Perhaps it was because we had been together all day.
The familiar yet more intense scent that I had first noticed when he put the hair ornament on me wafted from behind, accompanied by a deep voice.
“Where have you been?”
It was Kaern.
“Duke.”
I turned around to look at Kaern.
For some reason, his expression was very stern.
“Didn’t you say you’d wait here while I went to see His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Uh, well, that was…”
“What if you had collapsed, considering you weren’t feeling well?”
“That’s…”
Had he been looking for me since I disappeared? I noticed slight beads of sweat on his forehead.
Since it was my fault for disappearing without telling him, I couldn’t say anything and just looked around awkwardly.
“Hello, Duke Laverion.”
Evelyn, who was with me, stepped in like a savior.
“I am Evelyn Biatrice from the Biatrice Duke’s family. I attended the academy with Adelia and Helena.”
Kaern’s gaze shifted from me to Evelyn upon hearing she was Adelia’s friend.
I silently watched the two, feeling relieved inside.
Originally in the story, this would have been a meeting between the novel’s heroine and the villainous brother who endangered her.
In the original plot, these two characters had almost no interaction.
Or rather, it was correct to say they had none at all.
But the story had changed, and the future was being rewritten.
‘Evelyn and…’
As I framed Kaern and Evelyn in one scene, I realized that they made quite a matching pair.
Yes, Evelyn, the protagonist of the story, would suit Kaern better than an extra like me.
She had everything: a noble family, beautiful looks, brilliant intellect, and good character.
As I was contemplating connecting them…
‘No, no.’
I abruptly stopped the thought.
Interfering even slightly in someone else’s life was enough with Adelia.
It was unavoidable with Adelia.
She was a friend, one of the most important people to me, and I couldn’t just watch her walk into an obvious disaster.
But not anymore.
I had achieved my goal, and I never had the right to manipulate someone else’s life.
‘If they are meant to be, they will come together on their own.’
Without my intervention.
All I had to do was to give him freedom.
A sharp pain in my heart momentarily caught me off guard, but I quickly diverted my attention from those feelings, focusing on the grander scheme.
‘If Evelyn ends up with Kaern, I won’t be able to see Adelia anymore.’
“I’ve heard so much about you, Duke. I regret not attending the wedding. It’s a pleasure to meet you here.”
While I was lost in thought, Evelyn continued speaking to Kaern.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked at him.
“Kaern Laverion.”
That was all he said.
After introducing himself simply, Kaern did not speak any further to her.
He then quickly shifted his focus back to me.
“Helena, let’s go out to the terrace for a moment. Being in a crowd could worsen your condition again.”
“What?”
“Lady Biatrice, unfortunately, the timing isn’t right today. Let’s formally meet and talk another time.”
Saying that, Kaern walked past Evelyn towards the terrace.
“But, Duke…”
His behavior seemed like a blatant disregard for Evelyn, leaving me in an awkward position, not knowing what to do as I alternated my gaze between them.
When I didn’t immediately follow him, Kaern stopped, turned around, and looked at me, his eyes seemingly a bit angry.
“Why does it seem like you keep forgetting that I’m your fiancé?”
“Huh? Oh, well…”
It seemed like he misunderstood that I was trying to hide my illness because I didn’t want to be a burden.
Since I was the one who caused him worry, I felt I should follow his lead for now.
“Evelyn, I’m sorry. Let’s meet again and talk more next time.”
“Uh? Okay, sure. Don’t worry about it, just go, I’ll see you another time.”
“Okay. I’m really sorry.”
As Evelyn said her last words, she leaned in close to my ear and whispered something meaningful.
“It’s okay, Helena. I got to see a different side of the famously stoic Duke Kaern Laverion. I’m actually thankful.”
With that, she smiled slyly and disappeared into the crowd.
I didn’t fully understand Evelyn’s last words, but for some reason, my ears felt hot.
I turned back to look at Kaern.
Indeed, his usually composed and calm demeanor seemed a bit different.
“Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
As I started to move, Kaern led the way to the terrace, and I followed him inside.
As soon as I entered the terrace, Kaern quickly closed the curtains, cutting us off from the banquet hall.
Now, it was just Kaern and me in this confined space.
He looked at me without saying a word.
I glanced at him and then spoke apologetically.
“I said I’d wait, but… I’m sorry. Were you looking for me?”
I tried to lighten the mood with a slight smile.
“It’s cold outside, and you went out without a coat?”
“Oh, I met a friend when you went to see His Majesty. I thought I’d be quick, so I didn’t dress warmly, but it took longer than expected.”
“A friend? You mean the lady you were just with?”
“Oh, no, a different friend. We studied together at the academy.”
I deliberately didn’t mention that the friend was Lucas Aiker.
Kaern might not take kindly to him, given that Lucas had liked Adelia.
The last time I accidentally mentioned Lucas, Kaern seemed quite upset.
“A friend… Was she a fellow student of Adelia and you at the academy?”
“No? It wasn’t like that…”
I hesitated but then decided to be honest with him.
It was better to tell the truth than to hide it and create misunderstandings.
“It was Lucas Aiker.”
“Lucas Aiker?”
“Yes. He’s been away from the capital and came back recently. We talked because we hadn’t seen each other for a long time.”
“Lucas Aiker, the one who confessed to Adelia?”
“Yes, that’s right. He said he’s completely over Adelia now. He did say some strange things though…”
Now the next person he was interested in was me.
Although it put me in a difficult situation, from Kaern’s perspective, it was reassuring to hear that Lucas had forgotten about his sister.
So I thought it might ease his mood, but for some reason, he seemed even more upset.
“Strange things? Did he confess to you after saying he’s over Adelia?”
“……What?”
How did he know?
I couldn’t hide my surprise and stood there with my mouth open, looking at him.
Then, realizing what I was doing, I quickly spoke up.
“That’s, that’s not it. Why would Lucas like me?”
As long as Lucas didn’t spread the word about what happened earlier, Kaern would never know.
But then Kaern looked at me as if he was trying to see right through me.
I tried my best to maintain a nonchalant attitude, so as not to give anything away to him.
However, I wasn’t sure what expression I was currently wearing.
“That would be expected.”
After a long silence, a much lower voice than usual came from Kaern as he continued to look at me.
“Such things as harboring other affections towards my fiancée… should not exist.”
Fiancée…
Hearing that word from Kaern made my heart twinge.
I remembered that soon I wouldn’t be able to hear him say that word anymore.
At the same time, I felt moved by his concern for me.
Even though he had no feelings for me, he had declared himself my fiancé solely to protect me, and even now, it was evident he was worried I might seem vulnerable to someone else.
Especially with Adelia, who was always with me, not around, he might have been even more concerned.
I was so grateful for his care that my heart still felt a prickling sensation, yet it also fluttered.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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