UMH 03

 Chapter: 03

Please Marry Me, Your Highness

It had already been 10 years since the day those memories flowed into her.

On that day, Serena learned of her own death. But at the same time, she saw a future far beyond that death.

Since she had seen the future, the next thing to do was to make a plan.

She did not rush it. She had to build a solid foundation step by step—so that even if it collapsed at any time, she could rebuild it again.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

At Lucas’s question, Serena slowly blinked and turned her gaze toward him.

“Just… thinking about the day we first met.”

She first met Lucas when she was 13 years old.

To test the possibility of her plan, she reached out her hand to him.

Lucas was the illegitimate child of the Marquess of Avenne, stained by abuse and mistreatment from his stepmother, the legal wife.

The Lucas she had seen in her memories seemed somewhat pitiful, so she approached him, comforted him, and taught him.

It was partly kindness—but ultimately, it was also her first experiment to see how much she could change the course of the novel by intervening.

The result of the experiment was a success.

Instead of the rightful son of the legal wife, Lucas now sat in that position.

He had grown well—into a mad dog loyal only to his master. A rabid beast ready to tear out anyone’s throat the moment he was given an order.

“I almost got jealous, thinking you were thinking about another man.”

“What nonsense.”

Seeing her stare at him with emotionless eyes, Lucas grinned mischievously as if he understood.

As always, she drew a clear line between them, and he, used to it, took a step back without complaint.

The carriage, which had been running for quite a while, came to a smooth stop.

Since the days were short, the sky that had just been glowing with sunset was now completely dark.

“Shall we get off, my lady?”

Lucas stepped out first and extended his hand. Serena took it and slowly stepped down.

“Looks like we’re a bit late.”

From inside the hall came a mixture of lively music and the chatter of people.

“It’s fine. The ceremony hasn’t started yet.”

As she walked toward the hall under Lucas’s escort, an attendant guiding the way greeted them.

After checking the invitation in her hand, the attendant bowed.

“My lady, please follow me. Marquess, you may proceed into the hall where the party is being held.”

At the attendant’s words, Lucas glanced at her before nodding.

“See you later.”

He slowly pressed his red lips against the back of her hand, then turned and walked away.

Watching his unreadable expression, Serena let out a small sigh.

“What is he planning this time…?”

Murmuring as she watched him enter the hall alone, she turned and followed the attendant.

* * *

In the Kroichen Empire, during early spring when flowers have yet to bloom but buds begin to form, the imperial family holds a debutante for noble young ladies and gentlemen who have just come of age.

It was a long-standing tradition—blessing those who would carry the empire’s future, hoping they would bloom brightly like beautiful flowers and contribute to the empire’s prosperity.

This year, however, the hall hosting the debutante was somewhat noisy.

Since the young ladies and gentlemen participating in the debutante would enter separately, the hall was currently filled with young nobles who had already debuted, along with the parents of those debuting today.

This was the perfect opportunity to discuss business and marriage arrangements.

“Today, we’ll finally get to see Lady Ashik’s face.”

At the words of an unknown noblewoman in a small gathering, the others nodded in agreement.

The daughter of the Duke of Ashik had never appeared at the debutante when she was supposed to at age 18, and only now—two years later—had she finally made her entrance.

Whenever people subtly inquired of the Duke, his response had always been, “My daughter is in poor health.”

Thus, the rumor that she would participate this time had stirred the entire social circle.

“I heard she’s very beautiful, just like the Duke.”

“There are even rumors of an engagement with the Crown Prince, so it must be true.”

“It seems he treasures her so much that he didn’t want to show her to the world.”

Just as they were about to agree—

“Or perhaps… he was ashamed to show her.”

At another woman’s remark, they all fell silent.

To be ashamed to show one’s child meant the child might not be presentable to society.

In other words—perhaps physically flawed, or even illegitimate.

Though none dared to openly agree due to the Duke’s status, the atmosphere suggested they all considered it possible.

“If marriage talks with the Crown Prince are involved, she must be quite valuable.”

“That’s true.”

They exchanged glances and awkwardly ended the conversation.

“The radiant sun of the Kroichen Empire, His Majesty the Emperor, and the radiant moon, Her Majesty the Empress, are entering!”

At the gatekeeper’s booming announcement, everyone dropped to one knee and bowed their heads.

It was proper etiquette toward those at the highest position in the empire.

No one was allowed to raise their head until the Emperor reached the throne.

“Raise your heads.”

