Don't Be Kind Rashly (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13
There was too much to do. Once again today, Lu had her time completely stolen by the emperor’s pointless tea-time invitation, and now she was tirelessly working on yet another report late into the night.
In truth, she had planned to pick out a proper copy of the peerage directory today and look up exactly who that “noble bearing the Jenus name,” mentioned by the emperor, might be.
Over the centuries, countless members of the Calleta Imperial Knights or civilians fighting near the Wall had been lured by monsters and crossed over it. So perhaps this person was a distant relative of hers—or perhaps…
‘It could even be my parents.’
She didn’t want to cling to false hope, but it was possible they were the parents who had gone missing eleven years ago. If there was even a sliver of hope, she wanted to hold onto it. That was why she’d been so eager to search through the peerage directory—but damn that Perseeta emperor.
“Sigh…”
Her sigh rolled across the report. The more she met with the Perseeta emperor, the longer her reports inevitably became.
And yet, she also had to carefully omit certain details she wished to hide from the Calleta emperor who would read this report, which gave her a headache.
‘I’m exhausted.’
Living a life where you can trust no one is truly exhausting. Whenever she saw Martin, she wondered, ‘When will he poison my food?’ And whenever she saw Lady Eliza Barcova, she thought, ‘Will that person stab me in my sleep tonight?’
Even seeing Aldwin Rochester always made her immediately wonder, ‘When will he stab me in the back?’—making the consulate a veritable bed of thorns.
And on top of all that, that Perseeta emperor had shown her he was a monster far more terrifying than any demon. Just thinking about it still sent shivers down her spine.
‘It’s just because I haven’t seen something like that in a while. It felt exactly like old times.’
Just like back then, when she could instinctively sense a demon’s proximity, that prickling sensation and the feeling of her whole body warning her still lingered.
…Right now too?
Lu lifted her head. The fountain pen set on her desk was trembling.
That set had clearly been bestowed upon her by Calleta Emperor Carlos Arthur Ingram—so why was it shaking? The desk and chair were perfectly still, yet only the ornate fountain pen set trembled.
And from the tip of that set, a faint green smoke began to grow clearer and larger.
“…Your Majesty?”
She shot up from her seat. Emerging from within the smoke was none other than Carlos Arthur Ingram, Emperor of the Calleta Empire and her superior.
He turned his body and faced Lu. In the dimly lit room, his emerald eyes glowed deeply.
“Lady Jenus.”
Lu hastily pulled the curtains shut even tighter. If anyone saw this, it would be disastrous—what if the Calleta emperor himself appeared at the Calleta consulate?
The black pillars standing at regular intervals along the Chalea streets turned out to be gas-lit streetlamps that glowed at night. Because anyone could stroll freely down the streets, she had to be extra careful.
“Your Majesty.”
Watching her hurriedly secure the curtains, Carlos gave a soft chuckle.
“Were you in the middle of writing a report?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Only after fully closing the curtains did she give a quick, shallow bow. The Calleta emperor was the empire’s greatest mage—his sudden appearance here wasn’t something to be surprised about.
“How has your stay been so far?”
Carlos asked casually as he glanced around, then settled onto the plush sofa before the fireplace.
“I’m still overwhelmed.”
Lu moved closer to him as she spoke.
“Would you care for some tea?”
“No, I’m not actually here in person right now. This is merely an illusion.”
“Oh.”
Lu, who could no longer even distinguish such things, nodded slightly late. Had she still been a proper mage capable of handling magic, she would have realized it immediately.
Once again, she let a wave of bitter helplessness wash over her briefly.
“I came to see how Lady Jenus was adjusting—but are you still just overwhelmed?”
To push someone into the lion’s den and then show up wondering when they’d die—Carlos really was shameless.
Perhaps all emperors needed such thick skin to rule well.
“I’m gradually getting a handle on things. It’s quite different from Calleta in many ways, and since rocks keep flying at us, my movements are heavily restricted.”
Carlos crossed his long legs, not even trying to hide his mocking expression.
“It’s a place especially full of fools.”
Somehow, he spoke as if he knew Perseeta well.
“I’m sorry, but I haven’t learned much so far—only that it’s a country where magic isn’t used…”
Lu hesitated slightly before speaking honestly.
