-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Serena Johaiden (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
* * *
"Sir Zeke, you'll be staying here."
"..."
'Are ducal families royalty?'
A servant led Zeke into a spacious room, and he couldn't help but wonder.
'Damn, I don't know a thing about this romance fantasy world…'
The room Serena had given him was more than enough to stun Zeke, who had few memories of luxury.
'In the dark fantasy world, sleeping outdoors was the norm, and back on Earth, I barely ever left my studio apartment.'
Zeke looked around the room.
A neat and luxurious room.
A subtle scent of fresh linen lingered in the air, a testament to its cleanliness.
The bed, table, sofa, paintings, potted plants… Everything he laid eyes on was of the highest quality.
It was nearly ten times larger than the studio apartment he had lived in back on Earth.
"Still… no phone, no internet, and the food is even worse… And no cigarettes. Of course, compared to the Dave Continent, this is paradise…"
No matter how luxurious the room, the level of civilization was far behind Earth's.
"And a swordsmanship instructor, of all things… A job that requires a sword."
A deep sigh escaped him.
Zeke took off his shoes and lay on the bed.
*Poof.*
His body sank deep into the plush duvet.
"How am I supposed to get back?"
He had no clue. In his previous transmigration into a game, the goal had been clear.
Storm the Demon King's castle and kill the false boss, the Demon King himself.
And after that, the true final boss, that crazy bastard.
The game would be cleared once he took down the one they called the 'Primeval Bard'.
Of course, the endless, daunting challenges he had to overcome with nothing but his own two hands had been relentlessly frustrating.
But at least it was clear what he had to do.
But in this romance fantasy world?
"Do I just have to make the female lead happy? Help her build a reverse harem, get rid of the villainesses who get in the way, and help her become queen?"
Zeke closed his eyes, his head throbbing.
"But I don't even know the female lead's name or what she looks like."
Honestly, he had no one to blame but his own thick skull.
After all, he'd been juggling seven different romance fantasy novels with nearly identical plots at the same time.
Who was who, how the social hierarchy worked, or who the male leads were.
Had he paid any real attention while reading, he might have remembered.
But Zeke had only read them to kill time.
So whenever an unfamiliar term popped up, he'd just skim past it, too busy looking for the fluffy, romantic scenes.
To make matters worse, he'd been dropped into the story mid-read, so he didn't even know how it ended.
'The only things I know for sure are that this is the early part of the story. And the 2nd Prince…'
Even if he tried to draw parallels to the dark fantasy world he'd been summoned to before…
…by the time he'd arrived there, the kingdom and everything else had already gone to hell.
"Right, the girl that the 2nd Prince with the sloppy swordsmanship liked was the female lead."
After pondering for a long while, Zeke's eyes flashed open.
He had recalled a crucial piece of information.
"If I can figure out who the 2nd Prince is stalking, I'll naturally find her. I'll find him first, and then I'll figure out what to do."
The 2nd Prince. That guy with the idiotic swordsmanship.
He had to find him first.
And in his fragmented memories, there was a scene of the male and female leads flirting during class.
Then they must be in the same year.
"But is there really nothing I can do about this way I talk?"
Just then.
*Knock, knock.*
The sudden knock made him jump to his feet and open the door.
Zeke's eyes widened slightly when he saw who was at the door.
"I'm sorry for visiting so late."
"Serena."
"Hehe. You're finally calling me by my name."
She looked as if she had just bathed; her silver hair was still damp, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.
A subtle floral scent brushed past his nose.
"Sir Zeke, is the room to your liking? I was a little worried that our home isn't grand enough and might be an imposition on you."
"Ah… Um. It's fine."
"Could we perhaps talk for a bit?"
Zeke nodded and stepped back slightly to let Serena in.
Serena glided into the room and took a seat at the table.
'Is it normal for her to visit so late? What's going on?'
Zeke grew noticeably tense.
He'd eaten and even slept alongside her on the journey here…
…but that was during a desperate situation, and he hadn't had any particular feelings or expectations of her.
The Eye of Judgment and her offer of lodging had given him a favorable impression of her…
…but the image of her former, timid self lingered.
But now?
From what had happened at the training grounds and the mansion she'd provided…
…Zeke truly grasped that she held a high position in this world.
'All those people were bowing their heads to her.'
Look at her now.
Her elegant and graceful gestures.
Her calm tone of voice, as if asserting her noble birth.
The timid girl who was nearly done in by street thugs was nowhere to be seen.
'I've already confirmed it with her soul, but the fact that she grieved for the woman who betrayed her shows she has a good heart.'
She might be a bit of a pushover…
…but a rich pushover who was nice to him wasn't a pushover; she was a kind soul.
Now, only a beautiful young woman, brimming with composure and grace, sat before him.
