish once I faced Serpina…
With that thought, I stepped into the palace of Hisfil Castle.