“…and that the Perseeta emperor isn’t quite right in the head.”
“Not quite right?”
His emerald eyes sparkled cheerfully as they caught the firelight. There was a time when she’d liked that look—thought him unusually approachable and pure for an emperor.
‘Like hell.’
Approachable and pure? That gaze was merely the condescending curiosity of someone looking down, amused by the chattering of insects below.
“Yes. For one, he urged me to switch sides.”
“He asked you to defect to Perseeta?”
Amusement danced even in his eyes. Carlos found all of this simply entertaining. After all, even the deaths of knights at the Wall and the conscription of child soldiers were just amusing matters to him.
“I don’t think that’s something one says on a diplomat’s very first day.”
“Whether it’s the first day or a week later makes no difference. It seems the emperor gains something just from the Calleta consul defecting.”
“I didn’t expect him to be so shamelessly rude.”
“You seem quite shocked?”
“Yes.”
Lu nodded. Then she said something she herself found rather sickening.
“The only emperor I’ve ever known is Your Majesty, so I used you as my standard. The Perseeta emperor deviates greatly from that—I was honestly shocked.”
Since she was now inside the Perseeta Empire, she needed to stay in the good graces of the Calleta emperor, who at least formally served as her backing.
For now, it was better if Rustica Jenus appeared to be as loyal to Carlos as she once was.
But it was cowardly, despicable, and nauseating flattery. The powerless had no choice but to roll onto their backs and fawn desperately to survive.
“It was indeed a rude proposal—to say that on your first day. What did you do today?”
“I was dragged to the palace again today.”
“Again?”
Carlos looked at Lu as if this were unexpected.
“They say Perseeta revolves around social gatherings—he summoned me under the pretense of having tea. Since it came directly from the emperor, I couldn’t refuse.”
This time, he didn’t find her exhausted complaint amusing.
“Besides the emperor, did you see anyone else there?”
“I had a private audience with the emperor.”
Carlos’s eyes twitched.
The next morning, Lu dragged her utterly exhausted body out of bed.
Carlos, who had appeared in person, had persistently grilled her about everything before vanishing just as abruptly.
Hearing she had to go to the palace again today, his relentless line of questioning had reached its peak.
His strange, near-blue emerald eyes kept interrogating her, as if desperate to learn even one more thing about the Perseeta emperor, draining every last bit of energy from her.
‘Being harassed by my boss all night—well, at least I’m excused from writing that report thanks to yesterday’s incident.’
She regretted the report she’d already written more than halfway, but it was a relief not having to finish it.
Lu splashed lukewarm water on her face. It was her third day in Perseeta, and the Calleta consulate still hadn’t fully settled in—it creaked and groaned as it turned.
Stepping out of her room, Lu counted how many windows had been newly broken.
‘Huh… none broken anew?’
Now that she thought about it, yesterday had been unusually quiet. Had her direct complaint to the Perseeta emperor actually worked?
Puzzled, she entered the dining room to find the table already set.
Of course, there were still no newspapers. Did she always have to go out and buy them herself? Just then, Lady Eliza Barcova appeared in the dining room, bringing with her the crisp morning air.
“Good morning.”
At Lu’s greeting, the other woman nodded curtly as she removed her scarf, a bundle of newspapers tucked firmly under her arm.
“Where’ve you been?”
“To buy the papers.”
Eliza dropped the bundle onto the table. It contained one copy of each type—exactly what Lu had bought before.
“It’s nice to read them over breakfast.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“I asked if they could deliver to the Calleta consulate every morning.”
Lu stared at Eliza in surprise. The consulate was being pelted with rocks, and today’s papers were full of insults toward Calleta—how brave of her to do such a thing!
“They agreed, so from now on, a bundle this thick will be delivered every morning. I ordered exactly what Lady Jenus bought yesterday. They’ll even deliver monthlies and quarterlies as soon as they’re out.”
“They agreed just like that?”
Eliza, who had been about to take off her coat and wash her hands, paused briefly.
“I offered them a generous delivery fee.”
She’d received some dirty looks, but had compromised with money—that was it.
“Well done. You’ve worked hard. No need to go out early anymore.”
