Chapter: 06
Become My Husband, Your Highness
Serena stared blankly out the window at the evening sunset. Of course, she could feel disapproving eyes on her, but it was better not to touch a bomb that seemed ready to explode. Even if she provoked it, the only one who would suffer was herself.
With a screeching sound, the carriage came to a stop.
“We’ve arrived!”
The carriage, which had been filled with silence, now echoed with the rustle of fabric.
The door opened, and the Duke stepped out first, followed by Klaus.
“Sister, take my hand.”
Serena looked at Klaus, who extended his hand to help her down, and she smiled slightly in response.
“Thank you.”
Hypocrite.
It was amusing to pretend to be a kind and gentle younger brother to everyone outside so that no one could use it against her.
Placing her hand on Klaus’s, she stepped out of the carriage, hearing snickers here and there. Considering how flashy her debut had been, it wasn’t surprising that her current, modest appearance drew ridicule.
There was no way the two who cared about people—Duke and Klaus—didn’t notice.
Their brows twitched. Being rich, it seemed their faces moved in the same way when annoyed. But it was brief; they quickly changed their expressions and smiled, showing impressive control.
“Let’s go.”
She heard the Duke grit his teeth as he spoke, but she smiled as if she hadn’t. Following him, she walked into the banquet hall.
“The Duke of Ashique and his children!”
Standing before the massive doors of the hall, the doorman’s voice rang loudly enough to echo through the hall. The doors opened, spilling brilliant light inside.
Klaus seemed reluctant but could not give up looking like a kind and gentle brother, so he still held Serena’s hand as they stepped forward.
Before the Emperor entered and the banquet officially began, families exchanged greetings.
“I’ll stand in the corner. It doesn’t seem like Father or you are pleased with my outfit anyway.”
Her goal was not these empty conversations. There was someone she needed to meet today. She did not want to waste her emotions laughing and chatting amidst the others.
“Do that.”
The Duke and Klaus, with a simple reply, completely ignored Serena.
Serena took a glass handed to her by a servant carrying a silver tray and stood by the wall. She could feel people’s subtle glances. Even someone at the peak of high society attracting attention now, placing herself by the wall like a decorative flower, would naturally draw interest.
She lifted the transparent drink to her lips and took a sip.
“Mm—”
It was a sweet peach-flavored liquor. She had eaten nothing but grass since morning, preparing herself, so the sweetness was a relief. Alone, she sipped the drink and scanned the room. Young nobles adorned like extravagant peacocks smiled artificially as they conversed.
“How utterly boring.”
The occasional snickering glances probably came from a sense of superiority, believing themselves better.
Rolling her eyes, Serena placed the empty glass back on the tray.
As time passed, Grand Duke Walter and Princess Siren entered one by one.
The princess was instantly surrounded by people, making her barely visible.
Serena finally spotted her amidst the crowd, her pink hair flowing, when the bell rang seven times.
The ringing signaled the official start of the party.
“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress enter!”
At the doorman’s loud announcement, the once-noisy hall fell silent.
The doors opened, and the two at the pinnacle of power entered. Nobles raised one hand, kneeled, and bowed to the Emperor and Empress.
They passed through the center of the hall and ascended to the throne.
“To those who have come to celebrate our victory, we express our gratitude. Today is a joyful day, so please enjoy yourselves, and let us raise our glasses for all who worked hard for this triumph.”
With the Emperor’s toast, everyone lifted their glasses.
“To Kroyzen’s glory!”
“To glory!”
The Emperor drained his crimson wine and raised his hand again. The paused orchestra resumed, and the banquet officially continued.
The joyous social event was brief, interrupted by a booming voice in the hall.
“Grand Duke Hillstein and Baron Bayern enter!”
The hall fell silent as if water had been poured over it. It was so quiet it felt chilling, like an unwelcome guest had arrived.
Watching this, Serena smiled subtly. The story she had been waiting for was finally starting.
On the stage of this orchestrated event, protagonists and supporting actors gathered.
Like a well-written script, people began to move.
Serena, blending into the busy crowd, focused on the story’s main players.
“Do they really raise beasts in the kingdom?”
“Oh my, how barbaric.”
Every line was exactly as in the script. Truly remarkable.
