"W-What...?!"

    Unlike the visibly shaken Serpina, Jenna remained composed.

    "My lady. You must already be aware—

    Royal marriages are driven solely by political necessity. They are not matters of love or desire, as with ordinary commoners. I trust you understand this."

    "That’s..."

    "I do not presume to know how you truly feel about Lord Swen. However, if we speak purely of his capabilities, then I believe both you and I agree—he is more than worthy to bear the name of Eingart, regardless of his origin. Am I wrong, my lady?"

    "......"

    Even as Serpina gave no reply, Jenna continued, undeterred.

    "Whatever the method, you must not let him go. His presence will be your greatest asset, my lady. If, at any point, he shows signs of leaving our army—then he must be—"

    "That’s enough, Jenna."

    At Serpina’s quiet command, Jenna bowed her head.

    "My apologies, my lady."

    "No... I understand what you were trying to say."

    "Please consider it seriously, my lady. I pray for your safe return from the front. Leave Eingart Castle to me. Though I am not your equal, I vow on my life to fulfill my duty as lord."

    ***

    Returning from the memory, Serpina turned to the sunlit window.

    Though Jenna hadn’t finished her sentence, Serpina could guess what the missing words were.

    —If he shows signs of leaving... then you must eliminate him.

    Make him an ally, no matter what. And if that’s not possible, eliminate him. As advice from a loyal retainer, it was completely rational.

    And Serpina, too, understood—

    If she hadn’t known him, maybe. But now that she did... the idea of him becoming her enemy was terrifying.

    What Jenna didn’t know—what no one knew—was the real issue.

    It was this:

    --

    I love Swen.

    The thought of marriage made Serpina recognize her feelings with clarity.

    This wasn’t admiration for his brilliance, his "sight," or his insight. It wasn’t political. It wasn’t strategic.

    She wanted his warmth. The softness in his crescent-shaped eyes when he smiled. The comfort of his hand against her back.

    Marriage...

    Would he accept her feelings?

    Serpina knew—deep down—that there was already someone in his heart. Airen.

    A man could have up to four wives, yes. But this wasn’t about law. It was about her status. How could a husband of the Empress have other wives?

    She herself didn’t care. But the world would.

    Just as Jenna had said, a royal marriage was political.

    But all of that was irrelevant compared to one overwhelming truth.

    She couldn’t even take the first step. Because she wasn’t the one he served.

    And if she made a move... If she took that step... What if she lost him for good?

    She could never eliminate him, as Jenna suggested. But she couldn’t guarantee she could keep him, either.

    Serpina sometimes thought—

    More than conquering the continent, she wanted to hold that white-haired man close.

    At that moment—

    ''...Wait.''

    It hit her. Out of nowhere, a chilling realization passed through her mind.

    The sovereign Swen truly serves... who is it?

    Few rulers remained in the chaos of the continent.

    Lyn and Yuri were naturally excluded. He had already passed through their nations.

    That left the four who ruled the divided South— Aski Hesna, Setta Roland, Navidos Ohana... and Lunarian Iniang.

    Could it be one of them?

    If she had to choose the most likely candidate...

    Knock knock knock.

    "......!!!"

    "My lady. News from the scouts—Lord Swen has returned safely."

    At the soldier’s words, Serpina swept her questions aside.

    "I see. I’ll go to him shortly."

    Yes.

    First, they would finish off the Aishus Army.

    Marriage with Swen—

    That could wait.

    She smoothed her robes and adjusted her hair. Even the thought of seeing him again filled her with quiet joy.

    Yes... I love Swen. So much so that she couldn’t even imagine a world without him.

    She had once pursued him for the sake of ruling the world. But now, her desire for him had nothing to do with the continent.

    If—

    If he said to her, "Give me the world, and I’ll marry you,"

    then...

    ''......''

    She clenched her fist to her chest. Counted to three.

    One, [N O V E L I G H T] two, three...

    "...Let’s go."

    Serpina, once again fully Serpina von Eingart, left the quiet office—

    To meet the man who had come to define her entire world.

    ***

    Near the border between the Lunarian and Roland territories—

    Luna had constructed a few watchtowers and a small fortress. It was then that she received word:

    Setta Roland was advancing with a massive army to intercept them.

    And—shockingly—

    "The sovereign himself—Setta Roland—is leading the army as both commander and vanguard?"

    "Yes, that’s correct."

    Charlotte, standing beside Luna, spoke in a serious tone.

    "Are they underestimating us, or is he being completely serious...?"

    "Probably both."

    The voice that interjected belonged to Jinor, the national strategist of the Lunarian Army.

    "To him, this is a battlefield worthy of his personal presence— and one he believes he can win. Both things can be true at once."

    "I see..."

    This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

    "He’s a deeply combative man— and proud to a fault."

    "Combative?"

    At Luna’s question, Jinor turned and gave a courteous nod to his sovereign.

    "Likely, he holds some measure of respect for you, my lady. That, and confidence in his victory. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken the field himself."

    "I understand..."

    "Our position doesn’t change. Regardless of who commands the enemy—our goal is victory."

    Luna nodded slowly.

    "Jinor. How do you propose we respond?"

    "I have a suggestion."

    He placed a map on the table and began his briefing.

    "I recommend the following formation:

    You as supreme commander, myself as chief strategist, Violet as vice-strategist. For the vanguard—Francis and Charlotte. Additionally, I suggest we station the Chilean Mercenaries in ambush between the right-side mountain ridges."

    "Your reasoning?"

    "The enemy will likely advance in waves from three fortresses. If we can delay even one of those forces, we can shift the tide of battle despite our inferior numbers. The Chileans are elite enough to handle this mission."

    Luna was silent for a moment—then met Jinor’s eyes.

    "Why did you place those two on the vanguard?"

    "Roland is a formidable warrior. Though now a ruler, he remains a martial man by nature. There is likely no general in his army who matches his skill. Since General Tifa, our strongest, is guarding Tepello Castle, I chose General Francis as our next best to lead the front. Charlotte is there to balance the formation."

    "So, in response to their strongest card— you’ve proposed our strongest as well."

    "That’s correct."

    Luna nodded a few more times—

    "Then I’ll take the vanguard."

    "...What? My lady, a sovereign leading the front line— that’s far too dangerous. Back during the rebellion, yes, morale demanded it, but now— there’s no need to imitate Roland’s recklessness—"

    "No, Jinor. This isn’t recklessness."

    Luna smiled, her ruby eyes gleaming with fierce light.

    "Just like Roland— I’m putting our strongest warrior on the front line."

    "Excuse me? What do you—"

    Then, quietly, Kyle placed a hand on Jinor’s shoulder.

    "You haven’t realized it, have you?"

    "...?"

    "The strongest warrior in the Lunarian Army is... our sovereign—Lady Luna herself."