Chapter 37 – “31. The Original Story Continues” from “The Male Lead is Obsessed with Proposing”:
A man with the most outstanding looks and abilities in the world—someone she once loved—was now begging Senelia.
Everything Benelucia had done today, all his outrageous actions, had been for her.
All day long, he had proven his love.
And Senelia had seen it with her own eyes.
Who in the world could remain entirely unaffected after witnessing that?
If not for the fact that Benelucia was standing right in front of her, Senelia would have clutched at her heart.
She hated that her heart, which had spent seven years fluttering and falling repeatedly by his side, was once again beating out of control.
She hoped she wouldn’t love Benelucia as much as he loved her.
Only then, if he ever swayed back toward Lucalina—the one fate had originally destined him for—it wouldn’t matter.
Senelia wanted to cry. She realized, right at that moment, the reason she had always been so angry at Benelucia’s actions.
Deep down… she had always hoped he would cling to her like this.
‘It would’ve been better if I never knew.’
Once again, Senelia swallowed the regret that she had kept buried for seven years.
‘I… I still have lingering feelings for this man.’
She had no choice but to accept it now.
Foolishly, upon learning of his love, she had dared to hope again.
Truthfully, the outcome had already been set the moment her mood began rising and falling with his every action.
“…Fine.”
At last, a word of agreement spilled from Senelia’s lips.
She gave a bitter laugh inside.
Foolishly… I’ve been caught in my own trap.
Benelucia blinked in surprise at her unexpected answer. Strangely, he looked almost innocent.
“…Thank you, Seli!”
After a brief silence, realizing what she had said, Benelucia lifted Senelia up into the air.
His face glowed with joy—it was literally shining.
“…Your Highness!”
Senelia cried out in surprise. At 193cm tall, the height difference scared her.
“Don’t worry, I’d never let you get hurt.”
He pulled her tightly into his arms, laughing, and kissed her forehead lightly.
“Thank you. Truly.”
This man, who smiled like he had the world just from those simple words, “I’ll go with you”—he was right in front of her.
Without realizing it, Senelia wrapped her arms around him too.
At last, she had him.
Today, she was certain of it.
For the first time in eight years, she was so elated she cupped his face with both hands.
Senelia leaned in and kissed Benelucia. His eyes widened momentarily, then he melted into the kiss, like being devoured.
The kiss was deep and endlessly sweet. Senelia believed, at last, that everything was over.
Just as Benelucia said, the viscountess had no choice but to allow her daughter to become a nun.
So now, Senelia sat beside Benelucia in a carriage.
“Seli.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
After the impulsive kiss, Senelia remembered her resolve—not to give him her love.
She tried to regain some distance, but it was too late.
Benelucia wouldn’t let her go.
He kept calling her name, touching her hand, resting his head on her shoulder—each action overflowing with affection.
‘At the very least… I won’t say “I love you.” Not for a long time.’
Her resolve not to utter those words was slowly crumbling.
“Your Highness…! Your Highness!”
Just then, a knight’s panicked voice came from outside the carriage.
A cold chill ran down Senelia’s spine.
“What is it?”
Benelucia was already leaning out the window.
“Lady Elian was attacked…!”
The knight shouted, his face pale.
The world seemed determined to never let Senelia rest.
“Don’t go, Your Highness.”
Senelia couldn’t take it anymore.
Before the knight could explain, she grabbed Benelucia.
It was instinct.
She knew—once he heard the full story, he would go to Lucalina.
“…Seli.”
Benelucia looked at her with conflicted eyes.
Now that things were finally working between them, he didn’t want to ruin it either.
“Your Highness! Please save the lady!”
But then Lucalina’s maid burst in, pleading with him.
His eyes shook violently.
“…Ah.”
You’re going—again.
Senelia knew.
The strength left her hand.
“If we don’t hurry, the lady will die! You know the only one who can help is the Grand Duke in the capital!”
At the maid’s words, Senelia released him.
“I’m sorry, Seli. I’ll explain when I get back. Please wait for me.”
Benelucia jumped out of the carriage. He quickly took a horse from one of the accompanying knights.
Neigh—
The horse neighed, and the sound of galloping hooves followed.
Benelucia never once looked back.
‘The original story… still isn’t over.’
The hope that had swelled in her heart was shattered once more.
A single tear fell from Senelia’s eye.
Just one. That was all.
She looked at the drop on her hand and wiped her cheek.
The destruction of hope—it was a familiar feeling.
When she found the photo of Lucalina in Benelucia’s room, untouched and unhidden.
When she saw the unopened box of birthday gifts for Lucalina he never sent.
When, in a drunken haze of longing, he had embraced her and whispered Lucalina’s name.
All those days had shattered her hopes.
Today was… just another one of those days.
In the end, Senelia returned to the capital.
She couldn’t go back to the viscount’s estate and claim Benelucia had stood her up.
“Ben really did go to Luna.”
As soon as she entered her room, she found Clift waiting for her.
But she wasn’t surprised at all.
“I greet the sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor.”
According to the knight, Lucalina had rejoined the army during its retreat.
It wouldn’t do for a commander to be missing when the army re-entered the capital.
But right after she returned, the army was suddenly attacked.
They claimed the attackers wore the garb of the barbarians Lucalina had faced—but who could be sure?
Senelia believed it was Clift’s doing.
Even the sudden arrival of Lucalina’s maid had felt orchestrated.
“You look like you knew I’d be here, Seli.”
Clift spoke with fake kindness.
But his tone still held the weight of an emperor.
Senelia couldn’t claim ignorance or pretend otherwise.
So she stayed silent.
“My wise little dog.”
Clift spoke as if praising her silence.
But she knew—better than anyone—that he wouldn’t praise her at a moment like this.
“Yet somehow, you’ve never once captured my brother’s heart.”
Stab.
His words pierced her like a blade.
Because she had believed—mistakenly—that she had.
Into that soft, weakened heart, the blade sank deep.
“You’re not entirely useless, though.”
Clift lifted her chin with his hand.
She flinched.
“Well… if you truly can’t do it, I suppose there are other ways.”
At that, Senelia looked up instinctively.
Clift had always pressed her, never offered options.
It wasn’t hope—it was fear.
She trembled.
Because she didn’t know what she was afraid of.
“Become Empress, Senelia.”
He didn’t even give her time to guess what the fear was.
And as the vague fear gained a clear shape, Senelia thought:
Ah. I feel like I might suffocate and die.
“All the thorns of Chloracean lineage have had extraordinary abilities.”
Clift, smiling, looked down at Senelia, who was pale and struggling to breathe.
“And their children often inherited those talents.”
He reached out and stroked her cheek.
The touch was oddly gentle.
Senelia clutched at her chest.
She couldn’t even hide her breathlessness before this terrifying emperor.
“I don’t believe you’re powerless. I simply choose to pretend.”
Clift drew closer.
When they were close enough to feel each other’s breath, he narrowed his eyes and smiled.
“Because your abilities clearly aren’t strong enough to escape me.”
Senelia squeezed her eyes shut.
But Clift didn’t allow even that—he tapped her eyelids with his fingers.
Her eyes opened reflexively, meeting his gaze.
He whispered again.
“Still… I’m curious.”
It felt like a snake was coiled around her neck.
“If a child is born using your womb, we’ll know for sure, won’t we?”
It was utterly horrifying.
