“My lady, dinner is…”
“I am not going to eat.”
I couldn’t incorporate how I returned to the mansion. While I stood absent-mindedly, the maids re-adjusted my dress and skillfully arranged my curls. I waved my hand as they offered breakfast.
Following the event, I left on the prepared carriage Lennox arranged for me.
‘How embarrassing!’
I squealed, kicking the blanket vigorously.
“Argh!”
How foolish am I? To have become entangled with the sub-male lead, with my own two feet at that!
I punched the blanket and jumped from my bed to a seating position.
My head was overloaded.
‘Amid your secret affair with the male protagonist, you push the female protagonist before everyone’s eyes, then spend the night drunk with the sub-male protagonist like an idiot!?’
I should just advertise my upcoming death, really.
“Serrine! What has happened? You screamed just now!”
Father and the attendants seemed to have been startled by my loud shriek as they rushed forth. But what I currently demanded was not their comfort.
“Just leave!”
What I required was alone time to erase this indignation of mine. The door that had been opened immediately slammed shut in response to my shout.
‘Don’t think about it.’
I constantly envisaged Lennox from the other day. His bare flesh there, there, everywhere! And his butt…
“Have I gone insane!”
I slammed the bed mattress with my fists uncontrollably.
‘Should I just run away?’
No, that won’t hold any benefit for me whatsoever. If I escaped this place, just visualizing what Serrine would do to me…
I sighed and clasped my loose hair. It was then that something aroused me to my senses.
‘That’s right. I should’ve informed Paryan I wouldn’t volunteer for the Princess election!’
I had to reject the offer as soon as possible. Lennox’s body that I’ve seen in 4k, however, caused me to forget the fact on my way to the Latni mansion.
I stood up, making my way out of the room to inform Count Latni that I would not become a Princess candidate. I disrupted the family meal as they continued their dinner.
As I neared, the rich smell originating from the table stimulated my stomach. Food wasn’t something I worried about until a while ago, but now that I took in the seductive scent, my insides refused to remain still.
“Serrine.”
Upon my entry, the Countess stood up to approach me.
“Are you here for dinner? That’s a good idea. The more ill you are, the more you should eat. Come here.”
I didn’t exactly intend for that reason, but I was too appalled by the smell and the Countess’s caring hands. I eventually sat down.
“Let me know if you’re sick. I will call for a doctor.”
Count Latni observed me as I sat in a chair, his expression pleased.
“More than that, father.”
Whenever I pronounced the word, the atmosphere surrounding me became awkward. I just wasn’t able to accustom myself to the fatherly figure.
“Go ahead.”
“I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Favor?”
Count Latni coughed what was inside his mouth, his pupils wide in shock.
“From you to me?”
The Count swallowed his cold glass of water and pointed towards me, his expression startled. As I nodded, he smiled broadly.
“This would be your first request. Of course!”
Would it? I observed the Count’s pleasant complexion and replied calmly.
“I do not wish to be nominated for the Crown Princess selection.”
The table froze. I could only discern the firewood burning in the fireplace.
“W-wait.”
Count Latni raised his hand in a confused manner. I continued wetting my dry lips.
“…Serrine. Did they announce you as a candidate for the Crown Princess selection?”
The Countess covered her mouth in an astounded manner. Ah, perhaps the Count and the Countess didn’t hear of the news.
‘Diletsha didn’t tell them.’
I slightly glanced Diletsha’s way. The child’s face continued meeting her salad as she clasped her fork.
She seemed close to tears.
“Serrine, tell me.”
“…Yes.”
The Countess smiled brightly as I nodded in affirmation.
“Our… Our Serrine!”
“Has a mistake occurred? In principle, once a person is nominated for the candidate selection, they notify the family in advance.”
Count Latni wiped his lips with a napkin and put down the tableware.
His expression appeared grave.
“However, they have not informed us.”
Of course, it was bound to occur.
Per the original plot, I was not called a candidate for the Crown Princess selection.
Everything changed. Paryan announced me as one, although I was not included.
“Diletsha, tell us. You went to the ball along with Serrine.”
The Countess urged Diletsha as she slightly nudged her shoulder. Only then did the child cease digging through her salad with a fork and slowly raise her head.
Her eyes and nose seemed peculiarly swollen.
“…Sister is right.”
Her throat also sounded hoarse. Was she sick?
“His Highness the Crown Prince personally called for sister.”
Count and Countess Latni held each other’s hands in delight in regards to Diletsha’s affirmation.
A Crown Princess.
The reaction was but natural. It would be an honor for a family to have their daughter become the future Empress of the Empire.
“…But, wait a minute. What did you say?”
Count Latni recalled my previous statement as he gazed lovingly at the Countess. He bewilderedly stared at me, as if he had been hit in the back of his head.
“I ask to be excluded from the Crown Princess candidate list. I wish for father to deliver this request to His Majesty the Emperor.”
Count Latni was besieged. The Countess also retracted her overjoyed expression and tilted her head.
