Don't Be Kind Rashly (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 15
If Hayden, Emperor of the Persesta Empire, had made up his mind to dance with her, there was nothing for it but to see it through to the end.
So Lu stood barefoot on the ballroom floor. Even if her swordsmanship had declined, she had never let go of her sword to the very end. She would learn anything and keep trying. Even something as trivial as dancing was within her reach.
No matter how strongly the lingering scent clung to her body, or how the hand that had held her still seemed to grip her now, she could still focus.
After all, it had been Lu who first broke that night apart. Then what of Hayden, who had deliberately let himself be mauled by a bear just to hold onto her?
“I suppose I’ve learned the basics well enough by now.”
Step, step, turn, turn. Lu, having spun perfectly and landed steadily, spoke flatly.
Those words were merely feigned modesty. Ever since the moment her eyes changed as she kicked off her boots, she had focused solely on properly mastering the dance, paying Hayden no attention whatsoever.
What mattered was moving forward smoothly, placing her feet correctly, and never missing the beat.
Hayden looked down at her. He knew full well that he was the one clinging stubbornly and pathetically to a woman who could, if she chose, forget everything and pretend it had never happened.
He felt a pang of disappointment that during their time holding hands and matching rhythms, Lu seemed to feel nothing more than the simple satisfaction of moving her body—but he showed none of it.
That wasn’t important right now. As long as Lu had stepped out of the stifling embassy and felt even a little sense of freedom, that was enough.
“You’ve learned not just the basics—you’ve learned everything we did today.”
Hayden spoke gently. Now that the endless piano and violin melodies had ceased, only his voice echoed through the hall.
“There were only three dances, but learning three in an hour is fast.”
Especially considering she’d known absolutely nothing about dancing to begin with.
“Shall we take a short break? It’s lunchtime, after all.”
She quickly pulled her hand away from Hayden’s. It was welcome news.
“Yes, then perhaps later…”
“Let’s eat together. The palace chefs must have already prepared something.”
“Oh?”
Hayden smiled and pointed toward the piano.
“You said there’d be boring etiquette lessons today, didn’t you?”
The woman seated at the piano gave a slight nod when their eyes met. She rose and disappeared along with the violinist.
“‘Boring’ means it drags on endlessly. But thanks to you, Ambassador, we’ve passed the dance lesson. Next would be dining etiquette, I suppose.”
“I don’t think Your Majesty needs separate lessons in that…”
“I ascended directly to the throne without ever being crown prince. The nobles have nothing better to do than nitpick over things like this—it’s utterly exhausting.”
Could nobles really dare lecture an emperor who’d detected Carlos’s magical infiltration?
Of course, Lu came from a land where the emperor’s word was law—but that was Kalreta’s custom, not hers. She judged things strictly by imperial authority.
Hayden was clearly no emperor to be taken lightly.
Unless her guts had fallen out of her body, Lu would never glare at such an emperor and tell him, “Since you skipped your crown prince days and missed proper education, go relearn etiquette first.”
“I haven’t met many Persesta nobles yet, but I can already tell Your Majesty doesn’t need separate lessons like this. If anything, I’d understand better if Your Majesty were the one teaching.”
After all, hadn’t Lu just ended up learning from him this time? Ah—could that have been his intention all along? Just as she realized something, Hayden handed her a handkerchief.
Don’t think about that—just think about yourself, Lu. Her sharp green eyes, having grasped something, stared at him—but he cut her off.
Hayden knew better than anyone that Lu had no room in her heart to consider others.
“Your words are appreciated. I’ll wash up and see you again.”
The emperor crossing the hall barefoot looked utterly confident, lacking nothing at all.
He was, after all, the master of this place.
Lu wiped the sweat from her brow with the handkerchief. Her body, which had felt sluggish from never having practiced swordsmanship since arriving in Persesta, now felt somewhat refreshed.
Right after breakfast, she’d been summoned, spent an hour sweating profusely while dancing mindlessly, and was then promptly tossed into a bathtub.
Lu rubbed her numb feet. The maids attending her bath moved so quickly to save time that she hadn’t even had a chance to refuse.
Suspicious that Hayden might be up to something again, she remained on guard—but drying her hair and re-dressing happened in a blur.
“We’ll moisturize your face.”
“We’ll comb your hair.”
“We’ve prepared a blouse, skirt, and stockings here. Please wear these shoes.”
The clothes laid out before her resembled what she’d worn but were clearly made of finer fabric.
And weren’t those silk stockings? The very luxury item Persesta’s newspapers touted daily as one of the essential indulgences for noblewomen.
“We’re short on time. Lunch with His Imperial Majesty begins shortly.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but as Kalreta’s ambassador, she couldn’t possibly be late for lunch with the emperor—so, with great reluctance, Lu picked up the stockings first.
“Don’t you have anything else? Trousers, perhaps…?”
