Having received replies from both the royal palace and the papal office, Lucas was now only waiting for a response from Duke Astel.

“Do you really not want to open them?”

Cedric had asked several times out of curiosity, but he always shook his head.

“How many times do I have to say it? I plan to unseal them all at once when the parties are present.”

Of course, Lucas had some degree of trust.

The Emperor might be uncertain, but Mohu had always recognized him without words, so the odds were high that he had sided with him in this matter. He had also paid off some debts while wandering in the papal state, so they should support him as well.

“Your Highness, there’s no guarantee that Duke Astel will cooperate.”

“True. He is an enigmatic man.”

Lucas nodded.

“But thanks to him, I was able to avoid a great mistake.”

If he had been an ordinary duke, the matter wouldn’t have come this far.

Isn’t it more abnormal to force a marriage and initiate unhappiness, rather than missing an opportunity to become the future Empress?

“If Duke Astel had been greedy and forced our marriage… I wouldn’t have even had the chance to realize whether my feelings for her were pure.”

Lucas was born into a status where marriage could not simply be based on love. Therefore, he didn’t want to give up this opportunity.

“And I’ve already made up my mind.”

If he couldn’t marry the woman he had longed for from his boyhood to his mature years, then who else could he love?

“It doesn’t matter if Duke Astel opposes.”

A confident smile hung at the corner of Lucas’s mouth. Regardless of what Serena thought, his plans were nearly complete.

“I’ve planned this from the start.”

From the moment he first saw Serena, destiny was set. Although he didn’t know what the engraved Serena meant to him at that moment, everything became clearer over time.

“Sir Cedric.”

While Lucas was lost in thought, a servant found Cedric at the door.

“A message has arrived from Duke Astel.”

At those words, Lucas turned his head. Finally, all three cards were in place.

“Your Highness.”

Sealed in the letter was certainly Duke Astel’s emblem. Lucas took the letters from both the royal palace and the papal office, and stood up.

“Go and tell her grace. The answer that will decide our marriage has arrived.”

Lucas’s triumphant appearance already anticipated victory.

Serena greeted the crown prince with a resolute expression, like a knight who had received a duel request.

“I greet Your Highness.”

Although she reluctantly paid her respects to Lucas, her expression remained cold.

“You’ve brought the answer?”

“Yes. Aren’t you pleased?”

Serena smiled.

“Of course, I’m pleased.”

“Were you also waiting for our marriage like me?”

Despite Lucas’s taunting question, Serena didn’t lower her smile.

“Yes, I’ve been waiting. To reveal the absurdity of your belated engagement claim.”

Engagement with the crown prince was not the fate she chose. However, Lucas’s unexpected behavior for 6 years opened up a completely new life for Serena.

“Do you still believe in the customary law?”

“The papal office also acknowledges it.”

Every year, Serena had been sending pitiful letters to the papal office and the royal palace, saying her engagement had not been realized and that she was destined to live alone.

It was the only way for a noblewoman of this era to be recognized for a single life, and it actually worked well.

“Everyone, leave.”

Lucas put the three letters on the table and spoke. Then, only the two remained, and his piercing eyes focused on Serena.

“Would you like to open it yourself? It might be easier to accept that way.”

“Nothing will change.”

It had only been a few months since she sent the last letter. It meant that soon, his pride and faith would crumble.

“I hope Your Highness will accept the result as well.”

“Of course.”

Lucas wore a leisurely smile.

“Whatever the result, I will accept it.”

“Then the result is as good as settled.”

“Yes. Will you also accept it?”
Looking at Lucas who still hadn’t grasped reality, Serena chuckled softly.

“Of course.”

Even if Lucas had undergone rigorous training for the past six years and had become a robust man, the ways of the world hadn’t changed.

Despite her sleepless night, Serena concluded that she couldn’t change her life over such minor emotions.

“Then, check with your own hands.”

Lucas leaned back and wore a relaxed smile. Serena nodded and reached for the letter with the royal emblem engraved on it first.

As she began to open the letter, Lucas circled the table and stood closely behind her.

“Your Highness.”

Serena stopped abruptly and pointed out his suspicious approach, but Lucas shamelessly maintained his position.

“Don’t I need to see it too?”

“You could see just fine from a greater distance given your height.”

Being taller wasn’t always advantageous.

“I want to see it clearly, just in case.”

Still, his audacity didn’t recede. Curious about the letter’s content, Serena endured the uncomfortable closeness. This distance would end once the results came in, after all.