Chapter 11 – The Crossroads of a Misaligned Beginning

When Serenia opened the small window of the carriage, the wind that blew in carried a salty scent. Unlike the inland air, the rough, sharp breeze tangled her tied hair. Frowning, Serenia brushed her hair back, but couldn’t take her eyes off the scenery unfolding outside the window.

“Is it really that fascinating?”

“Yeah. Doesn’t it look like the sky and the sea are connected as one? If you sail all the way to the end, do you think you could reach the sky?”

“No way. If you actually go, you’ll stop saying such romantic things.”

Up until now, the sea had only existed in concept and pictures for Serenia. The scenery she had vaguely imagined was now vividly unfolding before her eyes—an endless horizon, rolling waves, and the dazzling golden sparkle of the waves following the tide.

For Lucien, who was already tired of the sea, Serenia’s words sounded like a silly question, but even as he teased her, the satisfied smile on Lucien’s lips didn’t fade.

After all, his brother’s wedding had finally ended, and as planned, he was on his way back to headquarters with Serenia.

On the day Lucien had unilaterally informed Serion that he would take Serenia, Serion had said he would ask for Serenia’s opinion, but Lucien never intended to give her such a free choice. How could someone blinded by one-sided love make a proper decision?

Taking advantage of Serion’s busy wedding preparations, Lucien had personally prepared breakfast and rushed straight to his bedroom, where Serenia was still asleep.

“Are you awake?”

After such intense movement all night, Lucien thought Serenia might sleep in, but when Serion entered the room, Serenia was already slowly sitting up in bed.

“You must be tired, but you’re up on time again?”

“I actually woke up a little late today. I wasn’t planning to sleep in…”

Just like Serenia, Lucien had exercised intensely in bed, but his face was more radiant and lively than ever. When Lucien asked, Serenia turned her gaze away, mumbling softly.

As she unconsciously sat up, she was startled by the blanket slipping over her bare body and hastily pulled it up with both hands. The blanket, barely covering her cleavage, couldn’t fully hide her rounded shoulders.

“Hm…”

Strangely, Lucien felt hungry. He’d never cared much about breakfast, but as he gazed at her pale shoulders, he bit the inside of his cheek, feeling an inexplicable hunger. Saliva pooled under his tongue and his throat felt dry.

“Eat. It’s breakfast. The whole mansion will be chaotic today, so for people like us who aren’t the main characters, staying out of the way is actually helping.”

“I—I have things to do, so I’ll just handle it myself…”

“I already know your schedule. From now on, the Imperial Family will lead the events, so as a member of our family, you won’t need to do any security work.”

Desperate to escape the bed that kept reminding her of the embarrassing night before, Serenia wanted to leave immediately, but Lucien, blocking every retreat, sat on the edge of the bed with a charming, slightly oppressive smile.

“Or should I feed you?”

“Ugh, I can eat by myself!”

Feeling teased by Lucien’s childlike provocation, Serenia glared at him and shouted. Lucien, as if he’d been waiting, placed the simple breakfast he’d brought on the bed table and draped his nightgown over her shoulders.

How did things end up like this?

Last night, overwhelmed by Lucien’s absurd misunderstanding, the sorrow of her long one-sided love had surged up, and she had used the excuse of being drunk to make a reckless decision. At the time, she thought she’d never regret it…

But waking up in the morning with a clear mind, regret finally hit her. Lucien, who seemed to feel nothing, was acting as usual, but Serenia was different. She tried her best to act normal, but honestly, even meeting his eyes was difficult. When her fingers brushed Lucien’s as he naturally handed her the utensils, she almost dropped them.

“How do you feel? I washed you while you were asleep, but you wouldn’t wake up, so I was worried.”

“Please, just stop talking…”

“What, suddenly embarrassed?”

Serenia, head bowed, quietly ate the warm soup, trying to protest in a tiny voice, but she couldn’t win against Lucien’s gentle smile. His soft, laughter-tinged voice and the tender touch as he brushed her hair behind her ear made her ear and nape flush red.

Watching Serenia hurriedly eat her soup, Lucien clicked his tongue inwardly. Was this face really that good? Did he really look so much like his brother? He glanced at his reflection in the distant mirror, trying to imitate Serion’s expression.

Would copying those expressions make him look more alike?

Awkwardly mimicking Serion’s usual expressions, Lucien suddenly felt a wave of emptiness and stared at Serenia with a sulky look.

Why did she have to fall for his brother…?

“What? Why? What’s wrong?”

The heat of his gaze on her crown was too much, so Serenia finally couldn’t ignore him any longer. She set down her spoon and glanced at Lucien. His expression was a little tense, but soon he began speaking in a gentle, familiar voice she’d missed, with a sly smile.

“I talked to my brother, and it looks like you’ll have to come with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“You said yourself you wouldn’t hang around them anymore. So prove it in front of me.”

“Are you saying I should enlist and work under you?”

“That’s right. You passed the officer exam, but our mother opposed it, so you stayed at the mansion.”

“Still, suddenly working with you is a bit…”

“Why? You sound suspicious. Did you change your mind after sobering up?”

“I said that’s not it! I’ll just do mercenary work, so don’t worry about me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. If you said you’d work as a mercenary, do you think Mother or my brothers would just let you go?”

At Lucien’s scoffing words, Serenia’s lips clamped shut. Even without him telling her, she could already imagine Helena, Serion, and Kyle’s reactions.

They’d probably fiercely oppose and be sad at the same time, worrying if they’d done something to upset her… Knowing this, despite suffering from her one-sided love, Serenia had been unable to leave the mansion, clinging on foolishly.

But now, after Lucien’s misunderstanding and after spending a night together to fulfill her long-held desire, she couldn’t go on like this. No matter how sweetly Lucien whispered, no matter how prettily he smiled and coaxed her, she knew she had to refuse…

“I want to keep you from hovering around my brother, but even if it’s late, don’t you think you should keep your promise to me?”

“…….”

“I’ve worked hard, always looking forward to that promise. I’ve kept every promise I made with you, so now it’s your turn. This is a rare chance, you know?”

Lucien, who lacked nothing and always put himself first, looked at her with a rare, wistful gaze, and Serenia couldn’t bring herself to say no.

She recalled something Helena had told her as a child.

‘I worry because you’re too soft on Lucien. Even if he says something ridiculous, don’t just listen—ignore him when you need to.’ 

Helena’s warning had been prophetic. The real problem was that even with advance notice, Serenia couldn’t follow the advice.