Her moist, blue eyes seemed to be asking for something.
Zeke's gaze drifted to her slightly revealed cleavage.
'Uh…? What is this situation?'
Serena's appearance could easily be mistaken for a seduction.
Freshly bathed, exuding a pleasant fragrance, and dressed in a thin slip that revealed her figure.
And visiting a man's bedroom in the dead of night, no less.
'Whoa. Hey, Serena… Isn't it a little too soon for this?'
Zeke swallowed, trying hard to suppress his rising expectations.
Had his performance during Ciella's judgment given her some kind of confidence in him?
Is this… okay?
A woman of such a high position?
Zeke Kleiman.
A ten-year veteran Hero of a dark fantasy world.
Experience talking with women? Nil, except for the Saintess.
He'd faced plenty of temptations thanks to his power…
…but every time, he'd either been betrayed…
…or the Saintess would interfere at the critical moment and spoil everything.
—Mister!
*Ah, you're still a kid. Go away.*
In any case, a woman who was clearly a good person was sending him these kinds of signals…
…there was no way Zeke could remain completely unfazed.
'This romance fantasy… can it switch to a rated-R version?'
Zeke waited for Serena to speak.
Finally, as if she had firmly made up her mind, she opened her mouth.
"...Sir Zeke, when are you planning to go to the academy?"
But her words were not what he had expected.
Zeke's mood instantly plummeted.
'…Ah, she came to kick me out. What is it, take the money and get lost? *A suspicious man like you can't possibly accompany us?*'
He raised an eyebrow.
'Hah. Right, even if she's a good person… that just means she's easily swayed by those around her.'
Since Zeke had just started to open his heart and trust her…
…the disappointment hit that much harder.
Of course, he didn't think that she, with such a clear soul, would have initiated this.
Someone else in her family must have put her up to it.
And they must have sent her to his room to say it herself.
Wasn't she looking at him right now with an apologetic expression?
Zeke was once again reminded of his deep-seated mistrust of people.
He'd been getting his hopes up for nothing, counting his chickens before they hatched, only to feel dejected.
But he couldn't help the feeling of betrayal.
Yes, he knew. People's attitudes change once they get what they want.
'I knew things couldn't possibly go this smoothly for me. Damn it. She should have just taken no for an answer back then.'
If he hadn't accepted her offer from the beginning, he wouldn't have had to feel this betrayal.
With his experiences in the dark fantasy world, Zeke couldn't help but think this way.
As he'd seen earlier, she was the young lady of a truly powerful family.
She probably couldn't make major decisions like letting someone stay in the family estate all on her own.
The other members of her family must have thought it was dangerous to let someone like him, a man whose identity hadn't even been properly confirmed, into their home.
It was his own fault for hastily agreeing just because she sounded so confident.
Betrayed by the "starter pack" he had put his faith in, Zeke replied coldly.
"Fine, I'll be on my way as soon as possible."
"If… if you're in a hurry, then there's nothing to be done, but… I personally thought it might be better if you learned a bit of… ah, no, not common sense… some basic knowledge, or rather, information before you go."
"?"
Lady Serena chose her words carefully, trying her best not to offend him.
At first, Zeke didn't understand what she meant.
"Uhm, Sir Zeke, about the Duke… umm. Do you know how many ducal families there are in the Empire?"
"I don't."
"There are three. Johaiden, Justia, and the Ira family of the North. You know of the North, correct?"
"..."
"Sooo… I thought acquiring a little knowledge here before you go will be helpful for your future at the academy."
After a moment of silence.
Zeke felt as if a halo was shining down from behind Serena.
What he lacked most right now was common sense and knowledge about this romance fantasy world.
He was already incredibly worried about that very thing.
And now Serena was offering to fill that gap!
'What in the world have I been thinking…?'
Zeke stared at her with a blank expression.
He was the one who hadn't been able to trust her.
A mix of guilt for his misunderstanding and gratitude toward Serena spread slowly through his chest.
'Is Serena an angel…? No, I can't compare her to those pigeon-winged bastards. That would be an insult to Serena.'
Unlike Zeke's inner thoughts, the words that came out of his mouth were curt.
"Mm, I'll take you up on that."
"Yes, I'll set up a lesson schedule starting tomorrow."
"Okay."
Zeke suddenly went and closed the window that had been left open for ventilation.
"Hehe. Don't mention it. I apologize for the late intrusion. Please sleep well."
Thinking Zeke was getting ready for bed, Serena said her goodbyes.
"Mm… you're leaving."
"Yes. I'll see you tomorrow."
With that, Serena left Zeke's room.
"Mmm… she's gone. For real."
That night.
After Serena left, Zeke looked out the window…
…and etched a vow deep in his heart in the most formal script imaginable.
