TMLOP 51

Chapter 51

 Only With Me

The welcoming banquet for Rucalina’s return was suddenly hosted by the Imperial Palace.

That was because Clifford abruptly declared that he would award her a medal for her long years of service as a commander, and hold a celebration in her honor.

Other knights who had just returned from the battlefield would also be recognized for their merits at the event.

Because of this, Rucalina couldn’t refuse Clifford’s words.

She herself could have hosted a banquet at the Marquisate of Elian to which she belonged, but the same couldn’t be said for the other knights.

Clifford was stingy toward the nobility, but he wasn’t one to discriminate by status.

So, among the knights who served the imperial family, many were commoners.

A victory banquet would eventually be held by the Imperial Palace, but if the Emperor didn’t want it, it could be postponed indefinitely.

And since Clifford wasn’t someone who cared about what others thought, if Rucalina declined this time, he might endlessly delay the banquet and never hold it.

She couldn’t turn her back on the comrades who had suffered alongside her.

And because of that, fortunately, Senelia didn’t need to find a partner for the banquet.

Since both the Emperor and the Grand Duke were unmarried, the imperial banquets were full of unmarried young ladies, whether they came alone or with family members.

Bringing a partner wasn’t a strict rule of etiquette, just an old custom.

However, many deliberately ignored that custom to stand out in front of the Emperor and the Grand Duke.

Thanks to that, she had no reason to attract attention.

“Milady, His Grace the Grand Duke has sent a gift.”

The head maid spoke to Senelia with an uncomfortable look.

Ever since Senelia had completely rejected Benelucia, he had stopped visiting her.

But as if to show that he hadn’t given up on her, Benelucia kept sending gifts—each one something she would need for the Imperial banquet.

Things he might have done for her, if only he hadn’t met Rucalina that day.

“Send it back.”

Senelia didn’t even look at the gifts before speaking.

The head maid answered with a troubled expression.

“He said that if you return them, they will be discarded as they are in the carriage.”

Senelia frowned deeply.

Benelucia had sent the gifts in the Grand Duke’s carriage.

It was clear to everyone that the sender was the Grand Duke.

For a mere noblewoman to throw away the Grand Duke’s gift—

Just the thought of such news spreading through society gave Senelia a headache.

“…For now, just put them aside somewhere.”

Of course, that didn’t mean Senelia intended to wear his gifts.

She had already received a dress handed down through generations in the House of Daphne.

“Milady… are you truly all right?”

The head maid asked with concern.

She seemed worried that Senelia kept clashing with the imperial prince, Benelucia.

“I’m fine.”

And indeed, Senelia was far less troubled than expected.

No—in fact, things were turning out rather as she intended.

Because she knew why Benelucia, who was well aware of her character, was sending such flashy gifts.

He was warning other young noblemen that Senelia was his partner, so they had better not covet her.

This wasn’t Benelucia’s usual way of doing things.

He was the kind of man who never held onto those who left.

But now, his actions were no different from disrespecting Senelia and binding her by force.

Something he had never imagined doing—clinging to someone.

And although the original novel was a tragic one, that was Clifford’s fault.

Benelucia was portrayed as someone who, even in this cruel world, protected the weak—children, the elderly, and women—and respected human life.

Even after the long war he endured before reaching adulthood, he hadn’t lost himself. His essence remained untainted and unbroken.

That was how the original work evaluated Benelucia.

Using power to oppress others was the kind of act Clifford would do.

It was exactly the thing Benelucia hated most—forced from a young age by Clifford to fight in war that way.

Yet here he was, doing the very same thing.

Breaking his own beliefs, violating his own taboo.

And ironically for Benelucia, Senelia didn’t feel sorry about it at all.

No, it was only after seeing him this way that she finally realized something.

No matter the resentment she felt whenever he tried to control her—this was exactly what she wanted.

Because only then—when Benelucia one day woke up and realized that his true love had always been Rucalina—he still wouldn’t be able to abandon her.

Ah… she had changed.

So much so, there was no turning back.

The victory banquet lasted for five days.

Whether tyrant or not, Clifford’s reign was undeniably effective, and because of him, the empire was materially prosperous.

On the first night of the banquet, as expected, Senelia entered without a partner.

Those who looked her way quickly averted their gazes.

Because the man who seemed to steal all the light in the hall immediately walked straight toward her.

“Celly.”

The man, of course, was Benelucia.

As if the sea had parted in scripture, people naturally moved aside, leaving him at the center.

And every time this happened, Senelia was reminded—

Just who the protagonist of this world was.

“Dance with me.”

Benelucia held out his hand to her, as if he had been waiting.

Even the nobles who admired him as though he were a god of beauty were shocked.

Because the Emperor had not yet taken the first dance.

All eyes turned between the Emperor and the Grand Duke.

But the Emperor said nothing.

In that silence, everyone understood.

The Emperor had permitted the bond between Benelucia and Senelia.

“…Your Grace.”

Senelia instinctively stiffened.

Despite all she had suffered from Clifford, despite always having to trail Benelucia like a shadow, she was still an ordinary woman who hated standing out.

But however she looked, Benelucia ignored it and took her hand on his own.

“You will dance, won’t you?”

He naturally led her to the center of the floor.

“…It would be my honor.”

Senelia lightly bent her knees and followed him onto the stage.

No one else stepped forward to dance—as if the floor was meant for the two of them alone.

Despite the emptiness of the floor, the orchestra began to play.

And at that moment—was it coincidence?

Senelia’s eyes met Rucalina’s, whose face was frozen stiff.

“…Your Grace, may I ask what exactly this situation is?”

Senelia spoke before she realized it.

Her expression was icy, though it was intentional.

Because she wanted Rucalina to see it.

So that she would, finally, give up on Benelucia Afron.

So that she would hand him over to her.

She wished it desperately.

Because only then could she survive.

“I’m making sure you can’t go anywhere but with me.”

Benelucia whispered softly.

But surely the Sword Master Rucalina would have heard it.

“And while we’re at it, I’d like to marry you.”

He murmured against Senelia’s ear.

They were far too close for a dance, and his voice clung to her ear, making her flinch involuntarily.

“I want to marry you, so our goals align, don’t they?”

“I suppose Your Grace has forgotten that I once said I would have nothing more to do with you.”

Senelia deliberately provoked him.

Benelucia behaved as if this space contained only the two of them.

Even the Emperor and Rucalina seemed invisible to him in that moment.

Pretending to dance, Senelia stepped back as if to put some distance between them.

At once, Benelucia tightened his arm around her waist and pulled her back in.

“If you do nothing with me, then you’ll do nothing with anyone.”

Desire, once it sprouted, was a monster that would bloom unless torn out by the roots.

No one knew that truth better than Benelucia.

Clifford had never compromised when he wanted something, even after securing the throne to survive.

And how many had suffered for it?

Clifford’s policies were often effective, but they lacked mercy or morality.

He never hesitated to use people as tools for the best results.

There was no elder brother Clifford in him.

To some, Clifford must have looked like a monster.

That was why Benelucia had always been wary of his own desires.

He didn’t want to become a monster.

But—when he finally held Senelia in his arms, he had to admit it.

He had always been no different from his brother.

“…So, marriage and love—do them with me, Celly.”

Satisfaction filled Benelucia’s silver eyes.

He was pleased with the words he had spoken.

He thought he had almost made a foolish choice.

Ah, to think he had considered letting her slip out of his hands.

How could he have been so stupid?

“I…”

Senelia deliberately drew out her words without answering immediately.

At that moment, the song ended.

“Ben.”

But she couldn’t finish.

For the heroine of this world had approached—and called Benelucia.