“Do you mind if I ask why?”
“I do not love his highness.”
The moment I spoke such words, the Countess’s eyes widened. She turned to a maid beside her and said, ‘Did you hear? Serrine said the word love!’
“You must be well aware that many young ladies from countless families are straining to enter that sacred list.”
I am aware. But why? I don’t understand why they’re trying so diligently for such a goal. What’s there to have? …Well, there is much to take advantage of. The Crown Prince is both handsome and powerful.
However, this wasn’t a choice for me.
“Yes, I know.”
The Count sighed deeply.
“When called as a candidate for the Crown Prince, everyone is usually honored. Serrine, no one has ever said they wouldn’t accept the invitation before you.”
It’s peculiar there was no one before me. It’s obvious not everyone called was overjoyed by the announcement.
Perhaps some were forced into it.
“Baby.”
The Countess stood up and approached me. She gently held my hand.
It didn’t startle me any longer when she held my hand, stroked my cheeks, or patted my shoulders.
“Reconsider the matter. This may also be a positive outcome for you. The Crown Prince is none other than the heir to the throne. If his highness becomes an Emperor, you, the Crown Princess, will become…”
The Countess swallowed her words and patted the back of my hand.
I will become the Empress.
“But I don’t love him.”
Now and in the future.
In addition… I feel apologetic to this family, but the true Serrine would soon reappear as dead.
“I do not wish to be the Crown Princess, nor the Empress.”
The Countess glanced at Count Latni in regret.
Count Latni seriously clasped his hands and lowered his head in ponder.
“None of the candidates who have been called thus far refused the Emperor’s orders.”
“…”
“However, I will seek an attempt if this is what you truly wish for.”
But, they surely wouldn’t execute us simply for that reason, would they? Count Latni only smiled bitterly as he observed my anxious complexion.
“Don’t worry. Did you think His Majesty would kill us if I approached him on the matter?”
No, don’t say that.
If you do, they’ll really behead us!
***
“Impossible.”
Count Latni presented his discomfort as he lowered his head in regards to the Emperor’s determined tone.
The only reason he requested an audience was for his daughter. However, even the Count did not expect Serrine’s name to be removed from the list of candidates.
‘As expected…’
“All the nobles attending the ballroom heard of the announcement.”
The Emperor also seemed distraught as he continued. If possible, he would’ve corrected the register as soon as possible.
Both parents sighed as they recalled their troublesome children.
“However.”
The Emperor paused and turned to glare at Count Latni, his expression displeased. As the eyes of the most powerful man directed his way, the Count hardened like a threatened animal and swallowed his saliva.
“Why are you asking me to exclude the lady from the list of the Crown Princess candidates?”
“That is…”
“There is nothing the Crown Prince lacks.”
Even if he was lacking before the Emperor or an ugly child, there could be no one criticizing the Prince of the Empire.
The Imperial family’s dignity may not be diminished.
The Emperor’s forehead scrunched.
He could only expect more trouble from the Count’s family.
“Th-That is not the case.”
Count Latni, unaware of the Emperor’s thoughts, hurriedly waved his hands to dismiss any intentions of insulting the Royal family.
“However…”
“However?”
“Serrine had recuperated not too long ago. Besides, her memory is not whole. Although she attended the ball not long ago, she is not fully healed as of yet. Therefore, my daughter is constantly distraught with the matter.”
Count Latni bowed his head carefully.
What he pointed out wasn’t wrong.
Has there ever been an ill person nominated for the Crown Princess?
However, if that were the case, she wouldn’t have presented such a fine appearance at the ball.
“Did you hear of the physical fight between Lady Latni and Lady Violetta during the ball?”
“…Pardon?”
“She didn’t seem sickly enough at that moment.”
The Emperor himself, of course, did not want to say this. However, he couldn’t help his mouth. He wished to shout that he’d exclude her from the nomination due to her discourteous actions!
However, if he permitted her leave, there would be future families complaining along with the same excuse the following time.
If such a matter occurred often, the Imperial power would plummet to the ground.
There was nothing he could do.
“Lady Latni was not originally a candidate for the Crown Princess selection.”
“…!”
“However, since the news had already spread throughout the Empire, she may not be excluded.”
Eventually, the Emperor affirmed his statement. Count Latni realized it was of no use to convince him anymore and clasped his lips. He rubbed his temples.
“I understand.”
“However.”
However? Count Latni raised his head, somewhat desperate.
“Considering that Lady Latni is in poor physical condition, as you said.”
The Emperor cleared his throat and closed one of his eyes.
“I will make sure to send her back to the Latni mansion shortly.”
This would be a show. In the end, Serrine would have zero possibility of becoming the Crown Princess.
Count Latni grasped his implications and nodded a few times. His expression brightened.
“Thank you for your grace, your Majesty.”
“Now leave.”
Even from the Emperor’s point of view, he worried that Serrine would rather insist on becoming the Crown Princess…
Things would go well.
The meeting concluded with both parties in greater moods.
***