Arriving at the Queen’s palace, Whitney was escorted by a maid to the reception room.
‘But why is everyone dressed in black?’
Her attire stood out, making her feel awkward, as if she had made a mistake. She swallowed nervously.
“Am I improperly dressed?”
“Don’t worry. It’s not a concern.”
The atmosphere in the Queen’s palace seemed unusual, perhaps due to a recent event. However, the maid’s expression was serenely calm.
‘Something must have happened last night.’
Whitney immediately thought of Cheston. She always seemed to be involved in events related to him. Maybe something had happened to him.
This thought made Whitney grip her dress tightly. She feared Cheston would become suspicious of her, perhaps even thinking she was a spy for the Queen.
“Don’t be curious about the events at the Queen’s palace. Not asking any questions is the way to win Her Majesty’s favor.”
“Thank you.”
Jane was the daughter of Lady Anser, who had been a long-serving companion of the Queen from the Kingdom of Carulo. After Lady Anser passed away in Leowen Kingdom due to her frail health, the Queen made Jane her maid, offering generous compensation. Jane took care of everything the Queen tasked her with, thinking of her as a mother.
Entering the reception room, Whitney saw the Queen, strikingly dressed in a lavish red dress, contrasting with the somber attire of the maids.
“Her Majesty, Whitney Orleans has arrived.”
“Alright. Everyone, leave us.”
The Queen scanned Whitney with a broad smile. Whitney sat and glanced at the refreshments. The room was filled with a song, incongruous with the mourning attire.
“Such a sweet melody, isn’t it? I love this song.”
“Yes, the piano sounds delightful.”
“I invited you here because I heard that you have set a new trend. Seeing you today, I understand why everyone was so excited.”
Whitney smiled and stood up.
“The salon may be small, but their skill is remarkable. The colors and lines are quite unique, sparking interest in the capital.”
“Certainly appealing. I’d invest in that salon if I knew where it is. Only if it wasn’t blue.”
The Queen’s words were pointed, reminding Whitney of Cheston at the sight of blue.
“Did you notice anything unusual on your way here?”
“No, Your Majesty. As always, the palace gardens are beautiful, and you are even more so.”
“You grow on me the more I see you. I actually had someone in mind to introduce to you today.”
Feeling uneasy, Whitney watched as the reception room door opened and the piano stopped. The sound of footsteps approached, and a familiar voice reached her ears.
“Mother, did you call for me?”
Whitney remembered that voice, the same one that had whispered seductively, leading her to her death in another life.
With a trembling hand, Whitney resisted the urge to look up.
“Yes, good you’re here. No one else saw you come in, I presume.”
“Of course. But I didn’t expect another guest.”
“I called you here to introduce you to a guest. Meet my son, the heir apparent to the throne of Leowen Kingdom.”
“Prince, I greet you. I am Whitney Orleans of the Orleans duchy.”
Whitney gracefully greeted, clutching the hem of her dress slightly, relieved that she didn’t have to see Carl’s face, thanks to her downcast eyes.
“Please sit. I invited you for tea.”
“I fear my presence may trouble you with father. Perhaps it’s better we meet properly another time,” Carl said.
The Queen stirred sugar into her tea, looking slightly disappointed.
“Very well, if that’s your wish. You may leave.”
“Miss Orleans, I do hope we can share a cup of tea together another time.”
His tone was the same as before. Whitney slowly lifted her head to meet Carl’s gaze. His red eyes, unpleasant to look at, sparkled with satisfaction. He took her hand and lightly kissed the back of it.
“…I would be happy to accept such an opportunity.”
Whitney forced a smile, feigning delight.
Cheston, arms crossed, watched Whitney. He hadn’t expected her to come to the palace so soon, especially in a situation of dire need. Walking back to the carriage, he wiped his handkerchief irritably across his hand where she had touched him. Once again, Whitney appeared within his view, looking around as if searching for someone.
Her green eyes still held life, unlike his own, filled with hope and attractive in their unforgettability. Unwillingly, his steps were drawn towards her.
Following her slowly, he contemplated her figure. He worried that her hopeful eyes might be tainted with despair like his if she held his hand.
Was there a need to share his pain? If she had caught the Queen’s eye, she wouldn’t have to fight the arduous battle he faced.
‘Why hesitate? Just take the offered hand.’
That was his way to survive.
Whitney suddenly stopped, causing Cheston to halt as well.
“Prince Cheston?”
Despite having no indication of his presence, she seemed to know he was there. Cheston revealed himself, unable to comprehend how she always surprised him.
“…You always manage to astonish me.”
Without showing any surprise or disturbance, she looked concerned.
“You were waiting, weren’t you? You believed I would come.”
She approached him with a smile. They were in the Queen’s garden. He took her hand and quickly moved away.
“Prince?”
“We can’t talk here without attracting the Queen’s attention. Let’s find another place.”
He led the way to the pavilion. Releasing her hand, he clenched his fist, feeling the warmth she left behind.
“Speak your mind.”
She blinked at his words, her gaze steady and resolute as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“May I really speak my heart?”
“Yes, we agreed to talk when you returned.”
She looked at her hand, then lifted her gaze to him, extending her hand.
“Please become my fiancé.”
Her clear voice echoed. Cheston looked at her outstretched hand and chuckled lightly.
“It seems you’re not here to play the Queen’s spy, and a lady of Orleans has no reason to propose such to me.”
He stroked his chin, surprised by the unexpected offer.
“I want to protect you.”
“Not seeing me as a foolish man unable to save his own life, I suppose.”
His look wasn’t one of pity. He couldn’t comprehend her desperation to protect him. She harbored no romantic feelings for him, yet she was so determined. Why?
“It wasn’t like that. What about your mother, then?”
Cheston’s lips sealed into a straight line. It seemed he realized she knew about his mother taking Libenia.
“How can I believe that? It sounds like you’re claiming you can cure my mother’s illness. Even I haven’t been able to find Bellonia, which is hard to cultivate.”
“I can do it. I have a desperate reason. If it’s a lie, I’ll gladly accept the punishment for insulting the royal family.”
“…That reason is?”
He wanted to ask if it was him. But it seemed wrong for those words to come from her. Cheston swallowed his question, speaking instead,
“It sounds like you’re ready to die.”
“Yes, I’m prepared to that extent. Trust me. If I’m willing to stake my life, you should believe me.”
Cheston firmly grasped her outstretched hand. Her hand was delicate and small, yet warm, bringing warmth to his heart.
“Please take care, Lady Orleans.”
“You too, Prince.”
He felt an urge not to let go of her hand. Whitney pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket.
“You might need this. It’s a small gift from me.”
Cheston took the handkerchief she offered.
“Contact me anytime if you have questions. And please, don’t get hurt, Prince.”
Whitney smiled warmly, bidding farewell without hesitation, and walked away from the pavilion. Cheston unfolded the handkerchief, finding inside it.
‘Bellonia.’
He looked up to where she had disappeared. The glimpse of her blue dress through the bushes seemed like the sky itself.
At that moment, Cheston felt as if he had gained his own piece of sky, a blue sky that would remain a significant memory.
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
Link to read
