"For the first order of businesses, the emperor wishes to strengthen the succession of his vassals."
The Imperial Herald grabbed a piece of parchment contained inside a regal chest, the exterior carved with the royal family's crest.
As soon as he rolled it, he immediately announced my name.
It seemed 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 immediately looked at each other, shocked by the announcement. 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 noblewomen in the hall were even discussing with each other about the pros and cons of being chosen.
I should have been surprised by the announcement...
But of course, I remembered this from the novel; there was no way I would forget such a sudden event in just the first few pages.
And if I remembered 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 some 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 immediately 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 slammed 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 some other fellow dukes staring daggers at me, probably calling me 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 moment, she looked like a startled deer, eyes wide, shoulders stiff. The noblewoman beside her whispered something urgently, but Faye didn't seem to hear it. Slowly, almost mechanically, 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, something 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 moment 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 me 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 me, 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 seemed 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 me.
She blinked at me. A small, uncertain smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
I could already tell she was going through a rapid, wild, and comedic 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 me, 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 resumed immediately, this time louder.
"Did you see that? The duke actually chose her!"
"Unlanded! How audacious…"
"Is this some 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 me, as if searching for a clue, a signal that would explain this bizarre turn of events.
"H-Hello..."
She awkwardly waved at me, her entire face as red as a tomato.
...This is my life now.
Snatching the main heroine away from the protagonist before they even meet her, and doing it less than a day after arriving…
[Task 1 Progress Updated]
[Objective: Meet the Heroine — Completed]