Chapter: 05
Your Highness, Please Marry Me
The Crown Prince is dead.
The news that the empire’s only heir to the throne had died shook the entire nation.
“May he safely return to the embrace of God.”
“May he return.”
At the Pope’s prayer, every noble attending the funeral repeated the words in unison.
After the prayer ended, they each offered pure white chrysanthemums. With that, the ceremony concluded. It was a modest funeral, unfitting of a Crown Prince. Because his death was an unexplained “unnatural death,” the Emperor judged that holding an overly grand state funeral would not sit well with the people.
“……”
Serena, who had been quietly staring at the coffin, soon stepped outside together with the Duke, Klaus.
She did not feel sorry. He was destined to die anyway.
Still, she felt a bit regretful. He had been a rare talent.
And for her, it was welcome news.
At last, the time had come to overturn this wretched novel. The preparations she had built were like a solid fortress—they would not collapse. If only the final remaining card fell into her hands, everything would be perfect.
“My lady.”
At the sound of someone calling her, she turned slightly. Three young noble ladies were approaching.
“This is our first time speaking like this. I am Besti Kvanville of the Kvanville Marquis family.”
As Besti lifted her skirt and gave a slight bow, the other ladies behind her followed.
“I am Jupiter Surtan of the Surtan family.”
“I am Kelosipe Forest of the Forest family.”
“I am Serena Asik of the Asik family.”
As a member of a ducal house, Serena was not required to bow to daughters of marquis or count families. She slowly observed the three, then briefly stopped her gaze on Kelosipe.
“I’d like to talk more. Shall we have some tea together?”
Serena smiled faintly, her eyes still fixed on Kelosipe.
Her expression resembled that of a predator eyeing its prey.
* * *
It was boring.
Talking about which jewel was prettier, whose dress was prettier—it all felt like a waste of time.
“My lady, are you alright?”
Serena had been staring at the gently rippling tea in her cup when she heard someone call her. She slowly lifted her head.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
As she did, she noticed the subtle expressions directed at her.
Come to think of it, while the Crown Prince had died, he had also been someone involved in marriage talks with her. It was natural they would look at her that way.
“More importantly, what were you all discussing?”
Serena asked as she lifted her teacup.
“We were talking about the current war.”
“What do you think, my lady?”
It was Besti of the Kvanville Marquis family who asked. The Kvanville family, known as guardians of the frontier, stood at the forefront of war. At present, the Marquis was on the battlefield alongside the Grand Duke of Hilstein.
“Everything depends on God’s will. How could a mere human like me dare to speak recklessly about it?”
She could not say, We will win. She was neither a prophet nor a fortune teller.
But to suggest defeat would be no different from tarnishing the empire’s dignity.
All the ladies present—including herself—belonged to long-standing noble families tied to the empire. They all took pride in it. This empire, built by their ancestors’ devotion, had never known defeat.
“That’s true. Everything is according to God’s will.”
Kelosipe of the Forest Count family, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
The others agreed, and in that moment, Serena and Kelosipe’s gazes briefly met in midair.
The tedious gathering finally ended.
Serena returned to her room and leaned against the window.
“My lady.”
As she watched the carriages departing, she turned at the voice calling her.
“I heard you called for me.”
It was Kelosipe.
Serena had asked her to come separately before she left.
“Please, sit. We just had tea, so I didn’t have more prepared.”
“That’s fine.”
Kelosipe sat on the sofa. Serena walked over and sat across from her.
“I’ll get straight to the point.”
“…Pardon?”
“My lady, you own a merchant guild, don’t you?”
Kelosipe could not hide her shock.
How did she find out?
Even her parents didn’t know—it was something she had been secretly managing.
Currently, the Forest family had no collateral branches, and she was the only direct heir. Rather than adoption, she believed it would be more stable to establish herself as the head of the family.
And she wanted that position.
That was why she built the merchant guild—to prove her ability.
“Do you wish to become the head of your family?”
Serena smiled brightly.
Kelosipe felt as though Serena could see straight through her thoughts.
“…Yes.”
She had tried to make excuses, but the answer came out on its own.
After saying it, she straightened her posture. It wasn’t as though she wanted to kill her father and take his place. She only wished to become the head during the upcoming generational transition.
“In that case, give yourself to me. I will help you.”
“…What?”
Kelosipe flinched at the wording.
Serena’s expression revealed nothing.
