ATPE 02

Chapter 2

While Serenia stood there in shock, unable to respond, the men beside her began adding their own remarks.

“A title earned by some nameless common knight who got lucky in battle—who would even want that?”

“No history, no honor… and not even money. I heard whatever little she had was all wasted on hospital bills, and now she’s left with nothing but debt.”

Serenia clenched her fists tightly, grinding her teeth.

“Well, at least the future wife is beautiful.”

“Ha! You don’t get beauty from a wife—you go to a shop for that.”

“Ahem. In that sense, my lady, I am interested in spending a pleasant night together.”

“Hey, me too! Me too!”

Only when they started arguing over turns among themselves did Serenia finally realize—

To them, she was nothing more than a joke… a toy… or at best, prey for a single night.

A wave of self-loathing hit her.

Had she really spent all her remaining money fixing her dress and renting a carriage… just to be treated like this?

That money could’ve covered three months of living expenses…

Swallowing her despair, she bit her lips tightly and lowered her head.

From the second-floor balcony, a man had been watching everything.

A cold smile spread across his face.

“You made a foolish mistake, Serenia.”

His low voice slipped out between his teeth.

Under the shadow of his red hair, his dark eyes gleamed ominously.

He had been watching the scene below for quite some time before finally pushing himself away from the railing.

“Every mistake has its price. Isn’t that right, Serenia?”

Muttering that, he stepped toward the stairs.

His dark red cloak fluttered behind him—

A cloak embroidered with the black monkshood, the symbol of the Duke of Admancanon.

Step. Step.

At the slow sound of footsteps descending the stairs, the people on the first floor widened their eyes in shock.

The man who was famous for always staying alone on the second-floor balcony had come down?

But Rascalo didn’t care about their reactions.

Without sparing them a glance, he strode forward with long, confident steps.

Even as he walked straight through the center of the ballroom where the waltz was playing—

No one dared to stop him.

The dancing couples quickly stepped aside.

Those chatting with wine glasses scattered in a hurry.

It was only natural.

No one here was foolish enough to forget:

Crossing paths with the Duke of Admancanon meant death—one way or another.

And just like that, Rascalo reached his destination.

Right in front of her—

Serenia, standing with her long night-colored hair flowing behind her, her pale blue eyes wide open.

The men who had been mocking her immediately stepped back in fear.

At some point, the entire ballroom had gone silent.

Even the waltz had long stopped.

In the suffocating stillness, Rascalo spoke.

“Serenia Bahishat.”

His low, chilling voice echoed through the hall.

Everyone held their breath.

He continued, a twisted smile on his lips.

“Marry me.”

Clink—

Somewhere far away, a glass slipped from someone’s hand and shattered on the floor.

At the same time, gasps spread throughout the hall.

Marriage?

Rascalo Admancanon… to Serenia Bahishat?!

People began whispering among themselves.

But Rascalo never once took his eyes off Serenia.

As if he didn’t want to miss the way her blue eyes trembled violently.

The eyes that hadn’t broken under cheap mockery—

Now filled with shock and humiliation from just one sentence.

It was almost… entertaining.

But soon—

Her trembling stopped.

And in her icy blue eyes, only a sharp, burning glare remained.

Rascalo found this part of her especially troublesome.

Just when she seemed about to break—

She would suddenly harden and grow thorns.

Of course, those thorns meant nothing to him.

Better to remove anything that might become a problem… no matter how insignificant.

Staring directly into her blazing eyes, he sneered.

“Didn’t you hear me? Why aren’t you answering?”

When she still didn’t respond, he repeated firmly:

“If you didn’t hear me, I’ll say it again. Marry me.”

Still silence.

He let out a small laugh.

“Oh… do you not understand what ‘marriage’ means?”

Even at his blatant mockery, Serenia remained quiet.

Looking down at her coldly, he continued:

“Then I’ll make it simple. I’ll take you as my woman. That should be easier to understand, right?”

People gasped at his crude words.

But Rascalo remained calm.

The shame belonged entirely to Serenia.

Her face flushed red with humiliation as she bit the inside of her cheek.

Only then did people relax.

Ah, of course.

There was no way that had been a real proposal.

They whispered and chuckled.

This was nothing more than the Duke humiliating Serenia Bahishat—

The daughter of his enemy.

Everyone in the hall thought the same.

After all, the feud between the two families was well known.

Fourteen years ago—

Count Bahishat abandoned his position during war.

Because of that, the former Duke of Admancanon lost his life.

And Rascalo had survived that hellish battlefield on his own.

It had been his very first war.

So eight years ago, when Count Bahishat suddenly collapsed coughing blood—

Everyone said the same thing:

Rascalo Admancanon had finally taken his revenge.

There was no proof.

But the situation was clear enough.

The Admancanon family had always been experts in poison.

Serenia struggled to breathe again.

Her thoughts were slipping away.

The whispers around her buzzed loudly.

What will she say? Will she shamelessly accept?

Or will she still cling to her useless pride?

She tightly shut her eyes.

Is this how an animal in a zoo feels?

Forcing her voice out, she said:

“I refuse.”

Even with her eyes closed, she could imagine their expressions.

Smirking eyes.

Twisted lips.

Cruel words spilling out.

So she does have pride.

Is she stupid? Pride won’t feed you.

Unable to bear it, she squeezed her eyes even tighter.

Then—

A calm voice rang out beside her ear.

“It seems you’re mistaken.”

Her eyes snapped open.

Rascalo looked at her and added:

“I never gave you a choice.”

“…What?”

She asked instinctively.

He muttered casually:

“I told you to marry me. I never asked if you would.”

People began paying attention again.

Sensing something strange, they leaned in.

Rascalo continued calmly under their watchful eyes:

“Fine. It seems my words caused confusion, so I’ll rephrase.”

“…What?”

“Repay your debt.”

Debt…?

Her eyes questioned him.

He spoke slowly, emphasizing each word:

“The price for saving Count Bahishat’s life—repay it with your body.”

At that moment—

Something inside Serenia snapped.

Her mind went completely blank.

And before she could think—

Her hand moved on its own.

Slap—

Her hand struck sharply across Rascalo’s left cheek.