The Male Lead Is Obsessed With Proposing to Me - Chapter 48

42. 42. How to Drive You Crazy

“Become my empress.” 

At that time, Senelia had gleaned a hint from Cliff’s threat. 

Yenelov Pendragon was not enough of a threat to him, he hadn’t been able to provoke Benelucia to the extent Senelia desired. 

To provoke Benelucia, Senelia Daphnen knew that there had to be an opponent who could truly threaten him. 

And, of course, the only man in the country capable of making the Benelucia Afron feel a sense of crisis was Cliff De Helios himself.

“Are you suggesting I put on a show for you now?” 

Cliff lowered his voice as he brought to light Senelia’s inner thoughts, full of intimidation. 

Of course, as she expected, there was no way the astute emperor hadn’t sensed Senelia’s intentions. 

She believed it would work to her benefit and pressed on. 

If she was destined to fail and die no matter whether she became the empress or not, what did it matter if she met her end here?

“Your Majesty the Grand Duke and Lady Elihan are a destined pair brought together by God, and meddling with that fate would require immense human will to go against it.” 

As long as Cliff wasn’t holding a knife to Senelia’s neck at this moment, her intention was at least half successful.

“Your Majesty the Grand Duke has never been without something, and I believe the same goes for people. The only exception to this has been Lady Elihan who fought for him and went to war. Suffering and adversity are essential to strengthen the relationship between the man and the woman, it’s crucial in forging destiny.”

“On the other hand, no matter how much I reject His Highness the Grand Duke, in the end, I have no other choice but His Highness the Grand Duke. Just by myself, I would never hold a candle to Lady Lucalina Elihan in his heart.” 

Senelia evaluated herself calmly and objectively, she neither played up her importance, nor did she sing out plans for an unforeseeable future. 

She didn’t feel like she was demeaning herself, she’d worked too hard for that. It was impossible to forget everything she had done to survive.

“However, if Your Majesty selects me as a candidate for empress, their story will change. Lady Lucalina Elihan desires His Highness the Grand Duke, and yet, here I am. A woman who silently stayed by his side as a substitute, who then left and rejected His Highness.” 

In short, Senelia’s words meant she would increase her own value in Benelucia’s eyes. 

Yet, it was also a gamble that, if it failed, would block her entire future.

She’d be branded as a woman who betrayed the emperor’s brother, and her social reputation would be ruined. 

If Senelia didn’t become the Grand Duchess or Empress, there would be no comeback. It would be the end of everything she knew and held dear.

“So you’re telling me to have an affair with my younger brother’s woman?” 

Cliff de Helios rose from his seat and approached Senelia. 

It is absurd for this man to say this now, after arbitrarily suggesting I become his empress.

“It’s tough for this dull mind to guess what the sun’s thinking…” 

Senelia continued to speak sweetly despite her reservations. 

The fact that Cliff was listening without interruption signaled it was safe for her to continue.

“I understand that there aren’t many noble families with decent history and honor that lack power and don’t covet it, and whose age range is roughly the same as Your Majesty’s. So, did you ever consider me as a potential empress?” 

As Senelia approached Cliff, she had memorized most of the noble genealogies. 

To her knowledge, at that time, there were seven families, including Daphnen, that met the conditions she mentioned. 

However, recent research had revealed that four of those families’ daughters were already married. 

To have a selection of empress candidates, they needed at least three daughters of potential families. 

In simpler terms, Senelia was telling Cliff that she was essential for him to choose empress candidates he wouldn’t mind marrying.

“For reasons like these, I don’t think His Highness can do anything to Your Majesty without a good reason. And Benelucia will provide that reason if I become the only woman unavailable. Only then will I be taken away by your brother for good. So…” 

Senelia wanted to continue, but at that moment, Cliff suddenly stood in front of her, gripping her chin. 

Being a sword master, the Emperor often used such moves to surprise Senelia and approach her quickly. 

She reflexively met Cliff’s gaze but quickly lowered her eyes.

“So, what if my lovely brother refuses to comply with your wishes? I hadn’t even planned on bringing in an empress yet. Won’t it be difficult to clean up the mess because of you should you fail?” 

Once again, it was Cliff who first suggested Senelia become empress, but he found her amusing as she fought to hide her ire at his pretense, so he slightly changed his words.

“Then firstly, I’ll only inform His Highness the Grand Duke. If he hears the news and doesn’t react, there’s no need to announce it publicly.” 

