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chapter 28
Three Answers
Having received responses from both the Imperial Court and the Papal Office, Lucas now only awaited a reply from Duke Astel.
“Are you really not going to open them?”
Cedric asked repeatedly out of curiosity, but Lucas always shook his head.
“How many times do I have to say it? I intend to open them all at once, in the presence of the concerned parties.”
Of course, Lucas had some confidence. Even if the Emperor might hesitate, the Empress had always understood him without words, so it was highly likely she would approve this matter. And during his travels, he had cleared certain debts with the Papal Office, so they too would be on his side.
“Your Highness, I can’t guarantee that Duke Astel will cooperate.”
“Indeed. He’s unpredictable.”
Lucas nodded.
“But thanks to that, we’ve avoided a major mistake.”
Had he been an ordinary duke, things might have escalated beyond this point. Forcing a marriage just to secure a future empress and bring about misfortune would, paradoxically, have been more “normal.”
“If Duke Astel had forced this marriage for his own gain… I wouldn’t even have had the chance to realize whether my feelings for her were genuine.”
Lucas was born into a rank where love alone could not dictate marriage. That made him all the more unwilling to let this opportunity slip away.
“And my heart has already been decided.”
From his boyhood to now, the one woman he had always wished for—if he could not have her as his wife, how could he ever love anyone else?
“Even if Duke Astel opposes it, I don’t care.”
A confident smile spread across Lucas’s face. No matter what Serena thought, his plan was nearly complete.
“This was my intention from the beginning.”
The moment he first saw Serena, fate was sealed. He hadn’t understood the significance of the imprint she left on him at the time, but over the years, everything had become clear.
“Sir Cedric.”
While Lucas was lost in thought, a servant at the doorway called for Cedric.
“A dispatch has arrived from Duke Astel.”
Lucas turned at the news. Finally, all three letters were in place.
“Your Highness.”
The sealed note bore Duke Astel’s emblem. Lucas gathered it along with the letters from the Imperial Court and Papal Office and rose from his seat.
“Go and deliver it to the lady. The answer that will determine our marriage has arrived.”
Lucas’s triumphant demeanor already predicted victory.
Serena greeted the crown prince with a resolute expression, like a knight ready to accept a duel.
“Your Highness.”
She bowed formally to Lucas, though her face remained cold.
“You’ve brought the replies, haven’t you?”
“Yes. Are you not pleased?”
Serena raised the corner of her mouth.
“Of course, I am.”
“Did you wait for our marriage as I did?”
Despite Lucas’s mischievous question, Serena did not lower her expression.
“Yes, I waited. I waited for the day I could expose the absurdity of your belated claim to our engagement.”
Her engagement to the crown prince had not been of her choosing. But Lucas’s unexpected actions over the past six years had opened an entirely new life for Serena.
“You still believe in customary law?”
“The Papal Office acknowledges it as well.”
Serena had annually sent letters pretending to lament her fate, claiming she was destined to remain unmarried since her engagement had not been formalized. This was the only way a noblewoman of her era could gain recognition as an independent, unmarried woman—and it had worked.
“All of you, leave.”
Lucas placed the three letters on the table and ordered the attendants out. Soon, only the two of them remained, his jet-black eyes fixed on Serena.
“Will you open them yourself? It will be easier for you to accept that way.”
“Nothing will change.”
Only a few months had passed since the last letter had been sent. Soon, his pride and faith would crumble.
“I hope you accept the result, Your Highness.”
“Of course.”
Lucas smiled leisurely.
“No matter the outcome, I will accept it.”
“Then the result is practically already decided.”
“Yes. Will you accept it too?”
Seeing that Lucas still hadn’t grasped reality, Serena let out a small, amused laugh.
“Of course.”
Even though Lucas had undergone six grueling years of preparation and had grown into such a strong man, it did not change the laws of the world.
Though she had lost sleep the previous night, Serena concluded that no fleeting emotion could alter her life’s course.
“Then, check it with your own hands.”
Lucas, hands behind his back, gave a relaxed smile. Serena nodded and reached first for the letter bearing the Imperial Court’s seal.
As she opened it, Lucas quietly moved around the table and stood closely behind her.
