UMH 07

 Chapter: 07

Become My Husband, Your Highness 

Emma’s face, which should have been filled with fear, instead displayed a look of relief, as if a burden had been lifted.

She seemed about to say something, but she quickly closed her mouth, letting out a small sigh as she moved her lips slightly.

“I know you’re there.”

The bushes she was staring at rustled faintly, like a small animal moving, then went still. At the same moment, a man’s voice was heard.

“How did you know?”

The still bush quivered more violently, and a man emerged.

As he stepped out under the brilliant moonlight, brushing his shoulders lightly, his appearance became clear.

Flames of red hair that seemed out of place in the night, golden eyes that shone even in the darkness like a beast’s, and a smile so kind it could fool anyone.

“Duke Walther.”

“Ah, it’s Your Highness?”

He spoke as if he hadn’t known, though of course he had. There was no way he didn’t know.

This man, smiling so sweetly, seemed like someone who could hide several snakes coiled within him and it wouldn’t be surprising.

“……”

Emma stared quietly at him. He returned her gaze with a friendly smile.

“Well then, I shall take my leave.”

Feigning disinterest, he bowed slightly as if he had no business to attend to and turned to leave. Emma stopped him.

“Duke, don’t you want to become emperor?”

Even in the darkness, the golden hue of his eyes flashed vividly for a moment—like a predator ready to devour whatever stood before him.

“I do not understand what you are saying.”

The unusual glint in his eyes vanished momentarily, returning him to his usual cheerful expression. Emma, looking at Duke Walther, or Theo, with her expressionless face, spoke again.

“I will make you emperor, so make me your empress.”

Emma’s calm tone sounded almost like a doll speaking. Theo glanced at her hand holding the edge of her dress. Though delicate and soft from growing up in a sheltered life, her expression and gaze seemed like that of a completely different person, giving him chills.

Theo smiled faintly and extended his hand.

“I would like to discuss this in more detail. Somewhere we can be alone.”

It was an affirmative gesture. When Emma placed her hand on his large one, his lips rested gently on the back of her hand, but his gaze remained fixed on her eyes, studying her like a hunter assessing prey.

“Before that, there is someone I need to meet briefly.”

At Emma’s words, he released her hand, twisting his body and stirring the chilly night air.

Watching Emma retreat into the distance, Theo chuckled softly.

“Interesting.”

Even if she tried to twist it, the story seemed destined to follow its original path. Serena’s lips pressed into a thin line as she watched Diego and Emma exchanging glances in front of her.

Despite her interference, the two eventually met. Did this mean the original story could not be changed? Her feelings were conflicted.

She had helped Diego end the war faster than in the original story, yet meddling with the protagonists’ relationship was impossible?

Serena tapped her well-manicured nails, which split slightly at the tips—an unconscious habit born of anxiety. Suddenly, she felt a hand grasp hers. Startled, she looked up.

“Miss, are you alright?”

“Oh, yes. I’m fine.”

The hand holding hers was Diego’s, roughened and calloused.

Seeing Serena insist she was fine, Diego paused for a beat, then spoke again.

“You’ll hear my answer next time.”

“I understand. Then I’ll take my leave for now. You two talk.”

She withdrew her hand, lowered her gaze momentarily, then lifted it to smile faintly.

Yes, I’ve conveyed my thoughts—no need to approach too hastily. Nothing is certain yet, but where there’s uncertainty, there’s possibility.

With that in mind, Serena lifted her skirts slightly and bowed at the knees—a perfect posture.

As Serena walked away, Emma threw a curious glance at her retreating figure.

“This…”

Diego hastily offered the handkerchief in his hand to Emma, and she finally looked away, as if receiving the handkerchief wasn’t the true purpose.

“Thank you.”

Taking the handkerchief from his hand with a slight delay, Emma smiled faintly, though something felt missing.

Diego’s heart pounded erratically, as if he had encountered someone who could shake his entire life. But then…

“Your Highness, if you have the time, would you marry me?”

The bombshell Serena had left behind flashed in his mind, instantly chilling his heart.

Under the moonlight, the two stared at each other, yet both were caught up in separate thoughts, unable to focus on one another.

The gears that should have meshed perfectly began to grind.

Serena returned home by carriage immediately after finishing her business with Diego. There was no need to stay any longer.

“Miss, your cheeks are flushed—”

Seeing Serena stagger into her room, Mei asked worriedly.

“I drank a little.”

