NOVEL NEXT Chapter 276
The memory that surfaced upon hearing the name “Iniang.”
“Uh, when I see Her Highness, I can’t help but think of my younger sister. She’s about the same age as Her Highness… Still a naive kid with much to learn… That’s why, for some reason, I feel drawn to Her Highness. Ah, of course, it’s not like Her Highness is naive or anything like that…!”
“Of course….”
No.
There’s still a possibility it’s just someone with the same surname.
However, I’ve only ever seen someone using the “Iniang” surname at that moment. Considering most territorial people live without any surnames…
“Lord? Is there something troubling you?”
At Iren’s words, Serpina regained her composure and naturally posed a question.
“It’s nothing major. Rather, you seem to know something about a woman named Lunarien, don’t you?”
“You mean her?”
“Yes.”
Given that Iren knew even the unknown monarch’s surname, her attitude strongly suggested she had met this person.
Serpina’s thoughts were correct, and slowly, Iren nodded.
“Yes. Once… I faced her in combat.”
“When you say ‘once’?”
“Back when I was still with the Brance Army.”
Knowing about the unfair treatment Iren received from Lin, Serpina asked more cautiously.
“If it’s too hard to explain, you don’t have to.”
“No. It’s in the past, and I’ve already moved on.”
For Iren, Lin was now just an existence that evoked no lingering feelings or desire for revenge—someone completely detached.
Thus, explaining wasn’t particularly difficult.
“Lunarien was one of several minor vassals ruling the Western Continent back then.”
Iren continued her explanation, recalling the past: how she made the Brance Army struggle several times, how incredibly powerful she was after a few exchanges, and how it took three invasions to finally conquer her after defeat in battle.
“I see. So she was originally a vassal.”
“Yes. Though she was merely one among the many small states scattered across the Western Continent… she definitely left a strong impression.”
“To hear you call someone strong implies it must be true…”
Serpina paused in thought before looking into Iren’s eyes.
“In that case, do you remember her face?”
“Yes.”
“Could you describe her, please?”
Though wondering why such a thing was being asked, Iren judged it wasn’t confidential information and slowly described her appearance.
“Her hair was a pale yellow, and she had striking red eyes. Despite her delicate frame, she possessed incredible strength… Would that suffice?”
“…”
For a moment, Serpina’s pupils slightly contracted, but Iren didn’t notice.
“…”
“Normally, I would’ve asked why you’re asking this… But…”
Afraid of accidentally saying something wrong, Iren chose silence over questioning.
After all… why they invaded that small country three times or how it managed to twice repel the mighty Brance Army—if asked about these things, explanations would get complicated.
Fortunately, Serpina seemed uninterested in those details.
Instead, after a long period of silent contemplation, she gave Iren an order.
“Iren.”
“Yes.”
“I’m thinking of going on an inspection tour soon. Please prepare accordingly. Isn’t it better to handle everything beforehand so we can greet them with peace of mind?”
Is that the end of talk about Lunarien?
It felt slightly unsettling, but as previously thought, it was better than making a slip of the tongue.
Even if she wanted to deceive intentionally… Iren didn’t want to deceive Serpina.
“Yes. I’ll wait in front of the Royal Palace gates once preparations are complete. Please come out whenever you’re ready.”
After Iren left the palace,
Serpina approached the window and lightly bit her thumbnail.
Her slightly furrowed brow while lost in thought was extraordinarily beautiful—so much so that anyone who saw her might lose themselves in admiration.
“Red eyes… Pale yellow hair…”
Two testimonies about Lunarien’s appearance.
As soon as Serpina heard them, she easily recalled her face.
It was natural. Aria Inianga looked exactly like that.
Ruby-like crimson eyes, hair as light as cream.
Considering they shared the same surname—it now felt safe to assume.
“Aria’s younger sister, leading the rebel forces as Lunarien, huh.”
If this were true, it also explained why Kyle von Einhardt was there.
Given his unpredictable nature, it couldn’t be confirmed—but choosing someone from the lineage of a woman connected to Algord was surely preferable to picking random vassals.