The next scene was imminent.
[Unable to tolerate the insulting words, turning pale, she excused herself, moving through the crowd, only to collide with a man.
“Are you alright?”
His voice, deep and sweet as honey, filled her ears, yet her hands trembled.
Looking up, she saw the man who had killed her parents and led the conquest of her country.
Diego Hillstein—how could she ever forget that face?
He stood before her with blood-stained swords dripping to the floor, exuding the scent of death.
The smell of blood seemed thick in the air. She covered her mouth, ready to scream, and hurried to escape.
“Milady, wait…”
She did not hear what he was about to say.]
A classic scene. Meeting the enemy who destroyed her country at a celebration marking her nation’s subjugation and fleeing in fear.
A fragrant lavender handkerchief lay on the floor, and Diego picked it up, following her as if enchanted.
Unfortunately, there was no love at first sight between them. The princess had been imprinted with fear.
“Ah, it begins.”
Serena murmured, observing the stage-like hall.
Princess Siren Emma, moving nimbly through the crowd like a rabbit, collided with someone.
The original character seemed to possess immense power.
Their gazes met briefly before she darted away.
It felt like a play unfolding before her eyes, and she wanted to watch more, but she had to move.
Serena placed her glass back on the servant’s silver tray and followed Diego, who carried the handkerchief, out of the hall.
“Wait, Your Grace, Grand Duke.”
With his long legs and fast pace, she almost had to run to catch him. She praised herself for wearing low heels and caught her breath in front of him.
Diego stopped as she blocked his path, briefly glancing past her before returning his gaze.
“Ah, milady.”
“I-I… I need to… speak to you… huff…”
Her stamina was poor, and the short sprint left her winded.
“Breathe in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth.”
Diego softly instructed her as she exhaled, hunched over.
Following his instructions, she breathed slowly, and to her surprise, it felt easier than trying alone.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, thank you for helping me.”
She had come to make a proposal but ended up receiving help instead. Slightly embarrassing.
“You have something to say.”
“Ah, yes.”
Seeing him, the practiced words failed her. She hesitated, unexpectedly uncharacteristic of herself, yet he waited patiently.
The moonlight illuminated them, and a pleasant breeze passed. The atmosphere was perfect, but seeing his face made it hard to speak.
Why? Guilt over using him? That had long been discarded.
Guilt was a luxury she could not afford.
She moved her lips, knowing it was something she had to say.
“Your Highness, if you have the time, would you marry me?”
Diego, as if unsure he heard correctly, glanced at the moon before turning back to her.
He initially opened his mouth in surprise but quickly returned to his usual calm expression.
“Milady, I believe I may have a hearing issue.”
Serena clapped her hands twice with a blank expression.
“Can you hear me clearly?”
“Yes.”
“You are normal.”
No, she was certain she hadn’t misheard. There was no way this was normal.
“I think you should visit a physician.”
“Shall I accompany you?”
“No! Just… stay right there.”
Seeing him press his hand to his forehead, Serena stepped closer to help. He reacted with alarm, signaling her not to approach.
Lowering his hand from his forehead to cover his mouth, he cleared his throat and looked away.
As the moonlight shone on them again, Serena noticed his ears had turned bright red.
Only then did she recall from both the novel and real-life memory that this man had no connections with women except Emma.
He even lived so far from women that people joked he enjoyed male companionship.
Seeing his red ears, she squinted her eyes slightly, smiled, and looked away.
“If you refuse like that, I’ll be hurt, Your Highness.”
“You show no such expression, milady.”
Diego couldn’t comprehend why this lady would suddenly propose marriage. He looked at her again, puzzled, when silver strands of hair revealed another color behind her in the wind.
Startled, he grabbed Serena’s shoulder to pull her back, realizing who was behind her.
“Princess Siren.”
Her voice was trembling, unlike when speaking with Serena. To a stranger, it could sound like she was desperately calling her lover.
“Th-this is… my handkerchief.”
Her clear, bright voice settled between them like a lark’s song.
Serena, accidentally brought close to him, was momentarily flustered but composed herself and faced Emma.
She was no longer terrified. Her gaze was sharp and knowing, sending a chill down Serena’s neck.
“Come to think of it, why is the princess here?”
