The Impending End of the World (It’s Real) #2
"I'm just not interested in romance…."
Serena laughed, looking a bit awkward.
Why wouldn't you be?
You can't just not be interested in men.
You’re supposed to become a man-obsessed girl.
No matter how much I shouted that in my head, it wouldn't reach Serena.
I furrowed my brow.
"Umm, Your Majesty? Is something wrong…? You seem to have something on your mind."
Serena was reading my expression. Her attitude was remarkably uninhibited.
Some might curse this as a display of someone who has no fear and no sense of etiquette.
'How could a mere noble lady act so familiarly with the Emperor?' they might say.
Especially that gloomy, despicable Black Mage acting as the Imperial Proxy who lives somewhere in the shadows.
"Serena Enfield."
"Ye-yes!"
"Are you not afraid of Jim?"
"……Should I answer that honestly?"
"No, that alone is answer enough."
The moment she asked that back, it meant she was simply terrified.
As I let out a dry laugh, Serena didn't know what to do with herself.
In a way, it was truly a look befitting a 'female protagonist.'
Fearless, not necessarily lacking in etiquette but choosing not to follow it, and even being rude.
Of course, there are female protagonists who aren't like that.
There are definitely female protagonists in dark, depressing romance fantasies, or those who are bold, clever, and possess sharp political instincts.
But one thing is certain: any female protagonist is a being loved by the world.
A heroine who gets unfairly treated and rolls through the mud? Let’s leave that as an exception. There are perverts who like dark, depressing stories everywhere, after all.
Anyway.
For that reason, it’s fine if Serena Enfield’s head is filled with flowers.
Even if she is somewhat rude.
Because this world is one where such rudeness eventually returns as a kindness that saves others.
I, too, didn't feel angry or annoyed by Serena’s attitude.
If anything, a sense of affection was tickling its way up from a corner of my heart.
Hmm.
Affection, is it.
"A bit annoying."
"Hick!"
Serena’s shoulders trembled.
It wasn't really her fault. The reason I felt unpleasant was because of the Goddess.
Once I realized there was some kind of force compelling my perceptions, irritation surged.
I shook my head and erected a barrier in my mind. I shook off the power that had tried to invade me.
Damn bitch. I want to screw her over properly once, but is there no way?
Tsk.
With the delusion gone, I looked at Serena.
"I, I'm sorry…."
Her slender body was trembling.
Did I fail to suppress my killing intent for a split second?
"I just remembered something unpleasant for a moment; it is not your fault."
I spoke in as soft a voice as possible so she could feel at ease.
Because she was simply born with the destiny of being loved by the world.
In the first place, I liked Serena quite a bit even before I became Khalid.
Why else would I have played such a shitty game, especially one crawling with male characters?
It was because the female characters, especially the heroine, were pretty, so I stuck with it.
As I soothed her, Serena’s trembling slowly subsided.
"You asked if I had something on my mind."
"Ye-yes, Your Majesty. Please, tell me. I was actually famous as a counselor back in my hometown."
Serena smiled bravely.
As expected, it was a sunshine-like smile befitting a heroine.
But that’s that, and this is this.
"Why are you not dating?"
"Pardon?"
Because if you don't date, the world will end.
Of course, it wasn't a problem that would be solved just because I grabbed her and told her to date.
Unless I forced them into a relationship, that is.
The important thing wasn't the result, but the process—not the outward appearance, but the feelings she held inside.
If she doesn't truly love, it’s all useless in the end.
"Eek, um, that is. I’m sorry……?"
I don't know what to do with this girl who is just apologizing with a blank face.
The Serena I remember was definitely someone who would say things like:
-Thump.
-When Zeke’s pitch-black eyes looked at me, I felt as if the deepest parts of my heart were being thoroughly searched.
And so on and so forth.
She was the kind of woman who would spout long-winded descriptions just by making eye contact.
But now, with a blank, vacant face, she’d say things like:
"Ah, Zeke! Thanks for coming today too."
Or,
"Wow, this flower is pretty. I’ll definitely repay you next time."
She answers with a bright, smiling face, yet inside, there isn't even the slightest bit of agitation.
Give her back.
My man-obsessed, love-at-first-sight Serena.
Right now, she’s just a woman who unconsciously seduces men without even realizing it.
"You are a sinful woman."
"O-oh, it’s a misunderstanding!"
Serena herself is clamoring that she’s never done such a thing.
"It is even more malicious in that you do not know."
"I agree."
Why are you saying that while looking at me, Lily?
I know very well.
"You know?"
"Let’s pretend I don't."
The gaze is stinging.
"Ahem."
Anyway.
It’s not like there are no men around her.
For a noble lady at the age where she should be most interested in romance to have no interest in it.
I don't know the reason.
"Should I say that no matter who I look at, I don't feel a flutter~…."
Serena said, hesitating.