“I need your merchant guild. I may hold it, but I must not be the one running it.”
“That…”
“To inherit your title, you will have to marry. But you need a husband who won’t take your title, don’t you?”
“…That’s true.”
She nodded without realizing it.
“That kind of person, I can find myself. And the guild is something I built with my own hands—from the ground up…”
“I know. I’m not asking you to give it to me entirely.”
“Then…?”
“It’s still too early to explain everything. But there is one thing you should know.”
“…What is it?”
Kelosipe swallowed.
She couldn’t take her eyes off Serena, who spoke calmly, expressionless.
“Count Forest… seems to have been enjoying himself outside. It appears he wanted to play house. You have a younger brother now. Did you know?”
“That’s impossible!”
Kelosipe shouted in disbelief.
“Even if their marriage was arranged, they respect and trust each other! How dare you say something so disgraceful!”
“Trust… wavers. It breaks. Sometimes it’s something created just for appearances. There are many forms of it in this world. But none of them are perfect.”
Kelosipe’s face flushed red with anger.
Her tightly pressed lips showed just how furious she was.
Serena had never loved her own father—not once. Nor had she respected him. He was merely a stepping stone.
“…If you don’t believe me, confirm it yourself. Evidence you can see with your own eyes is the most reliable. There’s no rush. Check, and then send word to me.”
At those words, Kelosipe abruptly stood up. Her trembling hands betrayed the anger she was barely containing.
“I will contact you later, my lady.”
“I won’t see you out. Take care.”
Kelosipe left like a gust of cold wind.
Serena watched the empty space for a moment before leaning back into the sofa.
For her future plans, Kelosipe’s merchant guild was essential.
And… Serena had no doubt Kelosipe would return after today’s revelation.
Don’t take too long, my lady.
Just as she was about to stand, there was a knock, and May entered.
After recalling the novel’s memories, Serena had carefully chosen everyone around her to be her people. Like Lucas, May was one of them.
May, her personal maid, excelled at gathering information—especially from the streets.
“My lady.”
“Go ahead.”
Though she wanted to collapse into bed, she had to hear this.
“The Grand Duke of Hilstein has sent news of victory…!”
Her fatigue vanished instantly.
This was exactly the news she had been waiting for.
“So it begins.”
* * *
“My lady, you must get ready— the victory ceremony will begin soon!”
“Yes, I should.”
Time passed quickly. Two seasons changed, and winter arrived.
At May’s urging, Serena closed her book and sat at the vanity.
“This ceremony will be very grand!”
“Is that so?”
She already knew.
The Emperor was skilled at using both carrot and stick—but that didn’t make him a wise ruler.
He did not want to praise the Grand Duke of Hilstein. The man kept surviving wars he was sent to die in.
This grand ceremony was merely for show—to display the empire’s power.
“How should I do your hair?”
“Put it up neatly.”
May froze in shock.
“My lady! These days, loose curled hair is in fashion!”
“I know. But today, I’ll dress as simply and modestly as possible.”
“What?! That’s impossible!”
The first day of the ceremony was important. For unmarried nobles of age, it was essentially a matchmaking event.
She had no intention of standing out.
“My lady…!”
Serena simply smiled.
“Hurry.”
In the end, May complied, styling her hair up and adding a pale yellow flower pin after some protest.
“The dress…?”
“Ivory. Something plain.”
As expected, May brought it reluctantly.
When Serena stood before the mirror, she looked like she was about to go pray at a temple.
The dress concealed her figure and revealed almost nothing.
“If you wear that, the other ladies will look down on you!” May had protested repeatedly—but Serena didn’t budge.
“It’s time to go.”
Seeing Serena smile, May finally surrendered.
They went downstairs.
“Sister! What on earth are you wearing?!”
Klaus exclaimed in shock.
“Isn’t it pretty?”
“Not at all! It’s embarrassing to walk with you!”
He stared at her as if she’d gone mad again.
“What is all this noise?”
The Duke appeared.
“Father! Look at her! She’s finally gone insane!”
As Klaus stepped aside, the Duke’s face twisted in anger.
“You intend to disgrace this family.”
He raised his hand—
—but Klaus stopped him.
“Father, this is an official event. If she gets hurt, others will tear into us. Save it for later.”
Serena inwardly admired him.
So he can think, after all.
“…Fine.”
The Duke lowered his hand and left.
Serena watched them go, smiling brightly.
It won’t be long now.
