[Serena Gender Swap Ver.]

In the Kingdom of Cheon-u, magical power was synonymous with status.

Not everyone is born with magic, and only those who possess it can impregnate a partner. Conversely, those without magic cannot impregnate others but can carry a child. Gender did not matter.

However, being born with magic did not mean one could automatically use spells. Magic had to be learned, and such teachings were permitted only to the Imperial Family and certain noble houses. Consequently, those who could actually manipulate magic were extremely few, and lineages with strong magical power were considered all the more precious.

At the pinnacle of this hierarchy stood the Imperial Family.

The members of the Imperial Family inherited powerful magic through generations. The current King, His Majesty, was one of the most powerful magic users even among them.

Of course, that was not the only reason the King was loved by his people.

In the subjugation wars against magical beasts that took place in the North every year and a half, His Majesty always stood at the very front. No matter how many rumors circulated about the Imperial Family being decadent and corrupt, the people believed in the single fact that the King himself protected them.

Serena adjusted the child's collar in front of the mirror.

Today, that King returns.

It had been a year and a half.

"Let's make you a little more presentable."

She tidied the child's hair and checked her own attire once more.

This was the son she would show the King.

Long ago, His Majesty had said offhandedly.

That if she gave birth to a boy, he would cherish her.

Serena still remembered those words.

It might have truly been a joke. But to her, it wasn't.