Chapter 59

As the map and the map of the Aslan Continent gradually appeared, the eyes of the people in the room widened.  

They were as excited as if they were looking at a treasure map, their faces flushed beyond their age.  

The canvas, well-primed with gesso, made the watercolor paint float on the surface, allowing it to be easily removed.  

Of course, it took a long time to dry, which was a hassle until the end.  

After the painters all left, the serious meeting began in earnest.  

“We need Pale Island. We must secure this island. It will strengthen our rear.”  

Lexion pointed at Pale Island on the map with a baton and looked around at the people.  

“During this month of typhoons, we must prepare everything. This month will determine the outcome of the war.”  

Adelina placed green and red flags on the map and the nautical chart.  

“These points are the expected landing sites for the dragons.”  

“Ernst will… be devastated in half a day…”  

The expressions of those looking at the flags were as dark as the stormy black sea.  

“We must ensure the dragons never set foot on this land.”  

Lexion applied too much force, causing the baton in his hand to snap with a cracking sound.  

“Your Grace, you might get hurt.”  

Stephan removed the broken baton from Lexion’s hand.  

‘Having witnessed firsthand how dragons massacre people… he must be even more afraid. He must be more concerned that his choices could lead his people to death.’  

Stephan stood firmly behind Lexion, as he always did, holding the broken baton.  

The attendees of the meeting squinted their eyes, stared at the map for a long time, and moved their lips slightly.  

“If we lose Pale Island… it’s this land. How can we… prevent the dragons from landing…”  

“Evans will never give up Pale Island easily.”  

“We must also consider alternatives if we cannot seize Pale Island.”  

Each of them rubbed their foreheads and temples, acknowledging the difficulty of seizing Pale Island from Evans.  

When Adelina pointed at Pale Island with her finger, everyone’s gaze gradually focused on that finger.  

“Let’s try an aerial battle too.”  

At Adelina’s words, those who were filled with worries showed a curious expression.  

“Your Grace, what is an aerial battle?”  

It was something unheard of.  

They had heard of land battles, naval battles, but aerial battles?  

Adelina smiled brightly at the bewildered people, then quickly wiped away her smile and put on a serious expression.  

“If they have dragons, we have wyverns.”  

She crafted a fairly plausible dignified voice.  

“What? Wyverns? Those nuisances?”  

Seyra, who attended the meeting thanks to Earl Bettran’s privilege, shouted in disbelief.  

+++

That night, after the meeting ended and everyone left, Seyra sneaked into Adelina’s bedroom under the cover of darkness.  

‘Your Majesty! You’re so cool! I’ll stick right by your side!’  

Seyra was completely captivated by Adelina, who confidently expressed her opinions in front of the experienced elders during the meeting.  

“Seyra? What’s wrong? At this hour?”  

Adelina looked at Seyra, whose eyes were sparkling brightly, with curiosity.  

Seyra quickly ran over and held Adelina’s hand tightly.  

“Your Majesty, from today, I will become your maid. Once everything is over, I plan to become a concubine, so let’s get along like sisters.”  

Her grandfather, Earl Bettran, had said.  

Lexion is a lonely man, so he needs a large family.  

‘I will become part of the king’s family!’  

From a young age, Seyra dreamed of becoming Lexion’s bride.  

Of course, the fact that she decided after seeing the n*de painting is a secret.  

‘Oh dear… my head…’  

Just when she was about to go to bed after washing her feet, Seyra’s clear voice, as bright as a nightingale, made Adelina clutch the back of her neck.  

“Seyra.”  

Adelina gazed gently at Seyra, whose eyes were wide open.  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

“Do you know what you have to do if you become a concubine?”  

“Well, share His Majesty’s love amicably with you, Your Majesty.”  

‘Tsk tsk… To think she hasn’t received any s*x education at all.’  

It was obvious. An orphan growing up without parents, no one would have given Seyra realistic education.  

“Seyra, listen carefully. I’ll explain what a concubine does. I’ll only say it once. I won’t explain twice.”  

Adelina used the adult novels she had read to give Seyra, who knew nothing, a proper s*x education.  

“How could it be! Such things!”  

After hearing the whole story, Seyra covered her face with both hands and ran out of the room.  

+++

‘Seyra?’  

Lexion, seeing Seyra’s retreating figure running down the hallway, entered the room with a puzzled look.  

Adelina was fanning herself with a thin poetry book she had taken from the bookshelf.  

“What happened with Lady Seyra? She ran off crying.”  

“She wasn’t crying, her face was just red.”  

Crying? She was the one listening to the adult stories with shining eyes.  

‘Come to think of it, s*x education is important for men too!’  

Adelina glared at Lexion, who was pressing the mattress with his hands, and raised her hand.  

“Come here.”  

As she beckoned with her index finger, Lexion approached with a broad smile.  

“Yes, I’m here.”  

“A man should only be with one woman.”  

Even if he’s a king or a noble, she couldn’t tolerate having concubines or mistresses besides the wife.  

“I know.”  

‘Really? Oh… that’s unexpected… I thought he’d be with many women because he’s a king.’  

When Lexion answered straightforwardly, Adelina felt awkward for no reason.  

