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chapter 32
Refusal Is Impossible
The Duke of Astelle, Roger—Serena’s father—returned to his manor with the same elegance he always carried: golden hair shining, blue cloak billowing, and every step exuding authority.
“Welcome back, Your Grace. Have you been well?”
The eldest steward rushed forward and bowed deeply to the true master of the Astelle estate.
“Do you not recognize me even when I am right in front of you?”
His calm, confident tone, as if he had never left the manor, made everyone nod in acknowledgment.
“The carriage carrying me will arrive later. Every item aboard is precious, so handle them carefully. This time, the haul was extraordinary: silver wolf pelts and rhino horns crafted by ancient tribes…”
“Yes, I will inventory everything meticulously. Fortunately, there are still some rooms available in the annex.”
“I would fill that annex entirely if I could… but it’s not yet time.”
Despite his age, Roger’s eyes sparkled like a boy’s as he reminisced about his adventure. His freedom-loving lifestyle had kept him youthful in appearance, and his cheerful, magnetic smile made him look far younger than he actually was.
“Ah, there are some items that need careful storage…”
Though he had been away for a while, Roger’s focus was entirely on his spoils, ignoring the estate and even Serena herself—a boldness that, in some ways, was remarkable.
“Father!”
Serena hurried down the stairs, calling him. At last, Roger’s gaze settled on his only daughter.
“Oh, yes.”
His casual greeting was indifferent yet confident. Serena bowed slightly. She was not surprised by her father’s bold disregard—he had lived as he pleased without sending even a letter of concern.
“It’s been so long since I last saw you.”
Serena’s words carried a subtle edge, but Roger simply responded with a charming smile.
“You’ve come at the right time, haven’t you?”
Roger’s confident tone reminded Serena of her first moment in this story: awakening in a world guided by a mysterious, slightly arrogant voice after her premature death in her previous life.
“What do you mean by ‘right time’?”
In her past life, she often fantasized about becoming the protagonist of a wonderful story. Of course, like every protagonist, beauty, nobility, and love were her natural fate.
“Was it after I irresponsibly sent a letter claiming I would leave my ruined engagement to others?”
Serena pressed him, but Roger remained unflustered. If she had truly been the protagonist, she wouldn’t have had to meet such an irresponsible parent.
“I was trying to be on your side as much as I could.”
“By a single irresponsible sentence?”
“Most likely, the crown prince sought opinions from both the imperial court and the papacy. My lone opposition would have been meaningless.”
Though not wrong, the answer still left a pit in her stomach.
“At least my wording meant I wasn’t fully agreeing.”
“Then surely that means you oppose it for my sake?”
For the first time, Roger’s eyes widened.
“Why would I?”
“Why? I am your only daughter.”
When Serena first entered this world, people assumed she had merely fallen ill from a high fever.
Her father had been absent then, and she had never relied on him—but now, she was determined to use any means necessary.
“I know that.”
“Is that all? I never wanted this engagement from the start. And six years have passed since the ceremony, so it’s all invalid.”
“Hmm,” Roger muttered ambiguously.
“After enduring that dreadful engagement, I came to the Astelle estate and decided to abandon my fiancé.”
She knew all too well from her previous life how miserable it was to be abandoned. Letting go of her fiancé opened a new life—one free from judgment and social constraints.
“An engagement to the imperial family isn’t something trivial.”
“Yes. That’s why I resolved not to marry anyone. The engagement is already invalid, and if I remain single, the honor of the imperial family is unaffected.”
Serena’s insistence on remaining single had other reasons, but outwardly, it was true that she could not tarnish the family’s honor.
Once a noblewoman had been betrothed to the imperial family, marrying another man could cause complications.
“Serena, you seem to forget… you are the Duke’s daughter.”
“I know that. I’m even acting as duke in your absence.”
In any era, marriage was a contract requiring the sacrifice of personal freedom. Serena had never lived freely, so at least in this story, she wanted to live for herself.
“You’ve seen the prosperity of Astelle, right? Even if I wandered far away, I’m sure you knew our estate’s specialties.”
