“Madam Rubenius?”
Cecilia’s eyes widened, seemingly aware of the aunt’s existence. Whitney clasped her hands and stood before the woman.
“I am Whitney Orleans. Did my aunt send for me?”
“My name is Sonia Telpera. Madam Rubenius has called for you regarding your upcoming debutante ball.”
A guardian!
Whitney’s eyes widened in surprise. Cecilia, disliking the sudden development, furrowed her brows and intervened.
“You appear out of nowhere to take my daughter? The debutante ball is something the duchy can handle. While we appreciate Madam Rubenius’s offer, we must decline.”
“Your opinion doesn’t matter, Madam. It appears you can’t even provide proper attire for the lady. We can’t leave the debutante ball to Duchess Orleans. Perhaps you should send a letter yourself.”
“Whitney, you won’t go, right?”
Cecilia, clutching her arm and forcing a smile, was met by Whitney’s gentle pat and whisper.
“You know, Mother, how important this time is for me, for sister’s sake. If my aunt becomes my guardian, I’m sure to gain the queen’s recognition.”
“You mean to say you’ll follow her?”
“Aren’t you seeking a good marriage for sister? Despite being at the center of the social circle, no desirable suitors have approached.”
Central nobility was demanding. A woman needed to be well-versed in etiquette, literature, and more. Melissa, despite her beauty, lacked the upbringing of central nobles.
“It’s not a problem if you don’t return?”
“Wouldn’t you be relieved, Mother? The nuisance gone from your sight.”
“That’s…!”
Cecilia, about to raise her voice, glanced at Sonia. Sonia’s stern gaze prompted Cecilia to release Whitney’s arm.
“I was just being petulant. You and sister are my only family. I’ll return. Don’t worry, Mother, you’re my legal guardian.”
“Yes, of course, I am your legal guardian.”
Cecilia’s face relaxed.
“Just a moment, please.”
Whitney hurried to the attic. Knowing her absence would lead to a search, she hid her books and belongings. She pushed the bed aside, revealing a secret compartment in the floor, where she hid books related to the duchy and dried herbs and seeds. She then concealed the entrance again and headed downstairs.
Cecilia and Melissa’s eyes clung to Whitney, but she gracefully followed Sonia out of the mansion.
After half a day’s journey, the carriage arrived at the Laphemonto domain on the outskirts of the Leowen Kingdom. The sprawling estate and mansion stood in stark contrast to the Orleans duchy.
‘This is the Rubenius family’s domain.’
The vast land and stern knights around the mansion highlighted its grandeur. The distant castle, undoubtedly managed by the Rubenius family, added to the estate’s magnificence.
“Just follow me. Since it’s late, it would be best to rest today and meet tomorrow.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Whitney followed Sonia inside the mansion. Maids lined up, greeting her with neat and efficient salutations, making Whitney feel a bit intimidated.
“This will be your room. You will stay here until the debutante ball. If there’s anything uncomfortable, please let me know.”
Staying here until the debutante ball?
Surprised by the unexpected arrangement, Whitney nodded and cautiously entered the room, sitting on the large bed.
Lost in thought, she buried her face in the bed, muttering to herself, ‘I’ve escaped the duchy.’
Her momentary glee was interrupted by a knock. Sonia informed her that the bath was ready. Maids entered, but Whitney insisted on managing alone, not wanting to reveal her unhealed wounds.
In the bathroom, the warm water and pleasant aroma relaxed her. She couldn’t recall the last time she soaked in a spacious tub with quality oils. Submerging completely, Whitney indulged in the bath.
‘But returning like this, won’t Mother be displeased?’
She would need to discuss this with her aunt tomorrow. She didn’t expect a direct response to her letters.
Returning to her room, Whitney dried her hair and looked in the mirror. Her face appeared relaxed, but her thin body and dry skin were noticeable.
‘This won’t suffice.’