"Of course, I know Zeke is a truly wonderful person."
But he doesn't look like a romantic interest.
That was what Serena said.
"Your Majesty, is it just me, or does it seem hopeless?"
Lily, who had been listening, approached quietly and whispered.
That’s what I think, too.
"Then how about the Tower Master? Ian, that is."
"Ah, Ian is……. Eek, did Ian like me?!"
You Tower Master, you bastard.
If you’re a male lead, act like one.
"Oh, I had no idea. We weren't even that close to begin with…."
I see.
So all three male leads are disqualified, is that it?
Understood.
"Lily."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"If the world were to end, what would you want to do?"
"I will spend the last day with Your Majesty."
Right.
Thank you.
But I’m not very happy about it.
Because it really feels like it’s going to end.
"D-did I do something wrong?"
Serena shrank back again.
"I’m sorry I didn't meet Your Majesty’s expectations……."
Tears welled up in her large eyes.
When you think about it, it wasn't her fault at all.
I swallowed a sigh inwardly.
"It is fine."
I wiped the tears gathered at the tips of her eyes.
"……Ah."
"You may forget the conversation we had after calling you here today. Do not keep it in your heart for no reason."
When I return, I’ll have to find a way to contact Hecate.
It seemed unlikely that Serena would hold anyone in her heart for the time being.
"Lily, let us return."
"U-um, Your Majesty."
Just as I was about to rise from my seat.
Serena grabbed me.
It was all written on her face that she was thinking about what kind of trouble she had just caused.
And then, as if she had made a resolution.
Serena said,
"…Could you, could you wait just a moment?"
"……."
Silence flowed.
Sweat was pouring down Serena’s cheeks.
This woman, why did she say it when she was going to regret it after saying it?
First of all.
"Lily, put it away."
"Yes."
Lily sheathed her dagger again.
"Hick."
Serena’s complexion turned pale, having owed her life to me without even realizing it.
I sat back down for now.
"……Serena."
"Ye-yes."
"If it is just a moment, how much longer do you need?"
"That is……."
Instead of an immediate answer,
Serena just rolled her eyes, looking troubled.
"It is fine. I will wait."
There must be something there.
I had already known for a while that Serena had some kind of secret.
I don't know what it is, though.
Serena fidgeted with her fingers.
She looks like a puppy that can’t sit still and is dying of impatience.
Quite some time passed.
As if she had steeled herself, Serena’s mouth opened.
"I, I can see many things."
"You can see many things?"
"Yes. Things related to me, things I don't know…. I’ve seen them a lot since I was young."
Serena pressed firmly against her chest.
After hesitating for a moment, she spoke again.
"I think the reason I can't like anyone is a problem with my own heart. So, just once, I will try to face Zeke’s heart properly."
I pushed for a date.
"I have prepared my heart."
It was Siegfried. He had a face that looked like he had steeled himself, perhaps having heard something from Serena.
By the way, didn't he return to the North a while ago?
It seems he came running from the North in a single breath at the news that I had arranged a date with Serena.
Don't you have to manage your own territory?
"My adjutant will handle that part well."
What on earth is the existence of an adjutant to a Northern Grand Duke in a romance fantasy novel?
I was convinced.
It means he left only the work that could be entrusted to his adjutant and handled everything else himself.
In the first place, he’s competent enough to have inherited a duchy at that age and still have the surrounding lords under his thumb.
"Do not be too heartbroken if the result is not good."
"Isn't this the time when you should be cheering me on?"
"I am on Serena’s side, not yours."
This might be somewhat open to misunderstanding.
"Is there some blood relation between Your Majesty and Serena that I don't know about?"
Of course, there is no such secret about hidden lineage.
Serena is just a noble lady from a humble, fallen noble family whose name has even been forgotten.
It’s just that she’s particularly pretty and particularly loved by the world.
I patted Siegfried on the shoulder.
"Go on."
Go and save the world, Siegfried.
"…Serena, have you been waiting long?"
"No! I just arrived too."
Serena and Siegfried met.
Zeke, that guy, where did the look of confusion from just a moment ago go? He had returned to being the cold Northern Grand Duke.
A man who is cold to the world but warm to his woman.
Zeke was exactly that kind of character.
He was popular with women, too.
"Is there anywhere you want to go?"
"Shall we go to the park we went to last time? Zeke, you liked the lake there, didn't you?"
"Hmm. Let’s do that."
Serena led Siegfried first.
"Come to think of it, Your Majesty."
"What is it?"
"Did you guess from the beginning that Lady Serena possessed a very rare and outstanding ability?"
Lily asked.
"……I did not know."
What is it?
Limited future sight, huh.
I’ve never heard of such a thing.
"Hehe, as expected of Your Majesty. So that’s why you were trying to recruit Lady Serena."
As expected, my foot.
It’s a misunderstanding.