The relationship between Cliff and Senelia was a closely guarded secret from Benelucia. Therefore, if the news of the empress selection reached Benelucia’s ears and he didn’t intervene, it would have to be officially issued to not raise suspicions.

“In that case… Either I become empress, as Your Majesty wishes…” 

The corners of Cliff’s mouth slowly curled into a smile.

“…Or even if I die, I will without fail nullify the decision to select the empress.” 

Senelia declared firmly. 

Soon, a hearty, unfamiliar laughter erupted from Cliff.

“Hahaha… Ahahahahahah!!!” 

If someone were to die during the empress selection process, it would naturally be halted. 

Cliff could use the candidate’s death as an excuse to further postpone his wedding, aligning with his desire to accept Senelia as empress, driven partly by his weariness of ministers constantly pressuring him to marry.

“Haa… My dog has become a lot smarter. I’m glad.” 

Cliff laughed and spoke without hiding his satisfaction in her plan. 

If Senelia were to die under those circumstances, he wouldn’t hold the Daphnen family responsible for unwittingly harboring a Thorn of Chloracean in their stronghold. 

[T/L: Basically he’s saying that just the fact she was discovered as a Thorn of Chloracean would mean that her entire family and those who served them would be put to death. But now, even though her plan might fail and she will be killed, he would overlook it and let her family and people survive.]

Her death could be perfectly leveraged by Cliff, that was enough to satisfy him.

Senelia had found a wise solution, even if it meant her own death. 

She was prepared to make that sacrifice. 

“Hmmm, alright, I’ll do as you wish.” 

Cliff finally nodded, his pawn had offered to risk her life for him, so there was no reason he couldn’t grant her request.

“However…” 

Cliff interrupted Senelia’s brief moment of joy.  

“There’s no way I’ll let everything go exactly as you want. If Benelucia doesn’t behave as expected, remember that it’s my decision whether you become my empress or meet your end.” 

Cliff’s cold hand gave Senelia goosebumps as it traced down her cheek and caressed the nape of her neck. 

[T/L: Back of her neck.]

But even if the Emperor subjected her to more of his torturous touch, Senelia wouldn’t dare to flinch. 

This was the path she had chosen for herself, the only chance to live.

A beautiful yet compliant doll, that’s what she was to the Emperor, and he made no effort to hide it. 

His touch implied his inclination to make her his empress, a convenient puppet to wield as he pleased. 

It was an exceedingly chilling moment for Senelia.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” 

Senelia responded obediently, as if there were no issues at all.

***

When Benelucia woke up, Senelia was not beside him. 

He felt a twinge of embarrassment. 

He couldn’t believe that he, a sword master, had slept soundly enough for Senelia to leave without his knowledge. 

But at the same time, this absence, this unawareness emphasized what Senelia meant to him.

Benelucia shook off his drowsiness and pulled a rope to summon a servant to inquire about Senelia’s whereabouts. 

A knock on the door followed immediately, and the butler entered upon Benelucia’s permission.

“Are you awake, Your Highness?” 

The butler bowed as he greeted.

“What about Sally? Where is she?” 

Benelucia inquired about Senelia the moment he had a chance.

“This morning, she called for a carriage and left.” 

The Grand Duke frowned. 

It was just like Senelia to not use the Grand Duke’s carriage, known for its comfortable ride, even when departing. 

He was dissatisfied with this decision of hers. 

After collapsing the previous day, why didn’t she sleep in and use this Grand Duke’s carriage? 

A publicly summoned carriage was naturally less comfortable than a noble family’s carriage.

“How did Sally appear?” 

Benelucia silently steered away from his frustrations and asked.

“She appeared much better than yesterday, Your Highness.”

Benelucia was relieved by the reply but couldn’t help expressing his dissatisfaction. 

“Couldn’t she have stayed a bit longer? At least for breakfast…”

Soon, Benelucia realized the absurdity of his complaint. 

How could the butler have stopped Senelia when even I, the Grand Duke of this estate, couldn’t? 

He swallowed his sigh. 

Furthermore, he had declared to Senelia last night that he would let her go. 

He berated himself for not properly cherishing his last morning with her and didn’t blame the butler.

However, his self-reproach was short-lived. 

Vice-Captain Ardante Semuel’s urgent voice came from outside the room. 

Since Ardante rarely acted with such urgency, Benelucia immediately invited him inside.

“What’s going on?” 

Ardante hesitated for a moment before delivering shocking news. 

“It’s said that His Majesty the Emperor has nominated Lady Daphnen as a candidate for selection as empress!”