Sighing, Whitney contemplated meeting her aunt. The Rubenius family, not on bad terms with the queen, might help improve relations with the king, especially with her connection to the second prince.
Settling in bed, fatigue overwhelmed her, and she soon fell asleep despite planning for tomorrow.
Awakening with a start, Whitney sat up and looked around. It seemed too early for the maids to wake her.
She got up, drew the curtains, and stepped onto the terrace. The cool morning breeze brushed against her as she gazed at the well-maintained garden.
‘It’s refreshing.’
The Rubenius household was bustling early, unlike the lazy duchy. Near the border, even the knights were training from dawn.
Whitney spent a while on the terrace observing the surroundings before returning to her room. Just then, Sonia’s voice accompanied the sound of a knock at the door.
Upon Whitney’s invitation, Sonia and the maids entered.
“We’re here to assist you in getting ready. The lady wishes to have breakfast with you.”
Whitney couldn’t refuse. Despite being conscious of the scars on her arm, she nodded in agreement.
The maids swiftly helped her dress and get ready. Their touch felt unfamiliar, but Whitney allowed them to proceed as if it didn’t bother her.
Fortunately, none of them lingered on her scars. They completed their tasks and quickly left.
Following Sonia, Whitney headed to the dining room.
‘It’s my first time meeting my aunt.’
Her father had married her mother before her aunt went to the border count, so there had been no opportunity for them to meet. The Rubenius family was considered a threat to the king, which is why they had difficulty expanding into the capital. Even the Rubenius family had no heirs until a few years ago when an heir was finally born.
Before the heir’s birth, there was no need to engage with central aristocracy, but with an heir present, things had changed.
“Madam, I have brought Lady Whitney of the Orleans duchy.”
At Sonia’s words, the dining room door opened. Sonia waited at the door as Whitney, swallowing nervously, entered the dining room.
Servants were arranging food on the large table, and the Rubenius lady and the border count were seated.
“I am Whitney Orleans of the Orleans duchy.”
Whitney gracefully curtsied, lifting her skirt slightly as she greeted them.
Her flawless greeting brought a gentle smile to the Rubenius lady’s face.
My Ex-Girlfriend Is The Regent In The Female-dominant World (Male lead transmigrates to the matriarchal world)
Two years ago, Gu Sui picked up a homeless woman in ancient costume from the street.
Apart from occasionally claiming to be a princess from a female-dominant country due to illness, her figure, appearance, intelligence, and martial arts skills were impeccable.
Naturally evolving from roommates to girlfriends, as time went on, Gu Sui found it increasingly difficult to tolerate her queen syndrome.
“Mu Jiulu, can you stop controlling me inside and out? Let’s break up.”
Gu Sui made a breakup call, and since then, he couldn’t find any trace of her.
A year later, Gu Sui, who was planning to move, woke up the next day and found himself in a different place.
“Young Master, today is the day you choose your Wife-master through martial arts competition at Jade Dew Pavilion. Please get up quickly.”
Gu Sui: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
As the only son of a general’s mansion in a female-dominant dynasty, the young empress personally issued a decree allowing Gu Sui to select his Wife-master through martial arts competition. Whoever could defeat him could marry him.
Gu Sui: “……”
He didn’t inherit the original owner’s martial prowess, so anyone could defeat him! And what the hell is a Wife-master?
Forced to come to Jade Dew Pavilion, the densely packed women below made Gu Sui’s agoraphobia act up, and his face was full of resistance.
Until he saw the Regent sitting on the second floor, with a smile on the corner of her lips, her eyes wicked and nonchalant.
Hmm… she looked a little familiar.
It turned out that the Regent also found him a little familiar.
Mu Jiulu fiddled with her bone clasp, her deep gaze locked on the man who was out of place in this world.
“Finally, I found you.”
Male transmigrates into female-dominant world
One-sentence summary: What goes around comes around, taking turns in the crematorium