Lu picked up a newspaper, still smelling strongly of fresh ink, and eagerly began reading from the front page.
“There are so many newspapers here—it really helps understand Perseeta. Even the Perseeta emperor gets quite a bit of criticism.”
Eliza, drying her wet hands as she turned back, said only that before sitting down at the table. Anything more would be forbidden to a Calleta citizen, used to having only one state newspaper.
But surely Eliza had felt something too—after all, newspapers criticizing their own emperor simply didn’t exist in Calleta.
“Right. I found the obituaries and society pages quite entertaining too.”
Lu brushed it off lightly. Eliza frowned slightly as she replied.
“This country is far too noisy and crowded.”
Just then, Aldwin Rochester burst in with a loud clatter.
“Oh, what? Am I last again today?”
“Just like that guy.”
Lu couldn’t help but laugh at Eliza’s remark.
“Me? Why?”
“You’re last.”
Knowing Eliza wouldn’t answer, Lu let it go. Aldwin narrowed his eyes but said nothing as he took his seat. Martin busily brought over soft egg dishes and milk.
“It was strangely quiet last night. Did everyone sleep well?”
At Aldwin’s words, Lu handed him a newspaper.
“Here’s why. The police headquarters, Blue Cabinet, and Perseeta Imperial administration issued a strong warning to those threatening security on the diplomats’ street: ‘Any act that tarnishes the dignity of Perseeta citizens will not be forgiven…’”
“Oh. They didn’t mention Calleta at all—just phrased it vaguely. But, Rustica.”
Eliza never spoke when Aldwin was around—probably because he, cheerful when pleased and noisy when displeased, always said everything for her.
“Off to the palace again today?”
Instead of answering, Lu set down her fork and knife and sighed wearily.
“Yeah. Got it. Sorry for asking.”
Everyone at the consulate already knew, without needing to be told, that the Perseeta emperor was giving the Calleta consul a hard time.
Once again today, the fresh and cheerful Perseeta emperor summoned Lu straight to the Chalea Palace without even giving her time to buy the peerage directory.
It was truly despicable—casually hinting she should look up nobles bearing the Jenus name, yet not allowing her any time to actually do so.
“Did you sleep well last night, Consul?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You look tired for someone who slept well.”
“I’m rather frail, Your Majesty.”
Lu had now learned to spout plausible nonsense without batting an eye. Conversing with this man using ordinary common sense seemed impossible. The emperor gave a faint laugh at her words.
“How unfortunate—frail as you are, yet your direct superior appeared in person and kept you late for a report.”
When deeply shocked, one must not move a single facial muscle—not even widen one’s eyes. Remembering the Perseeta emperor’s oppressive aura, her hands, already trembling with fear, were hidden within her sleeves.
“…Yes?”
The best course was to ask blandly, as if not understanding his words.
“Yesterday, the Calleta emperor paid a rare visit. I’m curious about your thoughts on the consulate’s interior decor.”
Lu froze, swallowing hard.
The Perseeta emperor knew that Calleta Emperor Carlos had secretly appeared. How? How could he know that Calleta’s greatest mage had come secretly?
“I told you not to use magic, Consul. Given our historically poor relations with the Calleta Empire, it’s a serious matter for their emperor to cross the border without permission.”
“I don’t understand what you mean. Why would you suddenly think such a thing?”
For now, calmly denying it was the best approach. The Perseeta emperor’s gray eyes narrowed.
“Consul—why do you think not a single stone was thrown at the consulate last night?”
She wouldn’t rise to provocation. Lu held firm.
“It would be even more troublesome if the Calleta emperor appeared in such disheveled attire—showing up in a loosely unbuttoned shirt and only a blue robe? Quite impolite.”
Hearing him describe precisely how the illusion of the Calleta emperor had appeared yesterday, Lu felt cold sweat trickle down her back.
Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. Damn the Calleta emperor, damn the Perseeta emperor—may they all perish!
“So, Consul—I happen to have a tedious etiquette lesson. Would you care to attend it with me?”
She had no choice.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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I’m not sure where Lu gets the patience to deal with Hayden. He’s like a bulldozer. He seems convinced he’s helping her yet he doesn’t consider her opinions throughout it all.