As Evenel got closer to Count Ferti’s estate, she felt the atmosphere becoming increasingly heavy. High walls surrounded the path at every turn, and the count’s knights guarded the gates.
“The security seems incredibly strict.”
“Well, there’s a forest inhabited by monsters just beyond. They’re on the front lines, after all.”
“That’s impressive. It’s not an easy task, even with magical abilities.”
“There are things to gain from it too. Like fame and power.”
“Um… why do people always think about what they’ll gain first?”
Evenel made a face that seemed to disagree with his statement. A perspective Shuher hadn’t considered caught him off guard.
“Of course, as Your Majesty says, there might be much to gain. But isn’t there more to lose? Living every day in tension, not knowing when monsters will attack.”
Just being here for a brief moment felt suffocating. What would it feel like to live in such a place every day?
“I wish people wouldn’t take their sacrifices for granted.”
The faces of those who spoke only for their own benefit at the council meetings floated into Shuher’s mind, prompting him to chuckle.
He never expected to hear such words from Evenel.
Hearing his soft laughter from behind, she glanced at his face. He didn’t seem offended.
While they were conversing, the party safely arrived at their destination. Those who had been waiting in front of the mansion bowed their heads respectfully as Shuher approached.
Stepping off her horse, Evenel focused her gaze on the man standing at the forefront of the gathered crowd.
With white, almost luminescent hair, green eyes, and a knightly stature, it was Count Renel Ferti.
Soon her gaze shifted to the wooden leg supporting his body.
‘He had said that he was injured fighting the monsters.’
That’s why he had reluctantly asked for help from the imperial palace.
“We have been waiting, Your Majesty. We are truly grateful that you have come this far.”
“I greet His Majesty the Emperor. I am Hibru Ferti.”
Next to Renel stood a young man with similar green eyes. Yet, something about him seemed retracted. Perhaps he was nervous standing before Shuher.
“Let’s discuss the extermination scheduled for tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Let’s go inside.”
“Would it be alright if I came as well?”
Finally, Renel’s gaze fell upon Evenel. His expression hardened the moment he noticed her differently-colored eyes. Whether he had recognized her identity from that alone, Evenel didn’t know.
But she introduced herself calmly.
“My apologies for the late introduction. I am Evenel Istella, and I will be joining you on this expedition.”
“I’ve heard you would be accompanying His Majesty.”
“I’d also like to know how the expedition will proceed…”
“I can’t allow it.”
Everyone present held their breath at the icy word from Renel’s mouth. Shuher’s gaze turned to Evenel as well.
“May I ask why?”
She asked calmly, without showing any signs of being flustered.
“You might feel like a hero, but we are prepared to face death. If it weren’t for His Majesty’s will, you wouldn’t have been allowed into Ferti territory in the first place.”
In essence, it was a clear message not to overstep her bounds by relying on her capabilities. And it seemed he wanted to make that point clear in front of everyone.
‘Even if I say no, they probably won’t listen.’
Through ample experience, Evenel knew that actions spoke louder than words. So she decided to step back for now.
“I understand your point, Count. However…”
Contrary to what those around her expected—that she might become angry or shed tears—her gaze towards Renel did not waver.
“I will participate in the expedition as planned.”
To Renel, she appeared to be flaunting unnecessary pride. He turned his head away without responding.
“Let’s go, Your Majesty.”
Shuher looked at Evenel and then distanced himself along with Renel. Looking at the two of them, her will was further ignited.
If she had intended to back down so easily, she wouldn’t have come in the first place.
‘Yes, let’s see who wins.’
After discussing tomorrow’s expedition with the knight order, Shuher and Renel moved to the reception room.
A heavy silence hung between the two until Renel cautiously broke it.
“I will follow Your Majesty’s decision, but honestly, I don’t understand. Haven’t we been doing fine without Aodin’s help so far?”
“We can’t deny the usefulness of Lady Evenel’s abilities, though.”
Renel wasn’t ignorant of Shuher’s intentions. However, upon meeting Evenel, memories of past hardships came flooding back, overwhelming his emotions.
He decidedly did not want her help.
“That’s not like you, Count. You were the one most concerned about the safety of this place.”
“This is different. She is from Aodin. Honestly, I’m not sure how valuable that is.”
Shuher fully understood his reaction. Families empowered had been at the forefront of battles against demons, hence their animosity towards Aodin was much stronger.
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.
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