She slipped out of the uncomfortable dress and shoes, dropping them carelessly before collapsing onto the sofa, exhaustion washing over her. She had thought herself unfazed, as if it were just part of the plan, but clearly, that wasn’t true.

While Mei tidied her dress and shoes and brought a warm towel to remove her makeup, Serena lay nearly flat on the sofa.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just bring me a glass of water.”

Her father and Klaus were likely still at the royal palace. With the thorn removed, they would be happier, though she didn’t want to indulge them. She was simply physically exhausted.

Thinking of the duke introducing Klaus around, Serena grabbed a bundle of papers from the table. Yet fatigue quickly overcame her, and she tossed them aside, covering her eyes with her hand.

“I’ve made a start, but… persuading him will be harder than I thought.”

If Emma hadn’t appeared at that moment, perhaps she could have persuaded him further. Things might get complicated.

‘I hate unnecessary emotional drain.’

But Diego was essential to her plans. She had to persuade him, no matter the emotional cost or competition required.

“Hmm…”

Having drunk a few glasses of sweet champagne, she felt a light buzz. She let her hand drop from her face, exhaling softly.

“Lucas.”

A nearby movement made her flinch slightly. Soon, Lucas quietly appeared from the corner.

“You knew I was coming?”

“Of course.”

His large hand lifted hers from her face.

“Ah, it’s red.”

Lucas gently rubbed the flushed skin around Serena’s eyes.

“It’s cold… feels nice.”

“Then… use it often.”

“Alright. But did you come because I asked you to?”

“I found it.”

Lucas offered the rolled paper to Serena, but when she reached for it, there was nothing. Looking up, she saw it had vanished.

“You’ll see it tomorrow morning.”

“No, I’m curious.”

“No. I’ll leave it when you sleep.”

Sitting on the armrest of the sofa, Lucas gazed at Serena with mock sternness. She had almost scolded him for being here, but his presence made her laugh softly.

“Alright, I’ll see it tomorrow.”

Seeing her easily agree, he looked slightly puzzled, then smiled. Serena placed her hand over his large one on her eyes and closed them.

“It’s cold, but feels nice.”

“You drank?”

Lucas had been bothered by the mix of peach and alcohol scent from her every time she spoke. Serena didn’t seem to realize it, but her tolerance wasn’t very high.

“A little.”

“I see.”

Silence filled the room—not unpleasant, but a comfortable calm after the tense day.

Feeling at ease, Serena drifted into a deep sleep.

“Master, asleep?”

Watching her peaceful breathing, Lucas carefully lifted the hand covering her eyes.

“So defenseless.”

She seemed unaware of him, but he wasn’t. From the first meeting, she had been someone he could neither release nor fully touch, yet wanted to. This distance was perfect—close, yet untouchable.

“Miss, am I late? The duke and young master are downstairs—”

Mei entered, and seeing Lucas perched on the sofa, she barely stopped herself from shouting.

“Hello.”

Smiling faintly, he whispered the greeting. Mei, about to question why he was here so late, couldn’t speak. His finger on her index, smiling faintly—it was eerily chilling.

A cool breeze brushed her cheek, raising goosebumps.

When she finally stirred from the blankets, it was dawn.

“Next time, close the window properly before leaving.”

Serena clutched the blankets tighter, unwilling to go, then gradually sat up, brushing the sleep away from her face.

“Hah…”

Suddenly remembering the paper Lucas had left, she hurried out of the blankets.

Though she had slippers, stepping on the still-cold carpet in the dawn air felt oddly pleasant. Its soft warmth quickly returned as she walked.

She stopped at the desk, picking up the paper Lucas left. Pulling the pretty string holding it rolled, she unrolled it slightly, using a paperweight to keep it flat.

Reading it, her lips curved slowly upward.

“As expected, my little puppy.”

After finishing, she tossed the paper into the fireplace, stirring it with her hand. Flames caught it immediately.

Glancing at the fireplace briefly, Serena turned to the window, now illuminated by the rising sun.

Footsteps sounded, and the door opened—Mei stood there, visibly surprised.

“Miss, you’re up so early!”

Serena shot her a glance, letting her muffled excitement slide.

“There’s no need to be so thrilled.”

“Why, has the sun risen in the west?”

Mei, accustomed to waking Serena in the mornings, shrugged as Serena smiled faintly at her joke.

“Anyway, I have somewhere to go.”

“From the morning?”

“Yes, from the morning.”

“I have to come too, right?”

“Of course.”

Mei suppressed her objection, nodding in resignation at Serena’s confident reply.