Our conversation mostly revolved around Adelia, the only common interest between him and me.
I would talk, and he would respond briefly or, like just now, simply nod his head.
In fact, having a one-on-one conversation with him like this was almost a first for me.
Adelia was always by my side, and Kaern would only speak to his sister and occasionally say a few words to me.
That’s why, like today, with Adelia not around, talking to him in the same space felt awkward.
But as we slowly exchanged this and that, I began to feel the emotions I had long given up on stirring again.
Perhaps because of this, I blurted out a thought that suddenly popped into my head without realizing it.
“Actually, when I said I cried out of happiness, there was also sadness mixed in.”
It was nice to see Adelia happily married and the prospect of her cozy future with Calix was exciting.
Having lived only to see my friend’s happiness after realizing the truth of this world, I felt relieved, but also a certain emptiness in my heart.
Thinking about it, it was natural to feel this way.
We had been inseparable since childhood, especially since our parents were close friends.
The Ravelion family was a prestigious ducal family, and ours was a small earldom, but our parents shared a deep friendship regardless of that.
And so, Adelia and I also became each other’s closest friends.
But now, the Craighton family, to which Calix belonged, mostly lived in their domain, rather than the capital.
So, naturally, I wouldn’t see Adelia as often.
As this realization hit me, my mood turned a bit gloomy.
“Didn’t you just say you were happy?”
His voice, which had been calm and steady, changed abruptly, and I could feel his aura becoming sharply intense.
I had never seen such rapid emotional changes in him before, and for a moment, I hesitated before studying his expression.
He was looking at me with an indecipherable gaze.
It was strange and unfamiliar, but since today was a special day, I decided to accept it naturally.
Adelia’s marriage must have been significant to Kaern as well.
Or perhaps, he might be even sadder than I was.
Now that his only sister had left the Ravelion ducal house, he was the only one left.
I empathized with his emotions and opened my mouth to speak.
“Like before, I won’t be able to see Adelia as often. And without her, it will be difficult for the Duke to visit me.”
The gardens at the Ravelion ducal residence were incredibly beautiful, and the view of the sky from there was spectacular.
So beautiful, in fact, that visitors who saw the gardens often reserved seasonal teas and sachets made from the flowers that bloomed there.
Sitting on a bench amidst the colorful flowers in the garden, watching the sky turn red with the sunset, I often wished for these peaceful days to continue.
Above all, that garden was a place I cherished, having been allowed by my family to take charge of it, with my love for plants and flowers.
“Could you… continue to entrust me with the care of the gardens at the ducal residence?”
Looking at him with eyes cleared of tears and shining brightly, I asked this question.
Honestly, I wanted to say that I wished to continue caring for the garden, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it outright.
I thought he might find it bothersome for me to visit without Adelia there.
“Why…”
“Excuse me?”
“Why, being my fiancée, are you asking for my permission to come to the Duke’s residence?”
His gaze seemed almost hurt as he spoke, leaving me feeling perplexed and staring at him for a while.
Then it happened.
“Helena.”
As I was trying to comprehend his earlier words, my mind went blank when he called my name.
I muttered in a daze.
“Now… you called me by my name…”
He had called me Helena.
Despite having seen Kaern since childhood, he had never called me by that name.
He always referred to me as Lady Rosentia.
Even that title had rarely escaped his lips.
So, I thought of it as an inviolable domain between us, a line that couldn’t be crossed.
In aristocratic circles, using first names was usually reserved for relationships as close as Adelia and mine.
A closeness that, in our merely formal engagement, could never exist between us…
Yet…
The moment my name was called, it felt as if something separating us had shattered.
“Helena.”
It wasn’t an illusion; he called my name again.
“Well, yes. I am Helena. But Duke, why…”
I tried to say more but caught myself, realizing how I was acting and speaking.
‘I’m rambling, panicking, what am I doing?’
Reacting so intensely to him calling me by my name might make him think I’m strange.
I never wanted him to see me like that.
I quickly gathered my thoughts and calmed my heart, trying to act normally.
“Sorry. It’s just that it’s the first time you’ve called me by my name, so I was a little startled…”
I forced a slight smile, looking awkwardly at him.
“Do you dislike me calling you by your name?”
“No, not at all! It’s just that names are usually used among close ones.”
But I was already caught up in his pace, and whatever he said next kept me on edge.
And seeing his brow furrow slightly at my last statement, I bit my lip in embarrassment.
“Oh, I didn’t mean you shouldn’t call me by my name. You’re as important and precious to me as Adelia.”
“Important and precious?”
“Yes. So, please don’t misunderstand. I didn’t mean I disliked you calling me by my name.”
I tried to explain as clearly as I could.
Simultaneously, I cautiously observed his face.
Apart from wanting to hide my feelings, I hated the idea of him possibly getting hurt by misunderstanding my words.
Of course, the idea of someone like Kaern getting hurt by others seemed almost unimaginable, but fortunately, my sincerity seemed to have reached him as his face returned to its usual expressionlessness.
“In that case…”
My heart suddenly started pounding.
Waiting for his next words felt like anticipating the explosion of a series of bombs.
“Can I assume that I’ll continue to see you at the residence, even without Adelia?”
“Excuse me?”
How did it get interpreted like that?
I almost wanted to ask him that, but barely managed to keep my mouth shut.
“Even if Adelia is not there, you’re still my fiancée, so it’s only right for you to visit the residence often, isn’t it?”
“Ah… Yes, of course. Since I’m the fiancée…”
“Then, if you wish to come to the garden, do so anytime. You don’t need my permission.”
“Really?”
However, I unintentionally raised my voice in excitement when he said I could freely visit the garden.
It was the answer to my earlier question, finally coming from his lips.
“The garden is your creation and responsibility, so it should be that way.”
Kaern nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on me.
“Thank you, Duke. Even if I visit the Duke’s residence, I’ll only manage the garden. I won’t bother you or cause any trouble, so don’t worry.”
He knew I was managing the garden.
Just knowing that Kaern was aware of it made me very happy. I expressed my gratitude with a bright smile.
And I reassured him about my future plans.
But why again…
‘Really, I can’t figure him out today.’
He’s always been difficult to read, but today it seemed more pronounced.
Why has his expression suddenly turned cold again…?
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
