Chapter 2

When they were young, they used to get along, holding hands and running around everywhere, so Helena couldn’t understand what was bothering him this time. The youngest’s foul temper was nothing new, so Helena simply patted Serenia’s shoulder, telling her not to worry.

“You don’t need to worry about the mansion’s security. Just have the staff handle it. Shouldn’t you be preparing for tomorrow’s party?”

“It’s something I should do. It’s fine. Since it’s an important event, I’ll keep making sure nothing unpleasant happens.”

“Right. Stay focused. If anything goes wrong during a royal event, it’ll stain our family’s name.”

Even when Lucien chimed in with his usual spite, Serenia showed no sign of being offended. Serenia politely bowed her head and left the room, leaving Lucien’s persistent gaze clinging to her back.

Serenia wore light armor with the Delaroz family crest clearly displayed. Her long hair, tied high, swayed gently. The crest symbolized her role as a knight responsible for the family’s safety, but to Lucien, it felt as if the crest was claiming ownership over Serenia, leaving him with an odd feeling.

A strange sense of relief and a faint, irritating discomfort washed over Lucien at the same time, making it impossible for him to relax his expression as he clicked his tongue.

* * *

Delaroz’s mansion, usually quiet and reserved, was now bustling with dazzling lights and countless guests—an atmosphere completely at odds with its usual calm. The Delaroz family rarely attended social gatherings or hosted regular parties, but even they couldn’t ignore tradition when it came to a royal marriage.

The eldest son of the Delaroz family, Serion, and the youngest imperial princess, Princess Erisa, were getting married.

The grand wedding would take place at the imperial palace tomorrow, and by royal custom, the pre-wedding celebration was held at the Delaroz residence. Everyone in the Delaroz family was busy welcoming guests, but Lucien, as always, ignored the attention directed at him and drank alone in a corner.

“The most inefficient waste of time in the world.”

Lucien muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over the party hall filled with soft melodies, openly showing his contempt. The atmosphere was daunting, and despite the many eyes on Lucien—who hadn’t attended a social event in ages—almost no one dared approach him.

He’d already been cornered by the Emperor and Princess Erisa, forced to listen to trivial old stories and Erisa’s mocking laughter, leaving him completely exhausted. Helena always said he had a long way to go before he matured, but Lucien thought Erisa was even more childish—she’d always sneer at him the moment she saw his face, even with her wedding tomorrow.

“My brother must be crazy to marry that witch.”

Lucien shuddered, remembering the time when the adults had suggested betrothing him to Erisa. The only thing he could thank her for was that she’d fallen for Serion and put an end to that ridiculous engagement plan.

An engagement? To Lucien, Erisa wasn’t even a woman—she was more like a bizarre creature he never wanted to associate with. Erisa probably felt the same. The two hated each other more than the worst siblings, reacting violently even to the word “childhood friend.”

If he had to pick someone who actually fit the description of “childhood friend”…

Following his train of thought, Lucien’s gaze settled on one person.

A woman who blended into the shadows at the edge of the party, always watching Serion’s back and vigilantly scanning the surroundings—Serenia. Unlike the other women at the party, adorned with jewels and dazzling dresses, Serenia stood out in her simple uniform, quietly following behind Serion as one of his knights.

“…She’ll wear herself out completely.”

Lucien muttered irritably, setting down his glass. His rough movement made the half-finished drink swirl inside the small cup. Serenia was in charge of Serion’s protection, so it was only natural for her to stay close. Still, the subtle discomfort Lucien had felt when he realized Serenia belonged to the family resurfaced.

On the eve of his wedding, Serion’s face was brighter than ever, even in Lucien’s eyes. He’d always been kind, but he wasn’t usually so quick to smile. Now, his constant laughter made him look unusually happy, especially compared to Serenia, who stood a step behind, her expression pale.

“Still hasn’t come to her senses.”

Her face was as expressionless as a pale doll, but Lucien could read the emotions hidden within.

None of the family members who’d lived with Serenia at the mansion ever noticed her secret.

Only Lucien knew that Serenia had been in love with Serion for a very long time.

Lucien wasn’t even aware of how intently he stared at Serenia. His gaze was so fierce that people nearby glanced nervously between Lucien and Serenia, sensing the tension.

Eventually, Serenia, ever alert, noticed the suspicious stare and turned her head.

“……”

When their eyes met, Lucien folded his arms and stared at her, as if he’d been waiting for this moment. His gaze was arrogant and somehow annoyed, almost as if he was picking a fight. But Serenia didn’t flinch like she did on the first day. She simply confirmed that it was Lucien, then indifferently turned away.

“What?”

If she’d gotten angry, asking why he was glaring, or even looked frightened, Lucien wouldn’t have felt so irritated. But her clean disregard—like she was ignoring a mere pebble on the street—made Lucien let out a disbelieving laugh.

He’d thought he’d shared enough time with Serenia for her to be the first person he’d think of as a friend, but after several years apart, she treated him like a stranger. Lucien’s frustration boiled inside him.

“So that’s how you want to play?”

He shamelessly forgot that he’d been the one acting prickly toward Serenia from the start, but regardless, she’d triggered something childish in him.

“Let’s see how long you can pretend not to know.”

Lucien glared at the back of his brother’s head, following Serenia’s gaze.

Apparently, he was more attached to his family than he thought. Even with that accursed Erisa, since she was marrying Serion, Lucien wanted them to be happy. Until now, he’d figured Serenia would naturally let go of her feelings since Serion and Erisa were marrying for love, but maybe that was too optimistic.

“If rumors start flying, it’ll be a problem. It’s only natural for me to worry as his brother. Yeah, that’s why I feel so rotten.”

No one criticized Lucien, but he mumbled as if making excuses. After repeatedly convincing himself of the reasons for his discomfort and anger, Lucien finally smiled in satisfaction. Now that he’d given a name to his vague emotions, his pounding heart finally calmed.

Tomorrow, Serion would be a married man—Princess Erisa’s husband, no less. Lucien resolved to uproot Serenia’s hopeless feelings for him once and for all, glaring at Serion’s innocent head.

Eventually, poor Serion, feeling the prickling gaze and looking around, was startled by his youngest brother’s vicious glare and had to calm his racing heart.