In the end, everything leads back to the former sovereign to whom Lu had devoted her life. All the accusations were directed at the despot who ruined Rustica Gennes’ brilliant life.
“He assassinated the Emperor and massacred the royal family. Thus, the lineage of the central sage was entirely severed. At that time, even the sage of the north went missing. And Matopzu Ophelia, the sage of the west, was attacked right here.”
Lu looked around. There was too much simplicity, too much emptiness. The space that should have been filled over an unfathomable long period had been entirely robbed.
“The sage of the east, Dragonlord, rose to chase Carlos away and restore the disoriented empire. Barely managing to leave the throne vacant, he decided to wait for the return of the sages.”
“Why couldn’t Dragonlord stop Carlos? Isn’t Dragonlord a formidable being?”
“All the sages are. But Carlos stole everything. He stole the Emperor’s power, drained the royal seed, and stole the royal treasures. He even invaded the west and stole many treasures and knowledge, along with Matopzu Ophelia’s power.”
As Lu had suspected. The sage of the west had suffered the same fate as her. Rodric now looked down at what was almost ruins of a garden.
“And with that power, he faced Dragonlord. In my personal opinion, it was wiser for both to retreat than to strive for victory. So, they both retreated.”
Dragonlord went further north, Carlos retreated to his new stolen land.
“And thus, a barrier was erected, and the Caleeta Empire was established.”
“Wait a moment.”
Someone who hadn’t appeared yet came to mind. Lu cocked her head.
“The sage of the north is missing, the west, the east… What about the sage of the south?”
Rodric Kellarhan shifted his gaze from the window back to Lu.
“The one who was once the sage of the south is Carlos Arthur Ingram.”
It was something no one in the Caleeta Empire knew.
“And so, Ferzeta lost almost all of the south, most of the center, and half of the west.”
The once-loyal knight spoke, trembling with betrayal.
“Duchess Gennes. The nation we have defended was established like this. It was born surrounded by barriers, conceived through plunder, massacre, and coercion.”
It was a fact everyone knew except for those in the Caleeta Empire and the few small nations beneath it. Only they in Caleeta didn’t know. They knew nothing.
“Cowardly Carlos built a barrier using the stolen treasures and knowledge.”
“…Huh?”
“I said Carlos built the barrier. Haven’t you heard?”
Rustica Gennes shook her head with a dazed expression. She hadn’t had the opportunity to hear such a thing.
“Everyone tends to forget to mention it because it’s so obvious. But haven’t you ever suspected it since coming to Perseta?”
So that’s why Rodric had her sit. She would have surely staggered if she had been standing.
“…I’ve thought it was strange since I was in Kaleta.”
“I see.”
“My parents are beyond that barrier for sure. Many people from Kaleta are out there, yet they keep… fighting only at the barrier and never think of crossing it.”
“Carlos ran away in a cowardly and desperate manner, so he’d never cross the barrier that keeps him safe.”
“Yes.”
Rustica Gennes nodded.
“The barrier isn’t stopping Kaleta, it’s protecting the emperor. It’s only natural that I got thrown out when I pointed that out.”
Rodric Kellerhan’s mouth dropped open.
“You pointed that out? Right to Carlos’s face?”
“I urged us to move beyond the barrier. I also questioned why we weren’t doing it.”
“Wow…”
He admired her sincerely.
“That’s why I was expelled at twenty-one. Devoid of power, unable to use magic, and even swordsmanship…”
Rustica Gennes looked down at her bound hands. She realized she had just been unlucky. Extremely so.
Just then, the oak door opened and a new face popped out.
“Countess Flache.”
“Ah, yes.”
A woman, robed like Rodric, came out and smiled gently. She appeared to be about the same age as Rodric.
“His Majesty commands you to come in.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Is that girl Garnet? She must be from Kaleta for sure. Rustica Gennes left the two behind and went inside.
The room was spacious yet cozy. A plush carpet, draped curtains, and large potted plants were placed here and there.
In the center was a hearth for charcoal, and around it were a backless sofa and a long, bed-like seat. Hayden was sitting on the sofa.
“Your Grace, this way.”
Drawn by his gesture, Rustica Gennes locked eyes with a woman sitting diagonally on the bed.
She was a stunning beauty. Elegant and dignified, she appeared to be in her early to mid-40s. Qualities and wisdom that a young person could never emulate shone in her gentle blue eyes.
Rustica Gennes instinctively knew this platinum-haired woman, with her hair loosely let down, was Matopju and a western sage. Indeed, it seemed all sages looked this way. After all, Carlos was also dazzling, and what could one say about Hayden?
“Ophelia, this is Countess Rustica Gennes, Your Grace. Your Grace, this is Ophelia Quintalet Anishe, the Matopju and western sage who has no intention of doing anything since she passed on her Matop responsibilities to me.”
Ophelia responded to Hayden’s introduction with a very refreshing smile. The lines that formed around her eyes when she smiled were natural and beautiful.
Rustica Gennes blankly watched her smile bloom and fade away. It was interesting, but in the end, she looked utterly exhausted. Rustica Gennes began with a greeting.
“Nice to meet you. I am Rustica Gennes.”
“Please sit.”
Ophelia extended her ivory-like hand and offered a seat next to Hayden.
“Thank you.”
“Your introduction was very simple and modest. Quite knightly.”
Her hair was considerably shorter than most women, just beyond her shoulders. Even seated without adornment, she had an inherent dignity that made Rustica Gennes repeatedly admire her.
Knock knock. The door was gently knocked again, and Garnet cautiously entered, placing down three rustic, handleless teacups and a hefty teapot before exiting again.
“Please drink. It may be humble compared to Shalea, but it has its own simple flavor and aroma.”
The aroma of the tea in the pavilion was far more fragrant and elegant than the modest words of the pavilion’s owner had suggested. Sitting high atop the pavilion, drinking tea had a calming effect on one’s gut and mind.
“To be honest, I thought everything would be over once Your Majesty ascended to the throne.”
Ophelia mumbled, interlocking her fingers. Although she did not demean herself, she maintained a degree of decorum in her tone towards the Emperor. Hayden was no different.
“You didn’t expect me to hold you back, did you?”
“I should have expected it, but I was quite naive.”
Haha, Hayden simply laughed.
“I should have expected that a young emperor taking the throne after a long time would have many desires. You end up holding me back like this.”
“No, Ophelia. I’m not the one holding you back. You are still the Western Sage, and no successor has appeared yet.”
Hayden shook his head sideways.
“Your era has not yet come to an end.”
“I wish it would.”
Ophelia muttered like a sigh. With a thud, the sound of two strong forces colliding was heard, revealing the emerald curse that wrapped around her slender body like a thick snake.
Lu looked at the curse wrapped around three times and suddenly looked down at herself. Whether it was the aftermath or not, a tiny, intricate knot-like curse appeared on Lu’s body as well.
“Carlos has become much more delicate.”
Comparing the shape of her own curse with Lu’s, Ophelia blandly gave her opinion.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
