Serena Yohayden (1)
“Sir Zeke, you’ll be staying here.”
“……”
Is a duke’s family on par with royalty?
Zeke couldn’t help but think that as the servant guided him into a massive room.
Damn it, I know nothing about this romance fantasy world…
The room Serena had provided was more than enough to shock him, a man with scarcely any memories of luxury.
Dark fantasy meant sleeping rough was daily life, and back on Earth, I never lived anywhere but a cramped studio apartment.
Zeke surveyed the room.
A pristine, luxurious space.
A faint scent of fresh linens lingered, proclaiming its cleanliness, and everywhere he looked—bed, table, sofa, paintings, potted plants—nothing lacked elegance.
Compared to his old Earth apartment, it was easily ten times larger.
“Still… no phone, no internet, worse food… and no smokes, of course. Though compared to the Dave Continent, this is paradise…”
No matter how lavish the room, when judged by civilization’s standards, this world lagged far behind Earth.
“And on top of that, a swordsmanship instructor? A job where I have to wield a damn blade.”
A deep sigh escaped him.
Zeke kicked off his shoes and flopped onto the bed.
Sink—
His body sank luxuriously into the soft bedding.
“How the hell do I get back?”
He had no clue. In his previous game-world possession, the goal had been clear.
Storm the Demon King’s castle, slay the fake boss—the Demon King.
Then, after that, the true boss.
Beat the crap out of that lunatic called the Sage’s Bard, and the run was done.
Of course, it had been brutally tough, forcing him to claw through endless ordeals with nothing but his bare body, constantly breaking him down.
But at least he’d known exactly what to do.
In this romance fantasy world?
“Make the heroine happy? Help her build a reverse harem, clear out the interfering villainesses, crown her queen or whatever?”
Zeke closed his eyes against his throbbing headache.
“But I don’t even know the heroine’s name or what she looks like.”
He couldn’t blame his thick skull for that one.
He’d been juggling seven similar romance fantasies at once.
Who was who, the class system, the male lead—whoever.
If he’d read with real interest, maybe.
But Zeke had just used them to kill time.
So unfamiliar terms? Skimmed right over. Only cared about the flirty bits.
And this was mid-read when he got isekai’d into an unfinished novel.
At least I know it’s early in the story. And the Second Prince…
Even referencing his prior dark fantasy world didn’t help much.
By the time he’d possessed there, kingdoms and all were already trashed.
“Right, that Second Prince with his half-assed sword swings— the girl he’s into must be the heroine.”
After mulling it over, Zeke’s eyes lit up.
He’d recalled why he’d been isekai’d here.
“Check who the Second Prince is stalking, and I’ll know naturally. Find that idiot first, then figure out the rest.”
The Second Prince. That moron with the shitty swordplay.
Start with him.
And in his scant memories, there was a scene of the male and female leads flirting in class.
So, same year at the academy, probably.
“But seriously, can’t I fix this damn speech pattern?”
That was when.
Knock knock—
A sudden knock jolted him upright. He opened the door.
Seeing who stood there, Zeke’s eyes widened slightly.
“Sorry to visit so late.”
“Serena.”
“Hee-hee. You finally called me by name.”
Her silver hair was damp, as if freshly washed, her cheeks faintly flushed.
A subtle floral scent brushed his nose.
“Sir Zeke, is the room comfortable? I worry our home might inconvenience an instructor like you.”
“Ah… yeah. It’s fine.”
“Might we talk a bit?”
Zeke nodded and stepped aside to let her in.
Serena glided gracefully to a chair by the table.
Is it okay for her to visit this late? What’s going on?
Zeke tensed up.
They’d traveled together, eaten and slept side by side, but that was crisis mode—no feelings or expectations then.
After the Judgment Eye and his stay-over declaration, some fondness had sparked.
But her past dimwit vibes lingered.
Now?
The training grounds display and this mansion had driven home her high status in this world.
All those people bowing their heads to her.
Look at her now.
Elegant, poised movements overflowing with grace.
A calm tone proclaiming innate nobility.
No trace of the street-rat days nearly felled by random mobs.
I already confirmed her soul, and she grieved even for her betrayer—decent character.
A bit of a pushover, sure.
But a rich pushover treating me well? That’s just a kind big sis.
Now, only a poised beauty sat here, brimming with elegance.
Her sky-blue eyes, moist with expectation.
His gaze dipped to the slight cleavage peeking out.
Uh…? What’s this situation right now?
Serena’s look screamed seduction.
Freshly bathed, floral scent wafting, thin slip hugging her curves.
A midnight visit to a man’s bedroom?
Whoa, hold up. This is Serena… Aren’t we moving a bit fast?
Zeke swallowed, tamping down the anticipation rising in him.
Maybe his trial performance with Ciela had given her some conviction.
Was this… okay?
From such a high position?
Zeke Clayman.
Ten-year vet dark fantasy hero.
Zero experience talking to women, save the Saintess.
His power had drawn temptations aplenty.
But always a backstab or the Saintess cockblocking at the clutch.
—Uncle!
Ah, you’re still a kid. Scram.
Anyway, a clearly virtuous woman sending signals like this?
Zeke couldn’t stay stone-faced.
This romance fantasy… supports 19+ mode?
He waited for her to speak.
Finally, she opened her mouth, as if steeling herself.
“…Sir Zeke, when do you plan to head to the academy?”
But her words dashed his hopes.
Zeke’s mood plummeted.
…Ah, here to kick me out. ‘Hurry up and take the money and leave’? ‘No suspicious guy like you travels with us’?
He arched a brow.
Hah, even good souls get swayed by others…
He’d started trusting her a little, so the letdown hit hard.
