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CHAPTER 03
“Your Highness, Please Become My Husband – ”
It had already been ten years since the day that memory flowed into her.
On that day, Serena learned of her own death. But at the same time, she saw a future beyond that death.
If she had seen the future, then what she needed to do was plan.
And she did not rush it. She built it step by step, laying a foundation strong enough to rebuild even if everything collapsed.
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
At Lucas’s question, Serena blinked slowly and turned her gaze toward him.
“Just… thinking about the day we first met.”
She had first met Lucas when she was thirteen.
She had reached out to him to test the possibility of her plan.
Lucas was the illegitimate son of Marquis Avenne, marked by abuse and neglect from his stepmother and the legitimate family.
Seeing him in her memories, she had felt a hint of pity—and so she approached him, took him in, and taught him.
It was an act of goodwill… but also her first experiment to see how much she could change the course of the story by intervening.
The result had been a success.
Instead of the legitimate heir sitting in that position, Lucas now occupied it. He had grown well—becoming a loyal hound devoted only to his master.
A mad dog, ready to tear anyone apart on command.
“I almost got jealous thinking you were thinking about another man.”
“Pointless talk.”
Serena looked at him with emotionless eyes. Lucas only smiled playfully and stepped back, as if accustomed to her cold boundaries.
Soon, the carriage came to a smooth stop. The sky, once tinted with sunset, had turned completely dark.
“We’ve arrived, my lady.”
Lucas got out first and offered his hand. Serena took it and stepped down slowly.
“Looks like we’re a bit late.”
Inside the hall, lively music and chatter blended chaotically.
“We’re still before the main ceremony. It’s fine.”
Guided by Lucas, they approached the entrance where a servant greeted them after checking the invitation.
“The young lady may follow me. The marquis may proceed into the hall.”
Lucas glanced at Serena, then nodded.
“I’ll see you inside.”
He gently pressed his lips to the back of her hand before letting go.
Serena let out a small sigh, watching his unreadable expression.
“What is he plotting now….”
She turned and followed the servant.
The Croichen Empire held its debutante ceremony every year in early spring, when flowers had yet to bloom but buds were beginning to form.
It was a tradition meant to bless noble young ladies and gentlemen who had just come of age—hoping they would bloom beautifully like flowers and contribute to the empire’s future.
This year, the hall was unusually noisy.
Since participants entered separately, the hall was filled with nobles who had already debuted, along with parents of the debutantes.
It was the perfect opportunity for political talks and marriage discussions.
“Finally, we’ll get to see the Avenne young lady today.”
A noblewoman spoke among a small gathering, and others quickly agreed.
The young lady of the Ashik Ducal House had never appeared at her debut at age eighteen, and only now—two years later—was she finally attending.
Until now, whenever the Duke was asked, he would always say, “My daughter is weak in health.”
So her sudden appearance had stirred the entire social world.
“I heard she’s very beautiful, just like the Duke.”
“There are even rumors she may be engaged to the Crown Prince.”
“She must be precious if she’s been kept hidden like this.”
As they spoke, another woman added quietly,
“Or perhaps she was too ashamed to be seen in public.”
The mood shifted.
If that were true, it meant there was something unpresentable about her—illness, or perhaps illegitimacy.
Though no one could openly agree due to the ducal status, the suspicion lingered.
“Still, if she’s being considered for the Crown Prince, she must be quite special.”
“Yes, indeed.”
The conversation faded into awkward agreement.
Then the herald’s voice rang out.
“His Imperial Majesty, the Sun of Croichen Empire, and Her Imperial Majesty, the Moon of the Empire, have arrived!”
Everyone immediately knelt.
This was the proper etiquette before the highest rulers of the empire.
“Raise your heads.”
At the Emperor’s command, all nobles lifted their heads.
The Emperor and Empress now stood upon the throne.
“Today, I am pleased to meet the shining lights of our empire’s future. Enjoy this celebration. Let the banquet begin!”
With those words, music resumed.
Those who had knelt rose and moved aside. It was time for the debutantes to enter.
“The young ladies and gentlemen enter!”
The doors opened.
Young nobles in white dresses and white suits entered in a line, all visibly nervous and inexperienced.
But among them, one stood out like a swan among chicks.
All eyes fixed on the last entrant.
Her steps were light, like falling petals. A simple white dress looked more radiant than any ornament.
And then—
“The young ladies shall lift their veils and place them into the pocket squares of the gentlemen opposite them.”
A tradition.
A symbolic gesture of blessing and future goodwill.
At the Empress’s voice, all young ladies lifted their veils—
Except one.
Silence fell again as attention turned to her.
Serena hesitated.
Normally, if there was no assigned partner, family members would have arranged it in advance.
But today, there was no one in front of her.
Her father and brother were away dealing with a landslide in their territory.
“…How troublesome.”
The Emperor received a message from a servant and frowned slightly.
Just as murmurs began to rise, a voice cut through the hall.
“Your Majesty, I have something to say.”
“Avenne Marquis.”
The Emperor looked at Lucas with mild disinterest and allowed him to speak.
“May I have the honor of standing before the young lady?”
“The marquis?”
“Yes.”
“Is the young lady agreeable?”
The Emperor looked down at Serena.
It was her choice.
Serena thought briefly.
She had no intention of attracting attention today. Not because of rumors of engagement with the Crown Prince, nor because of propriety.
But with no father or brother present, she needed a partner.
If it was Lucas… it would attract too much attention.
So this was his doing.
She shot Lucas a brief glare through her veil, then changed her decision.
She lifted her skirt slightly in elegant greeting.
“Permission granted.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Lucas stepped forward through the parted crowd.
Serena slowly lifted her gloved hand and removed her veil.
Gasps spread throughout the hall.
Silver hair shimmered under the chandelier like crushed starlight. Her skin was flawless, like finely sculpted porcelain. Her lips were the color of blooming roses.
And her violet eyes, framed by long lashes that fluttered like butterfly wings, drew every gaze in the room.
The Emperor looked pleased.
He had thought the Duke had been overly protective—but now he understood why.
The ceremony continued.
“Gentlemen, present your white roses to the ladies.”
Lucas’s eyes never left Serena.
But murmurs spread again.
A problem had arisen—the roses were red.
“I apologize for the red roses. I had to prepare them in haste.”
As whispers grew louder, Serena spoke clearly for all to hear.
“I will accept the marquis’s sincerity.”
“Thank you.”
The matter ended there.
Just as the Emperor prepared to proceed with the dance, the doors burst open again.
A knight rushed in.
“Your Majesty! A grave matter—!”
“What is it?”
“Th-the Crown Prince—!”
The knight hesitated under the pressure of countless gazes.
“Speak!”
At the Emperor’s command, the knight finally shouted:
“The Crown Prince has collapsed!!”