“I’m sorry, but we don’t have formal women’s trousers available. Next time, we’ll prepare trousers for you. Oh—but we do have a dress. Would you like that instead?”
“It’s fine. This will do.”
If there was a “next time,” that would be a problem in itself. She usually wore trousers to avoid appearing too approachable, but a skirt was certainly more comfortable than constricting pants.
After all, for the past four summers, she’d lived wearing only one-piece dresses.
“There—finished.”
Lu looked at herself in the mirror, slightly awkwardly. She’d once quite liked glamorous things.
While working, she’d worn only neat uniforms, but in her free time, she dressed according to her taste and adored accessories like gloves and hats.
But that was long ago. After disguising herself as someone lost to gambling, she’d sold everything. Leaving behind her dazzling life as a genius knight, she’d abandoned it all.
“How is it? If there’s anything you dislike, please let us know.”
“No.”
Lu shook her head.
“I like it.”
For the first time in four years, with someone else’s help, she’d returned to the appearance of the original Rustica Jenus she remembered.
It was far more comfortable and natural than the stiff, solemn style Kalreta had forced upon her.
Her hair, which Kalreta’s maids had pinned tightly into a net with dozens of pins, now hung softly, curling gently.
One section was braided and tied with a ribbon—and honestly, that look suited Lu’s real age much better.
“Kalreta really did style me to look far too old.”
They’d shoved her into heavy clothing, insisting, “The ambassador mustn’t appear weak—proper decorum is essential,” and so on.
Now, a fluttering blouse, a wide skirt that allowed her to stride freely, and light shoes enveloped her.
The maids draped not a jacket or coat, but a soft sweater over her shoulders.
“If the Kalreta Emperor finds out, he’ll surely throw a fit, demanding to know what kind of ambassador I am.”
What did she care? It was all because Carlos had sneaked in secretly and failed to conceal his magic properly—hence why Lu had been dragged here since morning. If Carlos got angry, so much the better. That man needed a good dose of humility.
He’d looked displeased again today at the mention of having to visit Schalea Palace. He’d repeatedly, emphatically stressed that Lu was a citizen of Kalreta and must never, under any circumstances, be fooled by talk of private audiences with the Persesta Emperor.
“To hell with that.”
She didn’t know when she’d die, but she’d gladly die just to see that bastard lose his temper and flip out. No matter how hard she tried to recall, she couldn’t remember exactly how she’d helped the boy soldier she’d met before the wall.
Moreover, by then, she’d almost forgotten the days when she’d been called a “genius knight.” The emperor was probably lying.
Lu headed to the luncheon hall under the maids’ guidance. On the surface, the Kalreta ambassador was doing an excellent job—meeting the Persesta Emperor daily, and now even sharing meals with him.
Hayden, sweeping back his black hair, was visible in the distance. His tall, long-legged frame stood out even from afar, and dressed in imperial attire, he looked exceptionally handsome.
Secretly, she admired his outfit—neither overly formal nor too casual. The deep crimson outer robe was a fitting color to convey imperial dignity.
“There’s probably no color he wouldn’t suit.”
Lost in trivial, pointless thoughts, she walked faster than usual—keeping an emperor waiting was hardly proper etiquette.
“I apologize for being late.”
The sunlit corridor where Hayden stood had no paintings hung. The only thing to enjoy was the garden outside, changing with the seasons.
Thus, this open space let in wind freely and allowed sunlight to pour in without mercy.
Lu, standing beneath that sunlight, glanced away from Hayden, who looked down at her without reacting to her formal apology.
“Why’s he acting like that?”
Hadn’t he dressed her up however he pleased? She’d matched the rhythm so carefully—why no reaction? Being tossed around by high-ranking people was simply exhausting.
“You look good in it.”
“Oh—yes, thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
Lu, who’d been diligently practicing her courtesies, noticed Hayden fiddling with the corner of his mouth. Her eyes asked, “What’s with him?”
Of course—he’d been utterly entranced the moment he saw Lu walking toward him. Compared to how she’d barely managed to walk in those ill-fitting, layered Kalreta formal robes, she now looked far freer and lighter. That delighted Hayden.
“You look much lighter.”
He was smiling. He always smiled easily, so she supposed she should just accept it—but his scrutinizing gray eyes brimmed with quiet joy. Somehow, Lu felt inexplicably embarrassed.
“Consider the outfit my gift. I spent days wondering what to give the Kalreta ambassador upon her arrival in Persesta.”
A single outfit was, if anything, a light gift. Better to accept it and be done with it.
“Thank you.”
Lu would never forget the terrifying pressure she’d felt from Hayden on her first day here. His smiling face was mere disguise—beneath it lay a sharp blade. Carlos was no different.
Thus, she had to tread carefully, never provoking their moods, walking a razor’s edge. Accepting such clothes from the emperor meant nothing.
