“……It’s my fault.”
Again, it begins.
“If I had foreseen the attack, strengthened the castle’s defensive magic, or prepared such countermeasures in advance—”
After the attack incident, April blamed herself at the slightest provocation. It seemed that this recent event had stirred up April’s long-buried trauma.
I took April’s shoulders in my hands and spoke earnestly.
“April, don’t think like that. You only have the ability to see the future, and that doesn’t impose any obligation on you to prevent such events.”
“But…”
“And Grayan, you, and I, we are all unharmed. None of the departed suffered any injuries. Don’t blame yourself, April, and don’t carry any guilt.”
“…”
April bowed her head with a somber expression. Her eyes seemed on the verge of shedding tears at any moment. Seeing April like this made my heart ache.
Sighing inwardly, I extended my arms over April’s shoulders, embracing the child gently.
“If you want to cry, you can. But remember, you’ve done nothing wrong, April.”
“…”
The small body of the child trembled slightly, and soon, the area around my shoulders began to feel damp. I held the crying April silently and comforted her.
At some point, the rabbit that April had transformed into grew tired of crying and fell asleep in my arms.
After laying the rabbit on the bed and covering it with a blanket, I stepped out into the corridor. The guard knights were lined up, waiting. After the attack incident, April’s protection had been strengthened to five guards.
And I also had five guards. Wasn’t it too much…?
“Since April has fallen asleep, be careful not to make any noise.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Regardless, I advised the knights and headed for the next destination. None other than the Knight Order headquarters.
It was to commend the Knight Order that must have suffered the most in this incident. Neglecting this duty wouldn’t be fitting for a lady.
“Lady, please come in!”
“Have you arrived, my lady?”
As I arrived at the Knight Order headquarters, the commander, vice-commander, and the knights rushed out to welcome me.
Unlike before, the knights had become much friendlier towards me. It was truly heartwarming.
“You all did well. I’ve informed the chef to prepare a special meal for dinner, so eat to your heart’s content. And the Duke will also reward you soon.”
At the mention of a special meal and reward, the faces of the knights noticeably brightened. I calmly spoke to each of them, looking into their eyes.
“There was a shocking incident, but thanks to your outstanding martial skills, we were able to overcome the crisis. Please continue to contribute to Solsbury’s well-being with dedication. I hope for your continued efforts.”
“Of course! Lady!”
“With all my being, I willingly dedicate myself to Solsbury!”
“I will remain loyal until death!!”
The knights expressed their loyalty with somewhat intense gazes, almost making me feel burdened. I made an effort to nod graciously without letting my smile become awkward.
Observing me in such a state, the knights looked at me with moved eyes. Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, I quickly considered how to leave this place.
“Well, I’ll take a look around here…”
“I’ll guide you!”
“No, I’ll do it!”
…This is going to be tiresome. No matter how I think about it, the reason the knights became so enthusiastic seems to be that I used the power of the butterflies to heal the minor wounds left on their bodies.
From that moment, the knights’ gaze toward me seemed to go beyond ordinary respect, having a somewhat indescribable feeling.
“Um, I can explore the headquarters alone—”
“That’s not possible, my lady.”
Startled by an unexpected voice cutting in, I looked around. Arwin, who had somehow approached me, was wearing his characteristic arrogant smile.
Although his appearance was no different from usual… I spoke a bit awkwardly about the recent incident.
“Hello, Arwin. What brings you to the Knight Order headquarters?”
“Hey? My lady? You’re not still feeling awkward because you saw me cross-dressed, right?”
Internally embarrassed, I started to walk away to avoid him. The knights who tried to follow were suppressed by Arwin’s gaze. His warm voice reached me from right beside.
“The attire from a while ago was done for a mission. It’s definitely not my preference, and I see myself closer to being recognized as a male. Please don’t misunderstand!”
“I see… I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I’d appreciate it if you could say that while looking into my eyes.”
“Oh, yes…”
Avoiding Arwin, I had arrived at my destination without realizing it. It was none other than the Reflectory.
I heard Jade and Rodri were here, receiving punishment for disobedience… When the assassins attacked the castle, knights under 18, including Jade and Rodri, received the mission to defend the interior.
However, Jade and Rodri left the headquarters, confronted the assassins, and fought against them. Upon learning of this, the commander was furious and punished them severely.
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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