Iren’s testimony—”She’s very strong”—and considering the current significant achievements in the Southern Continent proved that Kyle hadn’t chosen her solely based on lineage.
Then, does Lunarien know her older sister has died?
Does she know how and by whom?
“…”
Serpina placed her hand on her forehead.
Strangely, upon realizing Lunarien could be Aria’s younger sister, a sense of guilt rose from deep within her throat.
She hadn’t mentioned the eerie déjà vu she felt while listening to Iren because she trusted Iren had her reasons for not bringing it up—but she also feared discussing the subject further.
All those years ago, Aria Inianga’s life faded away with an apologetic look, having entrusted everything to her brother while watching him kill all their siblings with his own hands.
Algord.
And standing beside him until the end, apologizing for handing over heavy burdens…
“If Lunarien knows her older sister died—and blames me for it… what should I…”
Serpina fell to her knees right there.
Her body trembled. Again, she felt as though the entire world was against her.
The sins of the Einhardt family she carried began tightening around her neck once more.
* * *
While waiting for the inspection to proceed, Iren soon learned the schedule had been postponed due to urgent matters until tomorrow.
Thinking of returning to her lord, she was informed that instead, she was tasked with assisting strategist Jena in bidding farewell to those who operated the plague relief camp.
“Is something wrong?”
The atmosphere changed strangely after mentioning Lunarien, which worried her.
Naturally, Iren couldn’t speak freely in front of her.
“Talking about Swen might cause trouble for him…”
The reason Brance Army obsessively invaded the small Lunarien Army.
Including the battles she participated in, where their army suffered two defeats despite overwhelming numerical superiority—all required mentioning Swen to fully explain.
Iren remembered Swen’s words.
His lord was Lunarien, and he would eventually return to her side. However, returning to Lunarien meant leaving Serpina.
Was she destined to leave the woman who saved her life—the ruler she admired above all others?
“Haa…”
Iren sighed inwardly.
When her head got tangled, one person always came to mind.
Just like many times before, she wanted to be embraced in his arms.
If she did, all these complicated thoughts would vanish. She wanted to hear the steady beat of his heart without any worries or doubts.
Then, at that moment—
“Looks like they’ve arrived. Please form ranks.”
At Jena’s voice, Iren cleared her mind and straightened her posture.
Not long after, a man clad in armor emblazoned with the Einhardt imperial crest appeared from afar.
Irian Al Caskey.
Temporary Lady of Kelshtain Castle and commander of the relief camp.
The soldiers on either side saluted him in unison.
Despite the uncertainty of magic, risking their lives during the plague crisis greatly elevated the reputation of Serpina’s forces—even reaching the Capital City. Simply put, they were heroes who raised Serpina’s name without engaging in battle.
Behind him were the soldiers who worked alongside him.
And further behind—pink-haired mage Reika, and beside her…
“Swen…!”
“Greetings, Strategist.”
“Irian Lord, you’ve truly worked hard. We’ve heard rumors of your accomplishments. All the merits you’ve earned will never be forgotten by our lord.”
“I merely did what needed to be done.”
“We’ve prepared a grand welcoming ceremony. Our lord wishes you to rest before submitting reports.”
“The ceremony can wait until after the report… but yes, I’ve learned that giving ourselves some leeway keeps us from losing the soldiers’ favor.”
“You’ve become quite eloquent, Irian Lord.”
The somewhat tense atmosphere eased quickly as Jena and Irian exchanged light-hearted banter.
Once things settled and Irian led the way toward the Royal Palace for the welcoming event,
Iren immediately rushed to the man.
“Ah, Lady Iren…?”
Though Reyka’s voice sounded nearby, the person before her mattered more now.
The white-haired strategist. The benefactor who saved her life multiple times.
The moment he saw her, he smiled and asked gently.
“Lady Iren, how have you been?”
Yes.
That voice.
What I missed was that voice…
Before answering Swen, Iren
spread her arms and tightly hugged the figure who felt slightly unfamiliar.
“Um, Lady Iren…?”
“Swen…”
Instead of responding, Iren buried herself deeper into his embrace, repeating softly several times:
—I missed you.