“It’s a done deal. Both the royal family and the Papal States have acknowledged it.”

It was a fact that Serena couldn’t change.

“Moreover, the crown prince personally came all the way to this duchy to meet you.”

“He was an unwelcome guest. And I never consented to this marriage.”

Roger let out a short sigh.

“The engagement is acknowledged by both the royal family and the Papal States. No one else’s permission is needed anymore.”

His voice was firm and his expression stern. Even if he liked to wander and roam, he was still a noble aristocrat.

“Father, I’ve led Astel to prosperity more than anyone else. I don’t need to get married.”

“Listen, I entrusted you as acting duchess to protect you from the negative public opinion after the engagement ceremony.”

All the leading nobles of the capital had attended the engagement ceremony with the crown prince. And they had all seen the crown prince’s anger and Serena’s arrogance. The scene could have turned them into enemies rather than fiancées.

“I wanted you to stay away from the social circles of the capital and spend peaceful time in our territory… until the engagement turns into a marriage.”

Serena looked at her father with disbelief, but Roger’s expression didn’t change.

“Six years? What of it? Do you believe that customary laws can break the promise between the Thern royal family and the Astel ducal family?”

Serena felt as if Roger standing before her was a massive wall. She had underestimated not just Lucas but also him.

“But you never mentioned any of this. Have you even talked to me that many times?”

“Do I have to explicitly say it? You are the Duchess of Astel. That’s explanation enough.”

Roger, who had a status just below the royal family, was not an easy opponent.

His sense of duty and loyalty to the royal family, not to mention his stubbornness about not letting his only daughter remain single, were unavoidable.

“What was that last letter about? I thought, if anything, you would not be in favor of maintaining the engagement.”

“My ambiguous reply was a jab at the crown prince for stalling for six years and a message to value you more from now on.”

Serena was momentarily at a loss for words. She had run over happily, thinking that Roger’s arrival might change things, but he turned out to be even more oppressive than Lucas.

“The relationship between His Majesty the Emperor and our Astel ducal family is deeper than anything else. Unfortunately, I only have you as a child, so the engagement was a natural outcome.”

“…You lost a bet on the battlefield to His Majesty the Emperor, and that’s how this betrothal came about.”

“Ah? Did you believe such a joke?”

Roger chuckled briefly.

“It’s true His Majesty lost a bet, but we didn’t determine the engagement for just that reason.”
Indeed, it had been an engagement with the crown prince who would someday become emperor, and also with a noble ducal family. Serena felt like the fool for having believed such rumors.

“If His Highness the Crown Prince hadn’t stepped in, I was about to make my move.”

Roger’s voice was clear, and his eyes were resolute. Seeing him exude dignity and grace unlike when he carried a jovial smile made her feel pathetic for having underestimated him merely for his wanderlust.

“What’s there to be surprised about?”

Having seen Serena’s stern expression, Roger smiled nonchalantly.

“To think that you, a duchess, are single. You’re more naïve than I thought.”

Now there was no one to take Serena’s side. Roger’s sudden return only confirmed that fact more clearly.

“Don’t worry about the Astel territory. I have things to calm down and focus on for a while, so I, the duke, will take care of it myself.”

With the true master having returned, there was nothing for Serena, who had been a stand-in, to say.

“Prepare to leave soon.”

“Already? You’re kicking me out completely.”

“One can’t prepare for a state wedding here.”

To everyone but Serena, the crown prince’s impending state wedding was a foregone conclusion.

“I’ve made arrangements with Count Shuowd. He’s my cousin, and the countess is a dignified person, so it’s fitting.”

“What if I refuse?”

Her rebellious blue eyes stared sharply at Roger.

“Hmm, you do resemble your mother a lot.”

Roger grinned, revealing a charming smile. Serena couldn’t surpass her father in either wit or experience at this moment.

It was the same as not being able to stop the approaching wedding ceremony.

The one clear fact now was that Serena couldn’t escape the marriage with the crown prince.