A young maid wore a perplexed expression as she stared at the young nobleman in front of her. He suddenly handed her a book and ordered her to burn it and throw the ashes into the lake.
"Please forgive me for asking questions, Your Highness… but I've often seen you reading that book. Why do you suddenly want to throw it away?"
Lucien stared at her intensely, frightening her.
"It's cursed. No—it's something worse."
Sage shook slightly in Lucien's hands as he held it tightly. The young maid stared at the book, now even more confused.
"See that? It's trying to release itself from my grasp."
Lucien said this to the maid, eventually convincing her. She nodded, though she still had many questions she wanted to ask. But she simply wasn't allowed to question royalty.
"I shall do as you asked, Your Highness."
She reached for the quivering book, wanting to confirm for herself that it was moving.
'Does it have an enchantment?' She thought.
However, before she could reach the book, a voice suddenly called out to Lucien.
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess has arrived!"
It was a butler, informing Lucien that his wife, Seraphina, had arrived. Lucien had previously told the maids and butlers to inform him the moment of her arrival. He even had meals prepared at the dining table—not on a whim, and not because he wanted to win her favor.
While Lucien was still in isolation back then, he had often thought about how he could return Seraphina's kindness and support. However, he never truly got the chance, as he died before he could overcome his despair.
'Lucien was quite the poetic man.'
After living as Lucien for several days, he had come to understand him even more. His memories and emotions had become clearer. And as he analyzed those experiences, he began to realize just how great a person Lucien truly was.
He was kind, understanding, considerate, and hardworking—at least, that's how those close to him perceived him. However, on the inside, he fought more battles than anyone could imagine. Lucien was a human being—a person capable of thought and introspection. And though he may not have been the most capable, he was someone who always stuck to his principles.
People often viewed him as simple-minded, someone who had only one nature in his spirit: kindness. But what they didn't realize was how many internal battles he had fought just to remain true to what was right. He had hated, too. He had despised others. He had even wanted to abandon everything at one point in his life.
Yet in the end, he chose to do what was truly right—for himself, for Seraphina, and his mother…
Lucien walked through the hallway, returning to his bedroom. He threw Sage onto his desk as if it were some kind of trash, then went downstairs to wait at the dining table.
As he did, he told one of the maids to inform Seraphina that he was waiting.
He sat quietly, waiting. But as he waited, he started to sweat more than usual.
'Huh? That's strange…'
'I don't usually sweat this much.'
Aside from that, his heart was beating faster, as if he were extremely nervous.
'No way, am I nervous?'
Seojun wasn't the type to be easily intimidated by women, but for some reason, he was sweating nervously today.
He reached for his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his face. Then, moments later, she finally arrived, carefully stepping down the staircase. Every step she took seemed to vibrate through Lucien's entire body.
'What the hell, this guy is head over heels for her!'
Lucien tried to remain composed, despite the overwhelming feeling bubbling inside him.
She walked toward the man sitting alone at the table, wearing a worried and puzzled expression. She sat across from him, moving with quiet grace.
As she moved across from him, her blinding beauty seemed to illuminate the deepest corners of his soul. He stared at her with wide eyes, as if time itself had slowed.
Seraphina reached for the utensils, preparing to eat. But then she paused, noticing Lucien staring at her like a statue.
"You still haven't changed, Lucien."
She said this, startling him. Realizing what he was doing, Lucien immediately turned his head away, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"I've heard a lot about you while I was away, you know. I heard you've changed quite a bit—that you've become more confident. Even your academic skills have improved. One of your instructors told me."
Lucien was speechless.
"Yeah… a lot of things happened."
Seraphina took a bite before continuing.
"Also, I met Captain Darius. He told me a lot of things."
Hearing her words, Lucien felt like all the oxygen had been sucked out of his lungs.
'Of all people!'
Lucien tried to keep his composure.
"What did he say?"
Seraphina smiled, startling him again.
"A lot of things."
Lucien smiled awkwardly, then let out a soft chuckle.
"Like what exactly? He didn't say anything crazy, right?"
Seraphina stopped eating for a moment.
"He was right—a part of you has changed."
Then she added:
"Also… you kept your promise. Thank you."
Lucien leaned back in his chair and began to eat as well.
"Of course."
Back when Lucien was still isolating himself, Seraphina had visited his room and spoken with him. That time, that moment, had been unforgettable in a comforting way. Seraphina only asked for one thing in return: for him to overcome everything, become new, and share a meal with all her favorite dishes on the table.
Suddenly, a somber expression crossed Lucien's face.
'Only… I'm not Lucien. I'm someone else.'
'So long as I live in this body, I'll give Lucien the justice he deserves. And maybe, after everything's done… I'll escape the kingdom and live a peaceful life somewhere.'
Lucien stopped eating, then raised his head, eyes full of determination.
"Seraphina, I know you've only just returned… but would you like to go out with me?"
Information:
Seraphina's Appearance - She has long, flowing black hair, with soft waves that brush her waist, shimmering like silk under the chandeliers. Her eyes are a deep, rose-red, glowing slightly under the light, calm, beautiful, but hard to read. She's wearing a dark emerald gown, off-the-shoulder, with silver patterns like vines wrapping around the fabric.