After Linking the Villainess and Male Lead (5 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 28
Even now, armies from various nations would occasionally join forces to attack the Empire, seeking to pressure it as it steadily grew stronger—but each time, Kaern would lead the knights and soldiers he had personally trained under the Emperor’s orders straight to the border.
Not long afterward, I read in the newspaper that those foreign armies, intimidated by his might, had quickly retreated with their tails between their legs.
Having once seen Kaern’s army from afar, I understood their fear all too well.
From their supreme commander downward, they radiated an overwhelming presence and grandeur.
It was astonishing enough that he had single-handedly upheld his ducal house since before reaching adulthood—yet he also held the unwavering loyalty of the Empire’s knights and soldiers.
He truly was an extraordinary man in every respect.
While he was preoccupied with matters at the border, I intended to seek out Adelia and ask for her help.
I didn’t wish to trouble Adelia, who was surely enjoying her blissful newlywed life—but I had reached the limits of what I could manage alone.
After all, only his younger sister could possibly persuade Kaern.
“If we maintain our engagement, am I truly allowed to go abroad for my studies?”
At my question, Kaern looked slightly suspicious.
He seemed to sense something odd in my sudden change of attitude.
“It just occurred to me that it’s rather strange for us to argue like this when my studies abroad haven’t even been decided yet—and the duration hasn’t been finalized either.”
Fortunately, Kaern appeared to find my reasoning sound enough to dismiss his doubts.
“I suppose that’s true.”
Aside from opposing the dissolution of our engagement, he seemed willing to grant me everything else I desired.
“You’re still young—it would be good for you to leave the Empire and gain varied experiences. Of course, it would be better if I could accompany you, but that doesn’t seem possible.”
Kaern spoke with a faint hint of regret.
“Even without the Empire’s support, go ahead with your studies. The assistance I promised remains valid—just don’t forget your promise to return.”
He emphasized repeatedly that I must come back.
But did he realize?
That very attitude was precisely what made it impossible for me to let go of this unrequited affection.
And so, I felt only deeper sorrow and heartache.
Still, I was relieved.
Though his words at the banquet had made me anxious—as if our marriage were imminent—at least I’d gained more time.
“Yes. Thank you.”
I replied readily that I’d gladly accept his help, though in truth, I had no intention of doing so.
But raising the matter again now would only reignite his suspicions and send our conversation back to square one.
“Then perhaps we should end this discussion for now?”
“That seems best. If you need any help while preparing for your studies, just let me know. I’ll have someone from the household send it to your residence.”
With his reply, I sighed inwardly in deep relief.
‘Ah.’
Glancing around, I suddenly realized how much time had passed.
“I will. By the way, look how late it’s gotten already. Shall we return to the drawing room? I’ve prepared warm tea and some light refreshments—but it’s quite late, so it’s perfectly fine if you’d prefer to decline.”
“No, I’ll step inside for a moment.”
I was glad—he was exactly who I’d secretly hoped would stay just a little longer.
“Yes, let’s go in.”
The prospect of spending a bit more time with him instantly lifted my spirits.
Truly, this unrequited love was hopeless.
After returning to the drawing room, we shared warm tea and exchanged a few brief words.
Contrary to my expectations, Kaern stayed far longer than usual and didn’t leave the mansion until very late that night.
[This is the timeline separator]A week passed.
Ever since the Emperor’s announcement, the Empire had been in an uproar, preparing for war.
Just as I’d anticipated, Kaern was appointed supreme commander of this campaign.
I assumed I wouldn’t see him again before I left the capital.
Yet contrary to my expectations, Kaern made a point of visiting my house every evening, no matter how late.
He never seemed to have any particular business.
He merely stayed for about half an hour, exchanged a few brief words, then left.
And today, he came to see me once more.
“Kaern.”
“Helena.”
As I had done every day this past week, I greeted Kaern at the entrance and walked with him into the garden.
Expecting him to leave shortly again today, I chose not to go far and instead sat with him on a nearby bench for a quiet chat.
“You’ll be departing soon.”
The army assembled in the capital was set to leave in two days’ time.
Which meant I wouldn’t see him again after that.
“Have you finished all your preparations?”
“I intend to march out at dawn the day after tomorrow, once provisions are secured.”
Kaern answered in his usual calm, quiet voice.
“What did you do today?”
“Hm? Oh—I’ve been busy making various preparations for my studies abroad.”
“You haven’t forgotten what I said, have you?”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“If you need anything, don’t hesitate—just tell the butler.”