As of today, I hereby withdraw my support for Serena Johaiden.
From this day forward, our relationship transcends that of mere support.
Serena and I shall be as one.
Any attack on Serena shall be considered an attack on me.
And yet, Zeke kept glancing at the door.
He was wondering if Serena might come back.
"In the end, she's not coming…"
* * *
One hour earlier.
Immediately after she had ordered the traitors who abandoned her to be dealt with.
Serena had been forced to act with a gravitas that didn't suit her, and she was mentally and physically exhausted.
The fatigue from her long journey was also taking its toll.
'To think Ciella was really that kind of person…'
Tears streamed down her face.
The years of shared history were not insignificant, and the betrayal stabbed cruelly at her heart.
'How could a person be so cruel…'
"Lady Serena, here."
The maid standing behind her handed her a handkerchief.
Serena had decided not to have a personal handmaiden anymore.
Instead, she asked the head butler for the most diligent maid on staff, one with an impeccable record.
She reasoned that if the gap in their social standing was insurmountably vast, the maid would be less likely to harbor ulterior motives.
"Ailey."
"Yes."
"I… hope you won't betray me."
"I won't, my lady."
"So don't give me any reason to doubt you."
"Yes, I understand."
Ailey was quick-witted and could guess how Serena was feeling.
'She's such a kind person…'
Would it have been better to report Ciella's misdeeds in advance?
No, even if she had, Serena would have blindly trusted Ciella back then.
'She's too soft on people.'
"Lady Serena. It would be best to wash up first."
"Okay, help me."
"Yes, I will have the physician on standby for when you are finished."
"Okay."
While bathing Serena, Ailey thought of a way to lift her spirits.
She recalled the man with the stern expression she had seen earlier.
"He was truly incredible."
"Hm…?"
Serena, lying in the bathtub with her mind in a tangle over Ciella, raised her head at Ailey's words.
"I mean Sir Zeke Kleiman. The way he uncovered everything, as if he could see right through a person's heart. Honestly, if it weren't for him, I would have suspected Charles. Not that Charles was in the right, of course."
Charles was the name of the bald man.
Serena nodded in agreement.
"Yes, that's what I mean. His intuition was incredibly sharp."
"Yes, I was truly surprised. It's rare for everyone at a judgment to be so thoroughly convinced."
"Umm… but he is a bit lacking in common sense…"
At those words, Ailey wore a surprised expression.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Perhaps because he dedicates himself to the sword, he doesn't seem to have much interest in worldly affairs."
A sudden worry struck Serena.
Ramieli Academy, bearing the name of the imperial capital, was the greatest academy in the empire.
It was a gathering place for countless nobles, royals, and the children of the powerful.
But what if Sir Zeke Kleiman were to enter as a swordsmanship instructor now, just as he is?
Of course, while he had the excuse of being a Northern Noble, she could already see the scorn and insults they would heap upon him as clearly as if in a scrying orb.
'Of course, after seeing what happened today, I don't think the Instructor is someone who would be swayed by the words of such fools, but…'
She was already bothered by the fact that she was repaying him for saving her life with money.
And on top of that, hadn't she incurred another debt to him?
Serena felt a spark of joy, knowing there was still something she could do for him.
"I-it's just! I'm only trying to help because I'm a little worried!"
"Pardon?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
After her bath, Serena was examined by the physician.
The physician looked at her wound with a surprised expression.
"Fortunately, it doesn't seem like it will leave a scar. The person who tended to the wound appears to be very skilled."
Serena nodded at the physician's words.
She imagined Zeke, washing the bandages until they were like new every dawn and carefully tending to her injury so as not to wake her.
His touch must have been delicate and gentle, despite his gruff expression.
Serena felt a pleasant warmth spreading through her heart.
And earlier, hadn't he voluntarily stepped up and set things right, even though it wasn't his business?
If it weren't for him, she might have remained ignorant, forgiven Ciella, and kept her by her side as her personal handmaiden.
The thought of Ciella soured her mood again, but it recovered when she thought of Zeke's consideration.
'Just as I thought, he's a warm person, even if he can't express it… And he seems to be good at treating injuries, too.'
As Serena's gratitude for Zeke grew, she found she couldn't wait until tomorrow to tell him her plan.
She wanted to do it now.
"Ailey."
"Yes."
"Are you any good at makeup?"
"I'm an expert."
Ailey nodded with a look of utter confidence.
"Uhm… is there a type of makeup that doesn't look too made-up, but also isn't a completely bare face?"
"You're referring to the 'no-makeup makeup' look, my lady. I currently have up to Pattern 4 prepared. Pattern 5 is still in development."
"And the lavender perfume, too. Just a little."
* * *