“Your Highness.”
Serena paused, sensing his suspicious proximity, but Lucas stood there brazenly.
“Shouldn’t I see it too?”
“You needn’t stand this close; from that height, you can see everything.”
Being taller than her wasn’t always convenient.
“Just in case, I want to see it clearly.”
His brazen attitude showed no intention of moving back. Serena, curious about the content, had no choice but to endure the discomfort. After all, once she knew the result, this distance would be meaningless.
“By the Empress’s handwriting, I see.”
Before fully unfolding the letter, Lucas’s voice rang softly.
“Don’t interfere.”
Lucas merely shrugged. Serena, maintaining her composure, fully opened the letter and began to read.
[Therefore, the Imperial Court prioritizes the fulfillment of promises and commands the marriage of the two.]
Serena blinked slowly.
“I see… they command the marriage.”
Had it not been for Lucas’s excited voice, she might have stood frozen for a long while.
“No… but…”
Until recently, the Imperial Court had only expressed regret. And now, after six years, they were enforcing a marriage? This was absurd.
“Did Your Highness intervene?”
Serena glared at Lucas, standing behind her.
“How could I? I’ve been here with you the whole time.”
Lucas’s visit to the Astel territory had been deliberate. He had to witness this result with Serena.
“The Empress will naturally side with the Crown Prince. But two more remain.”
Serena urgently opened the Papal Office’s letter. They had previously expressed sympathy for her unmarried situation, saying she must endure.
[The Papal Office rejoices that the engagement, sworn in God’s name, shall be fulfilled, and insists that the marriage must be completed without delay.]
She was speechless with disbelief. Though she had never truly believed in God, she had never expected such betrayal.
“W-wait a moment.”
Serena grabbed the last remaining letter and stepped away from Lucas.
“Why? You said you would accept the result just a moment ago… has your mind changed?”
“This is problematic. Both the Imperial Court and Papal Office previously recognized my right to remain single!”
“That was a mistake.”
Lucas smiled slyly.
“Seems they’ve realized that mistake now.”
Serena shook her head vigorously. She would not be defeated so easily.
“Still, the most important opinion remains—my father’s.”
“You said you liked fairness?”
Yes. But one cannot always enforce one’s principles.
“If my father opposes it, I cannot consent either.”
“…I see.”
Lucas nodded surprisingly readily.
“No matter who opposes it in this world, my feelings won’t change.”
His words were still infuriating. Serena quickly opened Duke Astel’s letter to prevent him from speaking further. She closed her eyes upon reading a single line.
“Oh… a wise answer.”
Lucas’s voice rang teasingly.
“He defers to the remaining decisions. Truly a prudent response.”
Serena felt naive.
The Imperial Court would naturally side with Lucas, the Papal Office wished the engagement to proceed, and Duke Astel was a man who cared little as long as it didn’t interfere with her wandering life.
“You said you would accept it too. How do you feel now?”
Lucas’s low voice made Serena finally open her eyes. She was frustrated, yet couldn’t hide her astonishment. She hadn’t expected not a single person to be on her side.
“This is wrong.”
“You verified it yourself.”
Serena shook her head and looked him straight in the eyes.
“Even if the world deems it right, you attempting to marry me is wrong.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
“Why so certain?”
The woman who had never forgotten him a single day for the past six years was now staring at him unflinchingly.
“When we were betrothed, I already acknowledged my immaturity and errors. After that, I left you alone to grow stronger, and I will make amends for that.”
Lucas’s black eyes no longer held the earlier smile. Neither did Serena’s.
“You’re making a greater mistake than our engagement.”
“Are you still resenting my negligence?”
“No. I am not speaking of the past.”
Lucas’s eyes filled with curiosity. If it wasn’t about their past, why was Serena so resolute?
“I do not wish to marry Your Highness. What greater mistake could there be than forcing a woman into a marriage she does not want?”
From the start, Serena’s words had been unwavering.
“There is no greater mistake than missing this marriage.”
The same went for Lucas.
“Even if you do not want it now, I wished to have you by my side. I desire you… more than ever.”
The betrothed Serena had abandoned now stood before her, stronger than ever, desiring her.
It was irresistible.
