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CHAPTER 07
Your Highness, Please Be My Husband
Emma’s face—one that should have been filled with fear—only showed relief, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
She seemed as if she wanted to say something, but closed her mouth again, letting out a small sigh before moving her lips.
“I know you’re there.”
The bushes she was looking at rustled faintly, like a small animal moving through them, then went still. At the same time, a man’s voice rang out.
“How did you know?”
The bushes shook more violently, and a man stepped out.
He brushed off his shoulders as he emerged. Under the brilliant moonlight, his appearance became clear.
Fiery red hair that did not belong to the night, and golden eyes that gleamed even in darkness like a beast’s. A kind smile and a gentle tone.
“Grand Duke Valter.”
“Oh, so it’s the princess?”
He spoke as if surprised, but that was impossible. He clearly knew.
This smiling man would not have been strange even if several snakes were coiled inside him.
“….”
As Emma silently watched him, he maintained his polite smile.
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
He bowed lightly as if he had no further business and turned away.
But Emma stopped him.
“Grand Duke, do you not wish to become Emperor?”
Even in the dark, his golden eyes flashed with something sharp.
For a moment, he looked like a predator that might devour her whole.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
The golden light in his eyes flickered and vanished. He returned to his usual smiling expression.
Emma spoke again, expressionless.
“I will make you Emperor. So make me Empress.”
Her voice was so emotionless she sounded like a doll.
Theo looked down at her hand holding his sleeve. A pale, unblemished hand that had never known hardship—but her eyes were entirely different. Cold enough to send a shiver through him.
Then he smiled and extended his hand.
“I’d like to hear more. Somewhere private, just the two of us.”
It was acceptance.
Emma placed her hand on his, and he gently pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. But his gaze never left her eyes—like a hunter carefully inspecting prey.
“Before that, I have someone I need to meet.”
At her words, he released her hand. Emma turned away, her presence slicing through the night wind.
Watching her disappear, Theo let out a small laugh.
“This is interesting.”
Whether this world was simply following the original story no matter what—
Serena looked at Diego and Emma standing before her, her expression tightening slightly.
Despite her interference, the two had still met. It made her uneasy, as if the story could not be changed.
She had helped Diego and even sped up the war’s ending—but perhaps she could not twist the relationships of the protagonists.
Serena tapped her fingernails lightly. The tips began to split without her noticing.
When she was startled by a sudden grip on her hand, she looked up.
“Are you alright, lady?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Diego’s hand—calloused and firm—was holding hers.
After a moment, he spoke.
“I’ll give you my answer next time.”
“Understood. Then I’ll take my leave so you can continue your conversation.”
She withdrew her hand and smiled faintly, lowering her gaze before lifting it again.
Right. She had made her proposal—no need to rush.
Serena bowed perfectly and stepped back.
As she left, Emma watched her with a strange expression.
“Here…”
Diego hurriedly offered a handkerchief to Emma, and she finally turned her attention back.
“Thank you.”
She smiled softly as she took it, but there was something hollow about her.
Diego’s heart pounded violently—like he had just met someone who would change his life.
But then—
“Your Grace, if you have time, would you consider marrying me?”
Serena’s earlier words flashed in his mind.
His heartbeat instantly cooled.
Under the moonlight, the three of them stood entangled in different thoughts.
The gears that should have fit together cleanly had begun to grind.
Serena left the banquet immediately after finishing her business with Diego and returned home by carriage.
She no longer needed to stay there.
“Miss, your cheeks are red—”
Mei looked worried as Serena staggered into her room.
“I drank a little alcohol.”
After taking off her tight dress and shoes, she collapsed onto the sofa. Fatigue finally washed over her.
While Mei cleaned her up with a warm towel, Serena lay almost flat.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. Bring me a glass of water.”
Her father and Claus were still at the palace. Without that thorn in their side, they were probably pleased.
She imagined the duke introducing Claus to people and sighed.
“Lucas.”
A faint movement was felt nearby.
Lucas emerged from the shadows.
“You knew I was here?”
“Of course.”
He gently covered her eyes with his large hand.
“Your eyes are red.”
He carefully rubbed the corners of her eyes.
“So cold. It feels nice.”
“Then use me whenever you want.”
“What did you bring?”
“I found it.”
He handed her a rolled-up paper—but before she could grab it, it vanished again.
“Read it tomorrow.”
“I don’t want to. I’m curious.”
“No. You’ll fall asleep and forget it.”
Serena sighed and gave in.
“Fine. I’ll read it tomorrow.”
Satisfied, Lucas placed his hand over her eyes again.
“Cold… feels good.”
“You drank?”
“Just a little.”
Silence fell.
Not an uncomfortable silence—but a calm one, like something sharp had softened.
And then Serena drifted off to sleep.
“Master, she’s asleep?”
Lucas looked at her peaceful face.
“So defenseless.”
She didn’t seem aware of him—but he was aware of her.
Since their first meeting, she had been someone he could neither let go of nor touch freely.
And yet, he wanted to touch her all the more.
But this distance… this was fine.
“Miss, I’m late—Father and young master are downstairs—”
Mei opened the door, then froze when she saw Lucas sitting on the sofa.
“Hello.”
His soft greeting made her swallow her words.
His smile, and the finger pressed to his lips—
It was unsettling enough to silence her completely.
Cold air brushed her cheek.
Serena woke at dawn.
“…If you were going to leave, at least close the window properly.”
She sighed and sat up.
Remembering what Lucas had left behind, she quickly got out of bed.
Barefoot on the carpet, she walked to the desk and picked up the rolled paper.
As she unrolled it, her lips slowly curved upward.
“Honestly… my little dog.”
After reading it, she tossed it into the fireplace.
Flames swallowed it instantly.
Then she looked out the window at the rising sun.
Soon after, Mei burst in.
“You’re awake this early?!”
“Don’t act so shocked.”
“Did the sun rise in the west?”
Serena smiled lazily.
“I have somewhere to go this morning.”
“Already?”
“Yes.”
“I have to go too, right?”
“Of course.”
Mei sighed in defeat.
And so, the day began.
