“……Is that really true? How did you manage that?”
“You heard too, right? I went to the palace. Her Majesty the Queen will call me again.”
“Really?”
Whitney nodded. Then she took her sister’s hand and led her to sit down, asking the maid to bring tea.
“First, calm down and have some tea. Your flushed face from excitement is adorable, but a noble lady must not lose her composure. Especially, be mindful of your demeanor.”
She fiddled with the ornaments on Melissa’s dress as she spoke. Unlike the lavishness of Melissa’s attire, Whitney’s dress was of a calm yet elegant design.
“……Are you trying to teach me now?”
Melissa acted as if she was about to raise her hand but then realized this was not the Duke’s residence and hid her fist under the table.
“No, it’s not like that. Sister, I only meant that what I learned might be helpful to you. It seemed Her Majesty prefers a woman who is modest and calm. Maybe you should pay more attention to the dress styles of the central nobility? You are, after all, a person of repute in social circles.”
“I’ll handle my own affairs. So don’t be presumptuous.”
Melissa snorted while picking up her teacup. Whitney nodded and stepped back, her lips twitching as she saw Melissa’s irritated expression.
‘It seems she’ll be leaving soon.’
Aunt would not want to keep her sister here any longer. Melissa had already debuted and didn’t need a guardian; there was no reason for her to stay. Besides, Aunt wouldn’t want someone unrelated to herself, like Melissa, to remain.
“I’ll call the carriage for your return. No other business at the Duke’s residence?”
“With you gone, the Duke’s residence was quiet. It seems I’m the only one they don’t need in Orleans. Nothing happens without me.”
Whitney laughed. How light-hearted they were without her.
“Aren’t you interested in His Highness the Prince?”
“There are two princes, aren’t there?”
“Two? That’s strange, coming from someone who wants to please Her Majesty. Be careful with your words. The one I’m talking about is Prince Karl, the rightful heir.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll behave appropriately in front of Her Majesty. I’m not interested in Prince Karl. So you can relax.”
Satisfied with the answer she wanted, Melissa smiled contentedly, popping a sweet macaron into her mouth and savoring it.
“I wish to stay here too. Can you speak to our aunt for me?”
“It doesn’t seem right to leave Mother alone. Besides, you have no relation to Aunt. It’s enough trouble having me here.”
“Why no relation? I’m also from Orleans.”
Whitney chuckled softly, seemingly forgetting her earlier words.
“Just as you consider only Karl as the prince, don’t others think the same? You may bear the name of Orleans, but you have not inherited any of its blood.”
“What?!”
Melissa bit her lip in wounded pride.
“I’m not saying that’s what I think, but that’s how others see it. I always thought of you as my family. If you really want to stay, talk to Aunt yourself.”
Whitney called for the maid and then asked about Aunt’s whereabouts.
“She is in the greenhouse in the back garden. Shall I escort you?”
“Tell her I will come if she wishes to see me. Sister seems to have something to say to her. If Aunt agrees to meet, of course.”
“I’ll convey the message. Please wait a moment.”
Whitney nodded. She was curious about Aunt’s reaction. Knowing the life she had led at the Duke’s residence, Aunt had volunteered to be her guardian.
What kind of response would she give to Melissa, who unabashedly wanted to stay?
Whitney’s green eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
Lady Rubenius chuckled as she set down her teacup upon hearing the maid’s message.
Whitney was more adept at using people than she had expected. Lady Rubenius liked this about her. To survive in high society, one needed to be somewhat cunning.
‘Using my guilt to get rid of a nuisance, clever.’
It wasn’t a bad strategy. As Whitney had guessed, Lady Rubenius did feel guilty about her. She also had many regrets regarding both Cecilia and Melissa.
“Leo, what do you think? Should we let Melissa stay here?”
While tending to the flowers, Leo looked up at Lady Rubenius. His innocent eyes twinkled prettily.
“Hmm. If Nuna doesn’t want it, I don’t like it either!”
Whether he had sensed her reluctance or not, Leo shook his head vigorously. It was surprising how perceptive such a young child could be.
Lady Rubenius felt a twinge of pain in her heart but believed this perception would serve him well in the future. Better than being oblivious.
“Pity. But I feel the same.”
Speaking directly would be more embarrassing than just sending a message through the maid. Whitney would prefer the latter as well.
“Call them here. They are guests after all. We should have a meal together before they leave.”
“Understood. I will escort them to the dining room.”
“Do that. And tell the Duke he needn’t come.”
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.]