At the Emperor’s dignified command, all the nobles lifted their heads.

The Emperor and Empress now stood at the elevated throne.

“Today, I am greatly pleased to meet the lights that will illuminate the future of the empire. I hope you all enjoy this occasion as well. Now, I declare the banquet begun!”

After the Emperor’s brief speech, the orchestra resumed playing.

Those who had been kneeling rose and moved to the sides.

It was now time for the true stars of the event to enter.

“The young ladies and gentlemen are entering!”

The doors opened as the announcement echoed through the hall.

Young ladies in white dresses with translucent veils, and young men in white suits, entered in a line.

It was clear this was their first time—awkward movements, shy steps.

But among them, one stood out like a swan, exuding elegance.

All eyes turned to the last person entering.

Her steps resembled falling petals, and her plain white dress looked more splendid than anyone else’s.

Just as curiosity about her face peaked—

“Young ladies, remove your veils and place them into the pocket squares of the young gentlemen before you.”

It was tradition.

The veil they wore would be folded and placed into the gentleman’s chest pocket—a ritual wishing for future prosperity.

The Emperor and Empress personally oversaw this ceremony.

At the Empress’s voice, all the young ladies lifted their veils—

Except one.

Once again, all eyes focused on her.

Serena hesitated briefly.

Although mismatches between pairs sometimes happened, usually a father or brother would step in beforehand.

But no one stood before her.

The Duke and Klaus had gone to the territory to deal with a landslide.

“…This is troubling.”

After hearing something from an attendant, the Emperor stroked his beard with a troubled expression.

As murmurs spread through the hall—

“Your Majesty, I have something to say.”

Silence fell again at a single voice.

“Marquess Avenne.”

The Emperor looked indifferently at Lucas, who had stepped forward, then nodded.

“May I have the honor of standing before the lady?”

“You?”

“Yes.”

“Does the lady agree?”

The Emperor looked down at Serena, leaving the decision to her.

She hesitated.

It wasn’t because holding another man’s hand was inappropriate given the rumors about her engagement with the Crown Prince.

She had no choice but to take someone’s hand.

But if it was Lucas, Marquess Avenne—it would attract far too much attention.

So this was the result of that unreadable expression earlier.

She hadn’t intended to stand out today.

But there was no reason not to use what had already happened.

She shot Lucas a subtle glare through the veil, then changed her demeanor and gracefully lifted the hem of her dress in a curtsey.

At that, the Emperor nodded.

“Permission granted.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Lucas approached her through the parted crowd and stopped before her.

All eyes were on Serena.

She slowly raised her gloved hand and removed her veil.

Gasps erupted throughout the hall.

Under the chandelier light, her silver hair shimmered as if dusted with crushed jewels.

Her skin was flawlessly smooth, as if freshly sculpted.

Her lips were the color of a freshly plucked red rose.

And beneath her long lashes, fluttering like butterfly wings, her violet eyes drew in every gaze.

After placing her folded veil into Lucas’s pocket square, the Emperor looked at her with satisfaction.

He had thought the Duke overly protective, but seeing her beauty, he understood why she had been hidden away.

The Emperor spoke again to resume the delayed ceremony.

“Young gentlemen, present the white roses you hold to the young ladies.”

At his command, the young men bowed slightly and offered their roses.

Lucas’s gaze remained fixed on Serena.

“Oh my…”

But the surrounding gazes turned sharp.

Whispers filled the hall.

Though Lucas had prepared a rose—unfortunately, it was red.

“I had to prepare in haste, so it is a red rose. I hope the lady will kindly understand.”

As murmurs spread about the red rose amid rumors of her engagement to the Crown Prince, Serena raised her voice clearly enough for others to hear.

“I will overlook it, considering the sincerity you’ve shown in preparing it.”

“Thank you.”

Since the situation had been accidental, no one could object.

Moreover, it was the Emperor who had permitted Lucas.

The Emperor, who had been frowning, finally smiled in satisfaction and gestured.

It was time for the dance.

As the orchestra was about to begin—

The doors burst open, and a knight rushed in with urgency.

“Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened—!”

Such panic from an imperial knight could only mean something serious.

“What is it?”

“Th-that is… His Highness the Crown Prince…”

The knight hesitated, glancing at the nobles.

“What about the Crown Prince?! Speak—I permit you!”

At the Emperor’s shout, the knight finally cried out:

“His Highness the Crown Prince has died suddenly!!”