The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King (姫騎士は蛮族の嫁)

It came out so cleanly! Is this edible, too?

There's so much!

Lady Serafina... aren't you fitting in a little too well?

The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King

U-Um, Lady Serafina, might I have a word?

What is it, Malcius?

You said you intended on returning to Illdoren someday, so...

Should you really have accepted that necklace?

Probably not. I think I may have made a mistake.

Even if it has no binding power under the Order of Commoneras,

agreeing to an engagement might have been a bit rash.

But with what Resia told me...

Even if she was once a princess, she's the great chief's wife!

You shouldn't have taken her at her word!

Fear not, Malcius.

I-I will never forget my duty as a n-noble!

That is not very convincing!

I-It's just that...

I was giving some thought to what Resia said

about searching for my own happiness, or... something along those lines.

And that's what made you so indecisive?

I-Indecisive...?

I realize that's the case... I do, and yet...

When I try to think about what happiness means to me,

after a life of nothing but chivalry and swordplay...

I'm at a loss! Nothing comes to mind!

That's rather pitiful. And I have to say...

It's bizarre seeing the knight among knights, Lavillant the Frozen,

act like a naive village girl!

Well, I can see why you'd view me as such...

but it's more like a misunderstanding.

Before all this, all I had in my head were my duty and the war.

Fulfilling the duty of someone born into a noble house

blessed with talent for war...

For as long as I can remember, those things have been my focus.

That's...

Thinking back, I may have obsessed with those matters.

Though I can see why you might have interpreted

that as behaving like the ideal knight.

It's not that I resent you for it. It's just...

Since coming to this land,

meeting its people, and seeing how they live their lives...

I may have been a knight commander with the Eastern Expedition,

but to them, I was little more than an invader from the west.

Lady Serafina...

I wouldn't say that I regret the last seven years of my life.

I was doing what I believed, at the time, was the right thing.

But... I could've never imagined that the people here wouldn't hate me for it.

And you feel guilty because of it?

Could that guilt truly drive you to abandon your homeland?!

My homeland...

The desolate, barren lands of Illdoren.

For all the gains that this expedition has had over seven years,

so many of our fighting men were slain...

That I question whether it was worth it.

Whether I attend to my homeland,

or my guilt... either way, I would be forsaking something I care about.

I'm not sure I like the sound of that.

Cersei? I can see why you would, considering what you've been through.

But even if the people here pay it no mind,

I can't simply forget the things I've done.

I can't forgot how my actions should have earned me their distrust and hate.

Oh, I'm done talking about that stuff.

But for all your talk about guilt and obligation,

you're still wearing that engagement necklace.

Mulling over your misgivings while you're wearing something that would come off

if you wanted it to is practically farcical.

Besides, no matter what your worries are, we all still need to eat.

I'd say that's more pressing than the things that are on your mind.

Thinking back on it now, the food in these lands is so abundant.

The woods and waterways are rich with nourishment.

And the dragons in the forests, ferocious though they are,

are large enough to feed hundreds of people after a single hunt.

Yes, the woods.

The woods here are deep, and the mountains are rugged...

It stands to reason that people would be unable to farm such land.

Without cultivating the land, there's no room to live or any way to grow grain...

But upon cultivating it, they risk losing the land's bounty in the long term.

It's been nearly 700 years of us trying to claim their land, every few decades...

Compared to our borders before the expeditions,

it's true that we have claimed more territory,

which should include fertile lands...

But it makes little difference.

Are we simply depleting it too quickly?

Sera.

I understand you're deep in thought, but it's made you look like a squirrel.

Here, Lady Serafina!

Th-Thank you. What a relief.

Are you all right, Sera?

Were you thinking about the things you mentioned this afternoon?

No. I was pondering the significance of the Eastern Expedition to the people,

as both a knight and a noble.

Seizing your lands for the sake of our people...

I cannot say with confidence that it was a righteous cause anymore.

But were I to say that,

would the knights and soldiers who fought resent me?

Would the citizens, who were saved by our expansion?

Sera.

After we finish eating, why don't we talk outside?

The beauty of the triplet moons remains the same,

whether in the east or the west.

Indeed. They're beautiful, Sera.

Yes.

My pondering from this afternoon, and over the past few days...

I genuinely don't know what to do anymore.

Part of me thinks I should return

for the sake of my people and my comrades...

While another wants to consider my own happiness.

And it feels like I'm at a crossroads.

In that case, perhaps... you could use your imagination.

Imagination?

That's not the kind of thing I'd expect to hear from you.

I don't see why.

I'd say, compared to most,

I give a fair bit more thought to things like dreams and ideals.

The Tefyu say that having a strong enough desire

can make a wish reality.

If they're right, then I imagine doubts can only give rise to regrets.

Which is why, Sera, it may help you to imagine what the outcomes might be,

in order to decide what you want.

Imagination... Imagining things, eh?

Supposing I return home with some sort of positive accomplishment...

More than anything, I'd want our people to not starve,

and enjoy great bounty. Enough to put an end to the expeditions...

But even should that happen,

I'll likely meet a dour fate as a noble after being taken captive.

Locked away in some chamber for the rest of my days...

The more I think about it, the more grim it seems.

Granted, I knew that was a possibility...

But now, suppose, hypothetically,

I abandon my duties as a knight and choose Veor instead...

Rustic as he is, I wouldn't say he's vulgar or anything.

And his skill with a sword, while not a match for mine,

is a near contest thanks to his strength and size...

Then again, he's only 18...

with experience, he may yet become stronger than me.

And as Resia's son, his heritage is without question...

Hard as it is to imagine, suppose we had a child?

A child?! Could Veor and I have a child together?!

I suppose we could.

Huh, that might not be so bad...

Wait, this is more like fantasizing!

And I'm no closer to making a decision!

I see. You're unsure of what to do, then.

I had honestly expected that you'd be more keen to reject me.

Which is why I'm pleased to see your indecision.

It means that your feelings for me are comparable to your previous way of life,

your beliefs, and your pride, does it not?

Which is plenty for me, at the moment.

Do you realize...

that you're contradicting what you said before?

First you tell me not to hesitate, and then to ponder more...

Well, the problem is yours to solve, Sera.

All I can really do is be by your side.

That said... it may be wise for you to broaden your perspective

if you wish to resolve your problem.

How's that?

Perhaps it's time you consider taking a journey.

Lord Sidius.

Your humble servant, Hilbane,

has returned from the expedition with news.

I beg your pardon for coming unannounced, as it is of an urgent nature.

Enter.

Yes, sir.

First, let me to praise you for returning with this news.

The fact that you're here makes the nature

of this information somewhat obvious.

Has Serafina fallen in battle?

N-No, sir. Her remains were never found.

It's likely that, while battling

an enemy general as our rear guard, she was taken captive.

A distinction without a difference.