No way, that can’t be happening. It’s impossible.

Startled, Serena’s heart pounded wildly. Finally mustering the courage to open her eyes, she saw Lucas’s large silhouette comfortably perched on a big tree branch outside the window.

“Why, Your Highness….”

“Why am I here? Couldn’t sleep.”

Lucas shamelessly gazed at Serena with his dark eyes as he answered.

“So, I thought about taking a walk… But I overheard you talking to yourself.”

Seeing his mischievous grin, Serena wanted to slap herself for absentmindedly muttering under her breath. Lucas, clearly enjoying the situation, probably deserved a hundred slaps too.

“Why would the Crown Prince of the Empire eavesdrop on a young lady’s bedroom?”

Trying to hide her embarrassment, Serena spoke even more coldly.

“Firstly, I didn’t know this was your bedroom. Secondly, I climbed the tree because I heard you.”

Serena glared at Lucas, who remained unabashed in his response and expression.

“Ah, tree-climbing is a hobby of mine.”

Lucas smiled, his face full of ease.

“And to clarify the conversation I happened to overhear.”

“Yes? No.”

Despite Serena’s adamant head shake, Lucas continued.

“I was just reacting impulsively to the situation, without really thinking.”

Ah, Lucas had brought up the subject she least wanted to discuss.

“But once I grabbed you, I was so tense I couldn’t figure out what to say. I just… acted as if nothing had happened.”

In contrast to his calm tone, his eyes were cautious yet sincere. The previous incident was indeed significant, for both of them.

“I don’t know how to deal with women. I’ve only ever thought about marrying you and never actually talked to other women.”

Serena blinked slowly. It was hard to tell whether this was a confession or not.

“Why are you making such a bewildering face?”

She didn’t know the answer herself.

“Just because the first impression was bad doesn’t mean the relationship has to be bad too. I’ve always… liked you.”

Serena felt her cheeks warm at Lucas’s composed words.

“My father serenaded my mother with a love song when he proposed, but I don’t know anything about that.”

Lucas’s piercing eyes met Serena’s directly. Every time he spoke his mind, he looked at her without wavering, as if showing her everything.

“I’ve tried to write letters to you, but I could never convey what I meant.”

There was no reason for Lucas to lie, and the same was true for Serena.

Finally, Serena voiced a sentence that would inevitably lead to the same conclusion. She didn’t know what she was hoping for. The next part was predictable; he would ask for her as his reward.

“Even if Your Highness’s feelings are true, what if I can’t make a good Crown Princess?”

Yet, Lucas’s answer that night was quite different from what she’d heard before.

“Who’s to decide that? All that matters is that the woman I like becomes my wife.”

Were all men this straightforward, or was it just Lucas?

Listening to his earnest eyes and low, calm voice made her heart flutter, as if she’d become the most special woman in the world.

“Why… are you doing all this?”

“Because I like you.”

Lucas neither hid his feelings nor spoke in riddles.

“Because the only woman I like, now and in the future, is you.”

The autumn night’s wind kept tickling her restless heart.

“Is there a more absolute reason than that?”

Although he hadn’t yet dared to speak of love, she could feel the sincerity in his use of the word “like.”

“I’ve liked you from the beginning. I was just unable to express it when I was young.”
Lucas deeply regretted his petty behavior at the engagement ceremony, especially when he met Serena again and she coldly declared their engagement null and void.

“I don’t want to regret leaving you ever again.”

His eyes shimmered more attractively under the moonlight.

For a moment, his large frame that enveloped her, his long legs leisurely stretched out on the tree, and above all, his beautiful face looking at the lady by the window, seemed like a scene from a poetic tale.

“Serena. Even if you reject me, my feelings will never change. I can swear on my life.”

Even without swearing, Serena knew he was sincere. Such a straightforward and strong heart couldn’t be a lie.

“You will never give up?”

“Yes, never.”

Serena’s silhouette was reflected in Lucas’s black eyes. Now, there was no need for any more wasteful conversation between them. Lucas’s vow was genuine, and there was no way to dissuade him.

“Weren’t I looking happy today in Astel?”

“You were shining more than the sun.”

Serena was an excellent ruler, a fact Lucas had verified with his own eyes. He somewhat understood why she had adamantly refused his proposal.

“Let’s tie the knot of matrimony.”

Lucas looked at Serena with passion.

“Whatever kind of crown princess you become, it’s okay.”

Serena’s blue eyes wavered slightly.

“In whatever way?”

“Yes. If you want to do something, go ahead and do it; whether you tie up your hair or cross-dress, it doesn’t matter.”

“I’ve never heard that being a crown princess is such a free position.”