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Chapter 62
The Male Lead Obsesses Over the Proposal
I Still Love You, But…
“There is a golden ring placed on my neck by His Majesty through the royal magician.”
After deciding to become Clifford’s subordinate, the emperor had the royal magician cast a spell on Senelia.
It was a natural action for Clifford, who trusted no one.
“I cannot reveal that it is the Thorn of Cloracan, nor can I betray His Majesty. In other words, Your Highness, you cannot know what restrictions are placed on me.”
Even if Clifford lied to Venerucia, claiming that the golden ring around Senelia’s neck threatened her life, Senelia could not speak the truth.
Because she could not betray Clifford.
“So, you want to use yourself to threaten my younger brother?”
Senelia’s words made Clifford narrow his eyes.
“Ha… ha ha!”
Then Clifford burst into laughter.
This, of course, meant that he was at least intrigued.
“Alright. It’s a trivial trick, but I’ll let it slide. It’s quite entertaining.”
But that was not the end.
Clifford bent his knees to meet Senelia’s gaze.
“Now, what if Venerucia doesn’t follow your plan?”
He was referring to the scenario where Venerucia would simply abandon Senelia.
Even thinking about it was a horrifying outcome.
“If you fail even after I give you a chance, you’ll have to pay the price, won’t you?”
Whether Senelia’s plan succeeded or failed, it would hardly matter to Clifford.
Yet, as expected, he was not willing to let things go easily.
As if bestowing a great generosity in allowing her words, Clifford demanded a price for his permission.
“…I will become Empress, as Your Majesty said before.”
It was equivalent to Senelia willingly putting on an eternal leash.
Clifford’s lips curved into a smile.
The reason he wanted her as his empress was that among the daughters of prestigious families—without power but with honor—Senelia, a magician, was the most useful.
And she knew that perfectly well.
“You are indeed clever.”
Clifford nodded with satisfaction.
“Very well… Selly, do as you wish.”
Clifford reached out and deactivated the magical device.
Just then, Venerucia threw down the emperor’s knights stationed at the door, and the door swung open.
Clifford reached out and grabbed Senelia, lifting her effortlessly.
She could not resist and was quickly in Clifford’s arms.
As he turned toward Venerucia… Senelia realized something was wrong.
“Of course, even knowing you have been mine from the moment you first met Venerucia, I’m not sure my younger brother would tolerate it.”
Clifford’s gaze was clearly fixed on Venerucia.
Venerucia’s expression stiffened instantly upon hearing Clifford’s words.
At the same time, Senelia’s face turned pale.
Clifford would not let things go according to Senelia’s wishes until the very end.
There was one thing she had overlooked.
Clifford desired her far more than Senelia had imagined.
Given that she was in Clifford’s arms, no excuse could save her from any misunderstanding Venerucia might have.
Bang!
However, Venerucia’s next action was unexpected.
He slammed the reception room door shut.
Outside, only the emperor’s knights, who had been taken down by Venerucia, remained.
In other words, he blocked anyone from the ducal family from witnessing the situation.
Approaching Senelia, Venerucia grabbed Clifford’s arm and pushed him away.
“No matter that you are His Majesty, it is not proper to be this close to the woman who will become my younger brother’s wife.”
Venerucia’s gaze was fixed solely on Clifford.
“Huh…?”
Clifford raised one eyebrow, surprised by Venerucia’s unexpected action.
With a dry chuckle, as if incredulous, Clifford withdrew the arm holding Senelia.
“My beloved younger brother seems not to have heard what I just said…”
“She is mine.”
Venerucia cut off Clifford’s words.
He pulled Senelia behind him, shielding her from Clifford.
Clifford’s expression stiffened.
“You still say that after hearing me?”
“Brother, I said she is mine.”
Venerucia spoke firmly once more.
He did not show the slightest sign of backing down.
“Ha… very well.”
Clifford gave a dry laugh, brushing back his hair in disbelief.
Indeed, Senelia had been right.
Venerucia’s leash was firmly in Senelia’s hands.
And that leash had now been willingly wrapped around Venerucia’s neck.
Clifford understood just how proud and arrogant his younger brother was.
Yet, even knowing Venerucia had been deceived, he was willing to let Senelia be his woman.
“I sent you to become his leash—and you did it perfectly.”
Clifford provoked Venerucia with that remark.
But Venerucia only raised an eyebrow, never stepping aside from shielding Senelia.
“You have won today, Selly.”
Clifford, calling Senelia by his chosen nickname, was met with Venerucia’s fiery gaze.
“Do not call her Selly. She is mine.”
“Tch, blinded by a woman, you dare resist me. Didn’t you lose a bet because of this?”
Clifford clicked his tongue, scolding Venerucia.
“We bet on whether you would abandon her if it became clear she belonged to me.”
Clifford seemed to be testing Venerucia, as if asking if he could handle this.
Yet Venerucia did not waver, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
Like a hunting dog protecting its master, Venerucia firmly guarded Senelia.
“Very well.”
Clifford, observing this for a while, raised his hands and laughed.
“I give Senelia Daphnen to you.”
He spoke as if he were truly yielding what was his.
For Senelia, who had never wished to belong to the emperor, it was an incredibly insulting remark.
Yet at this moment, she could not say anything.
All that occupied her mind was one fact:
Venerucia had not abandoned her.
That alone was enough for her to endure the situation.
“Return now, Your Majesty.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Venerucia spoke to Clifford.
Clifford suddenly straightened his expression.
“Venerucia Apron, do not be so insolent.”
Clifford’s finger pointed behind Venerucia.
“Do I need to remind you that your life is in my hands, my dear younger brother?”
Venerucia gritted his teeth at Clifford’s words.
If Senelia were Clifford’s person, it would be no surprise that he could control her life with spells or restrictions.
But Venerucia, as a Swordmaster, was not a magician stronger than Clifford. He could resist or break restrictions that did not apply to him.
Yet Senelia was different.
If a restriction was in place, it would be almost impossible to break it without the one who placed it lifting it.
So if Clifford’s claim was true, Senelia’s life was forever in his hands.
“…I will see you off, Your Majesty.”
Realizing this, Venerucia had no choice but to bend slightly, speaking to Clifford with utmost courtesy.
Senelia’s eyes widened, as expected.
Venerucia’s willingness to assert that he would not abandon her to Clifford was a gamble.
Honestly, she had never imagined Venerucia would go this far for her.
Yet now, despite having every reason to be angry, Venerucia humbled himself for Senelia.
“Very well, since my younger brother says so, I will let it slide today.”
Clifford finally smiled in satisfaction.
It seemed he was pleased to see that Senelia was fulfilling her role as Venerucia’s leash perfectly.
“There is no need to see you off. You will have things to discuss between yourselves.”
Clifford turned without hesitation.
The royal knights lying in front of the reception room had already recovered.
He led his knights out of the Apron Duke’s residence.
He walked with a very carefree air.
However, of the three, only Clifford felt truly at ease.
The moment he disappeared, Senelia’s legs gave out.
She collapsed to her knees.
“Selly…!”
Venerucia caught the nearly-falling Senelia.
Cold sweat ran down her forehead.
She had truly believed that this time, she would never escape from Clifford.
Finally free from that pressure, Senelia felt utterly drained, barely able to hold herself upright.
“Your Highness, I…”
Yet, no matter how embarrassed, she could not stay in his arms indefinitely.
Senelia tried to push against Venerucia’s chest to say something.
But Venerucia spoke first.
“From now on, say nothing, Selly.”
