After Linking the Villainess and Male Lead (5 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 4
The moment Adelia saw me sitting helplessly in the house—once again swarmed and then abandoned by debt collectors that day—she burst into tears and hugged me tightly.
As if her emotions had rubbed off on me, I too was able to finally release all the sorrowful, heart-wrenching sobs I hadn’t dared to shed even at the funeral, clutching her close.
By the time I stepped out of the room, comforted by Adelia, the debt collectors—who had filled not only the mansion but also its surroundings—had vanished without a trace.
It was all thanks to Kaern, who had driven every last one of them out.
Moreover, he not only cleared all the debts left behind for our family but even went so far as to become my fiancé himself, ensuring nothing like that would ever happen again.
‘Just thinking about it again brings a lump to my throat.’
Such incredibly kind people.
They pulled me from the abyss of darkness—they truly were worth giving my life for, without a moment’s regret.
Afterward, I used my own talents and strengths to repay all the debts our family owed, even though they had told me I didn’t need to.
In addition, though modest compared to a ducal household, I had already accumulated enough wealth to live comfortably on my own with plenty to spare.
Therefore, I had to grant Kaern his freedom before it was too late.
He would soon turn twenty-six this year, just approaching his late twenties.
Having already passed the noble ideal marrying age of early twenties, it would be considered quite late for him to now start preparing to wed a young noblewoman from another house.
Then again, even past that ideal age, I knew Kaern well enough to be certain marriage proposals would pour in endlessly from every corner.
When should I bring it up?
No matter how much I thought about it, it was clear Kaern would never be the one to broach the subject of breaking our engagement.
Thus, it was only right for me to speak first—for his sake.
Lost in such thoughts, I unknowingly turned my head toward him—and our eyes met, his gaze fixed on me with burning intensity instead of the book he’d been holding.
“W-Why are you looking at me like that?”
Flustered, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind—why are you staring at me so intently?—but Kaern didn’t answer. Instead, he rose from his seat.
Still bewildered and unable to grasp the situation, I watched him quietly—until suddenly, the carriage door opened.
“Get out.”
He tossed those words at me and stepped down from the carriage first.
Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t felt the carriage stop at all; the usual jolting motion had completely escaped my notice.
I must have been so lost in thought that I didn’t even realize we’d come to a halt.
Rising from my seat, I quickly glanced out the window.
‘Ah…’
Outside, I saw the familiar mansion and its garden.
‘So we’re already home.’
As I approached the carriage door, eager to retreat to my room and rest, Kaern extended his hand toward me.
I stared at his large hand for a moment before finally accepting it.
Contrary to the cold impression his appearance gave, his hand felt surprisingly warm and comforting.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Grateful, I stepped down from the carriage, not forgetting to express my thanks.
“Thank you for seeing me all the way home. Um… I…”
Having already thanked him for escorting me home, I tried to let go of his hand—but couldn’t pull away.
Kaern simply wouldn’t release my hand.
“Your Grace…?”
Looking up at him with a flustered expression, I finally felt his grip loosen slightly.
Though a faint pang of reluctance tugged at me, I withdrew my hand as naturally as I could from his.
I waited for Kaern to turn and leave, expecting him to depart in the carriage immediately—but no matter how long I waited, he showed no sign of moving.
“Your Grace… do you perhaps have something to say to me?”
So I cautiously spoke up.
“Next week…”
Ah, so there was still something left for him to tell me.
Now understanding why he hadn’t left right away, I waited for his words with a gentle smile on my lips.
“You’re aware there’s a banquet at the imperial palace next week?”
“A banquet?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, yes. It’s the banquet commemorating His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s birthday, right?”
Kaern nodded.
But why bring up the banquet?
He rarely ever attended such events.
Not only was he constantly busy—often absent from the capital altogether—but according to Adelia, he also had little interest in banquets or high society.
Although nobles residing in the capital usually received orders to attend when the imperial family hosted a banquet, Kaern had still almost never shown his face at any imperial event.
Thus, I was certain he wouldn’t go this time either.
