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CHAPTER 06
Your Highness, Please Be My Husband —
Serena stared blankly out the window at the evening sunset. Of course, she could feel disapproving gazes from the people beside her, but it was better not to touch a bomb that was about to explode. There was nothing to gain from provoking it—only she would lose.
With a creak, the carriage came to a stop.
“We’ve arrived!”
At the driver’s shout, the silence inside the carriage was replaced by the sound of rustling fabric.
The duke got out first, followed by Claus.
“Big sister, take my hand.”
Serena looked at Claus, who was offering his hand to help her down, then slowly curved her lips into a smile and accepted it.
“Thank you.”
Hypocrite.
It was almost amusing how he pretended to be a kind, gentle younger brother in public to avoid giving others any leverage against him.
The moment she placed her hand on his and stepped out of the carriage, faint laughter could be heard from all around.
Given how dazzling her debut had once been, her current plain and understated appearance naturally invited ridicule.
Both she and Claus could not have failed to hear it.
The duke’s and Claus’s brows twitched in irritation—father and son, even their reactions were identical when displeased. But they quickly composed themselves, switching to polite smiles with remarkable speed.
“Let’s go.”
The duke said through clenched teeth, but Serena pretended not to hear and smiled pleasantly.
She followed behind him toward the banquet hall.
“House Avenne Duke and his children have arrived!”
At the massive doors, the gatekeeper’s booming announcement echoed through the hall. The doors opened, spilling brilliant light outward.
Claus still held Serena’s hand, unwilling to let go, maintaining the appearance of a polite and gentle younger brother.
Before the emperor’s arrival officially began the banquet, there was a period for nobles to mingle.
“I’ll stand over there. Neither Father nor you seem to approve of how I’m dressed anyway.”
Her goal wasn’t these meaningless conversations. She had someone to meet today.
“Do as you like.”
The duke and Claus promptly turned their attention away from her.
Serena took a glass from a passing servant carrying a silver tray and stood by the wall. She could feel subtle glances from all around. It was only natural—someone who should have been at the center of high society was standing off to the side like decoration.
She lifted the transparent drink to her lips and took a sip.
“Mm…”
It was a peach-flavored liquor—sweet and refreshing. She hadn’t eaten anything all day except a few greens, so the sweetness felt almost restorative.
Around her, young nobles dressed like flamboyant peacocks laughed and conversed.
‘How boring.’
Their snickering glances at her were likely driven by a sense of superiority.
Serena scanned the room, then placed her empty glass back on the tray.
As time passed, both the Grand Duke Valter and the Seiren Kingdom’s princess entered the hall.
The princess was quickly surrounded by people, making her difficult to see clearly. Serena only managed to catch a glimpse of pink hair moving through the crowd.
Seven chimes rang.
That signaled the official start of the banquet.
“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress have arrived!”
The noisy hall fell instantly silent.
The doors opened, and the two figures at the peak of imperial power entered. All nobles immediately raised a hand and knelt on one knee in respect.
The Emperor and Empress walked to the center and ascended their thrones.
“I thank you all for coming to celebrate our victory. Today is a joyous occasion—enjoy yourselves. Let us raise our glasses to those who fought for this triumph.”
At his words, everyone lifted their glasses.
“Glory to Croitsen!”
“Glory!”
The Emperor drained his glass of deep red wine and raised his hand again. The orchestra resumed playing, and the banquet began in earnest.
But the festive atmosphere lasted only a moment.
A loud announcement echoed through the hall.
“His Grace the Grand Duke Hilstein and Baron Bayern have arrived!”
Instantly, the hall fell into a silence so deep it felt as though cold water had been poured over it. It was as if unwelcome guests had appeared.
Watching that silence, Serena smiled faintly.
At last, the story she had been waiting for was beginning.
On a stage carefully constructed like a theater set, the protagonists and supporting characters gathered.
Everything moved exactly like a well-written script.
Serena stood among the crowd, watching the main characters of the story.
“In the Kingdom, do they really raise beasts?”
“Oh my, how barbaric…”
Every line was identical to the original text. It was almost impressive.
And now came the next scene.
A girl, unable to bear the insult, would turn pale and excuse herself—only to collide with a man.
“Are you alright?”
A deep, honeyed voice would ring out—
And the princess, Emma, would tremble in fear.
For the man before her was the very one who destroyed her kingdom.
Diego Hilstein.
‘Ah, it’s starting.’
Serena murmured.
Emma, the Seiren princess, slipped gracefully through the crowd like a rabbit—and collided with someone.
Their eyes met in midair.
After a brief pause, she fled.
It felt like watching a play unfold before her eyes.
Serena would have liked to watch longer, but she needed to move.
She placed her glass on a passing servant’s tray and left the hall, following the man who had taken the dropped handkerchief and was leaving.
“Excuse me, Your Grace.”
The man walked quickly—long strides, wide steps. She almost had to run to catch him.
Stopping in front of him, she caught her breath.
He halted as she blocked his path. His gaze flickered briefly past her, then returned to her face.
“Ah, Lady.”
“I… have something urgent to tell you…”
She was out of breath from running. Her stamina truly was terrible.
“Please breathe slowly—in through your nose, out through your mouth.”
Following his calm instruction, she steadied her breathing.
To her surprise, it worked immediately.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Having come to make an offer, she had instead received help. It was slightly embarrassing.
“You said you had something to say.”
“Ah, yes.”
Now that she was facing him, the words she had rehearsed refused to come out. She hesitated.
He waited patiently.
Moonlight bathed them both. A soft breeze passed between them.
It should have been the perfect atmosphere—but looking at his face made speaking difficult.
Why? Guilt?
No. She had abandoned guilt long ago.
Still, she opened her mouth.
“Your Grace… if you have time, would you consider marrying me?”
Silence.
Diego looked up at the sky for a moment, then back at her.
“…Lady, I think I may have misheard.”
Serena calmly clapped twice.
“Can you hear clearly now?”
“Yes.”
“Then your hearing is fine.”
No, it couldn’t be fine.
He looked genuinely shaken.
“I think I should see a physician…”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No! Please—stay right there.”
He pressed a hand to his forehead, clearly trying to regain composure. Serena stepped forward to help, but he quickly motioned her back.
He covered his mouth, turned away, and coughed awkwardly.
Then the moonlight returned—and she saw it.
His ears were red.
Only then did Serena remember: in both the novel and reality, this man had absolutely no connection with women other than Emma.
There were even rumors he might prefer men.
She glanced at his red ears and gave a small laugh.
“You’ll hurt my feelings if you reject me so firmly, Your Grace.”
“I don’t think you have that kind of expression, Lady.”
Diego still could not understand what kind of woman would suddenly propose marriage like this.
Then—rustling.
Behind Serena, another presence appeared.
Startled, Diego grabbed her shoulder and pulled her aside—
And only then did he see who it was.
“The Seiren princess.”
Emma.
Unlike when Serena spoke to her, her voice trembled as she spoke.
“It… it’s my handkerchief.”
Her clear voice fell between them like a bird’s song.
Serena turned toward her.
The princess did not look frightened.
Instead, she looked strangely composed—like she knew something.
And at that moment, a chill ran down Serena’s neck.
‘Why is the princess here?’