It wasn’t a jeweled gown, after all—just something trivial enough for the emperor to give and forget. Refusing it would be inappropriate.
“But I must refuse the big things.”
If it were something like a jeweled dress, rumors would surely spread—so she’d have to refuse. Hayden had already proposed she defect to Persesta.
He’d issued silent threats, and now he was gently coaxing her—she didn’t know, and didn’t care.
She only felt ashamed of herself for recalling that secret encounter from days ago, just because they’d shared a dance and he was giving her playful glances now.
“But I can’t help it! It’s only been about a week since I slept with him!”
Ah—thinking about it again sent chills down her spine. Good heavens, it hadn’t even been a week. Counting the days, goosebumps suddenly rose anew.
“I thought about dining outside since the weather’s nice, but it still feels a bit chilly.”
Hayden glanced at Lu’s freshly dried hair and led her inside—she might catch a cold if they ate outdoors.
His tall, solid frame, lean and muscular, now towered over Lu.
“She’s definitely thinner.”
Much smaller, much thinner than before. That had been his greatest shock when holding her a few nights prior. There were many reasons, but most likely stemmed from what had happened in Kalreta.
Hayden intended to feed Lu well. Passing silently by servants who opened the doors, she entered a bright white space—and instantly tensed.
She’d expected a grand dining hall, but this place was surprisingly intimate.
A fireplace, a vase with dainty flowers, and—true to Schalea Palace—many windows flooding the room with sunlight, making it dazzlingly bright. Especially notable was an octagonal recess in the room, where a round dining table stood.
“Hah—might as well have used a rectangular table.”
Anyone could see this setup was deliberately arranged to keep Lu close and somehow win her over.
Of course, she’d just nibble some delicious food, politely decline whatever came next, and leave. A lunch invitation from the Persesta Emperor meant nothing to her.
“But the real question is—how long will this go on…?”
People in high positions usually had unnecessarily strong pride to match their status. They grew furious at refusal, opposition, or being ignored—and tolerated none of it.
If Carlos was like that, why would Hayden be any different? Continuously rejecting the emperor’s proposals wasn’t a solution. That’s why they’d sent Lu to this ambassador post—it was a death sentence.
“‘Dining etiquette lessons’?”
She narrowed her eyes and asked Hayden as he took his seat.
She kept overanalyzing every word he spoke, searching for hidden motives.
Ugh—if only he’d just take things at face value. Then again, Hayden was working just as hard, summoning her daily with elaborate schemes.
He, too, was now spouting every excuse imaginable just to feed Lu food that suited her taste and was “safe.” At the very least, food he’d personally overseen would be better than meals prepared by Kalreta Embassy’s poison specialists. After all, poison wasn’t always meant to kill—it could also be used subtly to ruin someone.
“It’s the most boring and frustrating time of all. But with you here, Ambassador, it’ll be far less so. As you can see.”
He swept his hand over the empty air above the table. There were three sets of forks and knives, plus two spoons of different sizes. Amidst all this, Lu quietly observed the tendons on the back of his hand.
“It’s still overly elaborate.”
The servants, who’d been ordered to prepare everything meticulously, would’ve found that unfair—but Hayden remained unperturbed.
“It’s wonderful and beautiful. I especially like the napkin.”
The napkin wrapped in a mint-green ribbon was particularly lovely. Or was it the ribbon that was pretty?
Lu had never liked the flashy golden-bordered napkins Martin so proudly displayed—they felt crude and lacked sophistication.
It’d be nice to switch to something this fresh. Speaking of which, they’d mentioned hiring new maids and kitchen assistants—would it go well?
“Ambassador Jenus.”
Startled from her thoughts, she looked up at the sudden call.
“Have you had enough time to explore Schalea?”
He asked this despite knowing she’d had no leisure to wander. He was already planning their next outing together.
“…If Your Majesty grants me the time, I’d be happy to explore properly.”
Hayden laughed again, amused by something—as if to say, “When have I ever given you that time?”
Reflexively, she looked for a teapot. Instead, she saw a heavy water pitcher in a servant’s hands, ready to pour.
Naturally, it was in the servant’s grasp. What a shame—anyone could see a pitcher was perfect for bashing someone over the head.
“Unfortunately, Schalea isn’t a good place to tour right now. There are too many foreign eyes watching from every corner.”
Lu instinctively recalled tomorrow’s appointment.
In celebration of Ambassador Kalreta’s arrival in Schalea, the Nirva Embassy cordially invites you.
If you’re free, please join us for tea tomorrow at 3 PM.
We await your reply. Ambassador Felice Kaika of Nirva.
This invitation from the neighboring embassy would serve as a convenient excuse to decline any potential overtures from Hayden tomorrow.
“Many are showing interest in you, Ambassador.”
Lu suddenly felt that Hayden already knew about the Nirva Embassy’s invitation.
“Just like me.”
He gave a faint smile. His face remained unreadable as ever.
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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.