Serena’s eyes looked at Lucas just as strongly and directly as they had in Astel. All the worries that she might have changed upon confronting the monastic life vanished.

“I’ll admit the mistake.”

“……Really? You’ve thought it through. Then, tell His Majesty the Emperor that you wish to annul the marriage now!”

Yet, it was unavoidable to feel somewhat bitter about Serena, who still talked about divorce with such a delighted expression. Even if she hated his proposal, this level of joy incited a sense of defiance.

“No. We’re going to get married.”

When a response contrary to her expectations came out, Serena began to glare at him.

“That’s not a mistake.”

“Ha, so you came to mock me? I don’t need it, so please leave.”

Even when he roamed incognito, no one dared to treat him lightly due to his intimidating aura and dignity. Yet, this woman who knew his identity still looked at him so aggressively, and that almost made him laugh.

“The mistake I mentioned is imprisoning you in this tumbledown mansion. I sincerely apologize for that part.”

Serena’s aggressive gaze did not waver.

“Really, I had no intention of that. I thought you’d be preparing for the royal wedding back in the Astel Duke’s residence.”

Lucas spoke with an unexpectedly cautious tone and expression.

“I apologize for not considering that your mother passed away too early.”

It wasn’t his fault. However, looking at a man apologizing so earnestly was not bad.

“Still, making me the Crown Princess is a mistake.”

Serena did not back down from her assertion. Demanding she become a Crown Princess when she couldn’t even maintain her own dignity was too much.

“How can I, who can’t even set a proper example, live in the imperial palace and be called a Crown Princess?”

“Are you denying our connection over such a trivial issue?”

Lucas appeared quite hurt, but Serena deliberately ignored him.

“Your Majesty, six years have passed. We’ve both grown, and the past is just the past. Also, this is not a trivial issue, it’s my issue.”

Serena considered Lucas’ rash engagement proposal as a form of obsession, a way to heal the wounds inflicted by her, the oversized fiancée who had openly ignored him.

“I apologize for upsetting you at the engagement ceremony. You’ve grown into a very strong and wonderful man now. Yes, no warrior can ever push you back.”

If there was a way to alleviate his obsession, it would be to resolve the memories of that day. Serena had also directly confronted the wounds of her past life and admitted to reality, healing them.

“I’m glad to hear you say that.”

Realizing his past wounds had healed, Lucas should also cease his childish behavior.

“Ultimately, we are……”

“Yes, we were merely betrothed in the past.”

Serena nodded her head.

“Right. A perfect match made by a past engagement.”

However, Serena’s movements halted at Lucas’ words.

In his black eyes, a steadfast resolve had already formed, and judging from past experiences, they were evenly matched in stubbornness. Ultimately, Serena, who could not bear it, opened her mouth again.

“Do you realize that you don’t seem sane right now?”

Lucas shamelessly shook his head. He had never realized how upsetting it was to feel looked down upon until now, when he felt the same sentiment he had six years ago.

“Anyone would agree that I don’t make a suitable Crown Princess. The path you’re insisting on will only lead to mutual unhappiness.”

“You’re always asserting that we will be unhappy together, even though you’ve never lived with me.”

Of course, Serena had her own reasons for making such a statement. She was a side character in this story, and the only vivid description of her character was evident in this narrative.

“We will definitely be unhappy. No fruitful outcomes can be reached.”

It was as the narrative described. By the time the protagonist of the story begins to appear, Serena is portrayed as a Queen on the verge of being deposed.
Incompetent, powerless, and a useless being without any will. A figure who had failed to fulfill any of her duties and who would soon be shown the exit due to a lack of anyone’s interest.

“No.”

Lucas’s voice, tinged with irritation, resounded deeply as he moved closer, stopping right in front of Serena.

“Our marriage will be a happy one.”

No matter how intimidating his gaze, Serena’s feelings remained unchanged.

“How can we be happy when I can’t be happy myself?”

“That’s why I’m making a promise, am I not?”

Lucas grasped Serena’s wrist. The calluses on his large hand were small proof of his years of hard work.

And perhaps due to the hardships in a strange place, his somewhat familiar hand felt warm.

“How can I trust your promise? I’ve not only been stripped of my clothes but had to have a new dress tailored.”

Clothing was a good measure of a person’s life.

The dress that Serena had brought from Astel was supposed to be worn for occasions of elegance and formality, yet it wasn’t even considered indoor wear in the eyes of the Countess. This was a sign of Serena’s future life.

“Didn’t I apologize for that?”