Realizing belatedly what had just transpired, Serena’s cheeks flushed a brilliant red.

“……!”

Unbelievably, Lucas looked at Serena as if nothing had happened, his expression cool and brazen.

“Ju, just now… to me…”

“It’s the part postponed from our engagement ceremony. Rightfully mine, you know.”

Lucas, who was much shorter than Serena back then, had to settle for kissing the back of her hand instead of her forehead, to fulfill the engagement ritual.

“Finally, a relief.”

He had always wanted to leisurely bend down and kiss her forehead. And now, at last, that wish was fulfilled.

“Of course, there’s still an endless list of things I want to do.”

Serena blinked slowly. She wanted to kick him in the shin, but for some reason, her awkward body wouldn’t move.

“Not even a fortnight remains.”

Lucas spoke freely, leaving Serena standing there blankly as if a kiss on the forehead was nothing significant.

“I’m truly sorry you have to endure this stifling mansion until then.”

Upon seeing Lucas’s confident smile, Serena forgot whatever she was going to say.

“But once we’re married, no one will suppress you.”

Is that the only option? Can’t I live freely and alone, like I did in Astel?

“How about it? Looking forward to our wedding?”

Grinning, the corners of Lucas’s mouth lifted. His dark eyes sparkled as if they held a marvelous dream. And that serene, confident demeanor irked Serena.

“Ah, bear with me today.”

Lucas quickly retreated. It was done in an instant.

“My shin is still bruised, and I want to walk properly at the wedding.”

A glimmer of mischief appeared on the face of the man who had seemed so pitiable earlier. At this point, Serena couldn’t tell which was the real Lucas.

“And I can’t tarnish your reputation with this secret meeting, so I should take my leave.”

His steps dripped with regret, contrary to his words, but even Cedric had his limits in standing guard.

More importantly, if this got out, there would be debate over the qualifications of the already controversial bride, something Lucas did not wish for.

“See you at the wedding.”

Before Serena could reply, Lucas, hood drawn, smiled once more and left through the door. The lingering scent around them served as the only evidence that what had just occurred was not a dream.

“Ah…”

And the scroll he left in Serena’s hand retained a trace of his warmth.

“Can I open this?”

One of the things she had learned while managing the fief as a proxy countess was not to carelessly break the seal of a letter.

A letter sealed and stamped in the name of nobility signified the beginning of a conversation or transaction upon being opened.

“Well… what could possibly happen now, considering the wedding is soon.”

Serena was currently the crown prince’s fiancée. There was nothing worse that could happen from opening a letter from her betrothed. Above all, she wanted to see for herself what promise he had made.

[To Serena Astel.]

Lucas, despite his rugged demeanor, had elegant penmanship.

[I, Lucas Thern, promise, staking my noble name, status, and lifetime honor.]

Serena paused for a moment. A mere noble’s lifetime included the authority of the emperor of this empire.

[This is a promise from a man to a woman, and a vow from Lucas Thern to Serena Astel.]

Her blue eyes could not stop and read to the end of the letter. And upon reaching the last line, she let out an involuntary gasp.

[I will protect Serena Astel’s free spirit in any circumstance or situation, respecting her will, and this vow will not change even in my death.] Although vague, it was the strongest expression in this era. Even in the light of having served as a proxy for the duke, the legal force was sufficient, and it was a word recognized even by the Papacy.

“Seems there was a valid reason for the intrusion.”

Sighing, Serena muttered to herself. At the end of the letter was Lucas’s signature. It was an unequivocal promise, given that the crown prince’s seal and signature were together.

“At least better than a vow of love.”

Since he had staked his own name, even an emperor couldn’t forcibly break this promise. Doing so would permanently destroy his son’s honor.

“Does this… have meaning?”

Any resentment toward Lucas had long since disappeared. Truthfully, a small spat during the engagement ceremony couldn’t be all that significant.

“But if marriage is absolutely necessary.”

The break of her free daily life in Astel territory was regrettable, but it was determined the moment she became the Duchess of Astel.

Considering the Duke of Astel’s attitude, it was certain he wouldn’t have allowed Serena to live as a single woman, even if she were not the crown princess.

“Reluctant as I am to admit it, this might be the best option.”

Repelling the persistent marriage proposals of Duke Farel had not only been to preserve her single life, but also because he could not promise Serena much.

“This is still too reckless.”

Lucas, who would be the future emperor, had turned a promise that even a mere duke couldn’t keep into a letter that no one could steal.