Chapter 67
The Male Lead Obsessively Proposes
61. Misunderstanding is Not a Result of a Moment
The decree that Venerucia had received through the Emperor’s promise had already been used for his marriage to Senelia.
Yet, she wondered what kind of confidence he had to act like that.
Venerucia added a few words, as if intentionally to make her think lightly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure nothing happens that’s worth a war.”
Venerucia glanced at Senelia.
For some reason, that glance felt like he was watching her reaction carefully.
The thought crossed her mind immediately, but she dismissed it as absurd.
“The reason you sent Celi to me must have been to separate Luna and me, right?”
However, that absurd thought soon seemed to come true.
Venerucia behaved unusually cautiously, perhaps worried that Senelia might get hurt if she brought up this topic.
“Celi, I vow that my wife will be only you for life.”
Senelia’s eyes widened visibly.
The meaning behind Venerucia’s words was so overwhelming that she felt her thoughts freeze for a moment.
If that were true, Cliffed wouldn’t need to worry about the relationship between Venerucia and Lucalina.
Even if Senelia divorced him, it would be impossible for Venerucia to remarry Lucalina.
As long as Marquis Elian was alive, he wouldn’t allow his daughter to marry a man she couldn’t, nor have her fall in love with someone unsuitable.
Finally, their relationship would be settled.
At the same time, it was also a sound that gave Senelia certainty that no matter what happened, he would marry her.
However, there was something strange about Venerucia’s vow.
“…What will you do if I want a divorce?”
Venerucia could have made the condition that he would never divorce Senelia.
Even if he did, it wouldn’t change the fact that he couldn’t be with Lucalina.
And from his perspective, it might even be better that way.
Because, as Venerucia had just said, the only one affected would be him.
Senelia could want a divorce and even remarry without it mattering.
Of course, since it was a marriage tied by the Emperor’s decree, divorce would be difficult, but not entirely impossible.
Moreover, making the vow in such a way sounded almost like he was saying that if she wanted a divorce, he would take the initiative.
And if he did, even a marriage mandated by the Emperor’s decree could end without Senelia suffering.
“Celi, do you want to divorce me?”
Venerucia asked as he took the meat Senelia had left unfinished, sliced it, and handed it back.
She thought the situation was bizarre.
Talking about divorce even before marriage had taken place…
Well, since being tied by Cliffed, there had never been a normal moment in Senelia’s life.
“If you want a divorce, that’s fine.”
Venerucia said calmly.
Senelia instinctively lifted her head and looked at him.
‘Is he serious?’
She bit the inside of her cheek.
Even when Cliffed had acted stubbornly to postpone the wedding, he hadn’t protested.
And now, he was saying this.
Everything seemed to her like he was ultimately trying to abandon her.
Last night, Venerucia’s actions had been utterly incomprehensible to her, which only reinforced this feeling.
“…Do you need a divorce from me?”
Senelia asked after a brief silence as she considered her thoughts.
In the original story, Venerucia would win the war against Cliffed and become Emperor.
If Venerucia became Emperor and Cliffed died, what use would the Emperor’s decrees or vows have?
Doubt grew rapidly within Senelia.
Perhaps both the marriage to her and the vow he made to Cliffed were just strategies to sever ties with Lucalina in the future, deceiving Cliffed in the process.
Senelia felt her appetite vanish.
Honestly, even if Venerucia wasn’t thinking that way right now, it didn’t matter.
He could attempt such a thing at any time.
And he would probably succeed, given the high probability.
Venerucia was the protagonist of this world.
And if the protagonist desired it, there was almost nothing Senelia could do.
She lowered her gaze.
Senelia had revealed all her cards to him.
Whether Venerucia’s love was eternal or not, it needed to serve some purpose.
“If necessary, then do as you wish.”
So Senelia spoke what she thought was the correct answer.
She truly didn’t care how Venerucia used her.
She was used to being treated like a tool, and being used by Venerucia was far better than living as Cliffed’s dog.
“…Celi, why do you have to put it that way?”
The voice that had been gentle and cautious moments ago hardened.
He was told to ‘use’ Senelia.
He already knew from last night that she didn’t trust his love, but it still didn’t feel good.
And Venerucia Apron was not someone accustomed to hiding emotions outside of politics or social affairs.
Monitoring his emotions was normally the responsibility of everyone except the Emperor.
“I’m just giving you the minimum choice since I forced you to marry me.”
Still, Venerucia tried to relax his expression.
Senelia had been deprived of even the basic desires any human could hope for under Cliffed for eight years.
So it was natural for her mind to lean toward negativity.
He made an effort to understand her.
She deserved better treatment than she had ever received.
So he hoped she could make choices based on her own heart, not merely out of necessity.
That was why Venerucia offered her the option.
“I’m sorry, I misspoke.”
But the moment Senelia obediently accepted all blame, Venerucia couldn’t hide his grimace.
He now understood why she acted submissively toward him.
Since she had to marry Venerucia, she wanted to be someone who didn’t oppose him.
Venerucia covered his face with one hand and pleaded.
“Celi, please.”
He wanted to say that she shouldn’t be treated like an object, that she wasn’t someone determined by ‘necessity’.
But he stopped himself, knowing what she would inevitably ask next.
She would definitely ask why he married her and offered such choices.
Senelia didn’t believe he loved only her.
It was suffocating.
Even he couldn’t be sure if she loved him now.
Senelia had endured such harsh years, making it impossible to detect.
Still, after setting aside her anger at being deceived and letting reason cool, she could see something clearly.
In Venerucia’s memories, she had once truly loved him.
No one knew her as well as Venerucia did.
She had loved him once.
She had looked at Venerucia with that kind of gaze.
That suffocated him even more.
He couldn’t understand how she had endured eight years without once revealing the tightness in her heart.
“…I think I ruined the meal.”
Senelia put down her fork and knife.
Her appetite had completely vanished.
She didn’t understand why Venerucia was pleading with her.
And she didn’t even want to know.
“May I leave first? Your Grace should also eat comfortably.”
At that moment, Venerucia had also lost his appetite.
How could he eat while she starved? He felt a surge of anger but held back.
He decided he shouldn’t get angry at Senelia here.
“…Then I’ll go.”
However, it felt strange and unfamiliar that Senelia didn’t act selfishly as he normally expected.
To her, he had always been someone without barriers.
As Senelia got up and left the dining hall, Venerucia said nothing.
Except for the matters concerning Cliffed, he had always acted as he wished. But there were moments when he didn’t react at all to others’ actions or provocations.
It was no coincidence that Senelia suddenly remembered his ex-lovers.
He had completely ignored his ex-lovers, whether they cried, blamed him, or anything else.
Since Venerucia’s expression was twisted, Senelia at least knew he was displeased.
Yet he said nothing, which sparked doubt within her.
A postponed marriage without resistance, the suggestion that divorce was fine, and his indifferent response to her words and actions…
All of it made her wonder if this was meant to end.
The more Venerucia changed, the more Senelia thought of an ending these past few days.
But she didn’t voice her thoughts.
Just as she had endured if Venerucia suddenly caused a scandal or unexpectedly announced a breakup, she refrained from speaking.
Exhausted, Senelia returned to her room.
Despite struggling for eight years, everything had been reset to zero by one of Cliffed’s manipulations.
Her attempt to become Venerucia’s desire would no longer work.
Thus, all Senelia could do was endure.
