Serenade - Chapter 21: The Truth

To exist in a certain place, at a certain time—it's always either by chance, or by choice.But sometimes,There is a third force.One that doesn't ask.One that doesn't explain.It simply places you—wherever it wants.Arséne had always been dragged into places he never chose.Situations he never asked for.Realities he never belonged to.And when, at last, he decided to act on his own terms—To take the initiative,To move first,To choose…He simply died.

Theodora is the Queen of Polis, a city-state that lost the war against the most powerful empire in the continent.

She is sure that they'll execute her immediately but, somehow, she survives the meeting with the Emperor, and she finds herself... Married?

Tossed in a new world without connections and allies, she has to either accept her fate or lose the chance to help her people once again.

She soon finds out that her new husband knows more about her than she does herself, and that his purposes are often far from what she expects.

A fallen queen that doesn't know how to be anything else. A handsome Duke who's the cause of her ruin. And their efforts to find some happiness in a marriage that's been forced on them.

WARNING: there are contents not suitable for a sensitive audience.

The smut scenes are half-censored at the beginning, but the amount and details will increase after a few dozen chapters (according to the Queen's mood .-. )

***

«I'm sorry for lying to you, your grace...»

«You're a Duchess. No one will dare to consider your words a lie: if you say that you were painting souls, then it's the truth.»

«I will remember it.»

«No, you have to understand it, Theodora. You're not a prisoner, but my wife. I'll protect you when you need it, and I'll help you with any issue you have. You're not just a Duchess in the name. You're my Duchess.»

«It's hard to believe in such a short amount of time.»

«For now, stop shaking like a chicken. I won't hurt you.»

***

GunGun, as a national treasure(panda), was stolen by thieves and skinned. Once he woke up, he had a healthy body and lots of bamboo leaves. But monsters with glowing eyes surrounded him, most importantly they were floating, have greenish blue faces, fangs, and have no little legs?!

(⊙o⊙) Oh, the two-legged monster is here again, huh, is this bowl of food for him? These tender leaves are delicious, they should be hidden in the deepest part of the den.

There was an extra panda cub in the Interstellar Admiral’s embrace which he brought everywhere he goes. The place where a gun was once placed turned into a place for holding a basket full of leaves.

One day, GunGun became a beautiful boy.

Pouting face GunGun: Big monster I’m hungry. Huh? Where’s my fur!

The admiral’s face flushed crimson red being overwhelmed by its cuteness: “!!!!!” My darling!

******Small Theater~******

GunGun who was holding a small bamboo shoot and shivering: It’s so scary, monsters with no heads or tails are floating!

The admiral who fell from the sky: GunGun, don’t be afraid.

GunGun who was holding a little apple and shivering: It’s so scary, a glowing green skull is smiling at me!

The admiral who fell from the sky: GunGun, don’t be afraid.

GunGun who was clinging to the Admiral’s thigh with wet eyes: Ah, the corpse moved! He said that I’m cute and wanted to touch me.

The admiral who became fierce: This absolutely won’t do!

- Description from Novelupdates

The mid-level boss of my company’s AAA-game.