"For the first order of businesses, the emperor wishes to strengthen the succession of his vassals."
The Imperial Herald grabbed a piece of parchnt contained inside a regal chest, the exterior carved with the royal family’s crest.
As soon as he rolled it, he imdiately announced my na.
It seed I was first on the list of vassals.
"Duke Cassian Severin de Noctierre, by the emperor’s decree, as one of his strongest vassals without a proper bride and heir, you may be given the special opportunity to pick any noblewoman within the hall!"
Multiple nobles imdiately looked at each other, shocked by the announcent. A personal imperial decree just to hand a vassal a guaranteed line of succession with any noble?
That was unheard of; most were even wary, while being chosen by the duke itself would be an incredible honor, not many were sure if it was worth it.
Many noblewon in the hall were even discussing with each other about the pros and cons of being chosen.
I should have been surprised by the announcent...
But of course, I rembered this from the novel; there was no way I would forget such a sudden event in just the first few pages.
And if I rembered correctly... the original Cassian chose a recently widowed duchess purely for the power and chance to claim more territory.
And it seems like the Imperial Herald and even so of the more cunning nobles were already expecting that choice.
But... no way in hell am I picking that, a widowed duchess might be good...
But there was still a better choice present.
"If I may," I raised my hand, then locked my gaze with the main heroine. "I choose Lady Faye Amberlyne."
"E-Eh!??"
Faye imdiately covered her mouth with her own hands, trying to stifle her surprise at being suddenly chosen by one of the empire’s strongest dukes.
It wasn’t just her; most were confused at my decision.
"L-Lady Faye?"
"Isn’t she an unlanded noble?"
"W-Why would the duke choose..."
BANG!
The Imperial Herald slamd the lectern in front of him, silencing the crowd as he cleared his throat.
"S-Silence, the Duke has made his choice!"
Even the Imperial Herald sounded surprised.
Nobody, literally nobody, had expected that choice.
I could even feel so other fellow dukes staring daggers at , probably calling an idiot in their internal scheming monologue.
But I couldn’t care less...
The imperial herald hesitated for a fraction of a second before speaking again, clearly recalibrating.
"Lady Faye Amberlyne," he announced, voice steady but strained, "step forward."
Faye froze.
For a mont, she looked like a startled deer, eyes wide, shoulders stiff. The noblewoman beside her whispered sothing urgently, but Faye didn’t seem to hear it. Slowly, almost chanically, she stepped out from the cluster of minor nobles.
Each step toward the center of the hall felt heavy. She was walking into the spotlight she never asked for.
And clearly, sothing a heroine who has just been introduced to noble politics is never prepared for.
"Lady Faye Amberlyne..." The Imperial Herald hesitated for at least two seconds.
Waiting for a mont so that I may change my mind as soon as I see her arrive in the middle of the hall for everyone to see.
He even looked at like I was crazy, questioning if I was still sane.
But I just stayed silent, and with that, he reluctantly continued with the decree.
"B-By order of the emperor, both of you will be declared betrothed!"
The Imperial Herald looked like he was about to pass out.
"P-Please adjust seats to let Lady Faye sit beside her new fiancé..."
Faye’s steps slowed as she approached, each one a mixture of hesitation and disbelief. When she finally reached the space beside , she stopped. Her gaze flicked to mine, hesitant, unsure, yet tinged with curiosity.
I offered a small nod, trying not to be condescending despite my overall brooding look.
Her lips parted as if to speak, then closed again. The world seed to shrink to the space between us. Every noble in the hall had paused, the murmurs now replaced by sharp, collective inhalations.
I leaned slightly forward, keeping my voice quiet but audible enough just for her.
"Relax. You’re not in trouble."
In fact, if anyone’s going to be in trouble, it’s certainly going to be .
She blinked at . A small, uncertain smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
I could already tell she was going through a rapid, wild, and codic inner monologue that she often did in the novel.
The Imperial Herald coughed nervously, clearing his throat to restore the ceremony.
"D-Duke, Lady Faye... please be seated."
I gestured toward the ornate chair beside , giving her a subtle but firm indication to take it.
She obeyed, a flush creeping across her cheeks as she lowered herself gracefully into the seat.
I had a vague feeling she would have forgotten to sit if I didn’t remind her, considering how confused she looked...
The nobles’ whispers resud imdiately, this ti louder.
"Did you see that? The duke actually chose her!"
"Unlanded! How audacious..."
"Is this so sort of ridiculous power-play!?"
I ignored them. Their opinions were irrelevant.
I’m the one with the knowledge of the future, not them.
Once seated, Faye adjusted slightly, her hands folded neatly in her lap, trying to regain composure. Her eyes, however, kept darting toward , as if searching for a clue, a signal that would explain this bizarre turn of events.
"H-Hello..."
She awkwardly waved at , her entire face as red as a tomato.
...This is my life now.
Snatching the main heroine away from the protagonist before they even et her, and doing it less than a day after arriving...
[Task 1 Progress Updated]
[Objective: et the Heroine — Completed]
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