“Hmm… well, since you know, that’s good. A wise king should practice what he knows.”  

“Got it.”  

‘This guy… he sure gives a refreshing answer.’  

Adelina flipped through the poetry book to cover her twitching cheeks.  

“Shall we bathe now? We agreed to bathe together.”  

‘When did I ever!’  

As Lexion tried to lead her to the bathroom by the hand, Adelina pressed his face with the poetry book.  

“Wash alone!”  

“Such a cold wife.”  

Whether it was a joke or not, Lexion obediently went to the bathroom alone, while Adelina opened the terrace window wide and pressed the poetry book to her face.  

‘I imagined it…’  

After telling all those adult stories to Seyra…  

‘Oh dear… it’s even more vivid.’  

Even with the cool wind blowing due to the typhoon, Adelina’s flushed cheeks barely returned to their normal color.  

+++

That night, when Adelina stopped tossing and turning, Lexion slowly rose.  

“Sleep well, my wife.”  

He kissed Adelina’s forehead briefly and quietly left the room with his sword.  

‘A knot made by my wife.’  

A small Ernst-style knot was tied to the hilt of Lexion’s sword.  

In Ernst, women made small flower-shaped knots with silk threads matching their lover’s hair color to pray for their safety.  

The day before the wedding, Adelina had quickly made one in less than 30 minutes.  

‘It means wishing for eternal love with her husband.’  

It was also a love confession from the bride to the groom.  

Every time the black knot tied to the sword swayed side to side, Lexion’s steps became lighter.  

+++

‘Return safely.’  

As soon as Lexion left, Adelina opened her eyes and got out of bed.  

She turned on the light stone brightly and stood in front of the mirror, clasping her hands as if praying.  

It was the only thing she could do to calm her anxious heart.  

“Seyra!”  

A moment later, Adelina was startled and ran outside.  

“Seyra! Wake up!”  

She entered Seyra’s bedroom, grabbed her hand, and hurriedly went upstairs.  

It was a floor mainly used by the maids.  

“Your Majesty! What’s happening?”  

“The 7th Knights of Petrus are at the front gate!”  

“That can’t be!”  

The two entered a room at the end of the corridor, which was currently unused.  

‘Did Lexion and Stephan, who took the knights to the palace, miss them on the way?’  

With Lexion taking all the knights to seize the palace tonight, there would be no one at the earl’s residence to oppose the 7th Knights.  

“Your Majesty. Hide here with a sword. You’ll be discovered immediately because of your hair!”  

Seyra led Adelina to the fireplace, where no embers remained.  

“Let’s hide together! If we hold out a little longer, His Majesty and the knights will come!”  

Adelina held Seyra’s hand.  

Those coming at this hour would not treat Seyra gentlemanly.  

“I am Lady Seyra Bettran. I must protect this mansion.”  

Seyra handed a bastard sword to Adelina and left the room.  

“I… I am Lady Seyra Bettran… I must protect the people…”  

Seyra’s hand trembled violently.  

She tried to insert the key into the hole after finding it in the key ring, but it wouldn’t go in well.  

Screams from the maids echoed to this high floor.  

“Get a grip! I am Lady Seyra Bettran!”  

Clang. Finally, the door was locked.  

Seyra ran down the stairs.  

+++

Footsteps running everywhere sounded chaotic.  

The creaking sound of doors opening in each room echoed laboriously.  

Adelina hid in the fireplace, focusing all her senses on the sounds coming from outside the door.  

“Captain, this area only has maids’ bedrooms.”  

“Ha… Lady Seyra, what might this be?”  

It seemed the captain roughly pushed Seyra against the wall, as a thud accompanied the sound of something hitting the door.  

“Isn’t it silver thread?”  

Seyra’s voice, pretending to be cheerful as usual, trembled slightly.  

‘My hair!’  

Adelina looked at her long silver hair and let out a hollow laugh.  

“Lady Seyra, to see this as thread in your eyes is truly unfortunate.”  

“Ahh!”  

The captain must have treated Seyra roughly, as her short scream was heard.  

“Search everywhere in this vicinity! Hair was found nearby!”  

Clang, clang-.  

The thick door of the room where Adelina was hiding shook violently.  

“Break it down with a sword.”  

The lock Seyra had struggled to fasten fell with a dull metallic sound.  

“Lady Seyra, such a nice scent is coming from this unused maid’s room.”  

“I’m here now, aren’t I? It’s my scent.”  

At Seyra’s words, the captain chuckled and roughly grabbed her chin.  

“It would be a pity if such a lovely face were scarred.”  

“What… what are you doing!”  

The captain placed a sharp blade against Seyra’s cheek as if ready to cut at any moment.  

“Duchess, if you don’t come out by the count of three, this lady’s face will have a big scar.”  

With the captain’s confident shout, Seyra’s eyes wavered greatly.  

“Indeed, she’s in this room.”  

“No! No one is here!”  

Seyra belatedly denied it, but the captain sneered and began counting.  

“One.”  

Seyra’s heart pounded as if it would burst.  

“Two.”  

Tears welled up in Seyra’s large eyes.  

“Three.”