‘I don’t want to go either…’
Knowing neither Kaern nor Adelia would be there, I felt little desire to attend myself.
‘I’ll just make a brief appearance and leave right away.’
Though they wouldn’t be there, I figured I’d at least greet the familiar faces I knew before heading back—when Kaern’s low voice reached me.
“You’ll go with me that day.”
“Huh?”
So utterly unexpected was that statement—like a bombshell—that I staggered in shock, only for Kaern to catch me quickly.
“Th-thank you! But, um… right now, I…”
Still flustered, my words tumbling out nonsensically while he held my wrist, he simply repeated his sentence in slightly different words.
“I’ll come for you that day. Wait for me.”
After saying only what he needed to, he turned and walked away. I stood there dumbly, staring at his retreating back—until a sudden jolt snapped me back to my senses.
“Your Grace!”
Completely unable to understand what he meant, I called out to him in a panic.
Just before stepping into the carriage, Kaern stopped, turned around, and looked down at me.
“So… you’re saying you’ll attend the banquet with me this time?”
“Yes.”
Truthfully, I hadn’t misunderstood his words.
What puzzled me was his reason—his intention—for saying such a thing.
Why would Kaern suddenly decide to attend a banquet he had no interest in—with me, no less?
“Surely you’re not going just because of me? But you really don’t need to…”
As soon as I voiced the first reason that came to mind, I saw a frown crease his handsome brow.
Clearly, my response had displeased him.
Afraid I’d misunderstood him again, I hurriedly continued.
“I may be your fiancée, but you really don’t have to go out of your way for me. I know it might feel a bit unfamiliar without Adelia, but I do know some people here from before.”
After speaking, I fell silent for a moment, watching Kaern’s reaction.
But his expression still showed no sign of softening.
Feeling I needed to be more specific, I quickly named a few acquaintances I knew.
“I’ve known Lady Havish, daughter of Marquess Havish, since academy days, and I’m also quite close with Lord Lucas Aiker—almost as close as I am with Adelia. So if you’re worried I’d be lonely, don’t be. I’ll be fine.”
In truth, neither of the two people I’d just mentioned were particularly close to me.
Adelia was the only one I could truly call a friend.
But to reassure Kaern, I felt I had to claim I had other close companions—so I exaggerated just a little.
Thinking he was simply concerned about me attending the banquet alone, I gave him a bright, reassuring smile.
Yet contrary to my cheerful expression, my answer seemed to displease him even more—his frown deepening as he spoke the name of one person I’d just mentioned.
“Lord Lucas Aiker?”
“Huh? Yes. I mean… Lord Lucas Aiker…”
Oh no.
In my haste, I’d blurted out the first names that came to mind—and of all people, I’d mentioned Lucas Aiker right in front of Kaern.
This was entirely my mistake.
So that’s why his expression had soured so badly—because of Lucas Aiker?
And to think Kaern even knew about that.
“Oh! Yes, you know Lord Aiker, right? He did attend Adelia’s birthday party two years ago…”
Desperate to take back my words, I scrambled to smooth things over.
“As you well know, Your Grace, Adelia is married now, and it’s already been two years—so Lord Lucas Aiker must have long moved on from his feelings for her. No, he absolutely should have!”
As I’d just told Kaern, Lucas Aiker—the eldest son of Duke Aiker—had indeed been one of those who once held affection for Adelia.
When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman
“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.
Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.
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MANGA DISCUSSION
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Chapter Comments (8)
Well, the female lead made a huge mess of things, and on top of that, Kaern wasn’t even aware of it. He was just jealous that she had mentioned another man and told him he didn’t need to accompany her hahaha. This woman is seriously missing a few lightbulbs.
I don’t know why she has so many theories, when the only and simplest one is that Kaern likes her, and that’s the exact one that doesn’t even cross her mind. I feel like hitting her with a chair.
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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Rahzel Everlasting
What a way to overcomplicate things! I mean, you could tell he wanted to go with her, and the female lead just loves getting into trouble for the sake of it hahaha. Poor Kaern