“Yes, I’ve been an excellent acting duke. Exceeded your expectations even.”
Roger admitted it reluctantly, but it didn’t make her feel better.
“Yet, before being an acting duke, you are the Duke’s daughter. And the crown prince’s fiancée.”
Since that unpleasant engagement, no one had treated her seriously, yet everyone now casually referred to her as the crown prince’s fiancée.
“So, that engagement…”
“On my way here, I heard. Both the imperial court and the papacy approved it.”
That was a fact Serena could not change.
“Moreover, the crown prince himself came to this manor to see you.”
“He was an uninvited guest. And I never consented to this marriage.”
Roger exhaled sharply.
“It is an engagement recognized by both the imperial court and the papacy. No one else’s permission is needed.”
His voice was firm, his expression strict. Though he enjoyed wandering, he was still a nobleman.
“Father, I have led Astelle to prosperity. I do not need to marry.”
“Listen well. I assigned you as acting duke to protect you from the negative opinion following the engagement ceremony.”
All the prominent nobles of the capital had attended the crown prince’s engagement, witnessing both his fury and Serena’s arrogance—even scenes that made them almost enemies instead of betrothed.
“I wanted you to stay away from the capital’s social circles and enjoy peace in our estate… until the engagement becomes a marriage.”
Serena looked at her father in disbelief, but Roger’s expression remained unchanged.
“Six years? Did you think some customary law could dare break the promise between the Tern Empire and the Astelle dukedom?”
Serena now felt the enormity of Roger as a wall in front of her. She had underestimated more than just Lucas.
“But you never said such things. How many times have you even spoken to me?”
“Do I need words? You are the Duke’s daughter. That alone is explanation enough.”
Roger, second only to royalty in status, was no easy opponent.
Thus, not only were obligations and loyalty to the imperial family unavoidable, but he could not allow his only daughter to remain single, no matter how stubborn she was.
“And what of the letter? I thought you might not support maintaining the engagement.”
“My ambiguous reply was a rebuke to the crown prince, who delayed for six years, and a signal that you should be cherished henceforth.”
Serena was momentarily speechless. She had run to him hoping the situation might change, only to face someone even more imposing than Lucas.
“The connection between the emperor and our dukedom is deeper than anything. Unfortunately, you are my only child, so the engagement was inevitable.”
“…You two made a wager in battle, and the emperor lost, resulting in my engagement.”
“Hmm? Did you really believe that story?”
Roger chuckled softly.
“Yes, the emperor lost the wager, but that alone did not determine the marriage.”
After all, this was the future emperor’s engagement and the union of a noble dukedom. Believing it was only due to a wager made Serena feel foolish.
“If the crown prince hadn’t stepped in, I would have acted myself.”
Roger’s voice was clear, his eyes resolute. Unlike his usual carefree demeanor, he radiated dignity and authority. Serena felt foolish for having underestimated him just because he had a wandering spirit.
“Why so surprised?”
Seeing Serena’s tense expression, Roger smiled nonchalantly.
“You, a duke’s daughter, want to remain single… how naive.”
Now, there was no one to take Serena’s side. Her father’s sudden return made that painfully clear.
“Do not worry about Astelle. I will personally oversee things, as I have my own matters to attend to.”
With the true master back, Serena, the acting duke, had no argument.
“Prepare to depart soon.”
“Already? You’re throwing me out completely.”
“We cannot prepare the state wedding here.”
To everyone else, the crown prince’s upcoming marriage was a settled fact.
“I’ve asked the Marquess of Sherwood. He’s my cousin, and his wife understands propriety. They are suitable.”
“What if I refuse?”
Her defiant blue eyes stared Roger down.
“Hmph, you really do take after your mother.”
Roger smiled elegantly. At this moment, Serena knew she could not surpass her father in experience or authority.
Just like she could not stop the impending wedding, she could not prevent the marriage to the crown prince.
The one undeniable fact remained: Serena could not escape the crown prince’s marriage.