“Yes. I will.”
A brief silence settled between us.
I slipped my hand into my pocket and carefully grasped what lay inside.
“Um, Kaern… this is for you.”
I held out my palm to him.
Resting on it was a small sachet I’d made myself.
“What’s this?”
“A sachet.”
“A sachet?”
“Yes. I made it, hoping you’ll return safely from the dangers of the battlefield.”
“…You made this for me?”
Our eyes met the instant the words left my lips.
It was night, so I couldn’t clearly see how he was looking at me.
Yet he stared at me for a long while without saying a word.
“Kaern?”
“…I’ll accept it gratefully.”
The sachet passed from my hand into his.
In that fleeting moment, his fingertips brushed against mine.
And from that point on, I felt an odd tingling sensation.
I barely managed to rein in my racing emotions before speaking again.
“I placed flowers inside that carry meanings particularly suited for you. I didn’t have much time, so it’s not very well-made—but the scent should be pleasant.”
“Meanings? You mean the language of flowers?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“What does it say?”
“Victory.”
“Victory…”
Kaern brought the sachet close to his face as he spoke.
“The fragrance is lovely as well.”
“Right? So please don’t forget to keep it with you.”
“I will.”
Satisfied with his answer, I beamed at him.
But there was one thing I hadn’t told him.
Flowers often carry more than one meaning.
The blossoms I’d given him held another meaning besides victory.
It was “love.”
‘Surely he won’t realize…’
The thought made me nervous—what if he noticed?—but I quickly steadied my heart.
He’d never shown much interest in flowers; he surely wouldn’t catch such a subtle detail.
‘Even if he did, he’d just think it a coincidence.’
My heart was no bigger than a soybean, yet here I was playing such a silly little game—still, somehow, I felt oddly proud.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Hm? Oh—nothing at all.”
Kaern called me back from my private musings.
“Is it time for you to go?”
“You may stay a bit longer tonight if you’d like.”
“Oh, really?”
My voice brightened before I even realized it.
“You know there’s a banquet tomorrow, right?”
“Yes. There’s always a banquet the evening before a departure. With all your preparations, I assumed you’d be absent this time as well?”
“It seems everything will be finalized before the banquet tomorrow.”
“Oh, really? Then you’ll be attending?”
“I must attend.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Everyone will be hoping to see you there.”
“That isn’t important. What matters to me is…”
Kaern stopped mid-sentence and gazed at me intently.
A cool breeze drifted through the stillness between us.
What mattered to him?
I wondered.
So I waited quietly for his next words.
“I’ll come for you—wait for me.”
“Hm?”
But the words that left his lips were completely unexpected.
Caught off guard, I repeated the question—and Kaern’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Don’t you wish to attend the banquet?”
“Hm? No—it’s not that…”
Truthfully, after what happened at the last banquet, I wasn’t eager to go.
Having never drawn much attention before, I found the weight of countless eyes upon me utterly overwhelming.
Yet if I said I didn’t want to attend, I feared he might be disappointed.
“No, I was planning to go anyway.”
So I quickly wiped the surprise from my face and spoke as if it were the most natural thing.
Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Kaern gave a silent nod.
Male lead says he’s pregnant — and it’s female lead’s child
Something seems a bit off about this world.
Wang Zhao thought as she watched a pregnant man walking towards her…
Intro
Female lead finds herself in a world where the men who possess the ability to bear children.
As she navigates this unfamiliar reality, she is caught off guard by the sudden appearance of her boyfriend, who reveals that he is pregnant.
Is this truly her boyfriend?
Why can’t she recall any details about their time together?
She begins to doubt whether the child her boyfriend is carrying is even hers.
Is there a hidden reason behind her amnesia, or could it be a side effect of her sudden arrival in this strange new world?
Just when it seems the protagonist’s life couldn’t become any more entangled, her ex-boyfriend makes an unexpected appearance, raising questions about the protagonist’s past.
__________
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If there is a person checking these comments. Can you please add a word/letter count to the bottom. Also sometimes the comments don’t stay within the chapter you read but throughout the whole book, please fix that glitch. Another, per book- hour limited to how many comments can earn cookies – it’s better you write that somewhere or give a notification to the commenter about that. The notification about the 3/3 free reads glitch too, sometimes it says 3/1,1/3,1/1 or not work. The cookies glitch sometimes too, id have 10 but when I try to unlock chapter it keeps saying I have none. Love yalls work!
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