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Chapter 42
A Way to Bind You
While Benelucia was in a relationship with Senelia, he had given her countless precious gifts.
A mermaid’s tear, a crystal of the sun, a fairy’s flower… and many others.
All of them were priceless treasures at auctions, worthy of being considered national treasures of a kingdom.
Of course, she always received them with gratitude.
But… aside from the very first time, when he personally placed them on her, Benelucia never once saw her wearing those gifts.
At first, he thought perhaps she didn’t like them.
The women he had dated before had all had rather particular tastes.
Why would Senelia be any different?
But it wasn’t until the day she told him she was ending things that he learned the reason.
Each of Benelucia’s precious gifts had been kept in pristine condition in their respective cases, without a speck of dust.
Not a single one had been worn — they were so well-maintained that not a single scratch could be found, and they still sparkled as if brand new.
Senelia would never know just how dumbfounded he was when he discovered that.
They had always been prepared to be returned.
That proved she had never considered those gifts her own.
“No. I doubt anything but a dress from Madame Lampadour would catch my eye.”
That memory had led Benelucia to overturn his original plan.
Forget about things being too much or beyond her means — he was going to force the very best upon her, until there was nothing more she could ask for.
If she became used to such luxuries, then naturally only those things would be good enough for her.
With that thought, he suddenly felt satisfied with what he had just said.
Once you become accustomed to the best, everything else feels insignificant.
And he was the only one who could offer those things to Senelia.
If he could bind her to him in this way, then why not?
“Jewelry should be from Lukerni.”
And so, Benelucia mentioned Lukerni’s name.
Like Madame Lampadour, Lukerni was a craftsman who only worked for the imperial family.
“…Your Highness!”
Senelia could barely speak now.
Until this moment, Benelucia hadn’t shown much interest in what she wore or adorned herself with.
Whether he loved a woman or not, he was always generous with his lovers.
So Senelia had thought he might’ve forgotten about the gifts after giving them.
That’s why this sudden shift from him — no matter how much he claimed to love her — was something she couldn’t easily accept.
Though he had deliberately put himself in a position to give her orders, this was far beyond anything she had expected.
“Selie, you’ll need a personal attendant for your hair and makeup, won’t you?”
Regardless of her reaction, Benelucia showed no intention of accepting her refusal.
“Baroness Schwyken would be perfect for the role.”
Baroness Schwyken had once served as the personal stylist of Benelucia’s mother, the former Empress.
Though long retired, she continued training young talents with her skills still sharp.
Thus, she was both highly sought after and immensely proud.
“…Your Highness, please calm down.”
Senelia grabbed Benelucia’s arm with trembling hands.
She could think of nothing but stopping him.
And so, without realizing it, she spoke the coldest words she could think of — ones that might halt the moment.
“Are you planning to introduce me as your fiancée at Marquis Elian’s banquet? Sir Elian will be there, and more importantly, I’ve already told you clearly that I’m ending things with Your Highness.”
Madame Lampadour, craftsman Lukerni, Baroness Schwyken.
Many desired to be served by them.
But Senelia had no interest in them.
The reason was simple — she never wanted to be someone who deserved such things.
Of course, she had ended things with Benelucia to fully tie him to her.
But even so, she had never truly desired such entitlement.
Marriage to him had been a necessity for her freedom.
Such qualifications held no meaning in front of that goal.
So her words rang with complete sincerity.
And with them, Benelucia’s excited thoughts — the ones that wanted to shower her with riches to bind her to him — came crashing down.
“…Right. You did reject me.”
Benelucia’s voice lowered instantly.
His silver eyes darkened.
While he had been thinking of ways to keep Senelia by his side, she had never forgotten that she intended to leave him.
Realizing this, Benelucia unknowingly clenched his teeth.
“So what?”
He ground out the words like he was chewing them.
If he could, he wanted to tear every single thought of leaving him out of Senelia’s head.
“I can propose to you as many times as I want — until you accept me.”
He had never been rejected before.
But rather than wallow in wounded pride, Benelucia prioritized keeping Senelia beside him.
There would be plenty of opportunities to mend his pride.
But there was only one Senelia.
If he lost her, that would be the end.
“Now and forever — I’ll be your only man.”
And with that, Benelucia willingly knelt before Senelia on one knee.
“Do I want to introduce you as my duchess at that banquet?”
His lips landed gently on the fourth finger of her left hand.
A finger that had always been bare — they weren’t officially engaged, after all.
Benelucia had deliberately gifted her enough rings to outshine even engagement rings, but Senelia had never worn them.
Of course, back then, he hadn’t understood why he acted like that.
“If I do… would you accept my proposal then? Hmm? Selie.”
Benelucia’s voice suddenly turned sweet.
Like the serpent whispering to Eve, he smiled gently, his beautiful face shining with charm meant only for Senelia.
Her gaze was drawn to him before she could even stop herself.
He had the most beautiful face in this world — and he was smiling for her.
Who could easily reject something with that much emotional weight?
“Selie.”
When she didn’t respond, Benelucia’s smile deepened.
“You should answer. Hmm?”
He urged again.
He was a man used to faces full of love directed at him.
From her fleeting expression, Benelucia felt sure — she would accept him.
“I…”
But at that moment, Senelia suddenly snapped out of it like waking from a spell.
Benelucia’s confident expression.
She knew that face.
A face that had never failed in love. One that had never been desperate for love.
Of course.
Even if he waited for Lucalina for years, he had likely never once doubted that she’d eventually love him back.
“…No. I won’t marry Your Highness.”
And so, Senelia had to reject him.
Even as she watched that brilliant smile freeze in an instant.
It somehow hurt.
It felt like she had done something cruel.
But she didn’t take her words back.
Better to be his first thirst, than his second love.
“If this is about needing a shield against Sir Elian, please tell me. I will follow your orders…”
Once again, she drew the line.
As if she would never, by her own will, agree to marry him.
“Selie!”
Benelucia couldn’t stand it anymore and interrupted her.
His voice sharpened instinctively.
When she flinched, he immediately bit his lip and apologized.
“…Sorry for yelling. It’s just that I…”
But this time, he couldn’t finish his sentence.
‘I love you. I’d never use you as a shield.’
Even if he said that, she wouldn’t believe him. She wouldn’t answer.
And the one who had made her that way — was him.
Benelucia ran his hands over his face, suppressing a sigh.
“Don’t say such things. And no matter how shameless I am… I won’t force you into marriage.”
This was the best he could offer.
A hot weight sat on his chest, burning him inside.
But he couldn’t let it out.
“…If this is too much, let’s go to another boutique.”
And in the end, as if all their bickering had been for nothing, Benelucia gave in.
Yes — he couldn’t force Senelia to do anything more.
But he soon came to regret his choice.
Because just as they stepped into the famous boutique of Madame Longroute — a designer known for dresses Senelia would surely love — they ran into none other than Lucalina.