Of course, he didn’t think she’d orchestrated it—her soul was too pure.
Likely family whispering, sending her to deliver the boot.
Look, she seemed apologetic now.
Zeke reaffirmed his deep cynicism toward humanity.
He’d chugged a bowl of wishful kimchi soup, even tried brewing stew, only to deflate pointlessly.
But the betrayal stung anyway.
Yeah, he knew. Humans change attitudes post-bathroom breaks.
No wonder things never go smooth for me. Damn it. Should’ve listened when I turned her down before.
If he’d rejected her from the start, no betrayal now.
With his dark fantasy scars, Zeke could only think thus.
As seen earlier, she was a duke’s daughter of real clout.
She couldn’t solo-decide housing outsiders in the mansion.
Family saw a shady unvetted guy like him as risky.
His fault for jumping at her confident pitch.
Foot scorched by his trusted starter pack, Zeke replied coldly.
“Fine. I’ll leave as soon as possible.”
“If… it’s urgent, no helping it… but personally, wouldn’t it be better to pick up some… um, common knowledge? Basic info before you go?”
“?”
Serena chose her words carefully not to offend.
Zeke didn’t get it at first.
“Um, Sir Zeke, do you know how many ducal houses there are in the Empire?”
“No.”
“Three. Yohayden, Yustia, and the northern Ira house. You know the north, right?”
“……”
A brief silence.
Then Zeke felt a halo beaming down behind Serena.
What he lacked most was romance fantasy common sense and knowledge.
He’d been fretting over it.
And Serena offered to fill the gap!
W-What misunderstanding did I…?
Zeke stared blankly at her.
He’d been the one unable to trust her.
Regret and gratitude mixed, warming his chest toward her.
Is Serena an angel…? No, don’t compare her to those pigeon brats. Insult to her.
Unlike his inner gush, his words were curt.
“Mm. Thanks.”
“Yes! I’ll schedule lessons starting tomorrow.”
“Good.”
Zeke suddenly went to the window, closing it for ventilation.
“Hee-hee. No trouble at all. Sorry for the late intrusion. Good night.”
Mistaking it for bedtime prep, Serena bid farewell.
“Mm… you’re leaving.”
“Yes. See you tomorrow.”
Serena left Zeke’s room.
“Mm… she’s gone. For real.”
That night.
After Serena departed, Zeke gazed out the window,
engraving words in ornate script deep in his heart.
Effective today, I withdraw support for Serena Yohayden.
From now on, departing the support role,
Serena and I become one flesh.
Attacks on Serena are attacks on me.
Even so, Zeke kept glancing at the door, wondering if she’d return.
“She’s really not coming…”
* * *
One hour earlier.
Right after ordering judgment on her betrayers who’d abandoned her to the goblins.
Serena, unaccustomed to such gravity, felt utterly drained.
The travel fatigue piled on.
Ciela was really like that…?
Tears streamed from her eyes.
Years of bonds weren’t light; they stabbed her heart relentlessly.
How could she…? To another person…
“Lady Serena, here.”
Her maid offered a handkerchief.
Serena had sworn off personal maids.
Instead, she’d asked the butler for the most diligent servant, flawless over years.
Distance in status might deter betrayal.
“Eily.”
“Yes.”
“I… hope you never betray me.”
“I won’t, milady.”
“Then don’t give me any reason to doubt.”
“Understood.”
Eily was perceptive, grasping Serena’s pain.
Someone so kind…
Should she have reported Ciela’s misdeeds sooner?
No, Serena would’ve trusted Ciela blindly anyway.
Too soft on people.
“Lady Serena, a bath would help.”
“Yes, assist me.”
“I’ll have the physician ready when you’re done.”
“Good.”
As Eily bathed her, pondering cheer-up ideas, she recalled the stern-faced man.
“He… was incredible.”
“Hm…?”
Serena, soaking and brooding over Ciela, looked up.
“Sir Zeke Clayman. How he pierced their hearts like reading souls. Honestly, if not for him, I’d have doubted Charles too. Not that Charles was innocent.”
Charles—the balding man’s name.
Serena nodded in agreement.
“Yeah. His instincts are razor-sharp.”
“Truly shocking. Trials rarely convince everyone like that.”
“Mm… but his common sense is a bit lacking…”
Eily looked surprised.
“Really?”
“Yeah, probably from focusing on sword training—ignores worldly affairs.”
Serena grew worried.
Lamieli Academy—Empire’s greatest, in the capital.
Gathering nobles, royals, power scions.
If Zeke entered as instructor now?
Northern noble excuse or not, their scorn was predictable as a recording crystal.
Today proved he won’t bend to idiots, but…
She already fretted paying money for her lifesaver.
Now another debt.
Glad she could still help him.
“J-Just! Worried, so helping out!”
“Pardon?”
“N-Nothing.”
After her bath, the physician examined her.
“No scarring, luckily. Whoever treated you was masterful.”
Serena nodded.
Imagining Zeke: dawn laundry, careful wound care lest she wake.
Stoic face, but gentle hands.
A warm glow spread in her chest.
He’d stepped up for her mess, fixing it.
Without him, she might’ve forgiven Ciela, kept her close in ignorance.
Ciela soured her mood again, but Zeke’s care lifted it.
Can’t express it, but warm-hearted… and skilled at wounds too.
Gratitude surging, she wanted to tell him sooner than tomorrow.
“Eily.”
“Yes.”
“Good at makeup?”
“Expert.”
Eily nodded confidently.
“Um… makeup that doesn’t scream ‘done’ but isn’t bare-faced?”
“Natural enhancement? Patterns 1 through 4 ready. 5’s in development.”
“And lavender perfume. Just a spritz.”